Ethiopia The essence of Ethiopia

International flight to Addis Ababa

Addis Abeba (City tour)

Day dedicated to exploring Addis Ababa. Little known to most travelers, who often just pass by it, Addis Ababa is a fascinating world waiting to be discovered. This Ethiopian city, at an elevation of 2,400 meters, is one of the highest capitals in the world.With a burgeoning population, and geographically located in the center of the country, Addis Ababa (“New Flower”, in Amharic, as its founders dubbed it), is a pleasant city full of many surprises. The day is dedicated to touring the city, whose most emblematic landmarks include the Piazza district and the ever-bustling Mesquel Square.Visit the Entoto Mountains, where Menelik II settled before founding the city. From them, at some points ascending up to 3,000 meters, we can take in the capital’s full dimensions. Next we will discover the secrets of Lucy, one of the most important paleontological discoveries of all time, at the National Museum; and, if we have enough time, visit an Orthodox Christian church.We will then return to our hotel to rest.Overnight stay at Azzeman Hotel. AB: Accommodations and Breakfast

Addis Abeba – Bahar Dar (Domestic Flight)

We’ll take the first flight in the morning to Bahar Dar, where we will spend the day seeing some of the monasteries of Lake Tana (there are more than 20), many of them remaining almost unknown to for foreigners until 1930. Several of them feature magnificent decorations and genuine treasures, turning these into places full of mystery and legends.In addition, most of the islands are veritable wildlife sanctuaries. Bahar Dar and Lake Tana, the largest lake in the country, covering 3,673 m², are two not-to-be-missed sites in Ethiopia. A short ferry ride will take us to the Zege Peninsula, where we’ll visit the Ura Kidane Mehret Church, accessed by a lush and leafy trail. We’ll continue our tour of this stunning lake and stop at the Azuwa Maryam Temple, or a similar site. Depending on the time available, we may visit one, two or three churches.In the afternoon, 30 km from Bahar Dar, the famous Blue Nile Falls await us. The jaw-dropping 45-meter waterfall known as Tis Isat, or Tis Abay (Great Smoke) is one of the trip’s photographic highlights.Overnight stay at Unison Hotel. FB (Full Board)

Bahar Dar – Gondar

After breakfast, we will hit the road, going from Bahar Dar to Gondar. Founded by Emperor Fasilides, Gondar was the second capital of the Axumite Empire and a very important, thriving city in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. In Gondar we will visit its historic center, paying special attention to the castle complex, King Fasilidas’ pool, and the Debre Birhan Selassie monastery.Gondar was once the capital of Ethiopia, and boasts one of the first castles in African history (Fasil Ghebbi). The walled enclosure, surrounded by towering stone walls, covers some 70,000 m², and is actually comprised of a total of six castles, a network of interconnected tunnels, and footbridges to other smaller buildings. Known as the “Camelot of Africa,” the royal complex also includes chapels, a banquet hall, horse stables and … even a lion’s cage.After touring the castles and the heart of Gondar, it is on to King Fasilidas’ 16th-century pool. The baths of the founder of Gondar cover some 2,800 m². Surrounded by a stone wall outfitted with six towers, they are overlooked by a two-storey building that legends say was the monarch’s second residence. Other sources state that, although long considered swimming pools, they were probably used for ceremonial purposes.Our time in Gondar ends with a visit to the Debre Birhan Selassie Monastery. Legend has it that it was the only temple saved from mass destruction in 1888 due to “the divine intervention of a swarm of bees.” The church’s main point of interest for travellers is its interior paintings; the ceiling, for example, is adorned with images of eighty angelic faces, a unique sight making it one of the most photographed attractions in the country. There is also a frightening depiction of the Devil, surrounded by flames, on the wall to the left of the front entrance.Accommodations at the Haile Resort Hotel. FB (Full Board)

Gondar – Lalibela

Transfer by road from Gondar to Lalibela, featuring spectacular scenery. We will pass through the city of Debre Tabor and the foothills of Mount Guna, at an elevation of 4,231 meters. On our way to the city we will stop at Nakute La´ab, a simple church built around a shallow cave, with several sacred ponds fed by natural fountains. The temple houses several treasures, including paintings, a leather bible, and various paintings, which we will be able to ponder up close. After this stop, we will resume the six km that separate us from Lalibela.Overnight stay at Mezena Lodge. FB (Full Board)

Lalibela

We will spend the day visiting the churches carved into the rock. At dawn, if it is Sunday, we will have the opportunity to behold the churches’ spectacular religious ceremonies. Lalibela can boast of being one of the most important artistic/religious complexes in the world, with some calling it the “African Jerusalem.” The set of churches in Lalibela was declared a UNESCO heritage site in 1979, and is the foremost pilgrimage site for Orthodox Christians. We will visit the first group of churches carved into the rock, among which we can highlight the Church of Medhanialem (Holy Savior) one of the largest and most impressive, with external colonnades adorning its sides; and the church of Bete Mariam, a small construction whose beautiful interior paintings have been preserved, as has its curious internal structure, featuring two floors.The churches of Lalibela, being underground, are connected via tunnels and trenches that will, undoubtedly, be unforgettable highlights for travellers. We will spend the day to thoroughly exploring this city, considered one of the wonders of the world. Located at 2,630 m above sea level, Lalibela is famed for the majesty of its churches, but also the charm of its narrow streets, through which we will wander until dinnertime.Overnight stay at Mezena Lodge. FB (Full Board)

Lalibela – Addis Ababa – (Domestic flight)

Flight to Addis Ababa. Once in the capital we will have lunch and a vehicle available to visit some of the most emblematic neighborhoods of Addis Ababa, such as Piassa, or to see Merkato.Overnight stay at Azzeman Hotel. FB (Full Board)

Addis Ababa – Jinka

In the morning we will be transferred to the airport to take a flight to Jinka. In what is considered the administrative capital of the Omo Valley, we will have the opportunity to visit its museum; in fact, it is a research center focused on the tribes of the South Omo, and strategically located on a hill offering sweeping views of the city, which is very useful to expand our knowledge of the various ethnic groups in the area.Overnight stay at the Eco Omo Lodge. FB (Full Board)

Jinka – Mago National Park – Turmi

Jinka is our starting point to explore the Mago National Park. We will visit their best-known ethnic group, the Mursi, famous for their women’s lip dishes, a tradition maintained today; many women make an insertion in their lower lips during adolescence, gradually enlarging it as a symbol of beauty. This is a people dedicated mainly to herding, although  they also cultivate sorghum and corn. Hunting is also an important activity for the Mursi, though it has been reduced, as its territory has been declared a wildlife reserve.We return to Jinka where, after our visit, we will eat in Key Afar (if it is Thursday or Tuesday, at the Alduba Market), a perfect opportunity to experience daily life in one of the Omo Valley’s most colorful markets. After lunch, we set off for Turmi, the capital of the Hamer ethnic group. Maintaining ancestral customs, and with their own language, religion and beliefs, the Hamers are extremely hospitable, preserving unique rituals like the Ukuli Bula, or bull jumping, the delivery of boko sticks by fathers to their sons who are to participate in said rite, and the Evangadi dance. The town not only serves as a good base for visits to the different villages of this tribe, but is an excellent starting point to reach Omorate and discover ethnic groups such as the Dassanech and the Karo.The Hamers are probably the most archetypal ethnic group of the Omo. Especially striking are their women, who wear thick, ochre-colored braids forming thick bangs, fur skirts, and numerous bracelets worn tight on their arms and legs. The men, for their part, practice body scarification, as do the women, and wear simpler attire, except for that which they don for ceremonies.Overnight stay at Paradise Lodge. FB (Full Board)

Turmi – Omorate – Turmi

International flight to Addis Ababa

Addis Abeba (City tour)

Day dedicated to exploring Addis Ababa. Little known to most travelers, who often just pass by it, Addis Ababa is a fascinating world waiting to be discovered. This Ethiopian city, at an elevation of 2,400 meters, is one of the highest capitals in the world.With a burgeoning population, and geographically located in the center of the country, Addis Ababa (“New Flower”, in Amharic, as its founders dubbed it), is a pleasant city full of many surprises. The day is dedicated to touring the city, whose most emblematic landmarks include the Piazza district and the ever-bustling Mesquel Square.Visit the Entoto Mountains, where Menelik II settled before founding the city. From them, at some points ascending up to 3,000 meters, we can take in the capital’s full dimensions. Next we will discover the secrets of Lucy, one of the most important paleontological discoveries of all time, at the National Museum; and, if we have enough time, visit an Orthodox Christian church.We will then return to our hotel to rest.Overnight stay at Azzeman Hotel. AB: Accommodations and Breakfast

Addis Abeba – Bahar Dar (Domestic Flight)

We’ll take the first flight in the morning to Bahar Dar, where we will spend the day seeing some of the monasteries of Lake Tana (there are more than 20), many of them remaining almost unknown to for foreigners until 1930. Several of them feature magnificent decorations and genuine treasures, turning these into places full of mystery and legends.In addition, most of the islands are veritable wildlife sanctuaries. Bahar Dar and Lake Tana, the largest lake in the country, covering 3,673 m², are two not-to-be-missed sites in Ethiopia. A short ferry ride will take us to the Zege Peninsula, where we’ll visit the Ura Kidane Mehret Church, accessed by a lush and leafy trail. We’ll continue our tour of this stunning lake and stop at the Azuwa Maryam Temple, or a similar site. Depending on the time available, we may visit one, two or three churches.In the afternoon, 30 km from Bahar Dar, the famous Blue Nile Falls await us. The jaw-dropping 45-meter waterfall known as Tis Isat, or Tis Abay (Great Smoke) is one of the trip’s photographic highlights.Overnight stay at Unison Hotel. FB (Full Board)

Bahar Dar – Gondar

After breakfast, we will hit the road, going from Bahar Dar to Gondar. Founded by Emperor Fasilides, Gondar was the second capital of the Axumite Empire and a very important, thriving city in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. In Gondar we will visit its historic center, paying special attention to the castle complex, King Fasilidas’ pool, and the Debre Birhan Selassie monastery.Gondar was once the capital of Ethiopia, and boasts one of the first castles in African history (Fasil Ghebbi). The walled enclosure, surrounded by towering stone walls, covers some 70,000 m², and is actually comprised of a total of six castles, a network of interconnected tunnels, and footbridges to other smaller buildings. Known as the “Camelot of Africa,” the royal complex also includes chapels, a banquet hall, horse stables and … even a lion’s cage.After touring the castles and the heart of Gondar, it is on to King Fasilidas’ 16th-century pool. The baths of the founder of Gondar cover some 2,800 m². Surrounded by a stone wall outfitted with six towers, they are overlooked by a two-storey building that legends say was the monarch’s second residence. Other sources state that, although long considered swimming pools, they were probably used for ceremonial purposes.Our time in Gondar ends with a visit to the Debre Birhan Selassie Monastery. Legend has it that it was the only temple saved from mass destruction in 1888 due to “the divine intervention of a swarm of bees.” The church’s main point of interest for travellers is its interior paintings; the ceiling, for example, is adorned with images of eighty angelic faces, a unique sight making it one of the most photographed attractions in the country. There is also a frightening depiction of the Devil, surrounded by flames, on the wall to the left of the front entrance.Accommodations at the Haile Resort Hotel. FB (Full Board)

Gondar – Lalibela

Transfer by road from Gondar to Lalibela, featuring spectacular scenery. We will pass through the city of Debre Tabor and the foothills of Mount Guna, at an elevation of 4,231 meters. On our way to the city we will stop at Nakute La´ab, a simple church built around a shallow cave, with several sacred ponds fed by natural fountains. The temple houses several treasures, including paintings, a leather bible, and various paintings, which we will be able to ponder up close. After this stop, we will resume the six km that separate us from Lalibela.Overnight stay at Mezena Lodge. FB (Full Board)

Lalibela

We will spend the day visiting the churches carved into the rock. At dawn, if it is Sunday, we will have the opportunity to behold the churches’ spectacular religious ceremonies. Lalibela can boast of being one of the most important artistic/religious complexes in the world, with some calling it the “African Jerusalem.” The set of churches in Lalibela was declared a UNESCO heritage site in 1979, and is the foremost pilgrimage site for Orthodox Christians. We will visit the first group of churches carved into the rock, among which we can highlight the Church of Medhanialem (Holy Savior) one of the largest and most impressive, with external colonnades adorning its sides; and the church of Bete Mariam, a small construction whose beautiful interior paintings have been preserved, as has its curious internal structure, featuring two floors.The churches of Lalibela, being underground, are connected via tunnels and trenches that will, undoubtedly, be unforgettable highlights for travellers. We will spend the day to thoroughly exploring this city, considered one of the wonders of the world. Located at 2,630 m above sea level, Lalibela is famed for the majesty of its churches, but also the charm of its narrow streets, through which we will wander until dinnertime.Overnight stay at Mezena Lodge. FB (Full Board)

Lalibela – Addis Ababa – (Domestic flight)

Flight to Addis Ababa. Once in the capital we will have lunch and a vehicle available to visit some of the most emblematic neighborhoods of Addis Ababa, such as Piassa, or to see Merkato.Overnight stay at Azzeman Hotel. FB (Full Board)

Addis Ababa – Jinka

In the morning we will be transferred to the airport to take a flight to Jinka. In what is considered the administrative capital of the Omo Valley, we will have the opportunity to visit its museum; in fact, it is a research center focused on the tribes of the South Omo, and strategically located on a hill offering sweeping views of the city, which is very useful to expand our knowledge of the various ethnic groups in the area.Overnight stay at the Eco Omo Lodge. FB (Full Board)

Jinka – Mago National Park – Turmi

Jinka is our starting point to explore the Mago National Park. We will visit their best-known ethnic group, the Mursi, famous for their women’s lip dishes, a tradition maintained today; many women make an insertion in their lower lips during adolescence, gradually enlarging it as a symbol of beauty. This is a people dedicated mainly to herding, although  they also cultivate sorghum and corn. Hunting is also an important activity for the Mursi, though it has been reduced, as its territory has been declared a wildlife reserve.We return to Jinka where, after our visit, we will eat in Key Afar (if it is Thursday or Tuesday, at the Alduba Market), a perfect opportunity to experience daily life in one of the Omo Valley’s most colorful markets. After lunch, we set off for Turmi, the capital of the Hamer ethnic group. Maintaining ancestral customs, and with their own language, religion and beliefs, the Hamers are extremely hospitable, preserving unique rituals like the Ukuli Bula, or bull jumping, the delivery of boko sticks by fathers to their sons who are to participate in said rite, and the Evangadi dance. The town not only serves as a good base for visits to the different villages of this tribe, but is an excellent starting point to reach Omorate and discover ethnic groups such as the Dassanech and the Karo.The Hamers are probably the most archetypal ethnic group of the Omo. Especially striking are their women, who wear thick, ochre-colored braids forming thick bangs, fur skirts, and numerous bracelets worn tight on their arms and legs. The men, for their part, practice body scarification, as do the women, and wear simpler attire, except for that which they don for ceremonies.Overnight stay at Paradise Lodge. FB (Full Board)

Turmi – Omorate – Turmi