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Ethiopia Tour: Simien Mountains, Lalibela, Omo Valley Tribes, Private Guide

Grand Ethiopia Tour: Historic Treasures + Omo Valley

18 NIGHTS FROM:

$7,176

Per person sharing

Scheduled flights quoted separately

YPG18A

• Ethiopia Tour

• Addis Ababa

• Lake Tana Monasteries

• Simien Mountains

• Gondar

• Castles & Palaces

• Lalibela Churches

• Omo Valley Tribes

• Tiya Stelea / Melka Kunture

• Private Guide

This comprehensive Ethiopia Tour combines the key sights of the north, including the wildlife of the Simien Mountains, the palaces of Gondar & rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, with the fascinating Omo Valley tribes in the south, travelling with your own private guide. Ideal for culture, birding, botany & photography. English-speaking guides & all transfers included.

Detailed itinerary ▶

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Day 1

You will be met at Bahir Dar Airport and transferred to your hotel in this palm-tree lined resort town, decorated with colourful flowers, situated on the shores of Lake Tana - the largest lake in Ethiopia.

In the afternoon we visit the former palace of Emperor Haile Selassie at Bizeit, with great views of the town and the point at which the Blue Nile flows out of the Lake Tana.

Day 2

Today we drive to the small town of Tiss Isat to visit the Blue Nile Falls, known locally as Tiss Abay (meaning 'Smoky Waters').

Until the construction of a hydroelectric power plant upstream, these were the second largest falls in Africa. They vary from a single stream in the dry season to four streams of turbulent brown water that are more than 1,300 ft (400 m) wide during the August & September rainy season, dropping down over 150 ft (45 m) into a sheer chasm below, giving rise to steam clouds and a spray of water that drenches onlookers. Walk 20-minutes to a great viewing point or, if you are more energetic, walk down to the base of the falls. At the local market you can buy hand-woven capes and scarves made of good local cotton and at Weyto village you can see the production of traditional Tankwa papyrus boats.

In the afternoon we return to Bahir Dar and take a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit the 14th century monasteries of Ura Kidane Mihret and Azwa Mariam, situated on a large peninsula. These monasteries are known for their colourful religious frescoes and an impressive display of illustrated bibles written in Ge’ez, Ethiopia’s oldest language.

Day 3

A full day on the road today as we leave Bahir Dar and travel 6-hours to Debark, continuing to our Simien Mountains National Park lodge in the northern Ethiopian Highlands - a dramatically beautiful World Heritage Site.

We drive through the spectacular landscapes of one of Africa's largest mountain ranges, with many deep valleys and jagged peaks. Here you will find Ras Dashen, the highest mountain in the country and the fourth highest in Africa soaring over 15,000 ft (4,630 m).

Simien Mountains National Park covers an area of over 70 square miles (190 km²). This high altitude park is situated between 4,500 and 6,200 ft (1,900 to 4,430 m) and has a variety of afro-alpine flora, including 57 different tree species and many herbaceous plants, spread across three distinct botanical zones. Over 180 bird species have been recorded here and this park is home to 35 different mammals.

Note: Be aware that your lodge in the Simien Mountains is at high altitude at 10,500 ft (3,200 m).

Days 4 To 5

This morning enjoy walking in Simien Mountains National Park. The alpine meadows in the highest reaches of this park have very little vegetation and snow falls regularly, but they provide essential sanctuary to the animals that live here.

Simien Mountains National Park was created primarily to protect the critically endangered Walia Ibex, which you can see clinging to the sheer rock faces. It is also home to other endemic species such as the colourful Gelada ('bleeding heart') baboon; the Ethiopian wolf (also known as the Simien fox); Menelik's bushbuck; caracal and the rare lammergeyer (a huge vulture).

Enjoy outstanding views of the gorge and mountain range, whose striking formations have been described as ‘the chess pieces of the Gods’. We also drive to Chenek which at 11, 877 ft (3,620 m) has an impressive escarpment with scenic views of Mount Buhit. Here you will have the best opportunity of observing the endemic Walia ibex, as well as many different bird species and the varied alpine flora.

Day 6

This morning we leave Simien Mountains National Park and drive 3-hours to Gondar.

This historic city was the 17th century capital of the Ethiopian Empire under Emperor Fasilides and also of the ancient Abyssinian Empire. Its rulers built many castles here, giving the region a very European feel - hence the name 'African Camelot'. The whole city is today a World Heritage Site.

On arrival we visit the Imperial Castle Compound with its six castles, including the oldest and most magnificent Fasilides Castle, with its Royal Enclosure and Emperor Fasilides’ Pool. This is where the colourful Timket festival (Epiphany) is celebrated every January, when pilgrims still take a plunge.

We also visit the church of Quskuam Mariam, the residence of the Empress Mentewab and the church of Debre Berhan Selassie (meaning 'Light of the Trinity'), located on the summit of a hill and surrounded by fortified walls. This church was not destroyed, even during the dervishes, and on its painted 18th century ceiling over 100 winged cherubs look down on you, with slightly different but equally quizzical expressions. Full of all the colour, life, wit and humanity of Ethiopian art at its best, the walls provide a compendium of the country's saints, martyrs and folklore.

Day 7

Transfer to Gondar Airport for your onward flight.

You will be met at Lalibela Airport and transferred into this spiritual town - the 'African Jerusalem'.

Perched high on an isolated mountain over 8,500 ft (2,600 m) above sea level, Lalibela is home to 11 spectacular rock-hewn churches built by King Lalibela (1181 - 1221) after whom the town is named. Each church is carved entirely out of a single block of granite, with its roof at ground level, and each is built in a different architectural style. The entire town seems frozen in biblical times and is today a pilgrimage site for Christians.

After lunch we visit the First Group of extraordinary rock-hewn churches and their subterranean complex of passages, found by a stream called the River Jordan. Bete Medhanialem (Saviour Church), Bete Miriam, Bete Denagel, Bete Meskal, Debra Sina and Bete Golgotha are all part of the amazing UNESCO World Heritage site found at Lalibela.

Note: When entering churches, men should wear long trousers. Women should wear jeans or long skirts (avoid short skirts and shorts) & must wear a head scarf. Please be aware there is a lot of walking and climbing up and down rough steps when visiting these churches.

Day 8

This morning we take a mule ride to the top of a hill to view the semi-monolithic church of Asheton Mariam (13th century AD). Here you will be rewarded with unforgettable views of the surrounding area.

In the afternoon we visit the Second and Third Group of Lalibela's famous churches. These include Bete Gabriel & Raphael, Bete Merquorios, Bete Emmanuel and Bete Abba Libanos.

Finally we visit the famous Bete Giorgis - Church of St George - carved in the shape of a cross from solid red volcanic rock. It is the most beautiful rock-hewn church in the world and symbolises Noah's Ark.

Day 9

At leisure to relax or explore more of Lalibela with your guide (pay any entrance fees locally).

Day 10

Transfer to Lalibela Airport for your onward flight.

You will be met at Addis Ababa by your guide, who will drive you 3-hours southwards through the beautiful Rift Valley with its chains of lakes - Lake Ziway, Lake Langano, Lake Abijatta and Lake Shala.

Along the way we stop to visit the rock-hewn church of Adadi Mariam that is believed to be the southernmost church founded by King Lalibela. We also stop at the pre-historic archeological site of Melka Kunture in the Awash River Valley, where many ancient stone tools and huge mammal fossils nearly 2-million years old have been discovered.

Our next stop is at the amazing Tiya Stelea - the remains of an ancient Ethiopian culture whose age has not yet been precisely determined. There are 36 monuments at this UNESCO World Heritage site, including 32 carved stone slabs covered with symbols that are difficult to decipher.

On arrival at Lake Langano you can enjoy the wonderful views and prolific birdlife, including pelicans and flamingos. You can also swim in the lake.

Day 11

Today we leave Lake Langano and travel 3.5-hours through beautiful Rift Valley scenery to Arba Minch, the gateway to the tribes of the Omo Valley.

Along the way you will be introduced to the rural way of life, as we travel through the fertile land of the Wolayta and Alaba regions. The Alaba people are famous for their beautiful home painting style. We also visit Senkelle Wildlife Sanctuary, dedicated to the protection of the endemic Swain’s hartebeest.

We continue driving through these spectacular green hills to Arba Minch, whose name means 'Forty Springs'.

Note: You will be expected to pay a small fee to photograph local tribal people.

Day 12

This morning we travel 2-hours to Chencha, where the main occupation is subsistence farming and cotton weaving, to visit the Dorze Tribe.

Their tall beehive-shaped homes that resemble elephant faces are among the most distinctive traditional structures to be seen anywhere in Africa. Their shama cloth is regarded as the finest in Ethiopia and white gabbi robes and brightly coloured fabrics can be purchased along the roadside.

We drive back to Arba Minch for lunch. In the afternoon enjoy a boat ride on Lake Chamo, where you can see the Crocodile Market - the point at which the Kolfo River empties into the lake and a popular place for giant Nile crocodiles to sunbathe. Here fishing for Nile perch and many other species by locals on their traditional boats is by far the best in the country. You can also see many hippos and many waterbirds such as the African fish eagle, great white pelican and egret.

Day 13

This morning we leave Arba Minch and travel 5-hours along a rough road to the market town of Jinka, located in the hills north of the Tama Plains.

Along the way we stop at a Konso Village situated in an isolated region of basalt hills. All Konso villages are located on hilltops and organised like wood fortesses, with an entrance gate and series of alleys you need to pass through to gain entrance. This tribe is known for their intricately terraced hillsides, as well as making colourful hand-woven cotton cloth. They also sculpt wooden totem poles called "waka" to mark their graves.

On arrival check into your hotel in Jinka and absorb yourself in the culture of this region.

Note: You will be expected to pay a small fee to photograph local tribal people.

Day 14

Today we drive 2-hours to Mago National Park to visit the extraordinary Mursi people, known for the clay lip plates the women insert in their lower lips when they reach maturity.

This practice is regarded as a sign of beauty among the Mursi – the bigger the plate, the more beautiful the wearer. You will have a light picnic lunch on the way today.

After returning to Jinka, we visit the small Omo Valley Cultural Museum which gives insight into the customs and traditions of the southern Ethiopian tribes.

Day 15

Today we travel 3-hours along a rough road from Jinka to the market town of Turmi.

Along the we stop at an Ari Village. The Ari people are the largest tribe in the Omo region, numbering over 100,000. Although they speak an Omotic language (like the Hamar and Banna), they are very different from the other people living here. They have adopted western clothing and live in villages with private compounds in which they have their huts and grow a variety of crops.

We continue to Turmi, which is home to the cattle herding Hamer tribe. On market days tribesmen and women of all ages gathering under open blue skies to buy and sell goods and participate in traditional ‘evangadi’ (night dancing).

Note: On Saturdays and Tuesdays we will stop at the colourful weekly market of the Hamer and Kara people at Dimeka. On Tuesdays we can also stop at the Alduba market of the Benna tribe.

Day 16

This morning we drive 2-hours to Murulle to visit the Karo Tribe, travelling along rough tracks and passing through vast meadowlands covered with shrubs and umbellifers ('umbrella' acacia trees).

The Karo people are the smallest ethnic group in the Omo Valley and are experts in tatooing and body painting - using clay and vegetable pigments to paint fantastic patterns on each other's faces, chests, arms and legs. The scars are cut with a knife or razor blade and ash is rubbed in to produce a raised effect, with the scarification of a man's chest indicating that he has killed an enemy or a dangerous animal. These decorations are an elaborate process, ranging from fine detail to rough but striking paintings, traced with the palms or fingers. One of the most beautiful combines white (chalk), black (charcoal), yellow, ochre and red earth - often immitating the spotted plumage of a guinea fowl. Karo men also sculpt and shave their hair into extravagant shapes, with special grey and ochre clay hair buns that usually contain several ostrich feathers.

Afterwards we return to Turmi and experience the culture of the Hamer people, pastoralists who live on sheep-raising and agriculture. The Hamer women wear colourful leather skirts embellished with beads and shells, and are known for their distinctive red clay hairstyles ('gosca'). These remarkable hair decorations are created from ochre, water, and binding resin, which is rubbed into their hair then twisted repeatedly to create copper-coloured locks. From August to December, on certain days the 'Jumping of the Bulls' ceremony occurs – when young Hamer men have to prove they are ready to come-of-age and carry the responsibility of marriage.

Day 17

This morning we travel 1-hour deep into the Omo Valley to the Omorate region, close to Lake Turkana and the Kenyan border.

We cross the Omo River in a small boat and walk to a tribal village, where we meet the Daasanach people -the southernmost tribe in the country. These semi-nomadic people stay here with their cattle and goats for only part of the year, so their homes are only built as temporary shelters. They have made an art form of creating wonderful headwear, using discarded items such as bottle tops, broken watches and silver mesh.

Afterwards we visit a vibrant Local Market, where you see various colourful tribes congregating together.

Note: Monday & Thursday is market day in Turmi and Thursday is market day in Key After.

Day 18

We drive 5-hours today from Turmi to Arba Minch, travelling through the eastern lower Omo Valley.

Along the way we visit an Arbore Village where the people wear rich beadwork and sleep on high platforms.

We continue to Arba Minch and check into our hotel.

Day 19

Transfer to Arba Minch Airport for your flight to Addis Ababa. Here you will be met and transferred to a city hotel where you will have the use of a day room.

In the evening enjoy an included Cultural Dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant with local music, folk dancing and a variety of local food.

Afterwards transfer to Addis Ababa Airport for you flight home.

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