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Suitable for solo travelers and groups
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This tour begins and culminates in Addis Ababa
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Pre and post-tour accommodation can also be arranged for an extra charge
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Normal 4x4 vehicle & air transfer
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Can start any day
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Mid-range, private tour
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All meals included
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English
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5
Overview
Embark on a 9-Day Ethiopian History and Cultural Tour, exploring ancient cities, historic landmarks, and vibrant traditions. Discover Ethiopia’s rich heritage, from royal palaces to UNESCO sites, offering a deep dive into one of Africa’s most fascinating cultures
Ethiopia has got one of the most unique characters that are found almost in no other country in the world today. It is the only country in Africa that has never been colonized by Europeans, and its people are proud of this fact, and their traditions can be seen all over the country. Below are some of the reasons why Ethiopia is so magnificent, including its people, its geography and fauna. Ethiopia is a country with thousand years of history, with unique traditions, full of natural beauties and magnificent geological formations.
Highlights
- Can start any day
- Private tour
- Mid-range tour
- Can be customized
- Suitable for solo travelers
- Minimum age of 5 years
- A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Itinerary
Come explore Abyssinia the land of origin! You will be transferred in a comfortable air-conditioned car to your 3 or 4- star hotel in the center of Addis Ababa.
Some places you will get to visit include the National Museum of Ethiopia to see the long age history of Ethiopia and also the oldest human ancestor, Lucy. Located on the main campus of the Addis Ababa University in the grounds of Haile Selassie’s old palace is the Ethnological Museum -a true sight to behold. To my mind it’s one of the best museums in Africa. In the morning, you will be taken in your car to Holy Trinity Cathedral Church, whose structure is architecturally different from all other buildings. After a little bit of rest, you will be taken for an exciting car ride to the Entoto Mountains which offers a splendid view of the capital city. It is also a historical place since Menelik II used to live there and even built his palace.
Main Destination:
Addis Ababa (City)
Accommodation:
Hotel Lobelia
- Demonstrates a mid-range of service delivery and can be found in the great city of Addis Ababa.
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
You will take a flight at Ethiopian Airlines from Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar to meet the driver and the guide at the airport and check in at the hotel. After check in you will have breakfast then set off for Blue Nile Falls {Tis Issat}, the power station then take an easy walk to the Portuguese bridge and the Area. You will go back to Bahir Dar for lunch.
In the afternoon, you will have a boat trip to Lake Tana and visit the monasteries situated at the lake and on the islands. This is a boat trip. You will spot different birds and hippos and also get the chance to view the source of Blue Nile.
Main Destination:
Bahir Dar (City)
Accommodation:
Jacaranda Hotel Bahir Dar
- Ago Home Sweet Home is a mid-range hotel situated in Bahir Dar which is a city in Ethiopia.
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
The next destination is Gondar which is 160km from Bahir Dar and you will be driven there after breakfast. This road trip will take your breath away because of the beautiful scenery. Lunch shall be at the hotel. In the afternoon, you will proceed with the first capital of Gondar with king Fasilides and the fantastic castle. Gonder itself includes twelve castles built in 236 years by different emperors. When it comes to the infrastructure the city appears to be more of European rather than African. One of the places that you will be visiting is the Fasiladas Palace, which can be considered as the biggest and oldest castle in the region. You will proceed to visit Debre Berhan Selassie Church, which translates to light of the trinity. These are complimented by beautiful frescos, cherubs, and paintings inside the house. Debre Berhan Selassie church is believed to have housed the Ark of the Covenant of the Ethiopian Empire that started in 1632 continue to go to the water well of Fassiledes.
Main Destination:
Gondar (City)
Accommodation:
Goha Hotel
- Standards hotel situated in Gondar (Location type).
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
In the morning after breakfast you have to spend 3 hours on the road one way to the only natural world heritage site of Ethiopia, SMNP. This national park is found in the northern region of Ethiopia around the debark vicinity and is among the most beautiful regions in the country. You will also come across wild endemic animals such as the Gelada Baboons and birds. You are free to have your lunch at Siemen Lodge. You will have dinner and spend the night in Gondar town.
Main Destination:
Simien Mountains National Park
Best Time To VisitSeptember to December (Beautiful scenery)
High Season: October to April (Lodges are fully booked)
Best WeatherOctober to April
Wildlife in Simien Mountains NP
Gelada Monkey, Walia Ibex, Ethiopian Wolf, Klipspringer, Bushbuck, Golden Jackal, Hyena
Accommodation:
Goha Hotel
- Standards hotel situated in Gondar (Location type).
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
You will use the Ethiopia Airlines to fly to Lalibela from Gondar, and have lunch in the hotel. In the afternoon, you will visit the cave carved by King Lalibela, a World Heritage listed site at large. This group of ten monolithic and semi monolithic structures was carved directly into the stone of this mountainside at least 900 years ago. With regard to architectural features this complex houses the largest monolithic church in the world, a labyrinth of passages and corridors, skillfully chiseled relieves, and magnificent icon painting. Today, the first group of churches will include Bete Medehanialem, Bete Maryam, Bete Meskel, Bete Denagil, and Debre Sina we Golegot while the third group is only going to include St’ George.
Ethiopian Coffee ceremony
Go out and have dinner in the Kana restaurant.
Main Destination:
Lalibela (Town)
Accommodation:
Sora Lodge Lalibela
- The hotel under consideration is a mid-range hotel situated in Lalibela (Town).
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Later in the morning you will be taken to the next group of churches which are Bete Emanual, Bete Gabriel, Bete Merkorious and Aba Libanos. Once you complete the tour of the second group of churches, you will be transferred back to your hotel for check out before heading to the airport to take a flight to Addis Ababa.
Main Destination:
Addis Ababa (City)
Accommodation:
Hotel Lobelia
- Demonstrates a mid-range of service delivery and can be found in the great city of Addis Ababa.
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
You will take the flight from Addis to Jinka by Ethiopian Airlines once you arrive at the hotel go visit museum or Ari Village the next day is going to be ready.
Jinka is a market town located in the conty of the same name in the Southern region of Ethiopia. Situated in the lowlands and located above the Tama plains, this town is the capital of the Ari Zone of the South EthiopiaRegional state. Jinka is the central administrative place of Jinka town in Ethiopia. Jinka is located at a geographical coordinate of 5°47′N 36°34′E and has an altitude of 1490 meters above sea level. It is considered to be one of the prime tourist attractions in the region. It is also one of the regions inhabited by at least sixteen indigenous ethnic groups and other people from other parts of the country.
Main Destination:
Jinka (Lower Omo Valley)
Accommodation:
Nasa Hotel
- Budget hotel to be developed with partnership in Lower Omo Valley (Cultural Village).
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
In the morning, you will be transferred to Mago National Park where you will visit the Mursi people famous for their lower lip and earlobe plugs. Subsequently, you will proceed to Tumi, the land of the Hamer people. On the way, you will visit Dimeka local market which is every Tuesday and Saturday. This is one of the biggest and most atmospheric markets in the South Omo and attracting Hammer, Benna, Karo, Tsemai, and Ari tribes.
Main Destination:
Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)
Accommodation:
Emerald Lodge Turmi
- A mid-range lodge in Turmi in the Lower Omo Valley.
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
After we wake up early morning we will make a road trip from Turmi to Jinka. For this exercise, you will breakfast in Jinka. After breakfast, you will be driven to the Jinka airport where you will be expected to board a flight to Addis Ababa.
Finally. In the evening, there will be a cultural dinner and a special buffet and Ethiopian traditional drinks to taste the traditional Ethiopian meals and drinks. After the farewell party you’ll be dropped at Bole International Airport for international check out.
Main Destination:
Addis Ababa (City)
Accommodation:
No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
End of tour
- In case additional accommodation is needed, they can be provided at an extra charge.
- This means that you will be brought to the airport to be dropped off.
Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- • Park fees (For non-residents)
- • All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
- • All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
- • A professional driver/guide
- • All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
- • All flights during the tour
- • All Taxes/VAT
- • Roundtrip airport transfer
- • Meals (As laid down in the day-by-day section)
- • Drinking water (On all days)
Cost Excludes
- • International flights (From/to home)
- • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- • Tips (Tipping guideline US$15.00 pp per day)
- • Miscellaneous/travel expenses including souvenirs, travel insurance, visa costs.
- • Any raising of taxes and/or park fees by the government
FAQs
The 9-Day Ethiopian History and Cultural tour covers Ethiopia as a historical and culturally intense tour. Apart from the classical tourist attractions such as the eleven rock-hewn churches in Lalibela, the medieval castles in Gondar, and the landscape of the Simien Mountains National Park. Some of the exciting activities include: a boat ride on Lake Tana to visit island monasteries, a cultural encounter with the lower Omo valley, the Hamar and the Mursi people, among others. You will also get to appreciate the rich Ethiopian history and cultural background which will be evident throughout the tour.
The 9-Day Ethiopian History and Cultural Tour entails some measure of physical exercise though generally not strenuous and is ideal for average people. Educational activities such as site visits including ethiopia lalibela require guests to walk on rough terrains or climb stairs while travelling to the simien mountains may also include short non strenuous hike so as to capture the beauty of the landscape. The tour is also a cross country tour in different cities and countries, thus participants should expect road trips and altitude changes. Nevertheless, the guides will maintain a reasonable speed level and help the travelers on their own if necessary.
sights on the 9-Day Ethiopian History and Cultural Tour are medium-range hotels, mid-range lodges, and eco-accommodation that embrace the cultural experience. Comfortable accommodations are available in the major cities like Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar, and Gondar that contain modern amenities to facilitate the tourists. Lodging options in the more reclusive regions of Ethiopia such as the Simien Mountains and the Lower Omo Valley will not necessarily be as luxurious as in Addis Ababa but will remain sufficient to meet the basic needs of a traveler. This tour focuses on accommodation that will provide a real feel of the country and cultures while at the same time being comfortable and sleep inducing.
As detailed in the itinerary below, the 9-Day Ethiopian History and Cultural Tour includes many cultural interactions. Some of the attractions in this area include visiting the Lower Omo Valley with its resident tribes such as the Mursi, the Hamar, and the Karo people who are famous for massive physique decorations. The tour also offers Ethiopian coffee ceremony, local markets, and the opportunity to watch traditional music and dancing performances. Such experiences provide insight on the cultural foundations and lifestyle of the Ethiopian people.
When planning for the 9-Day Ethiopian History and Cultural Tour, it is recommended that you visit Ethiopia during the dry season, from October to May. In this period, the weather conditions remain relatively favourable for travel and tourism and sightseeing. Ethiopian celebrations of Meskel and Timkat are celebrated in September and January respectively, therefore it is best to visit during these months. However, as much as the wet season is associated with juicy greenery from June to September, driving on some roads especially in remote areas can be a tight squeeze.
Italian, Mexican or Thai can be prepared for lunch and dinner on the 9-Day Ethiopian History and Cultural Tour. Ethiopian foods that are readily available include injera – a type of spongy flat bread, doro wat – spicy chicken dish, kitfo – raw or undercooked minced beef. There are also many options for vegetarians or vegan diets since Ethiopian food has many lentil, vegetable or chickpea-based meals. In all the cities, there are cuisines and eating places that offer Ethiopian and international meals. The food options being rather limited in remote locations, they still seem to offer traditional culinary experiences.
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