Transfer this morning to the airport for your flight to Bahir Dar. On arrival you will first be taken for a visit to the iconic Blue Nile Falls. Known locally as ‘Tis Abay’ meaning ‘Great Smoke’, the Blue Nile Falls are a testimony to Ethiopia’s natural beauty. The Blue Nile Falls are the most dramatic falls anywhere on the Nile river system.

Head for lunch before an afternoon boat trip on Ethiopia’s largest water body – Lake Tana (3,600 Km Sq) to visit the island monasteries of Ura Kidane Mihret (14th Century AD) and Azwa Mariam (14th Century AD).

Return to Bahir Dar for dinner and check in to your hotel.

This morning its a drive from Gondar to Debark (the headquarters of the Simien Mountain National Park). After checking into the park it’s 36 km farther to the Simien Mountains to visit this breathtaking beautiful part of Ethiopia.  We’ll have the chance to spot for of the endemic mammals of Ethiopia, including the Gelada Baboon.

Check into our hotel for the evening amongst the scenery.

After breakfast we depart the lodge with a packed lunch for a day hike to Chenek where it’s likely we’ll spot the endemic Walia Ibex. The landscape in the area picturesque with panoramic vistas overlooking the deep gorges of the Escarpment.

The excursion today will allow us to explore the pinnacles, valleys and wildlife of this stunning region. The beauty of the ranges can be discovered by following century old footpaths, and don’t forget to look out for the Gelada Baboons who reside here amidst the local pasture lands.

This morning after breakfast we drive to Gondar – the 17th century capital of Ethiopia, stopping to visit he former village of the Felasha (African Jews), who have now migrated to Israel. 

Spend the afternoon exploring the Royal Enclosure and its buildings.  The fortress, which is surrounded by a 300-foot-long wall, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The oldest and most impressive structure in the compound is the two-story palace of Emperor Fasilidas, built of solid basalt stones. Other royal buildings of interest include the library of Emperor Yohannes I, the House of Song where royal ceremonies took place, the elegant reception and banquet hall of Emperor Bakaffa, and the palace of the king’s wife. Also visit the nearby bath of King Fasiledes, where modern-day Timkat ceremonies are performed.  Finally, view the Church of DebreBirhan Selassie, an imposing structure with brightly coloured ceilings.

Check into our hotel in Gondar for an overnight rest.

This morning we drive back to Gondar airport for our flight to Lalibela, home of the 12th century AD rock hewn churches of King Lalibela. This afternoon will be our first visit to the first group of churches of King Lalibela. 

Check into our hotel for the next two nights.

In the morning we’ll take an ancient form of transport as we ride mules to the hilltop semi monolithic church of Asheton Mariam (13th century AD).  Continuing to the top of the hill we will be rewarded with the wonderful scenery of the area. This afternoon we will visit the remaining second and the third group of the churches of Lalibela.

This morning after breakfast we fly back to Addis and then drive 200 km south of Addis to the Rift Valley region visiting the chain of Rift Valley Lakes of Ziway, Langano, Abiyata and Shalla. There are opportunities to spot various birds at Lake Ziway, and enjoy swimming at Lake Langano.

Check into our hotel for the evening.

This morning after breakfast from Langano to Arba Minch through the fertile land of Wolita and Alaba regions, The Alaba people are known for their beautiful home painting style. Along the way, we pay a visit Sinkile Wildlife Sanctuary, where you will see the endemic Swayne’s hartebeest and other mammals. 

Check into our hotel for the next two nights.

After breakfast we drive to Chencha to visit a Dorze village.  The Dorze people are known for the weaving tradition and their attractive elephant shaped traditional hut made from bamboo and false banana tree leafs.  Here you will also see the daily activities of the Dorze people.

We drive back to Arba Minch for lunch. This afternoon we head for a boat trip on Lake Chamo, one of the Rift Valley Lakes. On the lake you will visit the Crocodile Market where you can spot a large number of crocodiles, different aquatic birds and hippos.

After breakfast we drive south of Arba Minch on a rough road to Jinka, crossing the Weito Valley and visiting the Tsemay village and Woito people that live in the area around the Woito River. We visit Konso village, recently registered as the 9th UNESCO World Heritage Site in Ethiopia. The Konso people are known for their rock terracing and colourful hand woven cotton clothes.

Later drive to Jinka visiting the Ari village along the path and check into our hotel for the night.

After breakfast we depart Jinka and drive to a Mursi village to experience the attractive culture of Mursi tribe. They are renowned for the strange custom followed by their women, who on reaching maturity have their lower lips slit and circular disks inserted.

Continue to drive to Turmi, the settlement of the Hamer people. The women of the Hamer are known for their adorned thick plaits of ochre coloured hair hanging down in a heavy fringe, their leather skirts decorated with cowries and a dozen or more copper bracelets fixed tightly around their arms. The men are known for the initiation ceremony of ‘Jumping over the Bulls’ and witnessing this interesting ritual is entirely a matter of chance.

Check into our hotel for the next two nights.

This morning we will head for an excursion to Murulle, the village of Karo people, who are the tribe with the least in number of members, known for their body painting employed before important ceremonies. The most striking thing about Karo people’s symbolic and ornamental expressions is their painted body and face decorations.

In the afternoon pay a visit the Hamer village at Turmi.

Depart this morning to Arba Minch airport for a flight back to Addis for some shopping. This evening there is a farewell dinner party at one of the  traditional restaurants of Addis to see the folk dances of the Ethiopian people and taste the variety of Ethiopian food.

Late transfer to the airport or extra night in Addis available on request if needed.