Day 01: Arrive Addis Ababa
Arrival to Addis Ababa, once clearing through Customs & Immigration, you will be met at the exit gate by our local representative for a transfer to the hotel. We meet this evening for dinner and orientation. Addis Ababa The name of the city, in Amharic, means "new flower". Founded in 1886 by Menelik II, it is located at 2,500 m (8202 ft) above sea level in one of the highest parts of the Entoto Mountain chain (3,000 m/9842 ft above sea level). Addis Ababa is a pleasant city with wide avenues of jacaranda trees, interesting museums and one of the largest open-air markets in Africa, known as the "Mercato".
Overnight: Ghion Hotel, Addis Ababa (2 nights) (D)

Day 02: Addis Ababa
We spend the day exploring Addis Ababa beginning with a visit to the National Museum, one of the most important sub- Saharan museums in all of Africa. The museum is home to the fossilized humanoid Lucy, as well as an amazing collection of artifacts, royal items and art. We then visit the Ethnological Museum, which was the former palace of Haile Selassie. After lunch, we take time in St. George Cathedral, built in 1896 by Emperor Menelik and then continue on to Holy Trinity Cathedral. Holy Trinity Cathedral is the largest Orthodox Church in Ethiopia and has survived through many historical periods, as its interesting architecture can attest to. The Cathedral contains the thrones and the tombs of the emperor and some of the royal family. Visit Mercato, the largest open air market in Africa. (B, L, D)

Day 03: Addis Ababa / Bahir Dar (Flight)
This morning we take a short flight this morning north to Bahir Dar, which is a pleasant city located on the shores of Lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia. After checking into our hotel, we drive to the Blue Nile Falls, which is known locally as Tissisat (smoking water) falls: 100 m (328 ft) wide, the water plunges for 45 m (148 ft), giving rise to steam clouds and rainbows. We climb down to the base of the falls for an up-close look and then ascend the other side the round trip will take about 1hour walking. Then we cross the Blue Nile by boat to return to the point of departure. After lunch we explore the city of Bahir Dar, including the market and the Bezawit Palace (formerly the Palace of Haile Selassie). A short drive from our hotel, we visit a Woyito Village, where we will see the production of the papyrus boats known as Tankwas.
Overnight: Tana Hotel, Bahir Dar (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 04: Bahir Dar / Gondar (Drive)
There are 37 islands on Lake Tana and 30 of them have churches and monasteries of considerable historical and cultural interest. We visit the monastery churches of Ura Kidane Mihiret, Azoa Mariam, Narga Silasie and Dago Stifanos. Ura Kidanemihiret is the best known of the monasteries and has an important collection of religious icons from the 16th to 18th centuries A.D. Azoa Mariam is known for its paintings and we also have time to visit the small museum. Daga Stifanos is the most sacred of the monasteries and unfortunately, only open to men. It holds the tombs of some of the former emperors of Ethiopia, as well as a 16th century A.D. painting of The Virgin Mary. Upon arrival into Gorgora village, we visit Debere Sina Church before continuing by road to Gondar.
Overnight: Goha Hotel, Gondar (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 05: Gondar
Gondar was the first capital city of the Ethiopian Empire, which began in 1632. In Gondar, there are a dozen castles built by various emperors over the course of 236 years. The city seems more European than African and also has Islamic influences. In the morning visit Fasilidas' Palace, probably the most impressive of all the castles found in the area and the oldest one! We continue on to the bath of Fasiledes and Quskuam Church. In the afternoon we visit the Church Of Debre Berham Selassie (Light of the Trinity). The interior of Debre Berham Selassie is decorated with beautiful frescos, cherubs and paintings. Debre Berham Selassie is rumored to once have been the proposed final resting-place of the Ark of the Covenant and we will visit the colorful market of Gondar. (B, L, D)

Day 06: Gondar / Simien Mountains (Drive)
We head off today to the Simien Mountains (Simien National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The road passes over mountainous areas of wild beauty, drawing close to the Simien Massif (in Amharic, Simien means north). In the park, many of the mountain peaks exceed 4,000 m (13123 ft); the highest is Ras Dejen, at 4,543 m (1905 ft) above sea level. These mountains consist of volcanic masses that have been eroded away by centuries of rain. Today they have amethyst-colored peaks and deep gullies, which have been further deepened by rivers. The crevices play host to the Walya, the ibex. We reach to the Simien Mountain before lunch, so in the afternoon we will have about 4hours trekking in the first campsites area of Sankaber and where we can see Gelada baboons and if we are luck the Walya ibex.
Overnight: Simien Park Eco Lodge, Simien Mountains (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 07: Simien Mountains / Gondar (Drive)
We will have around 3-4 hours trekking in the mountain before we return to Gondar. After lunch we drive back to Gondar and on the route we visit the village of the Felasha (African Jews), famous for their ceramics. We arrive back in Gondar early evening.
Overnight: Goha Hotel, Gondar (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 08: Gondar / Lalibela (Flight)
A short flight this morning takes us to Lalibela. The city contains 11 monolithic churches that were built in the 12th century and are carved out of the pink granite rock; they have been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Each church (Bet) has a unique architectural style; all are superbly carved and most of them are decorated with well-preserved paintings. The entire city may be described as a sculpture dedicated to the glory of God. The afternoon is dedicated to visiting the first group of churches, known as the Northern Group of Churches. Bet Medihanialem is the largest, supported by 72 pillars and houses the 7kg (15 lbs) gold Lalibela Cross. We go through a tunnel from Bet Medihanialem to Bet Mariam, in which there is a pillar that it is said that Jesus Christ leaned against when he appeared in a vision to King Lalibela. Bet Mariam also contains fabulous carvings of various birds and animals. We also visit Bet Danaghel; a chapel built in honor of martyred nuns. Bet Golgotha and Bet Mikael are twin churches and many believe that a visit to Bet Golgotha alone can guarantee your place in heaven! The twin churches also contain many important religious items and some of the best examples of early religious art in the country. The last church we visit today is Bet Giyorgis, one of the more recent churches and best preserved. We walk return to our hotel and on the way back if time allows we will have a over stops in the souvenir shops and around the city center.
Overnight: Roha Hotel, Lalibela (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 09: Lalibela
In the morning we go on foot for an approximately 3-hour hike (those who prefer can ride mules) to visit the Eastern Rock Churches. Bet Amanuel is one of the most beautifully carved churches in Ethiopia in the Aksumite style. Bet Merkorios has a wonderful painting of The Three Wise Men, which dates back to the 15th century A.D. We also stop to see Bet Abba Libanos and Bet Gebrieal-Reafael, which might have once been the home of the royal family before becoming a church. This afternoon, we visit the Nakutelab Rock Hewn Church, built under a natural cave. Tonight, we have a special treat, participating in The Coffee Ceremony, a ceremony of hospitality in Ethiopia. (B, L, D)

Day 10: Lalibela / Axum (Flight)
Today we take a flight to Axum - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The legends narrated in the Kebre Nagast (Book of Kings) recount how the city of Axum as early as the 10th century B.C was already the city in which the Queen of Sheba resided. It is recounted that the son of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon brought the Ark of the Covenant to Axum and it remains there to this day, preserved in a sanctuary. Famous long before the time of Christ, Axum was the capital of the long Axumite reign, one of the oldest African empires and represented a crucial connecting-point between Africa and Asia for almost a thousand years. We visit the stelae: granite monoliths dating from pre-Christian times and decorated with symbolic engravings. In ancient times, there were seven stelae, now one of them is in Rome - Mussolini took it there during Italy's invasion of Ethiopia. There is also a visit to the church of Saint Mary of Zion. A chapel in the church is believed by many to contain The Ark of the Covenant. "The Guardian" who is the only person who is allowed into the chapel and the only person who may set eyes on it guards it. There is also a small museum here, which contains the crowns of Ethiopian kings and other treasures.
Overnight: Yeha Hotel, Axum (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 11: Axum / Addis Ababa (Flight)
We take a flight back to Addis Ababa this morning. After lunch, we enjoy a free afternoon; you may want to visit one of the many museums or the interesting Mercato or have a free time for shopping..
Overnight: Ghion Hotel, Addis Ababa (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 12: Addis Ababa / Dire Dawa (Flight)
Flight Addis Ababa to Dire Dawa, then drive to Harar (50Km) in Dire Dawa, we will visit the railway that links Addis Ababa to Djibouti, which was built at the beginning of the 20th century with the co-operation of the French government. Than we drive to Harar, the road and surrounding fertile lands rise up the Dengego Mountains (3,000 meters above sea level), offering magnificent panoramas. The women of this region wear very brightly colored clothes. Soon we begin to see crops of ‘chat’, a bush whose leaves are chewed because they provide light stimulation. En route we will visit the Awoday chat market. Afterwards we arrive in Harar.
Overnight: Ras Hotel, Harar (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 13: Dire Dawa
Located at an altitude of 1,800 meters, Harar is a labyrinth of small streets surrounded by old city walls. Its architecture reflects a strong Islamic influence. We take a walk through the old city and visit the house where Rimbaud lived. Harar was the poet’s favourite city and he established quarters there in order to trade in arms destined for the emperor Menelik. It is largely 16th century and later, but some of the mosques were founded as early as the 13th century. Until relatively recently it was venerated by Muslims as a center of pilgrimage, the most holy city in the Horn of Africa, with large numbers of mosques and Koran schools. Our visit will include some of these as well as some of the traditional old houses of Harar. The main sights are: the city walls and gateways, the Friday Mosque, the Museum, the Ras Makonnen House, the supposed house of Rimbaud. This evening after dinner there is a visit to the hyena men (the men who feed's the hyenas). (B, L, D)

Day 14: Dire Dawa / Addis Ababa (Flight)
Flight back to Addis Ababa, afternoon is free for last minutes shopping and relax. This afternoon is free for preparing yourself to the southern adventures.
Overnight: Ghion Hotel, Addis Ababa (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 15: Addis Ababa / Hosanna (Drive)
An early morning departure takes us south of Addis Ababa towards the Rift Valley. Our first stop is at Melka Kunture, one of the most important Paleolithic sites in Ethiopia. Along the Awash River where Melka Kunture is located, have been found the fossils of hippopotamus, rhinoceros, and elephants. Continue to the church of Adadi Mariam, the southern-most rock hewn church in Ethiopia. Contemporaneous with those of Lalibela (in fact local tradition says that it was built by King Lalibela in 1106), the church was carved below ground level and contains 24 windows surrounded by a wide, high tunnel. It is still being used today. Our next stop is at Tiya, classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, where we can see the northernmost example of a peculiar type of engraved, standing stone monoliths that stretch across parts of south Ethiopia. Then we drive down the beautiful landscape and picturesque Oromo and Gurage people rural village to reach our today’s destination Hosanna.
Overnight: Heme Hotel, Hosanna (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 16: Hosanna / Arba Minch (Drive)
Drive from Hosanna to Arba Minch: Passing though the wonderful panoramic landscape of the Hadiya and Wolayita People. En route we will visit the Ajora falls and make a detour to the highland people of Dorze who live high in the mountains. They are famous for their beehive-shaped bamboo houses. They use ingenious terracing and have a unique traditional life style with their colorful weaving products. Afterwards we commence descending towards the lakes of the Rift Valley. The Rift Valley is a deep fission that extends for over 6,000 km from the Middle East to Mozambique – testimony to the (most recent) violent and massive shifting of the earth’s tectonic plates. The rift contains a marvelous series of lakes, which are teeming with fish and provide a habitat for hundreds of species of birds. We travel along the side of Lake Abaya and arrive at Arba Minch late afternoon.
Overnight: Swayness Hotel, Arba Minch (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 17: Arba Minch
In the morning, we visit Nech Sar National Park. The broad grass plains of Nech Sar National Park lies 510 km south of Addis, near the town of Arba Minch between the lakes Abaya and Chiamo. A wide variety of plain game roams freely amongst 514m2 of Savannah, dry bush and groundwater forest, which are also the habitat of 188 recorded species of birds. In the far eastern part of the park, hot springs bubble to the surface. A backdrop of hills and mountains combine to make Nech Sar one of the most attractive national parks in Ethiopia. In the afternoon take a boat trip on Lake Chiamo, that is populated by crocodiles and hippos. (B, L, D)

Day 18: Arba Minch / Jinka (Drive)
Early morning drive to jinka. On the way, visit the Cushitic speaking Tsemay people in the Weyto Valley (where we will have lunch) and the Bena and Ari people. There is a big Thursday market in Key Afer where you can see the Tsemay, Ari and Bena people.
Overnight: Resort Hotel, Jinka (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 19: Jinka / Mago (Drive)
Mago National Park of is located on the east bank of the river Omo and ranges in altitude from 450 to 2,528 meters above sea level. After about 2 hours of rough road, we arrive at the camp where we spend the night in tents. The campsite is in a beautiful clearing among towering trees, which provide shade, and near the river Neri. We visit the Mursi village, the insertion of wooden and terracotta discs into the ear lobes is a widespread custom and Mursi women also progressively split and stretch their lower lips to make room for similar discs there, too. These are people who farm the land and breed livestock; they live in almost complete isolation from the rest of the world. We return to the camp; there are not many animals visible during the day in the park, but by night we are surrounded by thousands of sounds, among which is the trumpeting of elephants.
Overnight: Camping (B, L, D)

Day 20: Jinka / Murulle (Drive)
Drive mago to Murulle, from here on, there is no real track any more. Instead, we travel through the savannah in a typically African landscape. We arrive at Murile Lodge, which consist of bungalows and a campsite right on the river Omo, surrounded by huge trees. This is the land of the Caro tribe and it is possible to meet them along the river.
Overnight: Camping (B, L, D)

Day 21: Murulle / Turmi (Drive)
We continue through the savannah along tracks that are barely visible, passing through a vast meadowland with shrubs and umbellifers (‘umbrella’ acacia trees) frequently meeting herds of hartebeest and gazelle. We cross over the Omo River. We encounter the Dasenech people in the street; in the river people bathe and wash their clothes. Afterwards continue on to Turmi where every Monday there is a spectacular Hamer market. The Hamer is one of the most beautiful and dignified people of the Omo basin. The women colour their hair with red earth and butter, and wear elegant leather skirts festooned with tiny pearls. If this day falls on Monday you will spend the afternoon at the market before heading to our campsite for the evening.
Overnight: Camping (B, L, D)

Day 22: Turmi
Today we will be visiting the colourful market of the Hamer people plus village visit. If we are lucky then we will be able to witness the most important event in Hamer society is the bull jumping, an initiation rite. Up to 15 bulls are lined up in a row. The initiate with naked body has to leap on the back of the first bull, then from one bull to the next, until he reaches the end of the row. He must repeat in the opposite direction, then third times.
Overnight: Camping (B, L, D)

Day 23: Turmi / Yebello (Drive)
This morning we depart the Lower Omo Valley. Our route today continues into the savannah, running alongside the mountains of Men, and then rises up into the Karkerte Mountains – providing splendid panoramic views – Visit the Erbore people before we reach the soft, terraced hills of Konso. The people of Konso are known for their terraced agriculture and wooden totems commemorating their ancestors. After lunch drive to Yabelo to see the Borena Oromo people and their singing wells. For 500 years the Borena, Ethiopia’s semi-nomadic pastoralists, have survived their harsh environment by ingeniously sourcing water from wells that are up to 30 meters deep. The dust kicks up as a long line of camels and cows wander down a path dug below ground level, leading to a deep well. Men stand on top of each other, forming a human chain down the well; they toss buckets between each other on a precarious ladder, gathering one of the world’s most precious resources – water. There is a loud chorus of singing, which keeps the rhythm going; the yellow buckets are lowered and raised at a mesmerizing pace and the troughs are gradually filled at the mouth of the well. Back at ground level, other groups of animals are gathering, waiting for their turn to come down and drink.
Overnight: Mobile Hotel, Yebello (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 24: Yebello / Awassa (Drive)
Drive Yebello to Awassa, you will travel back crossing fertile land planted with bananas, cereal and tobacco, and inhabited first by the Oromo people and then by the Sidamo. We can find many types of fruit sold along the roadside. Continue northward to reach the lodge at mid afternoon. Nestled between coffee fields and lush vegetation in Yirgalem town, the lodge is a peaceful haven for those who seek relaxation and welcome break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Overnight: Aregash Lodge, Awassa (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 25: Awassa
The nearby forest is home to diverse, prolific flora and harbors over 100 species of birds and some mammals. The coffee plantations and the nightly visits of jackals and hyenas are further attraction to be found in the surrounding area. Whatever your preference, there are a variety of activities to allow you to explore the surrounding countryside. These include guided treks in the nearby forest; horseback and mountain bike riding and visits to historical caves, sacred sites and natural hot and cold water springs. Moreover late afternoon, you have a special treat, participating in The Coffee Ceremony, a ceremony of hospitality in Ethiopia. (B, L, D)

Day 26: Awassa / Lake Awasa (Drive)
This morning departure takes us to Lake Awasa. Set in a volcanic crater, Awassa Lake is the smallest in the Ethiopian Rift Valley. Here, we may view hippos, grivet monkeys, and colobus monkeys with their wonderful white faces encircled by deep ebony crowns. Birdwatchers will especially enjoy such avian wonders as the silvery-cheeked hornbill, black-winged lovebird, and Abyssinian black-headed oriole. The city of Awassa with its diverse ethnic mix will be especially enjoyable as we walk through the daily market where colorful villagers negotiate for fish. Visit the Rift Valley Lakes of Abyata and Shala, part of a national park, to view the rich concentration of brightly colored flamingoes. Shala, the southern lake, fills a crater almost 1000 feet deep, while nearby Abyata is a shallow pond – each creating its own environmental niche. Then continue driving to Awash, the road passes through infinitely stretching fields mainly cultivated with “Teff”, a type of millet that is very widespread in Ethiopia. Standing out among the fields are old volcanoes and isolated table mountains. The road descends towards the Rift Valley, arriving to lake Bakasa. The Oromo and Kereyu peoples, who are semi-nomadic, populate these regions. The landscape changes: the land is covered with dark brown lava and low bushes; we are at the lower slopes of the Fantalè volcano. Here, we begin to encounter caravans of camels belonging to the Afar people, nomadic shepherds who inhabit the Danakil desert. We pass though the Awash national park and reach to the lodge. This evening we will enjoy a farewell dinner and a traditional show.
Overnight: Bien Lodge, Lake Awasa (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 27: Lake Awasa
This park is one of the most beautiful in Ethiopia. The river Awash runs through a spectacular gorge; the park itself is home to 392 species of birds and many mammals live there including Oryx, gazelles and antelopes. The river Awash is the longest river in Ethiopia; it does not run into the sea, but feeds into the Danakil depression close to Asayta and terminates in a series of lakes. The day is dedicated to visit the park and the surroundings. (B, L, D)

Day 28: Lake Awasa / Addis Ababa (Drive)
Drive back to Addis via Sodere and Nizreth. The afternoon is free and this evening we will enjoy a farewell dinner and a traditional show.
Overnight: Ghion Hotel, Addis Ababa (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 29: Depart Addis Ababa
After breakfast you will be transfer back to the airport for your departure flight out. (B)