HIGHLIGHTS OF ETHIOPIA, 18 DAYS TRIP ITINERARY

 DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN ADDIS ABABA

Morning: Arrive in Addis Ababa. Check-in to your hotel. Afternoon: first we will attend a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony to welcome you then we start your Tour in National Museum of Ethiopia and see the famous fossil, Lucy. Evening: Stroll through the Merkato, one of Africa’s largest markets.

DAY 2: DRIVE ADDIS ABABA TO BAHIR DAR

Morning: Fly to Bahir Dar (approx. 1-hour flight). After Check -in to your hotel: take a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit the Island monasteries and the outlet of Blue Nile River, where the Blue Nile River begins the journey to the Mediterranean Sea: Afternoon: after a coffee break you will continue to discover the Blue Nile Falls and its surrounding landscape and village. Evening:  a seaside walking to enjoy the local meal with Tana views.

DAY 3: DRIVE BAHIR DAR TO AWRA AMBA

Morning: Drive to Awra Amba (approx. 1-2 hours). It’s a community founded in 1980: its members work together, women have equal rights as men and there is no distinction in division of labor between men and woman, all people in the community have no religion. They believe in hard work and being good to others. Here, we will have a time to take with the community leaders to understand their Philosophy of life. Afternoon, we continue drive to Gondar (approx. 2-3hours) and check in your hotel. Evening, Enjoy the spectacular view from the top of Goha hotel and have a dinner.   

DAY 4: GONDAR (UNESCO – WORLD HERITAGE SITE)

Morning: Tour the Royal Enclosure (the Camelot of Africa), the royal Bath and visit the Church of Debre Brehan Selassie, known for its stunning ceiling murals. Afternoon, drive to Wolleka; in this village lived the Ethiopian Jewish (Biete Israel) for centuries, until they left in the 1980s and 90s to Israel. It is still known for its Synagoge, its Jewish cemetery and for pottery. Evening: Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

DAY 5: DRIVE TO SEMIEN MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

Morning: Drive to Semien Mountains National Park (approx. 2-3 hour). Afterwards, begin a guided trek with scout to see the breathtaking landscapes and wildlife including the Gelada Baboons. Evening: Overnight stay in the park and enjoy the dinner in the nature.

DAY 6: DRIVE SEMIEN MOUNTAINS TO AXUM

 Morning: we drive to Axum 260km (approx. 7-8 hour). It is one of the most spectacular roads in Africa; this day drive affords some excellent photo opportunities of the lower parts of the Semien Mountains dramatic landscape and stop over to admire the nature and for deep breath of fresh and clean air. Evening: Walking along the home of ancient empire and enjoy local cuisine in Axum

DAY 7: CITY TOUR IN AXUM (UNESCO – WORLD HERITAGE SITE).

Morning: Visit the Church of St. Mary of Zion; where the Ark of the Covenant kept as emperor Iyasu is recorded as having seen it in 1691. The famous Obelisks of Axum; Built in the 4thcentury, the 160-tone monument from a single piece of granite (rock) stood in place over a thousand years. The Northern field stelae contain more than 120 obelisks. Afternoon:  we visit the Queen of Sheba’s Palace (Dungur), the story of the Queen of Sheba appears in religious texts sacred to Jewish, Christians and Muslims and modern scholars believe she came from the kingdom of Axum in Ethiopia. Evening: Relax the local basket market and enjoy local cuisine in Axum.

DAY 8: DRIVE AXUM – HAWZEN (YEHA AND ADWA)

Morning: Drive to Yeha and Adwa (approx. 1-2 hours) said to be Ethiopia’s oldest settlement, probably dating back almost 3,000 years. A large temple, dedicated to the moon god, is related to other pagan temples to the same in Yemen, indicating connections across the red sea from the earliest times. Then drive to Adwa where set amidst rugged mountains with stunning scenery. The chains of Adwa Mountains which were the secret of victory that Ethiopia’s were never colonized in Africa. In the afternoon, proceed to Hawzen (Gheralta) via Adigrat. Evening: Relax the scenery of the impressive sandstone cliffs from Gheralta/Korkur lodge. 

DAY 9: EXCURSION IN TIGRAY CHURCHES: COUNTINUE TO MEKELE

Morning: visit the rock hewn churches in one day you will visit two different churches; Abune Yemata Guh and Maryam Korkur.  Those of has a unique style with a stunningly beautiful characters and fully decorated with a fresco painting. To visit, you will walk for about 2-3 hour towards Maryam Korkur both way and again walk for about 2 hours towards Abune Yemata Guh; you will start a steep ascent to the sides of the Gheralta massif. This steep incline quickly transitions to a climb requiring hand and foot grips carved into the sandstone by countless climbers over time. The ascent involves traversing long, narrow ledges with steep drops alongside. In the late afternoon, you will drive to Mekele for about 1:30 hours. Evening: Relax and enjoy local cuisine in Mekele

DAY 10: DRIVE TO LALIBELA

Morning: Today, you have a long day drive (7-8 hours) through stunning countryside take us due south, between the mountains to the west and the stark landscape of the Danakil Depression to the east to arrive the sunning Lasta Mountains and the remarkable rock hewn churches of Lalibela. If the day goes too smoothly and you feel energetic, we might have time to Visit Yimrahane Kiristos church en route. Evening: Dinner at Ben-Abeba Restaurant with a immense sunset and 360° view.

DAY 11: VISIT LALIBELA (THE EIGHTH WONDER OF THE WORLD)

Morning, you will visit the first cluster of Lalibela churches. These eleven superbly rock hewn churches are world famous, having been built in the late 12-13^th century and carved out of single pieces of rocks.  As these churches are alive, they breathe, and you get to see them for what they are today. Each day there will be programmed of prayer and a series of a mass procession so possible to attend a morning prayer.

Afternoon, continue to visit the second clusters of lalibela churches the iconic churches of St. George. Evening: Dinner in Lalibela and enjoy the surrounding views.

DAY 12: FLIGHT LALIBEA – ADDIS ABABA – ARBA MINCH

Morning: you will visit a public school before your back flight to Addis Ababa (approx. 1 hour) Afternoon; you will fly to Arbaminch from Addis Ababa (approx. 1 hour). Evening: Enjoy the fantastic scenery including the exact spot to view the two rift valley lakes, Lake Abaya to the north and Lake Chamo and overnight in Arbaminch.  

 DAY 13: DRIVE ARBA MINCH – DORZE VILLAGE

Morning: after breakfast, you will visit the Dorze village (approx. 1-hour drive from Arbaminch). Explore traditional Dorze houses and their unique weaving techniques. Learn about Dorze culture and daily life. Afternoon: we undertake a boat trip on Lake Chamo and search for Africa’s biggest crocodiles (up to 6m long), hippos, and a large variety of birdlife. Evening: Overnight stay in Arbaminch.

DAY 14: DRIVE ARBAMINCH TO JINKA

Morning: Drive to Konso (approx. 3-4 hours). Afternoon: Visit the Konso village, known for its rich cultural heritage and terraced agriculture. Explore Konso’s unique totems and traditional craftsmanship. Evening: Overnight stay in Jinka.   

DAY 15: DRIVE JINKA- MAGO NATIONAL PARK (MURSI)

Morning: Drive to enter the Mago National Park (approx. 4 hours both ways). You will admire a verity of mammals and birds. Afternoon: Experience the Mursi tribe and their distinctive lip plates and body adornments. Explore the local market and engage with the Mursi people. Evening: Overnight stay in Mursi or in a nearby lodge.  

DAY 16: DRIVE MURSI TO HAMER

Morning: Drive to the Hamer region (approx. 4-5 hours). Afternoon: Visit a Hamer village and learn their traditional ceremonies and customs. Learn about the Hamer’s unique rituals and cultural practices. Evening: Overnight stay in a Hamer village or a nearby lodge.

 DAY 17: DRIVE HAMER TO KARO  

Morning: Drive to the Karo region (approx. 2-3 hours). Afternoon: Visit a Karo village, famous for their body painting and beadwork. Interact with the Karo people and explore their unique cultural practices. Evening: Return to Arbaminch for overnight stay.

DAY 18: ARBAMINCH TO ADDIS ABABA (DEPARTURE)

Morning: We fly back to Addis Ababa (approx. 1 hour flight). Today, there is time for last souvenirs shopping and to visit a community-led initiative like child support center or elderly care center. In the evening: we will go out to one of the best cultural restaurant for the farewell Dinner at the traditional restaurant with a live traditional dance program. Then, transfer to the airport for your departure to Home.    

Note:

This itinerary is ideal for travelers seeking to understand the intricacies of Ethiopian’s history, culture and biodiversity.

• Round Trips and all Transfers according to the Program in a modern vehicle.
• All domestic flights with Ethiopian Airlines (economy class).
• All overnight stays in 3–4-star hotels/lodges in a double room.
• Daily breakfast and dinner include non-alcohol drinks.
• Drinking water throughout the Tour.
• 24/7 contact person during your stay in Ethiopia.
• Qualified, German-/ English – speaking tour guide and scout in the National Park.
• All national park and entrance fees.
• Visit a local initiative and project.
• All government taxes for the services included in the tour.
• Participate in a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony.

• International flight.
• Single room.
• Any meals not mentioned in the Package.
• Video and photo fees.
• Tips (e.g. for tour guides, drivers, scouts and hotel staff).
• Personal expenses and
• Visa fee.

Physical condition:

On this Tour, there are visiting points that can only be reached on good physical mobility. For this reason, this trip is not suitable for people with limited mobility. In individual cases, please contact us for further information.

Accommodation:

the Hotels und Lodges classified 3-4 star, based on Ethiopian standardization.

Occasional power and hot water outages may occur.

Visa:

All nationals require except Kenia und Djibouti requires an entry visa to visit Ethiopia. The entry visa can be obtained from an Ethiopian Embassy or a consulate general (processing time may take several weeks). Or the visa can be applied online www.evisa.gov.et (processing time may take 1-3 working day). In this case, you will receive the visa on arrival at the airport in Addis Ababa upon presentation of the confirmation e-mail. To enter Ethiopia or apply for a visa, you need a passport that is valid for at least six months After the End of your Trip.

Vaccinations:

Vaccinations are not mandatory, when you enter directly from Europe to Ethiopia. When you come from one of the yellow fever areas, proof of a valid yellow fever vaccination is required for a trip in Ethiopia. Please speak with your doctor regarding vaccinations and health issues for your Trip.

BALTHASAR TRAVEL RECOMMENDED A TRAVEL INSURANCE COVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE TOUR. TRAVEL INSURANCE SHOULD BE ORGANIZED IN THE COUNTRY WHERE YOU LIVE.