DENVER / WASHINGTONE (Dulles) / ADDIS ABABA (Ethiopia)

AM: Meet at Denver International airport for our flight to Washington (Dulles) airport to connect with our evening Ethiopian Airlines international flight to Addis Ababa (Ethiopia). The flight schedule includes one stop on the way to Addis Ababa. Meals on board.

ADDIS ABABA (Ethiopia) – Hilton Hotel

PM: Arrive to Addis Ababa BOLE International Airport where you will be met and transferred to Addis Ababa to spend the next two nights at   ADDIS ABABA HILTON HOTEL.  Located in downtown Addis Ababa, this hotel offers state of the art services with great restaurants, a fully equipped workout facility and business center. Hotel amenities include: Sauna, outdoor thermal pool, tennis court, jogging track, health club gym, aerobic room and shopping mall. Your room amenities include: alarm radio, TV, 24 hour housekeeping, coffee maker, hairdryer, high speed internet and mini bar.

Hilton Hotel in Addis Ababa

All rooms with balcony offering a mountain, garden or city view. The bright and airy room, decorated with original artwork, has a desk.  Special touches may include daily newspaper, mineral water, chocolate, flowers and fruits

ADDIS ABABA, which means “New Flower” in Amharic, is an intriguingly indigenous African city. Unlike many other African capitals, its founding, growth and development are not rooted in colonization. Founded in 1896 by Emperor Menelik II, Addis Ababa is the last in a succession of capitals of the great Abyssinian empire dating back to the pre-Christian Axum.

Addis Ababa street                                             Merkato Market in Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa is the capital city with a population of 5 million people. The city can be regarded as a cultural reference for the whole Ethiopia for having almost all tribal people and their way of living in the country.

ADDIS ABABA – City Tours

AM: Buffet breakfast at the hotel.

AM: Meet our guide in hotel lobby to start our adventure by exploring this historic city of Addis Ababa. We will drive through the MERKATO, the largest open market in the continent.

Merkato Market

Lucy

Then, we proceed to the NATIONAL MUSEUM which is known for its pale- ontological and archeological dating back over millions of years and which  houses the famous origin human kind “LUCY, or DINKNESH, the 3.5 million year old” remains .  We continue our tours to visit the ETHNOGRAPHIC MUSEUM, where we see artifacts, paintings that reflects church history, crosses, and culture of the country. Since the building was the palace of Emperor Haile Selassie, his bed room and bath rooms can be visited. Then we stop to visit Saint Mary Church where Menelik’s Mausoleum, Etege Taitu and Queen Zawditu are buried, followed by our visit to Mount Entoto which is 3,200 meters above sea level to enjoy the panoramic view of Addis Ababa and surrounding area.  Return to the hotel for dinner & overnight.    BB, L, D

             (NORTH of Ethiopia-History and religion)

ADDIS ABABA / BAHIRDAR - Lake Tana Boat Trip -Kuriftu Resort & Spa

AM: Buffet breakfast at the hotel

AM: After breakfast, we will board our coach and will be transferred to Addis Ababa airport for our short morning flight to our wonderful next destination of BAHIR DAR, located in north western Ethiopia. The 3rd largest city in Ethiopia, this city has an estimated population 170,000 and is one of the leading and best tourist destinations in Ethiopia with a variety of attractions at nearby Lake Tana and Blue Nile river.  It is also the capital of the Amhara land region.

Bahir Dar – the city                                                

AM: Arrive to Bahir Dar airport where we will be met and transferred to BAHIR DAR to spend the next two nights at Kuriftu Resort and Spa,a new and up-market African lodge with attractive stone rooms.  Each room is dominated by a large four-poster bed which can be converted into a twin including a large mosquito net and air conditioning. The toilet and shower are separate and en suite. The entire resort is navigated by small paths crossing over manmade streams. There is a pool and a very well equipped Spa.

Kuriftu Resort

Today, after we check-in to our resort, we will meet in hotel lobby to board our boat and start our exciting visit to Bahir Dar’s main attraction:  the selection of Ethiopian Christian monasteries which are found on some 20 of Lake Tana 37 islands.   Most of the Bahir Dar monasteries date from the 16th and 17th centuries and have changed little since their founding.

Orthodox Priest in a papyrus boat
Boat ride on Lake Tana                                    

LAKE TANA. Thirty- seven islands dot this immense body of water, and twenty of them shelter historic churches and monasteries, many decorated with impressive paintings. The region to the north of the lake is the source of the Blue Nile and is the largest Lake in Ethiopia. The lake is 47 miles long, 44 miles wide, with maximum depth of 45 feet.  A Lava barrier near Bahir Dar creates the spectacular TISISAT FALLS.  Lake Tana is fed by the Lesser Abay, Reb and Gumara Rivers and its surface area ranges from 1,875 to 2,188 miles.

We are going to visit a few of the island’s monasteries,  one of which is the 14th century impressive Debre SinaMiriam Church. After we have our lunch on the shore of the lake, we will be heading back to our hotel. En route we are going to stop at Felasha Village which is famous for its handicrafts. Return to the hotel for dinner & overnight.  BB, L, D 

BAHIR DAR – Kuriftu Resort

AM: Buffer Breakfast at the resort.

AM: We will continue our programby joining our guide and our private coach for a visit to URA KIDANE MIHRET, one of the most - visited of the monasteries. The round building consists of three concentric circles, the innermost of which is the Holy of Holies containing the monastery’s replica of the ARK. The walls are covered in bright paintings, many of which depict violent martyrdoms.

Ura Mihret monastery                                
Lake Tana Monastery priest

PM: Visit The Blue Nile Falls     

 We continue our adventure by driving through the Tis Issat village where travelers find themselves surrounded by groups of youthful guides and musicians. After we pass the village and obtain entrance fees to the area, we will cross a historic bridge on the Nile River, and then after 15 minutes walk you will come face to face to the magnificent Blue Nile Falls.

Blue Nile Falls (Tis Issat at Lake Tana)     

The Blue Nileflows generally south from Lake Tana and then west across Ethiopia and northwest into Sudan. Within 30 km (18.6 mi) of its source at Lake Tana, the river enters a canyon about 400 km long. This gorge is a tremendous obstacle for travel and communication from the north half of Ethiopia to the southern half. The power of the Blue Nile may best be appreciated at Tis Issat Falls, which are 45 m (148 ft) high, located about 40 km (25 mi) downstream of Lake Tana.   Return to the hotel for dinner & overnight. BB, L, D

BAHIR DAR  / LALIBELA     –    Mountain View Lodge

 AM: Buffet breakfast at the hotel

AM: Transfer to Bahir Dar airport for our short flight to Lalibela (Via Gondar). Arrive to Lalibela airport where will be met and transferred to MOUNTAIN VIEW LODGE where we are going to spend the next two nights.

MOUNTAIN VIEW LODGE:founded at an altitude of 2680 meters at the edge of the Lasta Mountain chains. Its panoramic mountain view is a source of admiration to nature. It is one of the best views to feel the sunset. The art played on the architecture of the hotel is comparable to the rock-hewn churches.  

The view from your balcony at Mountain View Lodge

It is new, modern and pleasant hotel with spectacular views and unequalled amenities among Lalibela hotels. The Mountain View sits on a peninsula at the dead end of the main street through town. Extremely quiet and free of the dust and noise of the town center. It is within walking distance of town. The dining room is sheathed in glass for nice dinner time views. All rooms have a private balcony with full length sliding glass doors. Marble bath and modern fixtures.           

LALIBELA: the medieval capital of Ethiopia, is famous for its awe-inspiring rock-hewn churches. A city carved from legend and a holy heritage built by Angels, it is one of Ethiopia holiest cities, second only to Axum, and is a center of pilgrimage for much of the country.  The population of Lalibela is almost completely Ethiopian Orthodox Christian. Lalibela is said to have seen Jerusalem and then attempted to build a new Jerusalem as the capital in response to the capture of old Jerusalem by Muslims in 1187.

PM: we will meet in hotel lobby to start our half day visit to group of churches in the city of Lalibela and in particular St. GEORGE CHURCH:  a monolithic church built early 13th century. Of the 13 churches in the Lalibela area it is the best known and has been referred to as the “Eighth wonder of the world” It is said to be the symbol of Noah’s ARK.

Return to the hotel for dinner & overnight. BB, L, D

LALIBELA – Full day tours – Mountain View Lodge

AM: Buffet breakfast at the hotel

AM: After breakfast we will meet our guide to start our full day adventure which will take us 12 miles away north of Lalibela to visit another group of churches, one of which is the famous CHURCH ofYEMREHANA KRESTOS: who is credited with the construction of a stone church built in the Aksumite style, which bears his name. The church was built in a large northeast facing cave on the west side of Abuna Yosef (Our father Joseph).

The entrance of the cave is closed by a modern wall, built in the 1980s. Until the construction of a road in 2000, this church was reachable only after “a long day’s arduous journey on foot or mule”. Mural paintings high on the nave walls are considered the oldest surviving mural paintings in Ethiopia.

PM: We will proceed to visit a number of other churches which are located at the same area that represent heavenly Jerusalem. After our visit we will return to our hotel for dinner & overnight.  BB, L, D

LALIBELA / ADDIS ABABA – Intercontinental hotel

AM: Buffet breakfast at the hotel

AM: Transfer to Lalibela airport for our short flight to Addis Ababa. Arrive to Addis Ababa where we will be met and transferred to Hilton hotel to spend the next night. BB

(SOUTH of Ethiopia, OMO Valley, South People and Rift Valley):

Omo people.  On the border of the National park the lower Omo valley is home to a fascinating mixture of small contrasting tribal groups in Ethiopia. Their life styles are as varied as the people themselves are. The Omo Valley region is a little visited area of Ethiopia containing some of the most vibrant and diverse ethnic groups in Africa. The most famous of the Omotic speakers are the Mursi, well-known for their practice of inserting large clay plates behind the lower lip of their women. 

ADDIS ABABA / ARBA MINCH – by air -                 Paradise Lodge

AM: Buffet breakfast at the lodge

AM: We will be transferred to Addis Ababa airport for our flight to Arba Minch which is located South of Ethiopia to have a totally different and very educational experience by visiting the tribal people of the South. Arrive to Arba Minch where we will be met and transferred to spend the next two nights in Paradise Lodge.

ARBA MINCH (In Amharic language means “Forty Springs), and its surrounding is where nature shows all its glory.  Here you will find two of the country’s greatest rift valley lakes situated close to each other and shaping the neck of land between the two lakes.  Known locally as the "Bridge of Heaven" or "God's Bridge” this name just about describes the breathtaking scenery of the untouched nature. You will enjoy this location particularly for the large number of crocodiles inhabiting both lakes, especially Lake Chamo, which literally overflows with these reptiles.

Paradise Lodge in Arba Minch  A Minch (Spring)            

PARADISE LODGEis situated on the hilly side of Setcha surrounding itself with the natural beauty of the environment.
Basing itself among the forty springs found in the deep jungle of Arba Minch.

Paradise Lodgeis fully built by nearly 30 tribes to reflect the culture of the southern Ethiopian societies from the local resources.

One of the tents at Paradise Lodge

This is a new hotel/ lodge recently opened in late 2008. It is the most popular up-market tourist lodge in Arba Minch. Modern clean rooms/ huts with TV, plenty of hot running water, proper toilets; excellent scenic views from each hut; safe and secure rooms, includes large padlock on front door of each hut; large, clean mosquito nets over each bed; rooms tastefully decorated with local traditional designs;
 friendly staff especially at front reception; reasonable rates for massage at massage/ sauna area , reasonable prices for laundry service , decent selection of TV channels (including BBC news) in rooms; large big plasma screen TV in restaurant;

ARBA MINCH-Netch Sar Park-Lake Chamo-DORZE-CHENCHA VILLAGE

AM: Buffet breakfast at the lodge, followed by our morning adventurewhichwill take us to visitNECH SAR NATIONAL PARK, located in between Lakes Abaya and Chamo, 18 miles away from our lodge. A wide variety of plains game roam freely amongst 514 square miles of savannah, dry bush and ground water forest, also the habitat of 188 recorded species of birds. Animals to be seen are: Bushbuck, Swayne’s hartebeest, Burchell’s zebra, grant’s gazelle, dik-dik, greater kudu, Anubis baboon, grey duiker, the black-backed jackal and the African hunting dog.

Burchell’s zebra        Anubis baboon

After lunch, We will continue driving about (16-mile) track up into the hills to the west of Arba Minch to the old village of Chencha, It is highland plateau covered with false banana plantations and bamboo trees. Here where the DORZE people live.

Dorze house       Boy from Dorze tribe in Chencha village

Visit the Dorze with their unique culture, houses and traditions. The Dorze live up in the Guge Mountains and are famous for their huge huts built with intersecting bamboo. The roof is covered with enset (the false banana tree) and is shaped like an elephant's trunk. The huts also resemble large bee hives and stand up to 12m/36'. Even though they look as if a strong "huffing and puffing' would blow the houses over, the Dorze know how to build! If rot or termites destroy them, they simply cut around the bottom, lift and move them over to a new location.

They can last up to 60 years which is a lot longer than most of our houses. The inhabitants of this village are known for their success in the field of weaving which has been phenomenal; so much so that the name Dorze has become synonymous with the best in woven cotton cloth.

Traditionally, the men weave and the women spin. It's possible to visit a weaving cooperative in Gambelo Dokko near Chencha, but also along the road you can see weaving men. In our way back to the hotel we are going to stop and visit some of 40 springs in Arba Minch. Return to our hotel for dinner & overnight.  BB, L, D

ARBA MINCH / JINKA – 143 miles – Jinka Resort hotel

AM: Buffet breakfast at the hotel, followed by two hours boat trip on LAKE CHAMO: The lake's northern end lies in the Nechisar National Park. It is 26 kilometers long and 22 wide and a maximum depth of 10 meters. The lake is fed by the Kulfo River and several small streams, as well as overflow from Lake Abaya.  Wildlife includes fish like the catfish and Nile perch, as well as hippo & Nile crocodiles.

After our boat trip we will continue driving to JINKA town. En route, one of our stops is to visit the KONSO tribe. Konso people are Cushitic people, living in fortified villages bounded by their farming land and build on hilltops, protected by fortifications around them.   

KONSO, a pagan people, are known for the erection of WAQAS, memorial statues for a dead man. The wooden carvings are arranged in groups representing theman, his wife, and one who has killed an enemy or an animal such as a lion or a leopard. Konso people are farmers and you will see a lot of terraces on the mountains slopes around their villages.

We will drive further and make short stops at WOITO to visit the TSEMAY and BENA tribes and also we stop to visit the ARI tribes

PM: we arrive to Jinka town to spend the next two nights at:

JINKA RESORT HOTEL: While Jinka has a few "hotels" the only decent place in town is the Jinka Resort. It was built not too long ago; the grounds are nicely kept, with concrete sidewalks connecting the various guest buildings. The room had a table and a chair, a big mirror, a large built-in closet, and a tiled, large bathroom with functioning toilet, outlet, large sink/mirror with hot water and a shower stall.

The resort operates a nice restaurant on the premises with very good food and they also offer laundry services.  Dinner & overnight.  BB, L, D                                                               .

JINKA: s a small town on the way to Mago National Park, in South Omo Valley. The town is piled around the grassy landing strip that also serves as a soccer playground.  Jinka has no paved roads or street lights, and everyone gets around on foot. It has a few amenities: a gas station, an airline office, and a very nice, private museum. The town runs its own power generator with adequate consistency.

JINKA – MAGO NATIONAL PARK & MURSI PEOPLE

AM: Breakfast at the hotel
AM: After our breakfast, we will board our 4X4 land rover to continue our expedition by visiting the most illustrious of Ethiopia’s unique tribes the:

MURSI TRIBE

Mursi tribe girls and women wear lip plates in their lower lips similar to some Amazon tribes such as the Suya tribe from the Xingu River area in Brazil. However, in the Suya Amazon tribe it is the men that wear the lip plates, while with the Mursi African tribe, only the females wear the plates in their lips. The Mursi girls pierce the bottom lips which are stretched so that a clay lip plate can be inserted. In addition, this African tribe removes the bottom teeth of the girls for esthetic enhancement. Currently the Mursi tribe is being displaced from their traditional lands that are in the Omo National Park. Ethiopian government officials have been actively evicting Mursi people from the Omo National Park without any compensation and burning down homes located within the boundaries of the park. The Mursi have a reputation for being one of the more aggressive African tribes and are famous for their stick fighting ceremony (“donga”) which is fought by the men of this naked African tribe. The winner of the “donga” will be able to select the girl of his choice to have relations with, even though she may marry someone else. Similar to the Hammer tribe, the Mursi tribe commonly drinks a mixture of blood and milk as do other African tribes in the region. 

Tips on photography - the Mursi are serious about paying before you take a picture which makes it difficult for spontaneity. They get very close and have rough skin. Be friendly and calm and pay first. Wear a long sleeved shirt or you will end up with scratches and bruises from their wanting to touch and rub your arm. They can get overly excited.

After our visit to the Mursi Tribe we will proceed to visit:

 MAGO NATIONAL PARK:

Located in the east of the Omo River, and stretching south towards the Chew Bahir basin, Mago National Park is rich in wildlife with few human inhabitants.

The vegetation is mainly savannah grassland and savannah bush, extending across an area of 2,160 square kilometers.

Mammal species total 81, including hartebeest, giraffe, roan antelope, elephant, lion, leopard, and perhaps even a rare black rhino, buffalo, and  Also, among the species of mammals seen here are topi, cheetah,  Burchell’s zebra, gerenuk, oryx and greater and lesser kudu.After our safari in the park we will return to our hotel and in the way back we are going to stop for a short visit to the Museum of Jinka. Dinner and overnight.  BB, L, D

JINKA / TURMI via Dimeka -     84 miles.      Buska Lodge

AM: Breakfast at the lodge, followed by our departure to TURMI. Before wearrive to Turmi and after two hours drive, we will be driving through DIMEKAVILLAGE where we are going to have a great thrill visiting some of the tribes who live in the area such as the HAMMER, BENA and KARO TRIBES at DIMEKA village.

The Hammer peopleare pastoralists and number about 30,000. They are known for their practice of body adornment and wearing a multitude of colorful beads. Women adorn their necks with heavy polished iron jewelry.

Hammer society consists of a complex system of age groups. To pass from one age group to another involvescomplicated rituals. The most significant ceremony for young men is the "jumping of the bull" - the final test before passing into adulthood. Several days before the ceremony, initiates pass out invitations in the form of dried knotted grass. The ceremony lasts three days. Late in the afternoon on the final day, ten to thirty bulls are lined up side by side. The naked initiate rushes towards the animal, vaults onto the first bull's back and then runs across the line of animals. At the end of the line he turns back to repeat the performance in the opposite direction. He must make this unstablejourney without falling.  Also, Hammer people are very much known for their colorful hair style. Dimeka and Turmi host compelling and colorful weekly markets – on Monday and Saturday.

After our visits, we continue driving to TURMI VILLAGE: Despite its small size, Turmi is a vital transport hub, lying at the pivot of the three main roads that run southwards from the Konso-Jinka road. Best known for its Monday market, perhaps the most important in the area. Monday market is famous for its collection of many tribes from different direction of the area like: Hammers, Bumes, Karas and Banas. Here in Turmi we might see the hammers tribe traditional dance.  We arrive to Turmi where we are going to spend the next two nights at BUSKA LODGE: named after Buska Mountain where the lodge is located, rests just outside the town of Turmi and sits on the banks of the Keske river. The lodge offers twenty en suite rooms, including eleven twins and nine single units, as well as two restaurants and a bar area. There is also a separate camping area near the lodge.

Dinner & overnight. BB, L, D

TURMI  / MURULLE / TURMI  -  Buska Lodge

AM: Breakfast at the Lodge.

AM: Afterour breakfast we will continue our adventure by driving for about 43 miles through the savannah along the tracks that are barely visible, passing through meadowland with shrubs and acacia trees for an excursion to the MURULLE area. We arrive at KORCHO village with beautiful view over the OMO River to see the KARO ethnic tribe.

 KARO TRIBE:who excel in face and body painting, practiced in preparation of their dances and ceremonies. They pulverize locally found white chalk, yellow mineral rock, red iron ore and black charcoal to decorate their bodies, often imitating the spotted plumage of a guinea fowl. Feather plumes are inserted in their clay hair buns to complete the look. The clay hair bun can take up to three days to construct and is usually re-made every three to six months. Theirpainted facemasks are spectacular.

These designs have no special symbolic significance, but are created purely for fun and aesthetic effect. Karo men also sculpt and shave their hair into extravagant shapes, with special ochre “caps” of hair usually containing several ostrich feathers.

After our visit we will return to our hotel and en route we might stopand visit other villages. Dinner & overnight. B, L, D

TURMI  / Dimeka Market / ARBA MINCH –              Paradise Lodge

AM: Breakfast at the Lodge, followed by our departure to ARBA MINCH, but on our way we are going to stop and have a look at, the Monday market ofDimeka, Key Afar and Turmi are the most colorful ones in the Omo Region. The market of Dimeka is very lively. The Hammer people are friendly and curious. The women liked to look at us and to touch our hair. Their hair is styled and colored with ochre. After mixing ochre, water and binding resin, they rub this mixture in their hair to create copper colored tresses. Around their necks the women wear necklaces of beads and iron torques and around their arms they wear iron coils. Their goatskin clothes are decorated with kauri-shells.

After our visit we will continue to Arba Minch for dinner and overnight. B, L, D

ARBA MINCH / ADDIS ABABA / USA – by air

AM: Breakfast at the lodge

AM: Transfer to Arba Minch airport for our flight to Addis Ababa. Arrive to Addis Ababa where we will be met and transferred to Hilton hotel for day use rooms.

 Later afternoon: we depart to Addis Ababa International airport for our 10:15Eve. Flight to Dulles airport.