12 DAYS NORTHERN & South ETHIOPIA TOUR

◐ TOUR CODE: YET-100 ☀ DURATION: 12 DAYS ◐ TRANSPORTATION: LAND & AIR ☀ DESTINATION: BAHIRDAR,LALIBELA,GONDAR,AXUM,ARBAMINCH & OMORATE

DAY. 01: ARRIVAL OF ADDIS ABABA AND SIGHT SEEING

Arrival Addis Ababa Meet Yama Ethiopia Tours representatives then transfer to the hotel. After check in make short sightseeing in Addis Ababa. The sightseeing includes the national museum (where you can see the Lucy fossil skeleton found) Trinity Cathedral church, Entoto hills for the panoramic view of Addis Ababa and Merkato the biggest open Air market in Africa.

DAY. 02: FLY TO BAHIR DAR (LAKE TANA) AND SIGHT SEEING

Catch morning flight to fly to Bahir Dar. After short break leave out the hotel for boat trip on Lake Tana and visit two or three of its beautiful and interesting islands with their medieval period monasteries. Covering over 3500sq km, Lake Tana is Ethiopia’s largest lake and is famous as the home of the monasteries established on some 20 of its 37 islands. Most churches in the monasteries have interesting paintings and contain a collection of church treasures and beautiful old manuscripts.

In afternoon drive to Tis Isat (smoking of Fire) waterfall, Previous it was one of the most spectacular falls in Africa, 400m wide when in flood and dropping over a sheer chasm more than 45m deep, the thunderous noise could be heard long before arrival and the spray that is thrown up could be felt up to a kilo meters away. But since a dam has been built upstream, the waterfall is reduced and has lost some of its former splendor but especially in the rain time, it is still impressive. And also the walk to the waterfall is nice and you can enjoy nature and watch birds. Keep an eye out for parrots, bee-eaters, lovebirds and Turacos.

DAY.03: DRIVE TO GONDAR AND VISIT THE SIGHTSEEING OF GONDAR

Heading to the legendary city of Gondar. In Gondar visit the Royal Enclosure that is surrounded by high stone walls containing the ruins of 17th century palaces of king Fasiladas, king Iyasu and queen Mentewab and different other buildings. The castles are a mixture of Ethiopian, European and probably also Indian styles. According to descriptions of 17th century travelers, the interior of the castle of king Fasiladas was extremely luxurious, decorated with gold, ivory and precious stones. Also, visit Debre Berhan Selassie Church meaning Trinity at the Mount of Light. It has rectangular structure and ceilings are decorated with beautiful winged angels, and its walls with impressive scenes depicting biblical events, including the life of Christ, Mary, and the saints and martyrs. There is also a painting of the church’s founder, Emperor Iyasu I.

DAY.04: FLY TO AXUM AND SIGHTSEEING

Morning after breakfast transfer to airport to fly to Axum. After check in to the hotel explores the city of Axum. Visit the interesting museum in Stelae field, the impressive Stelae Fields and also the grounds of the 16th-century Cathedral of St. Mary of Zion, home of the original Ark of the Covenant, Queen of Sheba ruin palace and Tomb of Kaleb and Gebre Meskel including Ezana’s Tomb.

DAY.05: FLY TO LALIBELA & VISIT ROCK HEWN CHURCHES

In the morning after breakfast fly to Lalibela and visit the first group of the magnificent rock-hewn churches of Lalibela which are carved out of living volcanic tuff with super architectural skill that the world has never seen, yet elsewhere. UNESCO registers these churches as world heritage. Among churches of this group Bete Medahine Alem (house of the redeemer) is the largest with 5 aisles, 72 pillars, vaulted dome and molding decoration. Bete Mariam (house of St. Marry) is the most decorated among the rock hewn churches.

DAY.06: MORE EXCURSIONS IN LALIBELA

In the morning excursion to Yemerhane Kirstos cave church outside of Lalibela through beautiful mountainous land scape of last region. Back to the hotel for lunch and after noon visit the second group of the rock-hewn churches; Bete Emanuel (house of Emanuel) is architecturally the finest. Bete Giorgis (the house of George) is the finest of all the churches in Lalibela for which reason art historians conclude that this church is carved at the end of the cluster, after the masons have developed their skill to carve the church in such extraordinary perfection.

DAY. 07: FLY BACK TO ADDIS AND DRIVE TO AWASSA

In the morning after breakfast transfer to the airport and fly back to Addis Ababa. Meet the vehicle and driver then transfer to Awassa to the rift valley lakes region.

DAY. 08: VISIT FISH MARKET AND DRIVE TO ARBA MINCH VIA DORZE VILLAGE

In the morning visit local fish market at Lake Awassa then proceed driving to Arba minch with some stops to visit Dorze people on the way. Among their very interesting cultures are their houses built from bamboo way of life and cultivation of the false banana (from which theyextract their local bread, called Kotcho

DAY. 09: BOAT TRIP ON LAKE CHAMO AND DRIVE TO TURMI

In the morning after breakfast make boat trip excursion on Lake Chamo to see some crocodiles, Hippos and a lot of water birds.Then drive to Turmi on the way visit Konso tribe village. Konso tribe is known for their unique social life structure and practicing the agriculture terracing.

DAY. 10: EXCURSION TO OMORATE

Excursion to Omorate to visit the Dasenach tribes across the Omo river by wooden local boat then come back to Turmi in the afternoon to visit the nearby hammer tribe village, also possibility to see special occasion ceremonies like wedding and ritual.

DAY. 11: DRIVE TO JINKA VIA KARO VILLAGE

Early Excursion to Karo village for the visit of Karo tribes with their interesting body decorations and scarification; Then drive to Jinka.

DAY. 12: EXCURSION TO MURSI VILLAGE & THEN FLY BACK TO ADDIS

Early morning excursion to Mursi tribes village. Mursi tribes is the most famous tradition includes the lip plate worn by the women. The origin of this tradition is not known but the Mursi themselves consider it as something that makes them distinguish from the surrounding tribes.

Then Transfer to airport and fly back to Addis. Depending up on time final shopping at souvenir shop. Evening have welfare dinner at traditional restaurant with folkloric dance then transfer to airport to fly back home.

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