Ethiopia Cultural Tour
11 DAYS, 10 NIGHTS PACKAGE
September 17th- September 28th 2020
Ethiopia has a character unlike any you’ll find on the planet. The only African Nation to have avoided European colonialism, it retains a strong cultural identity that can be felt everywhere you go. The amazing people, stunning landscapes, and diverse wildlife are just some of the things that make Ethiopia so magnificent. Ethiopia is a country rich in history, diverse in culture, with breathtaking views and awesome geology. Explore the heights of the Simien Mountains, dance with the tribes of the lower Omo Valley and marvel the 8th wonders of the world Lalibela.
Attractions and Highlights: People, History, Nature, Boat trip, Lakes, Culture and much more.
We depart the US on the 17th to arrive in Addis Ababa on the 18th on or before midnight.
Day 1: Friday, 18th September
Arrivals at Addis Ababa airport
You will be picked up and dropped off at your hotel located in the heart of Addis Ababa. The rest of the day is free to to relax at leisure.
Accomodation: Getfam Hotel, Addis Ababa (www.getfamhotel.com)
Meals: not included
Day 2: Saturday, 19th September
Addis Ababa
The tour starts with a pick up from your hotel and then drive to the National Museum of Ethiopia for visiting the long age history of Ethiopia and the oldest human ancestor, Lucy. Set within Haile Selassie’s former palace and surrounded by the beautiful gardens and fountains of Addis Ababa University’s main campus is the enthralling Ethnological Museum. Even if you’re not normally a museum fan, this one is worth a bit of your time – it’s easily one of the finest museums in Africa. Before lunch, drive to Holy Trinity Cathedral Church which has unique architectural style immediately after a relaxed lunch, drive up to Entoto Mountains, the best location to observe the panoramic view of the capital. It is also a historical place where Menelik II resided and built his palace. It is notable as the location of a number of celebrated churches, including Saint Raguel and Saint Mary (Maryam Church). The return drive wills Shiro Meda to buy the traditional clothes, and continue via Piazza with an enroute visit to St. George Church.
Welcome dinner at Yod Abyssinian cultural house with live music. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Z5NYEI5EZ8)
Traditional Ethiopian dress required for the Welcome Dinner.
The Ethiopian traditional costume is made of woven cotton. Ethiopian men and women wear this traditional costume called Gabbi or Netella. Women often wear dresses (Kemis) and Netella with borders of coloured embroidered woven crosses, but other designs are also used.
SIGHTSEEING
● National Museum of Ethiopia
● Ethnological Museum of Ethiopia
● Holy Trinity Cathedral
● Entoto Mountains
● St. George Church
Accomodation: Getfam Hotel, Addis Ababa (www.getfamhotel.com)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Welcome Dinner & Show
Day 3: Sunday, 20th September
Flight to Bahir Dar
After breakfast you depart for Bahir Dar
Upon arrival in Bahir Dar we will have a boat trip on Lake Tana. On Lake Tana there are 37 islands and 32 of them have churches and monasteries of considerable historical and cultural interest. You will visit 1 or 2 monastery, the church of Ura Kidane Mihret, which is the best known of the monasteries and has an important collection of religious icons from the 16th to 18th centuries A.D.
In the afternoon drive to the Blue Nile Falls this is known locally as Tissisat (smoking waterfall: 100 m (328 ft) wide, the water plunges for 45m, giving rise to steam clouds and rainbows. Early in the afternoon drive back to Bahir Dar and finish the day with a lovely sunset over Lake Tana.
SIGHTSEEING
● Lake Tana and its island monasteries
● Blue Nile Falls
Accomodation: Kuriftu, Bahir Dar (https://kurifturesorts.com/bahir-dar/ )
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Monday, 21st September
Flight to Lalibela
The Rock-Hewn Ethiopian orthodox Christian churches of Lalibela, are one of the eighth wonders of the world. It’s a collection of churches, some connected by fascinating internal channels, with hermit holes where people lived and died. The connecting walls are full of religious symbols. You will start by visiting the world wonders of Lalibela rock hewn churches. The churches are classified in three groups. Began from the first and the third group of churches. After lunch you’ll visit the second group of four rock churches. After you visited the second group of churches you will see Ethiopian coffee ceremony.
SIGHTSEEING
● Bet Medhane Alem (House of the world savior)-The largest monolithic church on the earth
● Bet Giyorgis (House of St. George)-Known for its unique architecture.
● 7 more rock hewn churches
Accomodation: Sora Lodge, Lalibela (http://www.soralodgelalibela.com )
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Tuesday, 22nd September
Flight to Axum
After breakfast you will drive to Lalibela airport to fly to Axum.
In the afternoon you will have a city tour in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Legends narrate in the Kebre Nagast (Book of Kings) how the city of Axum as early as the 10th century B.C. was already the city where the Queen of Sheba resided. It is told that the son of Queen of Sheba and King Solomon, Menelik, brought the Ark of the Covenant from Jerusalem to Axum and it remained there to this day, preserved in a sanctuary. Famous long before the time of Christ, Axum was the capital of the long Axumite reign, one of the oldest African empires and represented a crucial trade connecting-point between Africa and Asia for almost a thousand years. Visit the Granite stone Stele of Axum, the Tombs of King Kaleb and his son King G/Meskel, the Ezana’s stone inscriptions, Queen of Sheba’s palace and Swimming pool, and the Church of Zion, the final resting place of the True Ark of Covenant.
SIGHTSEEING
● Mary Zion Church
● Axum Stelae
● Northern Stelae field tombs
● Queen of Sheba bath
Accomodation: Sabean Hotel, Axum (www.sabeanhotel.com )
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Wednesday, 23rd September
Flight to Addis Ababa and drive to Shashemene
Breakfast at the hotel, you can fly from Axum to Addis Ababa in the morning and in the afternoon you will drive to Shashemene. Shashemene does have one trick up its sleeve, however: it’s the Rastafari capital of Africa and if this interests you, you’re going to love it. You will visit the Rastafarian houses.
SIGHTSEEING
● Rastafarian Houses
Accomodation: Haile Resort, Shashemene (http://www.hailehotelsandresorts.com/shashemene)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Thursday, 24th September
OMO Valley
After breakfast you will drive (6-7 hrs) to Arba Minch and on the way to Arba Minch you will see the dorze People.
The Dorze people are known for their tall beehive-like houses and their fine cotton weaving. You will visit the village and learn about the daily lives of these industrious people. If today is market day (in Dorze village on Monday and Thursday and in nearby Chencha on Tuesday and Saturday), that will be visited.
Accomodation: Paradise Lodge, Arba Minch (http://www.paradiselodgeethiopia.com)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Friday, 25th September
OMO Valley
After breakfast you will driver 5-6 hours to Turmi, on the way you will see Konso, in Konso the market days are every Monday and Thursday. The Konso people are known for their wooden statues, known as wakas, which are erected in honor of dead heroes as well as their innovative agricultural terracing. Today you will have a brief opportunity to visit a local village and the cultural museum displaying many waka statues.
Accomodation: Turmi Buska Lodge, Turmi (www.buskalodge.com)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Saturday, 26th September
OMO Valley
In the morning, take a day trip to Omorate to visit the Dassenech tribe. Here you will cross the Omo River by local boat and enter a Dassenech village. Afterwards, return to Turmi (Monday is market day) for a visit to a local Hamer village. If there is jumping of the Bulls traditional Hamer coming-of-age ceremony, that will be visited, Depart for Jinka, via Dimeka and Key Afar. Tuesdays and Saturdays are market days in Dimeka, which is one of the most colorful markets in the area and is visited by many tribes, including Hamer, Banna and Karo. Afterwards, continue to Jinka. In this day you will drive almost 3-4 hours to arrive in Jinka.
Accomodation: Jinka Eco-Omo Lodge, Jinka (www.eco-omo.com)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Sunday, 27th September
Addis Ababa
The flight from Jinka to Addis is at mid day and in the afternoon you will drive 3-4 hours to see Mursi or Karo and return for lunch after lunch you will drive to Jinka airport to fly to Addis Ababa. Afternoon depending on your interest and time availability visit the local gift and traditional cloth shops. Evening farewell dinner party.
Accomodation: Getfam Hotel (www.getfamhotel.com)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Monday, 28th September
Departure
After breakfast transfer to airport for departure.
Meals: Breakfast
Questions?
If you have any questions or concerns please sent an email to: [email protected]
We are happy to answer any questions you have. You will have a response within 24 hours.
GS reserves the right to make changes to the itinerary without notice.
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