Monolithic Churches & Ancient Tribes

Arrive at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's sprawling capital in the highlands bordering the Great Rift Valley. A representative will be at the airport to give you a warm welcome to Ethiopia and assist you with the transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure either resting in the hotel or exploring the city. Overnight stay in Addis Ababa.*

* Please note that the flight the following day from Addis Ababa to Lalibela departs in the morning, so you will be required to leave for the airport around 9 am.

You will have the option to add early check-in on arrival in the next step of the booking process. To guarantee optional services, we recommend that you add them to your current booking, as they are subject to availability.

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, transfer to Addis Ababa airport and take a flight to Lalibela, the most famous of all of the Ethiopian historical sites. Lalibela is noted as The "New Jerusalem", an epicenter for internationally renowned rock-hewn churches known as 'Eight wonders of the world'. Physically created from the rock in which they stand, these towering edifices seem to be a superhuman creation due to the scale, workmanship and concept. After lunch (not included), begin to explore the rock-hewn churches of the remarkable king Lalibela, visiting the Northwestern Cluster of churches; Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, Bet Mikael & Bet Golgotha. “Bet” means house in Amharic, and in this instance stands for church. Transfer back to the hotel. Overnight stay in Lalibela.

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, continue exploring the rock-hewn ‘Bet’s’ of Lalibela, heading this time to the Southeastern Cluster of churches.  Unearth the history of Bet Gabriel-Rufael, Bet Merkorios, Bet Amanual, and Bet Abba Libanos. Finally, visit the most famous of all, Bet Giyorgis, a huge monolith in the shape of a cross, constructed in honor of St. George, the patron saint of Ethiopia. Spend the afternoon taking part in a traditional coffee ceremony with a local family, experience the Ethiopian way to drink coffee which is served up to three times, and each serving, named abol, tona and baraka, will be weaker than the previous. Tradition says that the first one is for pleasure, the second one is to provoke contemplation, and the third one serves as the blessing to the drinkers. Transfer back to the hotel and overnight stay in Lalibela.

Early 6am rise this morning as you set-off to Gondar by road. Enjoy breakfast on-route. Arrive at the hotel for check in. In the afternoon your Gondar discovery will commence, discover Gondar Castle, the Fasil Pool, and Debre Birhan Trinity Church. Known as "the Camelot of Africa" it’s famous for its medieval castles and churches, and also known as the Imperial City of Fasilides. The Kings of Ethiopia based their power in Gondar for two centuries. The city was the first capital of the Ethiopian empire, there are a number of castles built by various emperors over the course of 236 years. Many picturesque ruins lie in the royal enclosure like fairytale castles, dating back to the 17th century. The castles reflect the glory of Gondarine kings and are characterized by lime mortar style. Transfer back to the hotel and overnight stay in Gondar.

After breakfast, drive from Gondar to Bahir Dar. The drive will take you through rural villages, offering wonderful insight into the Amhara culture and the traditional agricultural methods still in use today. Embark on a boat to visit the ancient island monasteries on the lake. The monasteries are famous for their typical Ethiopian religious paintings, illuminated manuscripts, and other ancient church treasures. The monasteries you visit include; Ura Kidane Mihret famed for its iconic paintings, and continue onto the southern end of the heart-shaped lake to the 14th century island monastery of Kibran Gebriel. End the day watching the sunset at Bezawit Hill where you can see the outside of Emperor Haile Selassie I’s summer residence. Transfer back to the hotel and overnight stay in Bahir Dar.

After breakfast, your adventure continues to the Gughe Mountains. Transfer to Bahir Dar airport and fly to Addis Ababa where you will take another flight to Arba Minch. Upon arrival in Arba Minch, lunch (not included) and ascend into the Gughe Mountains to visit the Dorze people, known for their tall beehive-like houses and their fine cotton weaving. Have the unique opportunity of meeting the Dorze, a minority ethnic group known for their durable beehive huts that can stand up to two stories high, some even feature fireplaces and are only made of bamboo, enset and other local materials. The Dorze were once warriors, but today they are famous for their cotton weaving and making brightly coloured clothes. Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay in Arba Minch.

After breakfast, depart Arba Minch and travel by road to Turmi. On-route, stop in Konso for a visit with the Konso people, known for their totems built in honour of the dead, as well as their intricate agricultural terracing techniques. The Konso are agricultural people, cultivating subsistence crops on terraces that reduce soil erosion, leading a way of life that goes hand in hand with nature. The lands of the Konso have been declared as a World Heritage Site. After the visit, continue to Turmi, home of the Hamer tribes. Finally, visit the Hamer village in Turmi. The Hamar, found mostly in the fertile Omo Valley, are pastoralists who place great importance on cattle. Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay in Turmi.

After breakfast, drive to Omorate to meet the Daasanach tribe. The Daasanach range across a large territory following the western banks of the Omo River to Lake Turkana. Local tradition, reinforced by that of the Turkana, recounts that the Daasanach migrated to their current homeland from a region called Nyupe, to the west of Turkana. Like the Turkana, Samburu and Gabbar of northern Kenya, the Dasenech or Geleb were originally herders, living an almost nomadic lifestyle. The abundant water frontage and fertile soil of their present territory has subsequently pushed them towards a more diverse subsistence economy, based around fishing and agriculture as well as herding livestock. Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay in Turmi.

Early in the morning, depart Turmi and head to Mago National Park by road via Jinka and enjoy breakfast on-route and lunch (not included). The most renowned of the tribes that live in Mago are the striking Mursi with their distinctive body ornamentation, such as lip plates, piercings and face paintings and are featured often in travel publications. The Mursi women, like the Suri, insert discs into their lower lips adding to their unusual appearance, adorned with beads, strange and elaborate headdress creations and scant beaded-leather clothes. After visiting the Mursi village, transfer to the hotel and overnight stay in Jinka.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Jinka airport and fly back to Addis
Ababa. Located at the foot of the Entoto Mountains, Addis is the capital of Ethiopia, founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik. Known locally as the "new flower", the city is dotted with Eucalyptus trees and surrounded by mountains. Addis is a regional hub with quite a cosmopolitan feel, offering interesting sights and delicious Ethiopian cuisine. Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay in Addis Ababa.

Breakfast* at the hotel. Sadly, it’s time to bid farewell to Ethiopia after a truly unforgettable experience. Transfer to the airport for a return flight back to the US.** Night on board.

* Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.

** IMPORTANT: Your flight may depart in the early hours of the morning in order to ensure the best possible flight times and connections for your journey. In this case, you may not be able to enjoy a full night of accommodation at the hotel.

Arrive in the US and end your trip.