Historical and Omo Valley Route

Arrival at in Addis Ababa, Bole international airport. Transfer to your hotel for an overnight.

​Overnight Hotel  (B, L, D)

Fly to Bahar Dar on Ethiopian Airlines.  Take a boat tour on Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile, and tour ancient monasteries on the Zege Peninsula.  We will visit Ura Kidane Mihiret.    End the day with a sunset
visit to Bezawit Hills overlooking the Nile River.
​Overnight Lodge  (B, L, D)

Drive through the countryside to Gondar.  Tour the Royal Enclosure, a UNESCO World Heritage site
featuring five castles built by a succession of Ethiopian kings beginning in the early 17th century.  
Having survived several wars, including air raids during World War 2, the castles are a testament to
the resilience of this once mighty empire.  Visit the church of Debre Birhan Selassie, famous for its
religious art and especially its iconic ceiling depicting angels.
​Overnight Hotel  (B, L, D)

Fly to Lalibela on Ethiopian Airlines 700 kilometers north of Addis Ababa.   Tour the magnificent
rock-hewn churches, a UNESCO World Heritage site.  This group of eleven monolithic churches were
carved directly into the stone mountainside at least 800 years ago.  This complex boasts the largest
monolithic church in the world, a maze of passageways and tunnels, intricately carved reliefs, and
fabulous examples of icon paintings. In the late afternoon, enjoy a traditional coffee ceremony and
learn the process for baking injera (a staple food for much of Ethiopia.)
​Overnight Hotel  (B, L, D)

For the morning we have two options: Take a morning hike with mules to the 13th century
rock-hewn monastery of Mount Asheton.  The walk provides wonderful views of Lalibela and the
surrounding countryside.  - OR - Drive to Yemrehanna Kristos, a beautiful church situated in a shallow
cave that predates the churches of Lalibela. The drive to Yemrehanna will give you the opportunity to
view the rural countryside and villages of the Ethiopian highlands. Following either option above continue
with tour of Lalibela’s churches in the afternoon.   
​Overnight Hotel  (B, L, D)

Fly to Axum on Ethiopian Airlines. Tour the ancient stelae fields, standing for 2000 years.  Visit the new and impressive Archaeological Museum.   See St. Mary Tsion Church, which houses the Ark of the Covenant according to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (no one is allowed to see the Ark.) Visit other tombs and archaeological sites as time permits. 
​Overnight Hotel   (B, L, D)

Fly to Addis Ababa and then drive to the Rift Valley Lake Langano. Relax at the Sabana Lodge. Lake Langano is safe for swimming.

Overnight Lodge  (B, L, D)

Drive to Arba Minch (“Forty Springs”) located in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region. Arrive at your resort in Arba Minch and relax after your journey.
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Overnight Lodge  (B, L, D)

​Take a boat trip on Lake Chamo and view some of the largest crocodiles in the world sunning on the banks of the lake. Hippopotami and birdlife are also abundant.  Visit a Dorze Village in the Guge Mountains. The Dorze are known for their tall, beehive-shaped bamboo houses. If the base becomes infested with termites, the entire house can be lifted and moved to another location. 
​Overnight Lodge  (B, L, D)

Drive to Jinka through areas inhabited by various peoples such as the Konso, Tseme, Benna and Ari. Once in Jinka, visit a nearby village of the Ari people. 
Overnight Lodge  (B, L, D)

Early morning drive to the Mago National Park to visit the Mursi people. The Mursi women are known for the clay plates they insert into their lower lips. Drive to Turmi, home of the Hamer people; the Hamer are known for their body decorations and the clay and ochre that they put in their hair.
Overnight Lodge  (B, L, D)

Excursion to Omorate to visit the Dassanech people, known for their elaborate body-painting.  Cross the famous Omo River by canoe.  Return to Turmi for the evening.
​Overnight Lodge  (B, L, D)

Drive to Konso, recently designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. A highland people, the Konso are known for the ancient and intricate terraces that encircle their well-planned villages.
​Overnight Lodge (B, L, D)

Drive from Konso to Arba Minch for flight to Addis Ababa. Enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant featuring dancers and musicians representing some of the country's many ethnic groups.  Transfer to airport for late night departure.
​(B, L, D)