Tour Code: ELT-HCA0122
Duration: 18 days / 17 nights
~Arrival to Addis Ababa Bole International airport and transfer to terminal 1, for a domestic flight departing to Bahir Dar -at 10AM. Transfer to a hotel for a check-in and a lunch break.
~In the afternoon, drive to the village of Tisisat (32kms) and visit the Blue Nile falls - surrounded by magnificent hills. Drive back to the city -Bahir Dar for an overnight stay in a suggested hotel.
~In the morning, take a boat on an excursion ride to the Zeghe Peninsula located on Lake Tana, and visit the 14th century built monasteries of Ura Kidane Mihret and Azuwa Mariyam. After having lunch, visit the colorful local market of Bahir Dar city.
~Later afternoon, at around 5:30 PM, drive up to the hills of Bezawit where you can have a moment of silence and breathing, as you take a look at the view of the city and the Sunset. Overnight stay in a suggested hotel.
~A morning drive to Gondar (178km), admiring on route the beautiful scenery of the countryside. Hotel check-in and lunch break.
~In the afternoon, a city tour to visit the Castles compound (built during the 17th/18th centuries by the Ethiopian kings from Gondar era), King Fasiladas bath, and the church of Debre Birhan Selassie (built during the 17th century). Overnight stay at a suggested hotel.
~Take a morning flight departing to Lalibela -at 9:30AM. Transfer to a hotel for a check-in and a lunch break.
~In the afternoon, visit the first group of the rock-hewn churches carved out of a single huge mother rock, during the late 12th century -by the saintly king Lalibela. Overnight stay in a suggested hotel.
~A morning drive to the small village of Woger Sihin (42kms), for a visit to the monastery of Yimrehane Kirstos (an early 12th century cave built-in church, by the saintly king Yimrehane Kirstos). Drive back to town, and have a lunch break.
~In the afternoon, visit the second group of the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela. Overnight stay in a suggested hotel.
~Take a morning flight departing to Aksum -at 9:30AM, transfer to a hotel for a check-in and a lunch break.
~In the afternoon, visit the Giant Obelisks at the stele field, the church of St. Mary of Zion (where is believed to have housed the Ark of the covenant), the tombs of Axumite kings Kaleb and Gebre Meskel, and the ruins of the palace of Queen Sheba (Saba). Overnight stay in a suggested hotel.
~Take a morning flight departing to Addis Ababa -at 9:00AM. Then proceed with a connection flight heading to Dire Dawa -at 12AM. Drive to Harar (60kms), and visit an evening Hyenas feeding theater held by an exceptional person. Overnight stay in a suggested hotel.
~A day to visit the ancient walled city Harar, its colorful spice market, museums, and a beautifully decorated Harari house. Then drive back to Dire Dawa. Overnight stay in a suggested hotel.
~Take a morning flight departing to Addis Ababa -at 10:00AM. Then proceed with a connection flight heading to Dire Dawa -at 11:40AM. Transfer to a hotel for a check-in and visit the Southern Omo cultural museum. Overnight stay in a suggested hotel.
~A morning drive to the village of Olikore (60kms), crossing the Mago NP and visit the Mursi tribe. Drive back to town for lunch.
~Then proceed on a drive to Turmi (130kms), and visit the Hamer tribe. Overnight stay in a suggested hotel.
~A whole day to spend at Kangaten (90kms) visiting the Nyangatom tribe and at Korcho (72kms) visiting the Karo tribe. Overnight stay in a suggested hotel.
~A morning drive to Omorate (72kms) and visit the Dassanech tribe, located in a village after crossing the river Omo using a locally made canoe. Drive back to Turmi for lunch.
~Then proceed on a drive to Karat (200kms). Overnight stay in a suggested hotel.
~Visit in the morning the Konso peoples and its lifestyle. Then proceed on a drive to Arba Minch (90kms) and visit Lake Chamo on a boat trip, spotting crocodiles and hippos. Overnight stay in a suggested hotel.
~A morning drive to Hawassa (270kms), visiting on the way the Dorze tribe at the village of Hayzo (37kms).
~Also enjoy an afternoon moment by the shores of Lake Hawassa, as you be watching the beautiful sunset to. Overnight stay in a suggested hotel.
~After a visit to the mornings fish market held by the shore of Lake Hawassa, drive to Goba (220kms). On the way, stop by the headquarters of Bale Mountains NP to obtain permission and participate on a 2hr long hiking activity at Dinsho. Here you will spot the endemic mammal Mountain Nyala. Overnight stay in a suggested hotel.
~Early morning drive to the village of Rira (100kms) to visit the beautiful nature of the Harrena forest. On the way back, drive to the summit of the 3rd highest peak in Ethiopia -Mt Tullu Dimtu (4370 meters above sea level) and the Sanetti plateau (4070 meters above sea level), where a small lake exists and here you can spot the endemic mammal the Abyssinia Wolf (Red Fox). Overnight stay in a suggested hotel.
~Drive back to Addis Ababa (400kms), via Assela -as a breathtaking landscape amazes you while passing by the Arsi chained mountains (where Ethiopian famous long distance runners emerge). Overnight stay in a suggested hotel.
~A final day to visit the National museum, the Holy Trinity cathedral, Merkato (the biggest open market in Africa), and a view overlooking the capital city from Mt Entoto (3200 meters above sea level). An optional souvenirs shopping moment with an evening farewell dinner at a cultural restaurant marks the end of the tour. Departure.



