Semien Mountains and Omo Valley

🗓️ Itinerary

• Day 1 Arrival in Addis Ababa– - City tour
  Arrive Addis Ababa in the morning. After a leisurely morning to relax we will spend the afternoon on a site-seeing tour of Addis Ababa. you will visit the National Museum which houses some of the country’s historic treasures. The collection of fossils and bones of early hominids discovered in Ethiopia include the 3.5 million year old remains of “Lucy”, the oldest hominid every found. We will also visit the Holy Trinity Church, Ethiopia’s main cathedral and home to the remains of the last emperor, Haile Selassie. Finally we will visit Menelik”s Mausoleum.
  Overnight hotel in Addis Ababa
• Day 2: Fly to Bahir Dar
  Fly from Addis to Bahir Dar and visit the Blue Nile Falls before lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat trip on Ethiopia’s largest water body – Lake Tana (3,600–Km Sq) to visit the island monasteries of Ura Kidane–Mihret (14th Century AD) and Azwa Mariam (14th Century AD).
  Overnight Hotel
• Day 3: Drive to Gondar
  Drive from Bahir Dar to Gondar – the 17th century capital of Ethiopia. In the afternoon, visit the Imperial Castle Compound of Gondar (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the ‘Bath of Emperor Fasiladas’, the church of Quskuam Mariam (17th century AD), the residence of Empress Mintwab, and the church of Debre Birhan Sillassie which is famous for its wall and ceiling paintings.
  Overnight Hotel
• Day 4: Simien Mountains National Park
  Drive from Gondar to Debark (the headquarter of the Simien Mountain National Park), and proceed 36 km farther to the Simien Mountains (UNESCO World Heritage Site) to view the endemic mammal of Ethiopia – the Gelada Baboon, and the breath-taking scenery of the Simien Mountains.
  Overnight Hotel
• Day 5: Axum
  Drive to Axum – Continue on the rugged road for a full day’s drive to the fabled city of Axum via the lowlands of the Simien Mountains and Tekeze River gorge. Though this is a long journey, the spectacular views make time slide away. Arrive in the late afternoon with time to enjoy the beautiful sunset from the hotel terrace.
  Overnight Hotel
• Day 6: Axum
  Have a sightseeing tour of Axum which includes visiting the Archaeological museum of Axum, the famous stele park (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the church of St. Mary of Zion which is believed to be the last resting place of the original Ark of the Covenant, the palace and tomb of King Kaleb and Gebre Meskel (6th Century AD) as well as the ruin palace of the Queen of Sheba (9th Century BC).
  Overnight Hotel
• Day 7: Fly to Lalibela
  In the morning, fly to Lalibela — home of the 12th century AD rock hewn churches of King Lalibela. In the afternoon you get to visit the first group of churches of King Lalibela (UNESCO World Heritage Site).
  Overnight Hotel
• Day 8: Lalibela
  In the morning, mule back ride to the hill top semi monolithic church of Asheton Mariam (12th century AD). Getting to the top of the hill rewards with great and unforgettable scenery of the area. In the afternoon, visit the remaining second and the third group of the churches of Lalibela.
  Overnight Hotel
• Day 9: Fly to Addis Ababa and drive to Langano
  Return to Addis Ababa by air in the morning. Continue the safari by road and drive 200 km south of Addis to the Great Rift Valley. the Lake Langano recreational areas, the Abiyatta Shalla lakes national Park attracts numerous visitors. It was created primarily for its aquatic bird life, particularly those that feed and breed on lakes Abiyatta and Shalla in Large numbers. Abiyatta is surrounded by gentle, grasscovered slopes and swathed in acacia woodlands. Shalla exudes a sense of mystery and foreboding, surrounded as it is by steep, black cliffs and peaks that reflect in its deep waters, which are liable to be whipped up by sudden storms and flurries of wind. It contains nine small, is located islands, rarely visited since there are no boats on the lake. These islands provide an excellent breeding ground for many bird species. Birdlife: Abijatta itself is very alkaline but shallow, so flamingoes can be seen scattered over most of its surface, and especially along the windward edge where their algal food source concentrates. You can approach quite closely, but beware of treacherous deep and mud if the lake is low. Large numbers of boat grater and lesser flamingoes gather here, together with great white pelicans and a host of other water birds. Wildlife From here you can see other parts of Lake Abiyatta and some mammal species, especially Grant’s gazelle, warthog and occasionally the Oribi.
  Overnight Hotel
• Day 10: Arba Minch
  Drive from Langano to Arba Minch through the fertile land of Wolita and Alaba regions. The Alaba people are very famous for their beautiful home painting style. En- route visit Sinkile Wild life Sanctuary where you will see the endemic Swayne hartebeest and other mammals.
  Overnight Hotel.
• Day 11: Arba Minch
  After breakfast drive to Chencha to visit Dorze village. The Dorze people are well known for the weaving tradition and their attractive elephant shaped traditional hut made from bamboo and false banana tree leafs. Here you will also see the daily activity of the Dorze people. Return to Arba Minch for lunch. In the afternoon you will take a boat ride on Lake Chamo, one of the Rift Valley Lakes. Visit the Crocodile Market where you can see large number of crocodiles, different aquatic birds and hippos.
  Overnight Hotel
• Day 12: Key Afer Market - Jinka
  Drive from Arba Minch to Jinka and make a stop at colourful Key After Thursday market where the Ari, the Tsemay and the Benna people meet.
  Overnight Hotel
• Day 13: Mago National Park - Jinka
  Make an excursion trip to Mago National Park. Visit the most famous people of the Omo Valley – the Mursi people, whose women are typically known for their clay lip plates they insert in their lower lips. Continue to Jinka to visit the cultural museum of the Omo people.
  Overnight Hotel.
• Day 14: Dimeka Market - Turmi
  Drive from Jinka to Dimeka to visit the Saturday market of the Hamer people. Continue to Turmi for overnight. Visit the cultural village of the Hamer people in the Turmi area. The Hamer people are famous for their typical hair dressings which the women decorate with red soil and butter.
  Overnight Hotel
• Day 15: Omorate - Turmi
  Today you are taken on an excursion to Omorate. You cross the Omo River by boat in order to visit the Dasenech people who are known for their body scarification. Spend the afternoon at leisure in Turmi.
  Overnight Hotel.
• Day 16: Turmi - Konso - Yabello
  The safari continues by road from Turmi to Yabello where you will visit the Erbore people and the Konso people.
  Overnight Hotel
• Day 17: Yabello - Awassa
  Drive from Yabello to Awassa to visit the nomadic Borena people and the Sidama people, who are noted for their cultivation of False Banana (Enset). Visit the coffee plantations around Yirga Chefe en- route where some of Ethiopia’s most flavoured coffee beans grow. Late afternoon you have time to enjoy bird watching and a sun set over the Rift Valley Lake of Awassa.
  Overnight Hotel
• Day 18: Return to Addis Ababa
  You will go down to the shore of Lake Awassa this morning to view the ‘Fish Market’. Return to Addis Ababa by road (273 km). A half-day city tour of Addis Ababa is planned for the afternoon. Places you will visit on the tour include the National Archeological Museum of Addis Ababa, Merkato – the largest open-air market in Africa and a drive up Mt. Entoto (3,500 meters) for a panoramic view of the capital. This evening you will be treated to a fare well dinner party at one of the best traditional restaurants of Addis. You get to view traditional dances of the Ethiopian people and taste a variety of Ethiopian dishes. Enquire for options to extend your stay with a Simien Mountain hike or other areas in Ethiopia, please enquire. This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirement.