TST R0006
Axum Tsion & Omo valley

On the following day, you drive to Arbaminch by visiting Tiya and Dorze village. Then, with an intension to visit Monday market of the Hammer and Benna people you will drive straight to Turmi. On Tuesday, you have an excursion drives to Dassanatch and on your return to Turmi you will proceed to Jinka via Dimeka and Key Afer. While passing through Dimeka, you visit Dimeka market where you have access to see different tribes of the surroundings area in just one spot. Next, you drive across the heart of Mago National Park to visit the Mursi tribe whose women have a distinctive culture of inserting geometrical lip plates in the slits of their lower lips. In the same afternoon, you visit the fertile village of the Ari people. On Thursday, while you are traveling to Arbaminch, en route you visit Konso village and Key Afer Market which brings the Benna, Tsemay and the Ari people together Then, you have game drives in Nech Sar national park and boat trip on Lake Chamo where you have the opportunity to see the great Nile crocodiles and Hippos. On the following day, you drive to the lake shore city of Awassa. Then, proceed to Langano by visiting Abijata-Shalla national park and on the day after that drive via Debre Zeit to Addis Ababa. Continue the journey to the historic route; drive via Blue Nile gorge to Bahirdar. Next, visit Lake Tana by boat to the shore of Gorgora by visiting the monasteries of Ura Kidane Meheret, Azwa Mariam, and Narga selassie. In the afternoon, you drive about 32 K.m and visit the Blue Nile Falls (This Falls is particularly spectacular during the rainy season of June, July and August). Then, you drive to the medieval city of Gondar by paying a short visit of the Awraba village. In Gondar, you visit the magnificent Imperial Castles compound which was the center of politics in the first half of 17thC.Also you visit the bath of King Fasiledas and the most famous church of Debrebirhan sellassie to admire the Ethiopian church paintings style in its superb form. Proceed to the ancient city of Aksum across the scenic road of Lemalimo and Tekeze river gorge. In Aksum, you visit its historical and archeological site which includes the magnificent Obelisks of Aksum and Aksum Tsion church; today is Dec.1st where, you see annual Tsion Mariam celebration takes place. Next, you drive to the town of Gheralta by visiting the 6thc Yeha temple then proceed to the city of Mekele. En route you visit at least three Tigray Rock churches. On the next day, you drive to the historic town of Lalibela. Then you visit the marvelous rock hewn churches of King Lalibela, one of the world Heritage sites registered by UNSCO. On the following day, you drive to the town of Kombolcha by visiting the monastery of Hayk Estifanos, only allowed for men. Finally drive all the way back to Addis Abeba.
Map
Highlights
Facts
Duration
20 days
19 nights
Tour style
Historical , cultural, Educational, Pilgrim
Physical rating
For all
Age requirements
none
Service level
standard and Luxurious
Group size
no limit
My own room option
Recommended period
- Summer
- Fall
- Winter
- Autumn
Itinerary
- Days1Locations coveredAddis AbabaDescriptionArrive in Addis Ababa and transfer to hotel.AccommodationJupiter Hotel (4)Meal plansDinner
- Days2Locations coveredAddis Ababa to Arba MinchDescriptionDrive from Addis Ababa to Arba Minch. En-route you visit Tiya (World Heritage Site by UNSCO). This site is famous for its ancient monolithic stele which is engraved with some fascinating symbols. Also, before you arrive in Arba Minch, drive to the highland people of the Dorze to visit their excellent beehive shaped bamboo houses, fertile grounds of false banana and colorful waving products.AccommodationSwaynes Hotel (Not applicable)Meal plans
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Days3Locations coveredArbaminch to TurmiDescriptionWith the intension of catching the Turmi market, drive via the Tsemay land and gazing over the terraced hills of Konso to Turmi. At the market, you will have an opportunity to visit the Hammar people and their local products in their colorful market.AccommodationBuska Lodge (Not applicable)Meal plans
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Days4Locations coveredTurmi to Omorate to JinkaDescriptionExcursion drives to Omorate; visit the Dassanatch people at the bank of the Omo River. In the afternoon, proceed from Turmi via Dimeka and Key Afar to Jinka. At Dimeka visit Women market for the Hammer, Benna, and sometimes Tsemay people.AccommodationJinka Resort (Not applicable)Meal plans
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Days5Locations coveredJinka to MursiDescriptionExcursion drive to the fascinating Mursi people whose women adore wearing geometrical lip plates in the slits of their lower lips. The drive to the village of these people takes you in the heart of Mago National Park. In the afternoon visit the Ari villages, their neat compounds, and fertile surroundings.AccommodationJinka Resort (Not applicable)Meal plans
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Days6Locations coveredJinka to Konso to ArbaminchDescriptionDrive down via the Tsemay land and gazing over the terraced hills of the Konso to Arbaminch. The Konso people are famous for their traditional terracing system and Waka Totem (Grave wooden totem). Today, you will be able to visit the compound and house of the Chief of Kertita Clan and his chiefly artifacts. En-route at Key Afar, you visit the colorful Thursday Market of the Benna, the Tsemay and the Ari people with their local agricultural products.AccommodationSwaynes Hotel (Not applicable)Meal plans
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Days7Locations coveredNetch Sar National ParkDescriptionIn the morning game drive in Netch Sar National Park to visit the endemic Swaynes heart beest, Kudu, Antelopes, Zebras, and the view of lake Abaya and Lake Chamo. Situated between two of Ethiopia’s Rift Valley Lakes, this park is one of the most scenic national parks in Africa. In the afternoon, you will have boat trip on Lake Chamo to visit some herds of hippo, aquatic birdlife, and huge sunbathing crocodiles on its shore.AccommodationSwaynes Hotel (Not applicable)Meal plans
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Days8Locations coveredArbaminch to AwassaDescriptionDrive from Arbaminch to the lake shore city of Awassa where you will have boat trip on one of the many rift valley Lakes of Ethiopia named Awassa. In the evening walk by the shore of this rift valley lake to witness the beautiful sunset drama over it.Meal plans
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Days9Locations coveredAwassa to LanganoDescriptionIn the morning, visit Awassa Fish Market and its birdlife and then drive across the rift valley by visiting Abijata-Shalla National park to Langano. Lake Langano and Shalla are the only two lakes that are declared Bilharzia free in the country if you wish to swim. Despite its brown color Lake Langano is clean.AccommodationSafari Lodge (Not applicable)Meal plans
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Days10Locations coveredLangano to Addis AbabaDescriptionDrive all the way back to Addis Ababa via a small town Called Debre Zeit. You will take time to explore the town’s most famous rift valley lakes; namely Kuriftu, Babogaya and Hora. Then, drop off at the hotel.AccommodationJupiter Hotel (4)Meal plans
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Days11Locations coveredAddis Ababa to BahirdarDescriptionIn the morning drive across the spectacular Blue Nile gorge. Then, proceed along the rolling plateaus and farm lands of Gojam to Bahirdar.AccommodationSummer Land Hotel (Not applicable)Meal plans
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Days12Locations coveredBahirdarDescriptionIn the morning, boat trip on Lake Tana to see beautiful island monasteries and their valuable treasures which includes biblical wall paintings, crowns of different Ethiopian Kings, ancient illuminated parchment books, and superb crosses etc. In the afternoon, you will have excursion on a rough road to the magnificent Blue Nile Falls. It is about 400 meter wide with full flood (in June, July and August to mid September).AccommodationSummer Land Hotel (Not applicable)Meal plans
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Days13Locations coveredBahirdar to GondarDescriptionIn the morning, proceed to Gondar. On the way with a little detour from the main road, you visit the village of the Awramba society (unique society in Ethiopia for their life style (philosophy) and custom) and their colorful woven products. Then, tour of Gondar which includes the visit the Royal Enclosure with its magnificent castles dated from the 17th and 18th century (world heritage site), the bath of king Fasiledes, the remarkable church of Debrebrihan Selassie with its breathtaking 17th century wall and ceiling paintingsAccommodationGoha Hotel (Not applicable)Meal plans
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Days14Locations coveredGondar to AxumDescriptionAdmiring the unique flora such as the Abyssinian wild rose and the Giant Lobelia, fauna and the stunning scenery leave the Semien Mountains via one of the most scenic roads of Ethiopia called Lima limo and the spectacular Tekeze Gorge to Axum. En route, on your right side of the road, you will have a chance to gaze over part of the Semien Mountains.AccommodationRemhai Hotel (Not applicable)Meal plans
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Days15Locations coveredAxumDescriptionFull day visit of Axum which includes the famous stele park with its huge monolithic obelisks, the ruined palace of the Queen of Sheba, ancient stone inscriptions, the ruined palace of king kaleb and his son, subterranean tombs of different Axumite kings, and the church of St. Mary of Zion which is believed to house the Original Ark of the covenant; where annual celebration by Ethiopian orthodox followers from near and far gather around the church to commemorate this day.AccommodationRemhai Hotel (Not applicable)Meal plans
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Days16Locations coveredAxum to MekelleDescriptionDrive via Gherealta; visiting the ancient Temple of Yeha (5th. C.BC) to Mekele. En-route, you visit the churches of Abreha We Atsbeha and Wukro Kirkos.AccommodationAxum Hotel (Not applicable)Meal plans
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Days17Locations coveredMekelle to LalibelaDescriptionAfter breakfast leave for Lalibela passing through the stunning scenery of the North central Massif and the Tigrean plateau arriving Lalibela late afternoon.AccommodationMountain View Hotel (Not applicable)Meal plans
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Days18Locations coveredLalibelaDescriptionVisit the first and second group of King Lalibela's 12th.C.Rockhewn churches (World Heritage Site). Although all of these churches are carved out of huge blocks of rocks, each of them displays unique architectural features from the other.AccommodationMountain View Hotel (Not applicable)Meal plans
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Days19Locations coveredLalibela to KombolchaDescriptionDrive to Kombolcha via many small towns of Wollo province including the historical town of Wuchale, where the controversial Treaty of Wuchale is signed between Emperor Menelik of Ethiopia and Italy which ultimately led to the famous battle of Adwa in 1896. En-route, depending on time availability, you visit Hayk Stephanos Monastery.AccommodationSunny Side Hotel (Not applicable)Meal plans
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Days20Locations coveredKombolcha to Addis AbabaDescriptionDrive back to Addis Ababa and have half day tour of Addis Ababa which includes the Ethnological Museum in the former palace of King Hailesillassie, the National Museum, Holy Trinity Cathedral and Merkato_the largest open-air market in Africa. In the evening, you will be invited farewell dinner in one of the best traditional restaurants of the capital. Then, transfer to the airport and departure. End of ServiceAccommodationSunny Side Hotel (Not applicable)Meal plans
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
What other customers say...
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- 2016-08-27 2016-08-31 Ayehou Mesfin Sweden Most Chinese robots are also not made in China. An analysis by Dieter Ernst of the East-West Center showed that 75 percent of all robots used in China are purchased from foreign firms (some with assembly lines in China), and China remains heavily dependent on the import of core components from Japan. 0
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