Day1: Arrival in Addis Ababa at Bole international airport.
Meet our staff at the exit gate with our welcome company’s logo and transfer to your hotel and city tour depending up on your arrival time in Addis Ababa such as the Ethiopia national museum, which is one of the most well organized museum in sub-Saharan Africa, holly Trinity church and merkato (Africa's largest open air market) and finally drive to Entoto mountain where you could see the bird view of Addis Ababa with an altitude of 3000 m.
Day2: Fly to Bahirdar & Boat Trip on Lake Tana and Blue Nile Falls.
In the morning after breakfast make boat trip on Lake Tana to visit isolated monasteries. There is good birding in the lush forest surrounding much of the lake. Then drive to the thundering Blue Nile Falls. Along the walk to the falls, birding is excellent. O/N hotel in Bahir Dar.
Day3: Driver to Gonder and Sightseeing of Gonder.
Visit the historic town of Gondar, which was founded in 1636 by emperor fasildes as the third permanent capital center in the history of ethiopia after Axum and Lalibela. Many Ethiopian medieval kings ruled out of it and built their own beautiful castles and palaces. visit in the afternoon the enchanting Ethiopian medieval castles, the bath of fasiledes and finally visit the church of Debre Brahin selase with its most beautiful wall painting in Ethiopia. O/N hotel in Gondar.
Day4: Drive to Simien Mountains National park.
Morning after breakfast drive to the jagged panorama of the Simien Mountains National Park, famed for its exclusive landscape, afro-alpine vegetation and unique wildlife, where you may spot the endemic Wallia Ibex, Gelada Baboon troops, Bushbuck, Klipspringer.
Day5: Drive to Axum.
Drive to Axum Through beautiful escarpment of Siemen Mountains and Tekeze river valley. O/N hotel in Axum.
Day6: Sightseeing in Axum.
Morning after breakfast explores the city of Axum. Visit the interesting museum in stelae field, the impressive Stelae Fields and also the grounds of the 16th-century Cathedral of St. Mary of Zion, home of the original Ark of the Covenant. O/N hotel in Axum.
Day7: Drive to Mekelle.
In the morning after breakfast drive to Mekelle and on the way visit beautiful landscape view and Yeha temple and may be Debredamo monastery (which is only for Men). O/N hotel in Mekele.
Day8: Drive to Hamdela, Beginning the tour to Danakil Desert.
In the morning after drive to Hamedela. At Berhale where we arrange the permits and police escort. On the way you will also admire some local Tigrean and Afar tribes’ village and camel caravan carrying the salt bars to transport it to the nearest local town. O/N camp or local hotel in Hammed Ela.
Day9: HamedEla – Dodome – Erta Ale.
In the morning drive to Dodome. Here we will arrange camels to transport your luggage and water, and then you will start hiking to the Erta Ale Volcanic hills (613 meters above sea level) which is 15km one way, and walk to see the volcanic eruption. The eruption is so colorful and spectacular. At night, we will camp nearby the eruption, on the crater rim above the active lava lake. O/N camp in Erta Ale.
Day10: More excursions in Dodom and drive back to Hamadela.
Climbing again early in the morning to the rim to see the sun set., then drive to Hamed Ela.Late afternoon visit camel caravan. O/n camp in Hammed Ela.
Day11: Excursion to Daloll depression drive back to Mekele.
After early breakfast drive to the Lake Asale, salty Lake and visit the salt workers and the merchant, then head to Dallol/Denakil Depression, which listed as the hottest and active place on the earth surface with an average temperature of 40 – 50 degrees Celsius. Then drive back to Mekelle. O/N hotel in Mekele.
Day12: Drive to Lalibela.
In the morning after breakfast drive to Lalibela and on the way visit some local market and lake Ashenge. O/N hotel in Lalibela.
Day13: Full day excursions in Lalibela.
After breakfast visit Lalibela rock hewn churches, famous for its rock-hewn churches dating back 800 years. This is the most important stop on the historical route and from the air the 11 churches, carved into the rugged mountainside, present an awesome spectacle. Afternoon excursion to the most spectacular churches.
Day14: Fly Back to Addis and drive to hawassa.
Morning after breakfast transfer to airport for flight back to Addis and transfer to Awassa to the rift valley lakes region. O/N hotel in Hawassa.
Day15: Drive to Arbaminch via Dorze village.
After breakfast visit Awassa Fish market and drive to Arbaminch through Chencha village to visit Dorze people. O/N hotel in Arbaminch.
Day16: Boat trip on Lake Chamo & drive to Turmi.
Morning after breakfast make boat trip on Lake Chamo to see the largest crocodiles in Africa which measure up to 7 Mts. Then drive to Turmienroute visiting Tsemay and Benna tribes. Then walk to the villages of the Hammer people that enjoy body decoration and wear quantities of colorful beads and clay hair buns with Ostrich feathers spend pleasant after noon with friendly Hamar people. O/N hotel in Turmi.
Day17: Excursion to Omorate.
Excursion to Omorate to visit the Dasenach tribes across the Omo river by wooden local boat then come back to Turmi in the afternoon to visit the nearby hammer tribe village, also possibility to see special occasion ceremonies like wedding and ritual. O/N hotel in Turmi.
Day18: Drive to Karo and to Jinka.
Early Excursion to Karo village for the visit of Karo tribes with their interesting body decorations and scarification; Then drive to Jinka. O/N hotel in Jinka.
Day19: Excursion to Mursi.
In the morning after breakfast, you will be driven to Mursi (55 Km from Jinka) and visit to the of Mursi tribe village known for their attractive culture, women wearing large clay plates into their lower lips. After noon visit the market and the ethnology museum in jink. O/N hotel in Jinka.
Day20: Drive to Arbaminch via Konso Village.
After breakfast drive to Arbaminch en route visit Konso tribes’ village. The king village is very interesting. O/N hotel in Arbaminch.
Day21: Drive back to Addis Ababa and Departure.
After breakfast drive back to Addis and on the way visit Tiya and Melkakunture archeological site. Evening fare well dinner and transfer to airport for fly back home.
Ethiopia is one of Africa’s most prolific bird watching destinations. An astounding 862 recorded bird’s species can be found in Ethiopia. The most motivated ‘tickers’ come from all over the world to enhance their bird lists with Ethiopia’s many endemic species.
The bird populations swell between the months of November and February when some 200 species of Palearctic migrants arrive from Europe and Asia to join the already abundant number of birds that can be found in Ethiopia.
Historic Abyssinia Travel’s main tour takes birders across stunning landscapes as you explore the Great Rift Valley lakes, each teeming with its own microcosm of bird life. Next, RAB allows birders to explore the surrounding mountain forests, which support a wholly different selection of endemic birds. Ethiopia has the second highest number of endemic birds of any nation in the continent, but we won’t tell you who has more.
Historic Abyssinia Travel’s birding tours are guided by members of Ethiopia’s Wildlife and Natural History Society, making the identification of 69 important birding sites spread throughout the country easy to find. It is important to note that most bird watching itineraries travel through the South of the country, while an itinerary in search of all the Ethiopia endemic birds would take a minimum of 3 weeks. To be sure, a tour of 10-15 days would guarantee that you see most of the endemic and several hundred more species of birds.
The itinerary below will give birders an idea of a typical bird route passing through the Rift Valley lakes as well as the Bale Mountains National Park. All RAT itineraries can be customized to fit your groups’ needs and availability.
Every year, Ethiopia attracts ‘tickers’ and wildlife lovers from around the world. Ethiopia’s feathered friends never fail to thrill bird lovers.
Day1: Arrival in Addis Ababa. O/N hotel in Addis Ababa.
Day2: Drive to Ziway through Ethiopia’s mid rift system, en route you visit Koka, Cheleleka and Ziway lakes to see Crowned and Common Cranes, Fish Eagles, and many more species. Overnight hotel.
Day3: Drive to Abiata-Shala National Parks, enjoy the breeding and feeding ground of Flamingoes, Pelicans, Cormorants and other aquatic birds, and many more species. Overnight hotel.
Day4: Drive to Lake Awasa to see Saddle billed storks, Malachite and Giant King Fisher. Overnight hotel.
Day5: Drive to Wondo Genet, where you will be able to see the Black-Headed Forest Oriole, the white cheeked Touraco, the Senegal Coucal and many others, species. Overnight hotel.
Day6: Drive to Bale Mountains National Park, stopping around Dinsho to see the endemic Wattle Ibis, Rougets Rail and many more species. Overnight camping.
Day7: Drive to Sannate to see the endemic Blue Winged Goose and the Black Headed Siskin and further into the Harena forest you will see the Black-Headed Oriole, the White Cheeked Touraco, and many more, species. Overnight camping.
Day8: Drive to Awash National Park to see the birds of Prey. The Tawny Battler and many more species. Overnight hotel.
Day9: Drive to Addis Ababa, en route you will visit the Lakes of Debre Zeit, Horan and Babugaya. Overnight hotel.
Day10: Full day city tour of Addis Ababa, in the evening farewell dinner party and departure.
Sept26. Arrival in Addis Ababa and city tour.
Start your visit the National Museum and ethnographic museums and visit one church depend upon your time. In the afternoon, after having lunch, you will get ready to witness the Meskel celebration, which take place at the Meskel square. This festival comomorates the finding of true cross by Queen Helena during the reign of the east roman Christian king Konstantin. Celebrants start bonfires made of long bundles of sticks known as chibo. A massive crowd watches the patriarch of Ethiopian Orthodox church ceremonially light a 10-meter- tall cone of wood. Then liturgical singing, dancing and feasting ensues. Overnight Hotel in Addis Ababa.
Sept27. Addis Ababa- Langano.
On the way you will visit the archeological sites of Tiya (ancient stele field and UNESCO World Heritage Site), Adadi Maryam (a rock-hewn church similar to those in Lalibela) and MelkKunture (pre-historic tool-making site). Final destination for the day is Lake Langano. Overnight hotel/ lodge in Langano.
Sept28. Langano- Arbaminch.
Drive from Langano to Arba Minch (293km Asphalt Road). On the way; visit the hill top of Chencha for Dorze ethnics. Overnight, hotel/lodge.Sept29. Arba Minch-Key Afer-Jinka.
Morning boat trip on Lake Chamo to see some of the biggest African crocodiles and hippopotamus, then drive to Jinka through Keyafer. Overnight a resort/lodge.
Sept30. Jinka-Mursi-Jinka.
Morning drive from Jinka through the mago national park to visit the Mursi trieb and their village, known by lower lip stretching to show their beauty. Overnight, in a resort/lodge in Jinka. Afternoon vist the ethnology museum and the local market in Jinka.
Oct1. Jinka- Turmi.
Drive to Turmi to visit the Hammer people. On your way pass through many ethnic tribes such as Ari, Bena, Tsemay and finaly you come to Turmi where the interesting Hammer tribe in the sout omo. Overnight hotel/lodge in Turmi.
Oct2. Excursion to karo and to Dasench tribe at the bank of omo river.
Drive from Turmi to Murulle and Karcho the village of Karo, then to Omorate to visit the Dassanechtribse. Cross the Omo river and back. Overnight hotel/lodge in Turmi.
Oct3. Turmi- Arbaminch.
Morning driving back to Arbaminch with brief stops to visit different villages including Erbore and Tsemay, you will proceed to the Konso village for a visit. Overnight hotel/lodge in Arbaminch.
Oct4. Arbaminch-Tiya-Addis Ababa.
After breakfast drive to Addis Ababa through Butajira en-route, here you will visit different tribal villages and typical housing styles of the Gurage and the Oromo. Evening farewell dinner party in one of ethipian traditional restaurant before you transfet to airport.
The Celebration of Saint Mary Zion in Axum is one of the majior religiou festivals in ethiopia. This festival is celebrated once a year to venerate St. Mary and specially to honor the believed existence of the Ark of the Covenant in St. Mary church of Axum. It is celebrated on November 30th (December 1st in a leap year), Hidar 21 according to the Ethiopian calendar. The celebration starts from the eve of the actual festival date. St. Mary of Zion claims to contain the original Ark of the Covenant. Reportedly, the Ark was moved to the Chapel of the Tablet adjacent to the old church because a divine 'heat' from the Tablets had cracked the stones of its previous sanctum. Emperor Haile Selassie's wife, Empress Menen paid for the construction of the new chapel.
According to tradition, the Ark came to Ethiopia with Minilik I after he visited his father King Solomon, whose mother was the Queen of Sheba. Only the guardian monk may view the Ark, in accordance with the Biblical accounts of the dangers of doing so for non-Kohanim. The guardian monk is appointed for life by his predecessor before the predecessor dies. If the incumbent guardian dies without naming a successor, then the monks of the monastery hold an election to select the new guardian. The guardian then is confined to the chapel of the Ark of the Covenant for the rest of his life, praying before it and offering incense.
Axum Zion (Hidar Zion) is associated with the presence of the Ark of the Covenant in Axum. This church is the first to be built in Ethiopia. This festival is attended by hundreds and thousands of people from all over the World every year, making it one of the most joyous annual pilgrimages in Axum, the "sacred city of the Ethiopians”.
Nov22. Arrival in Addis Ababa at Bole international airport.
Arrive at bole international airport and meet by our professional guides at the airport and then transferred to your hotel, depend upon your time, you will do city tour in Addis Ababa. Overnight in a hotel.
Nov23. Addis Ababa-Lalibela.
Morning after breakfast Fly from Addis Ababa to Lalibela, then start your visit to the 1st and 2nd group of Rock hewn churches of Lalibela.This is the most important stop in the historic route where you could see the wonderful rock hewn churches of Lalibela. Overnight in a hotel.
Nov24. Morning visit the semi monolotic rock hewn church of Asheton Mariam on the hill mountin located more tha 3000 m. above sea level. Afternoon drive to visit the magnificent NakutoLa'eb cave church. O/n hotel in hotel.
Nov25. Lalibela- Bahir Dar.
Afternoon drive 32 km south of the town of Bahir Dar to visit the thundering Blue Nile water Falls and then get back to the town. O/n hotel in Bhir Dar.
Nov26. Bahir Dar- Gondar.
Crossing Lake Tana to Gorgora by Boat and visit some the Island monasteries on the lake. Upon your arrival at Gorgora, meet your vehicle and drive toGondar. O/n hotel in Gondar.
Nov27. Sightseeing in Gondar.
Visit the historic town of Gondar, which was founded in 1636 by emperor fasildes as the third permanent capital city in the history of ethiopia after Axum and Lalibela. Many Ethiopian medieval kings ruled out of it and built their own castles and palaces. Visit the enchanting ethiopian medieval castles, the bath of fasiledes and finally visit the church of Debre Brahin selase with its most beautiful wall painting in Ethiopia. o/n hotel in Gondar.
Nov28. Gondar- Semien Park.
Drive to Simien Mountains to spot the endemic Gelada Baboons, the unique flora as well as to admire the natural breathtaking landscape. Overnight in a hotel/Lodge.
Nov29. Semien Park- Axum.
Leave early your hotel and drive to Axum and upon your arrival, start to attend the eve of HidarTsion Mariam festival in the beautiful church of Axum Tsion Mariam, where all the Christians pray and chant dressed in white cotton cloth. Overnight in a hotel.
Nov30. City tour and observing the annual st. mary zion feast in Axum.
In the morning attending the annual celebrations of St. Mary Zion in Axum. After noon, make a city tour to the ancient town of Axum, the Stele parks, museum, kings’ Tomb and bath of the Queen of Sheba. Overnight in a hotel.
Dec1. Axum-Addis Ababa.
Transfer to the airport for your flight back to Addis Ababa. In the afternoon, do shopping in souvenir shops, have dinner at one of ethiopian traditional restaurants, departure.
Palm Sunday(hosanna).
It is celebrated before a week of Easter. It commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ with his disciples into Jerusalem. People welcomed Jesus by spreading palm branches. Axum, is the best place in Ethiopia to witness this celebration.
Good Friday(siklet) and Easter(Fasika).
Easter week in Ethiopia follows a similar pattern as in other countries, although the celebrations almost always fall on a different set of dates. Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and devout believers spend it performing sigdet, which means to bow down in worship of God. The Saturday evening before Fasika celebrates Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, and a day of Fasika itself is culmination of Lent – a 55 –day fast from dairy and meat.
The dates of Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter celebrations are not fixed as the celebration date depends on the 55 days fasting time. The reckoning of Easter is based upon the system of Ammonius. The dates of Easter and the feast which depends upon it, are determined by the Fasting of Nineveh which precedes the Easter Lent and in turn the date of the fast of Nineveh has been found according to the given principles, the date of Easter and the dates of the movable feast can easily be calculated.
Day1. Arrival in Addis Ababa-
Arrive in Addis Ababa at Bole international airport & Meet our staff at the exit gate with our welcome company’s logo and transfer to your hotel and city tour depending up on your arrival time in Addis Ababa such as the Ethiopia national museum, which is one of the most well organized museum in sub-Saharan Africa, holly Trinity church and merkato (Africa's largest open air market) and finally drive to Entoto mountain where you could see the bird view of Addis Ababa with an altitude of 3000 m. Overnight in a hotel.
Day2. Addis Ababa-Axum- Fly to Axum.
Upon arrival start your visit the old city of Axum, the ancient capital of the mythical kingdom of Aksum. Visit the steles, the tomb of King Kaleb, stone insciption of Ezana, the cathedral, the archaeological museum. After your visit, you will witness the interesting ceremony of Eve of Hosanna held outside the church which we recommend clients to see. Overnight in a hotel.
Day3. Axum-Gondar.fly to Gondar.
Visit the historic town of Gondar, which was founded in 1636 by emperor fasildes as the third permanent capital city in the history of ethiopia after Axum and Lalibela. Many Ethiopian medieval kings ruled out of it and built their own castles and palaces. Visit the enchanting Ethiopian medieval castles, the bath of fasiledes and finally visit the church of Debre Brahin selase with its most beautiful wall painting in Ethiopia. O/N hotel in Gondar.
Day4. Drive from Gonda to Bahir Dar.
Drive 180 km from Gondar to Bahir Dar.After lunch heading 35 km south of the town Bahir Dar to admire the thundering Blue Nile waterfalls. The Blue Nile water fall is one of the most magnificent water fall in Africa. It is a Spectacular view when the tremendous water falls in 45 m deep gorge specially during and soon after the main rain season. O/N in Bahir Dar.
Day5. Bahir Dar- Exploring the isolated monasteries on lake tana.
Morning visit of the Island Monasteries on Lake Tana. And in the afternoon visit market place if the day falls on a market day or visit the city of Bahir Dar. Overnight in a hotel.
Day6. Bahir Dar – Lalibela-
Early drive will take you to the city of Lalibela, along the way admire the local Amhara village and their farm land. Up on arrival transfer to your hotel and refresh. Overnight in a hotel.
Day7. Full day visiting the rock hewn churches of lalibela and witness of Ethiopian Good friday celebration.
In the morning visit of Ethiopia’s most famous rock-hewn churches of Lalibela. In the afternoon, witness the Good Friday ceremony at Bete Mariam rock-hewn church.
This is a special day for Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and it is celebrated with a great devotion and in a very ancient way. On this day, the faithful who has been fasting the whole day without any water or food, dressed in their dazzling white cloths, folk to St. Mary’s church to attend the prayers and performance of the priest and deacons. It really creates a special feeling to witness the devotion of the faithful and the special practices made on this day remembering the suffering of Jesus Christ when he was crucified. Every performance of the priest and the deacons as well as the devotion of the people takes you centuries back. Overnight in a hotel.
Day8. Excursion to Asheton Mariam church & evinig attending the eve of Easter feast.
In the morning, you will visit the church of Asheton Mariam and after lunch, you will visit one of the most colorful annual Easter Market at Lalibela. On this day people from the surrounding countryside and town, walk for days to buy/barter different goods the open-air market. Here group will have the chance to bargain for different handicrafts and traditional Ethiopian Cloths. In the evening, you will witness one of the most important ceremonies in one of the biggest rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, Bete Medhanialem, as well all the churches of the town will be filled with people who have been fasting for 55 days. None of them have eaten anything at least for a day and half and are without any water and food. They are here to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and there will be prayers and candle light ceremonies accompanied by chanting and dancing of the priest until 3:00 in the morning. It’s only after the ceremony is over everybody goes home to break the fasting with the special Easter meal and the feast which has begun at the church continues all day long and the and weeks to come. Overnight in a hotel.
Day9. Lalibela – Addis Ababa
After breakfast, transferred to the airport for your flight back to Addis Ababa, evening dinner at one of the traditional restaurant and experience Ethiopian dances, test the dishes. Departure.
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