Discover The Wonders of Ethiopia – 15 Days/14Nights

Special Categories: - Historical, cultural, and Nature

Discover Ethiopia, a country of striking natural beauty with a rich and deep history. Begin in Addis Ababa with a briefing at your hotel. Fly North to the majestic Blue Nile where towering cliffs plunge down to the Tissisat Falls and graceful images depict scenes from the Ethiopian Orthodox Churches. Walk amongst gelada baboons in the Simien Mountains, whose jagged peaks provide breath-taking scenery. Visit Gondar, Ethiopia’s 17th-century capital, and Axum, the center of the legendary empire of the Queen of Sheba. Marvel at the remarkable rock-hewn churches in Lalibela before traveling to the southern Omo region where more than two dozen indigenous tribes have existed isolated from the outside world for millennia. Day 1: Arrive in Addis Ababa Upon arrival at the Bole International airport Addis Ababa, Horizon Ethiopian representatives will warmly meet you and welcome you to Ethiopia. We then transfer you to Jupiter International Hotel or other available 4 * hotel located in a serene environment at the center of the city, offering peace of heart and mind, a beautiful place to relax and unwind before you begin your tour. After Checking in to your hotel and you will have a sightseeing tour of the

city of Addis Ababa. You will visit Mount Entoto, the highest peak overlooking the capital, to experience the panoramic view and visit the Church of St Mary and the adjacent museum , a trove of imperial objects. Driving back to the city, you will visit the National and the Ethnological Museum, as well as St. George’s Cathedral where Emperor Haile Selassie was crowned in 1930,Trinity cathedral. Included is a stop at the Abune Petros Square, named after an Ethiopian bishop martyred there by the Italian fascists in 1936, to view the statue erected there. Other monuments include the Equestrian Statue of Emperor Menelik II, built in the testimony of the Battle of Adwa in 1896. You will end your day in the city with a visit to Addis Mercato, the grand open-air market in Africa, covering several square miles and housing over 7000 business entities. Overnight at foyate hotel www.foyatehotel.com or Ambassador hotel Meals: (-, L, D)

Pic. The skeleton of Lucy, a 3.2 Million fossil remain, National Museum, Addis Ababa Day 2: Addis Ababa – Axum (UNESCO World heritage site) After Breakfast transfer to Addis Ababa Airport for Flight to Axum. ET 128 (09:00 - 10:30) Axum was once the kingdom that dominated Africa and Asia for a thousand of years. Axum's most important attraction site is the Church of St. Mary of

Zion where according to the Ethiopian legend, The Ark of the Covenant resides, brought by King Solomon and Queen of Sheba's son "Menelik" 3000 years ago. AM visit to St. Mary of Zion church. PM Tour includes a visit to the Museum, Obelisks, and Stele. Plus the Castle Ruins of King Kaleb and Queen of Sheba's Bath and Palace. Accomodation at Consular hotel Meals: (B, L, D) Day 3: Axum – Lalibela- Asheten Mariam (UNESCO world heritage site) This Morning, after breakfast you will transfer to Axum Airport for Flight to Lalibela, ET 123 (11:15 – 11:55) Lalibela - once a thriving and populous capital of a medieval dynasty, this awe-inspiring historic town that grooms rock-hewn churches was built in the late 12th century by King Lalibela. The remarkable edifices were carved out of solid rocks are ranked among the wonders of the world. After check into your hotel and lunch break, you will have an excursion to Asheten Mariam church, which is located outside the city of Lalibela. Accomodation - Top twelve hotel or Roha Hotel Meals: (B, L, D)

Day 4: Lalibela AM: Visiting the first part of the eleven monolithic & semen monolithic of 12 century Churches that is classified into two clusters (Eastern & Western).

PM: Visit the second group of churches in the town that includes Bete Gebriel, Bete Mercorios, Bete Amanuel, Bethlehem and Bete Aba Libanos. After noon visit will include a local village and a family in Laliebella with traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony. Accomodation - Top twelve hotel or Roha hotel Meals: (B, L, D) Day 5: Lalibela – Gondar After breakfast, transfer to Lalibela airport for the flight to Gondar. ET 123 (12:15 - 12:45) Check in to your Hotel

Gondar was Ethiopia’s royal capital until 1868 and home to Falasha, “Black Jews" of Ethiopia, most of who left for Israel in 1991. Gondar is located at the foot of the Semien Mountains. The city’s unique imperial compound contains some castles built from 1632 to 1885 by various Emperors who reigned during this period. These dramatic castles, unlike any other in Africa, display richness in architecture that reveals the Axumite traditions as well as the influence of Arabia. The church of Debre-Berhan Sellassie is located at the summit of a hill and surrounded by fortified walls, and its interior is decorated with unique murals. Other treasures of Gondar include the 18th-century palace of Ras Beit, the Bath of Fasildas, the ruined palace of the Queen Mentiwab Kuskuam church and the swimming pool of King Fassil, which is used to baptize Christians during Ethiopian Epiphany on 19th of January every year.

Accomodation – AG hotel

Meals: (B, L, D)

Picture: Blue Nile Fall

Day 6: Gondar - Simien Mountains – Gondar (UNESCO world heritage site) Leaving Gonder we drive about 100 km / 62.5 miles north to Debark at the edge of the Simien Mountains National Park, and once home to the Falashas, the Ethiopian Jews. The Simien Mountains National Park of Northern Ethiopia is a World Heritage Site. The scenery along the escarpment is breathtaking and for those with the stamina for a moderate walk of about 2 hours, there will be an opportunity to get an appreciation of the beauty of this wilderness that attracts trekkers from all over the world. The wildlife of the region includes ibex, foxes, vultures, and baboons. If you are fortunate, you will encounter groups of Gelada Baboons sitting or foraging in grasslands. The males are distinguished by a bright red patch of skin on the chest that serves as a sexual display. They live with their chosen harem females, and their young and the baboons may be observed sitting in large groups eating grasses and flowers Walking Tour of Simien Mountains and drive back to Gonder for overnight. Accomodaiton – AG hotel Meals: (B, L, D)

Day 7: Gondar – Bahirdar B, L, D

Ø AM : Drive to Bahrdar, situated on the shore of Lake Tana in northwestern Ethiopia. Bahar Dar is a small town set on the southeastern shore of Lake Tana (Ethiopia’s largest lake) where local fishermen still use papyrus boats and just 30Km (19Miles) from the spectacular Tiss Isat Falls.

Lunch: Restaurant besides the Lake

Ø PM Guided boat trip on Lake Tana will take you to the great water system that gives the Blue Nile its tremendous power. This boat trip also provides the opportunity to view magnificently preserved island monasteries of the thirteenth century. The lake has an amazing network of 37 islands scattered over the surface of 3000 square km. We should pass by some papyrus canoes that are still used by the locals as transportation. Visits include the ancient church and treasury of Ura Kidane Mehret at Zeghie Peninsula and Azua Mariam which are allowed for both women and men

Dinner: In your Hotel Overnight: Rahn Nile Hotel B, L, D

Day 8: Fly back to Addis from Bahirdar ET 127 (09:05 – 10:10) Meet at the airport of Addis Ababa with your 4x4 WD and drive to we drive through the Great Rift Valley system visiting on your way Lake Ziway,Lake Langano and ras teferian village of Shashemene and end at Awassa town that is situated by the banks of Lake Awassa that is the smallest lake in the rift valley system. Todays drive give you enormous opportunity to spot both aquatic and land birds all the way as the rift valley is the route of migration for birds. Overnight Lake side view hotel Meals: (B, L, D)

Day 9: Awassa – Arbaminch This morning we will visit the fish market at lake Awassa and bird life then we drive to Southern region of Ethiopia is noted for its enormous variety of peoples and cultures. Most of them are nomadic or semi-nomadic and, far from the influence of the modern world, their ancient traditions have remained intact. Arba Minch is a small town lying at an altitude of 1,300m above sea level, on a cliff overlooking Lake Chamo and Lake Abaya. To the west, mountains form a backdrop rising to 4,000m. It is also the gateway to Nechisar National Park. With some of the most dramatic scenery in Africa, Nechisar National Park lies at the heart of the Rift Valley, covering Lakes Chamo and Abaya and the mountainous crossway between them known as the 'Bridge of God'. The Nechisar Plain offers the best game viewing, with Burchell's zebra, gazelle and kudu. Lions are also found in the park but are rarely seen. Please Note - the roads within the park are sometimes impassable during heavy rains. If this happens, a guided walking tour of the park will occur. Overnight - Mora heights hotel Meals: (B, L, D)

Picture: Elephant Shaped traditional Dorze hut, Chencha Village, Arbaminch

Day 10: Arbaminch-Lake Chamo Morning hours a boat trip on Lake Chamo to visit Hippos, birds and crocodiles In the after noon visit to Dorze tribe’s village, indigenous people of South Ethiopia who are famous for cotton weaving and their huge huts, resembling a giant beehive. Mora Heights hotel Meals: (B, L, D) Day 11: Arbaminch –Turmi B, L, D

Ø Leave Arbaminch to Turmi, enjoy the omo valley visit en route the konso people who depends on terracing farming for their living unlike the other tribes that are pastoralists in the omo valley , Turmi is colorful on Monday Market so you will have an opportunity to see many tribes on this market

Ø En route visit villages like: Tsemay around Weito River, the Benna

at Keyafer and the Ari N.B. Turmi is colorful on Monday Market & Dimeka/22Km from turmi/ on

Saturday Market (for hammer peoples) Lunch: Local hotel Dinner: In your lodge Overnight: Turmi Lodge or Evangadi lodge Day 12: Turmi - Omorate B, L, D

Ø Morning Drive to Omorate to visit the Dasenech people (their old name is Geleb) who are living on the banks of river Omo, where they cross the river using a tree trunk to go to the west cost where the majority of the tribe live. The daily market at omorate is also an interesting place to stop for a photo. You can cross the Omo river by boat.

Ø Explore more the hammer village Lunch: Picnic Dinner: In your lodge Overnight: Turmi Lodge or Evangadi lodge Day 13: Turmi - Karo B, L, D

Ø Drive to Karo people village that live by the shore of river omo and then proceed to Jinka For over night.

Overnight: Orit hotel Lunch: Picnic Dinner: In your hotel Day 14: Mursi -Konso –Arbaminch B, L, D

Ø Drive to Mago Park early morning seeing some wild life and visit the mursi people known for their lip plate’s .Return to jinka to visit the local market, village and museum. Drive to visit Konso en route you will stop by for a visit of Tsemay, Benna and Ari tribes.

Overnight: Mora heights hotel Lunch: in Hotel Dinner: In your hotel Day 15: Arabminch –Butajira –Addis B, L, D Drive to Addis Ababa en route visit Melkakuntre, Adadi Mariam, Tiya stella and see welita peoples in welita sodo Farewell Dinner with Traditional Cultural Program Transfer to the airport for your flight back home . MARKET DAYS-

Ø SATURDAY MARKET ON DIMEKA NOT TO BE MISSED FOR HAMMER PEOPLE.

Ø TURMI HAMMER MARKET MONDAY Ø THURSDAY KEYAFER , KONSO AND CHENCHA

CEREMONYS -

Two most important ceremonies of southern people - Bull jumping and Evangadi can be arranged with extra payments, if and only if no ceremonies do perform during your

visits.

Key Information:- Special Categories: Historical, cultural, and Nature Season: Possible through out the year. Hotels are tourist class: Always with private bath and best available accommodation. Net Price for Group 2 pax per person USD 3161.00 Net Price for Group 4 pax per person USD 2744.00 Net Price for Group 6 pax per person USD 2405.00 Single Room Supplement USD 380.00

v Domestic flight is Addis-Axum-Lalibella-Gondor-Addis is currently USD 280.00 if you fly in with Ethiopian airlines.

Includes:

o Accommodation Single room as stated in the Itinerary with breakfast.

o All transfers and excursions, hotel rooms with breakfast, o Private car service o Breakfast & Lunch o All entrance fees as per the program, o English speaking Local Guide will be assigned for visiting sights

only. o Excursion to semien Mountain national park o Boat Trip on Lake Chamo to see Crocodile and Hippos o Scout + Park Guides o All government taxes,

Excludes:

ü Domestic Air Tickets. ü Domestic Air ticket is charged separately. Currently it is USD

280.00(For The Sector Addis - Axum - Lalibella – Gondor//Bahirdar-Addis if you used Ethiopian for Internatinal flight)

ü Lunch ü Any Alcoholic drinks, ü Tipping and other visit not mentioned above. ü All other expenses with personal nature.

For further information do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you for chosing Horizon