Historical Route and Omo Valley in Ethiopia

Meeting with IETT guide and driver at Bole International Airport and transfer to hotel for check-in.

The rest of the day is dedicated to the city tour of Addis Ababa including the panoramic view point Entoto Mountain, Merkato, said to be Africa’s largest market of its kind, and the National Museum (home of Lucy, hominid skeleton dating back 3.2 million years) and the ethnographic museum.

Overnight in Addis Ababa.

Transfer to Bahir Dar by airplane.

In the morning, boat trip on Lake Tana to explore the monasteries hidden on the shores and islands of Lake Tana.

During the afternoon city tour of Bahir Dar, visiting Bezawit Hill and the former palace of Haile Selassie, as well as the bustling market. In the late afternoon depart out of town to the Blue Nile Falls for an easy hike in the area. Finish the day with a lovely sunset over the lake.

Overnight in Bahir Dar.

In the morning, the tour continues to Gondar.

Upon arrival, visit to the sites of Gondar, including the Royal Enclosure, with six castles and several other buildings, the Fasilidas’s Pool, still used for Timket celebrations today, Debre Birhan Selassie church, with the most famous ceiling in Ethiopia and Kuskuam, a former palace in a partial state of ruin overlooking the ancient city of Gondar.

Overnight in Gondar.

In the morning, fly Gondar to Axum.

The whole day is dedicated to the discovery of the sites in Axum. It includes the famous obelisks, the Queen of Sheba’s Bath (which supplies water to Axum year-round), King Bazen’s tomb, and the Queen of Sheba’s Palace.

You will also visit the St. Mary of Zion church, where the Ark of the Covenant is kept, according to local Ethiopian tradition. Men only are allowed to enter the old church. Unfortunately, no one (except one specially chosen guardian monk) is allowed to enter the chapel where the Ark is kept.

Overnight in Axum.

In the morning you will take a flight to Lalibela, the most famous of all of the Ethiopian historical sites.

After lunch, you will begin to explore the 11 rock-hewn churches of the remarkable king Lalibela, visiting the Northwestern Cluster of churches - Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, Bet Mikael & Bet Golgotha.

Overnight hotel in Lalibela.

In the morning, visit the Southeastern Cluster of churches – Bet Gabriel-Rufael, Bet Merkorios, Bet Amanual, and Bet Abba Libanos. Finally, visit the most famous of all the churches – Bet Giyorgis, a huge monolith in the shape of a cross, and constructed in honor of St. George, the patron saint of Ethiopia.

After lunch, afternoon trip to visit the church of Yimrehanne Kristos. It is the most popular of the churches outside of Lalibela, this church is built in the late-Axumite style, with layers of wood and granite, set in the entrance to a large cavern.

At the end, back to Lalibela for overnight.

After breakfast, transfer to Lalibela airport and fly back to Addis.

Upon arrival, depart south from Addis via the Great Rift Valley, stopping on the way at Lake Ziway to visit the bountiful birdlife on the shores of the lake.

After a final stop at Wondo Genet, the favorite weekend getaway of former Emperor Haile Selassie for a swim in the pool and a shower in the therapeutic hot spring waters, you will arrive in Awassa.

Overnight at the hotel.

In the morning, visit the fish market on Lake Awassa, and then continue drive to Arba Minch.

During the route, you will ascend into the Gughe Mountains to visit the Dorze people, who are known for their tall beehive-like houses and their fine cotton weaving. Market days in Dorze village are Mondays and Thursdays and in Chencha on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

After the visit, continue to Arba Minch. Overnight at the hotel.

In the morning, boat trip on Lake Chamo to visit the crocodile market and hippo pods. At the end, departure for Jinka via Weyto (market day Sunday) and Key Afar (market day Thursday).

Overnight in Jinka.

After breakfast, transfer to Mago National Park to visit the Mursi tribe, who are known for their lower lip and earlobe plates. Afterwards, return to Jinka to the Ari village and visit the South Omo Museum & Research Center for more information about the tribes.

Tuesdays and Saturdays are market days in Jinka, which will be visited.

Overnight in Jinka.

In the morning, departure for Turmi. This is the home of the Hamer people.

During the route, stop in Dimeka for the local market, which is on Tuesdays and Saturday. This is one of the most colorful markets in the South Omo and is visited by neighborhood Hamer, Benna, Karo, Tsemai and Ari tribes.

Overnight in Turmi. At night, it is possible to enjoy a traditional night dancing performance of the Hamer people, known as Evangadi.

The whole day is dedicated to visiting the people of the Karo tribe. Depart from Turmi to the villages of Murulle, Kolcho and Dus on the shores of the Omo River.

The Karo people are the smallest in number of all of the tribes of the Omo Valley, and they are known for their elaborate decorations, particularly during local ceremonies.

Overnight in Turmi.

In the morning, transfer to Arba Minch, via Erbore in the Weyto valley and Konso. Friday is market day in Erbore,and it is an unmissable spot.

Stop in Konso for a visit with the Konso people, who are known for their totems erected in honor of the dead and their intricate agricultural terracing techniques.

Then, the tour continues to Arba Minch for overnight.

Depart from Arba Minch to Addis Ababa.

In the evening/afternoon, farewell party with cultural dinner and traditional special buffet and local drinks to experience Ethiopia’s cultural meals and drinks. After farewell party transfer to Bole international airport: the tour is ended.