Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa, Airport pick-up and City tour
When you arrive at Bole International Airport, our representative will pick you up on time and send you to the hotel. Later, we will visit National Museum of Ethiopia and Ethnographic Museum first. Located in the center of Addis Ababa, National Museum is famous for its collection of fossils of Lucy, the "grandmother of humanity". As for Ethnographic Museum, it is an Ethiopian nation's cultural museum, where many tribal folk utensils are collected. In the afternoon, we will go to Holy Trinity Church, which shows Ethiopia's Christian history, as well as the country's political and cultural history. Finally, we will go to Merkcato bazaar. Accommodation: Radison Blue Hotel (5 stars)
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Day 2: Fly 1H to Bahir Dar, Enjoy a Boat Trip on Scenic Lake Tana
Today the guide will accompany you to fly 1 hour to Bahir Dar. After arriving, we will take a car to the largest lake in Ethiopia, Lake Tana, to enjoy a boat trip. Also, we will visit some monasteries and round grass-roofed church. In the afternoon, we will visit the Palace of Emperor Selassie. During the rest of the day, we will take a walk around local market. Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Kuriftu Resort (4 stars)
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Day 3: Drive to Gonder, Highlights day tour with Debre Berhan Selassie Church
After having breakfast, we will head to Gonder, a 17th royal city in Ethiopia, by car. It could take around 3 hours. On arrival, the tour guide will show you around Fasil Ghebbi, the royal palace and castle of the Gonderian Emperors. In the afternoon we will go to Debre Birhan Selassie Church to admire beautiful frescos. Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Goha Hotel (3 stars)
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Day 4: Transfer to Simien Mountains National Park, Afternoon Game Drive
In the early morning, we will transfer to Simien Mountains National Park by car. The journey could take around 3-4 hours. This national park has been a world natural heritage site since 1996 in view of unique landscape and plant and animal species. Upon arrival in the afternoon, the local guide and scout will accompany you to have a 2-3 hour safari hiking in the park. We can search for precious wildlife and flora, and play with friendly Gelada Baboons. On the way back, we will enjoy a game drive to find endemic Ethiopian wolf and admire scenic plateau views. Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Simien Lodge
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Day 5: Bird watching drive to Axum and free afternoon (190km, 6-7hs)
Today we plan to drive to Axum, taking 6-7 hours on the way, passing through the fascinating river basin of Tekeze. You can watch breathtaking mountain views along the way. Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Sabean International Hotel (4 stars)
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Day 6: Axum Full Day Tour with the Palace of Queen Sheba
Axum is the birthplace of Christianity in Ethiopia, dating back over 2,000 years. In the morning the driver and the tour guide will take you to visit Axum stelae or obelisks. Next we will go to St. Mary of Zion Churches, where people say Christian holy things are kept. After that we will travel around the Palace of Queen Sheba. Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Sabean International Hotel (4 stars)
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Day 7: Fly to Lalibela, Explore the Rock Hewn Churches
Today we will fly to the northern city Lalibela. The tour guide will show you around Lalibela Rock Hewn Churches in the morning. Built during the reign of King Lalibela, it was the product of a flourishing Christian civilization in Ethiopia in the 12th and 13th centuries and is known as the "African miracle". We will not miss St. George Church, the most spectacular one among Lalibela Roca Hewn Churches. Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mezena Lodge
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Day 8: Fly back to Addis Ababa, Head South to the Lake Langano
We will fly back to Addis Ababa in the morning, then take a car to travel south to the Lake Langano, taking 4-5 hours. On the way, we will visit Lake Ziway, the largest lake in upstream of Rift Valley Lakes. Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Sabana Beach Resort (3 stars)
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Day 9: Drive to Arba Minch (260km, 4hs), on the way Visit Dorze village
On the ninth day, we will drive to Arba Minch. On the way, we will visit Dorze village, where people are good at weaving Shammas, the local traditional cloth and you can see unique Dorze beehive-shaped bamboo houses. Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Haile Resort Hotel (4 stars)
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Day 10: Keep driving to Konso, Strolling around the Key Afer Market
It takes around 2 hours to get to Konso, a UNESCO Cultural Heritage site. We will visit Konso's country yards and local museum today. After the visit, head to Key Afer Market (Thursdays Only), where you can find people from different tribes in different costumes and learn their unique way of trading. Drive to Jinka in the afternoon, and after 5 hours we'll arrive at the lodge there. Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Eco-Omo Lodge
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Day 11: Short Safari in Mago National Park, Meet the Mursi Tribe
We will drive through Mago National Park to trace wildlife. Then drive for two hours to Mursi Tribal Village, one of Ethiopia's best-known tribes, famed for the custom of the women putting a plate on their lower lips. Finally we will drive for about 2 hours to Turmi. Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Buska Lodge
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Day 12: Enjoy Full Day Tour in Turmi with the Hamer
Visit the colorful market in Demika (Saturday only) in the morning. In the late afternoon, we could go to nearby Hamer Village to experience exotic customs. Turmi is known for folk activities, so we might have chance to join Hamer marriage ceremony, watch the traditional dance - Evangadi, and bull jumping ceremony. Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Buska Lodge
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Day 13: Omorate Town Excursion to the Dassanech, Transfer to Konso
Today's arrangement is to pay a visit to Dassanech Ethnic group. This ethnic group is famous for their nomadic way of life and scarification on bodies. When we take the dugout canoe to cross Omo River, we could appreciate significant views of river valley. Have a self-paid lunch in Turmi town at noon. In the afternoon, we will drive back to Konso, taking around 3.5 hours. Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Kanta Lodge
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Day 14: Morning transfer to Arba Minch, Fly back to Addis Ababa & Airport see-off
Our Ethiopia historical tours will be over today. The guide will escort you to fly from Arba Minch back to Addis Ababa. May you have had a great time with us! Meals: Breakfast
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