ETHIOPIA: North and South (21 days)

1^st: flight to Addis Ababa – Addis Ababa

Meeting at the airport, departure to Ethiopia. Arrival in Addis Ababa, transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Addis Ababa.

2^nd day: Addis Ababa – Debre Markos

Breakfast. We drive via picturesque Sululta region to medieval church Debre Libanos and Debre Markos. On the way we see magnificent view of Blue Nile. Overnight in Debre Markos.

3^rd day: Debre Markos – Bahir Dar – Tis Issat

Breakfast. We drive to Bahir Dar – town located on bank of Tana lake and go to visit Tis Issat – famous waterfall on Blue Nile. Overnight in Bahir Dar.

4^th day: Bahir Dar – cruise on Tana lake – Gondar

Breakfast. Cruise on Tana, the biggest lake of Ethiopia. Visit to the Zenghie Ura Kidane Mihret monastery founded in 14^th century. We see old frescos, Coptic crosses and other art treasures. In the afternoon drive to Gondar. Overnight in Gondar.

5^th day: Gondar – Debark – Simien mountains

Breakfast. We visit old town of Gondar – former capital of Ethiopia (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the city founded in 1636 by emperor Fesilides. We walk around royal palaces and visit Debre Berhan Selassie monastery famous for beautiful frescos. In the afternoon we drive to Debark town located in Simien mountains. On the way we pass the villages of Ethiopian Jews (Falasha). Overnight in Debark.

6^th day: Debark – Simien mountains – Debark

Breakfast. One day trip to Simien mountains. It is the highest mountain range in Ethiopia, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. We make some trekking and enjoy unspoiled landscape of this area. Observing plants and animals. In the afternoon we drive back to Debark for overnight.

7^th day: Debark – Axum

Breakfast. We drive scenic route via Simien mountains to Axum (UNESCO World Heritage Site) – the ancient capital of Ethiopia where coronations of emperors and empress were held. It is also one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in Africa. Overnight in Axum.

8^th day: Axum

Breakfast. Full day for sightseeing tour of ancient Axum. Visit to Axum Museum (called the most important museum in whole country), San Mary of Zion sanctuary (famous place, where according to legends, The Ark of the Covenant were hidden – please be noted only men are allowed to enter the church), palace and bath of Queen Sheba. We admire ancient tombs of kings Ezana, Gebre Meskel and the magnificent Stelae (obelisks). Overnight in Axum.

9^th day: Axum – Yeha – Adigrat

Breakfast. We drive to Yeha, where we visit ancient monuments of old (before Axum) capital of Ethiopia. We drive to Freweyni / Sinkata village area and visit rock-hewn church Adi Chewa Arbuta Insesa. Overnight in Adigrat.

10^th day: Adigrat – Tigray – Mekelle

Breakfast. We visit splendid rock-hewn churches of Tigray region: Medhane Alem Adi Kasho, Wukro Chirkos and Abreha wa Atsbeha. We drive to Mekelle. Overnight in Mekelle.

11^th day: Mekelle – Ambalage – Lalibela

Breakfast. We cross Ambalage mountain range and in the evening arrive in Lalibela (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Overnight in Lalibela.

12^th day: Lalibela

Breakfast. We visit the famous twelfth-century stone churches. Each building has its own unique architectural structure, magnificent carvings, mostly preserved frescoes and paintings. Excursion to the church Yemrehane Kristos, build during the reign of emperor Lalibela (1185-1225). It is one of the most amazing churches in the area, built in a cave. In the afternoon we visit the temples: Bet Giorgis, Bet Maryam, Bet Emanuel and Bet Danaghel. Overnight in Lalibela.

13^th day: Lalibela – Addis Ababa

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport, flight to Addis Ababa. After arrival city tour of Ethiopian capital. We visit Cathedral and the National Museum with famous remains of Australopithecus “Lucy”. Overnight in Addis Ababa.

14^th day: Addis Ababa – Langano – Zivay – Awasa

Breakfast. We drive south of the country in the direction of Langano, one of the lakes of the Great Rift Valley. After lunch, drive to the south and stop at the lake Ziway in a place where you can see hundreds of exotic birds, including marabouts, pelicans, ibises and hamerkops. Transfer to Awasa, the city serves as a capital of Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region – one of the ethnic divisions of Ethiopia. Overnight in Awasa.

15^th day: Awasa – Arba Minch

After breakfast, visit the fish market on the shore of Lake Awasa and drive in the direction of Arba Minch located in the Great Rift Valley. On the way visit to the settlement of Alaba tribe living in large, colourful homes. Meeting with people of Dora tribe. They builds about 10 metres high huts made of bamboo. Overnight in Arba Minch.

16^th day: Arba Minch – Chamo lake – Konso – Jinka

Breakfast. Morning boat trip on the Chamo lake, watching hippos, huge crocodiles, eagles and kingfishers. Transfer to Turmi, on the way meetings with the various tribes, including Gamo, Derash and Konso. Overnight in a lodge.

17^th day: Jinka – Mursi – Mago National Park – Turmi

Breakfast. Visit to the local museum in Jinka. Drive through the savannah of Mago National Park. Meeting with Mursi, a tribe whose men are known warriors and women wear the lips of clay plates. Drive to Turmi, accommodation in a lodge.

18^th day: Turmi – Karo Murulle – Hamer – Turmi

After an early breakfast, drive to the village of Karo Murulle, located on the banks of the Omo River, inhabited by people of Karo, famous for unique methods of decorating the body. You will have the opportunity to watch the process of embellishing and decorating people and observe their everyday live. In the late afternoon we reach the Hamer tribe village where you can see interesting ceremonies like Evangadi dancing. Overnight in a lodge in Turmi.

19^th day: Turmi – Omorate – Arba Minch

After breakfast, drive south to Omorate, where we visit Gelebe tribe (sometimes known as Dasanech), living on the bank of Omo river. Drive to Arba Minch, on the way we stop in Arbore tribe villages. Overnight in Arba Minch.

20^th day: Arba Minch – Tiya – Addis Ababa

After breakfast, return to the capital, on the way we visit Tiya (UNESCO World Heritage Site), famous for about 160 megalithic complexes. We see stone monuments covered with symbolic carvings. Drive to Addis Ababa. Overnight in Addis Ababa.

21^st day: Addis Ababa – flight back

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport, departure to your destination.