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22 Days On the Horn of Africa - featuring the Austerity of the Omo Valley Tour Package Duration: 22 Days / 21 Nights Priced From: $4,480 (All pricing reflects per-person Land Only expenses) Dates: Sep, Nov, Jan, Sep, Nov  An ancient land of stunning sceneries, fascinating cultures and first-rate historic sites, Ethiopia numbers among Africa's most rewarding tour destinations. As we learn about the country's long history with visits to castles built by various emperors over a 236-year timeframe, 11th century rock-hewn churches, pre-Christian buildings, ancient monuments and royal palaces, we travel through stunning sceneries of mist-shrouded mountain peaks and idyllic cascading waterfalls. Our cultural exploration of this special destination includes spending time in villages isolated from the rest of the world in which fisherman still use papyrus boats, in local marketplaces where Ari women wear traditional skirts made of tree twigs and at tribal gatherings wherein stick-fighting contests, elaborate dress, lip plates and earlobe discs are commonplace. This Ethiopia tour offers a cultural experience like no other. Tour Itinerary Day 1 Arrival Arrive in Addis Ababa, (2450 m / 8,038 ft) Ethiopia's capital city. THIS IS A TRIP FOR THE ADVENTUROUS. The itinerary has been designed to be as comfortable as possible, but this part of the world is still undeveloped. Accommodation is basic in some places and some road journeys are long, dusty, and rough. This trip is suitable for hardy travellers who do not expect "creature comforts" or things to work smoothly everywhere. Despite the often-rustic conditions, delays, and bumpy roads, this will be a fascinating journey, full of epic moments for the experienced traveller who possesses a sense of humour, flexibility, and a true spirit for adventure. Overnight in Addis Ababa. Dinner if required. Day 2 Addis Ababa: City Tour This morning we tour Addis Ababa, with a visit to Ethiopia's National and Ethnographic Museum. One of its most famous residents is Lucy, a proto-human skull discovered in Ethiopia in 1974 and believed to be 3.5 million years old. The Ethnographic Museum, on the university campus of Addis Ababa, displays many items important to daily life in rural Ethiopia. A brief section also pertains to the life of the late Haile Selassie, Ethiopia's last emperor, crowned in 1930. We also see St George's Cathedral and then drive up Mount Entoto for a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside. NOTE: Our September departure is set to coincide with Meskel, celebrated in this country for over 1,600 years. The word actually means "cross" and the feast commemorates the discovery of the Cross upon which Jesus was crucified by the Empress Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great. The original event took place on 19 March, AD 326, but the feast is now celebrated in late September. In Addis celebrations start in the early afternoon, when a huge procession bearing flaming torches approaches Meskel Square from various directions. The marchers include priests in their brightly hued vestments, students, brass bands, contingents of the armed forces, and bedecked floats carrying huge lit crosses. They circle the demera and fling their torches upon it, while singing a special Meskel song. Thousands gather at the square to join in and welcome the season of flowers and golden sunshine called 'Tseday.' As evening darkens the flames glow brighter. It is not until dawn that the burning pyramid consumes itself and the big tree at the centre finally falls. During the celebrations each house is stocked with tella, the local beer, and strangers are made welcome. Overnight in Addis Ababa. Breakfast and dinner. Day 3 Addis Ababa - Lalibela We fly to Lalibela through some outstanding mountain scenery. The climate is mild on average and malaria is generally not a problem (though it can occur in Bahr Dar later on in our journey). Lalibela is the site of eleven rock-hewn churches dating from the 11th century. Each of the churches is architecturally unique and several are decorated with colourful, well-preserved paintings. NOTE: During the Timkat Festival (January), due to the number of visitors at this time and the lack of suitable nearby hotel accommodation, we will likely be accommodated in sturdy tents with private toilet facilities and proper sprung beds. Most people are accommodated this way and feedback indicates that most visitors find this a very comfortable and enjoyable way to stay in Lalibela. Overnight in Lalibela (2600m / 8,530 ft). Breakfast and dinner. Day 4 Lalibela Our January departures coincide with the Timkat Festival in Lalibela, the biggest celebration of the year in Ethiopia, marking the Epiphany every year on the 19th of January. Timkat is celebrated all over Ethiopia, but nowhere is it quite as spectacular as in Lalibela. The festival begins with Timkat Eve and dramatic processions through a night of fasting. Crowds of revelers, all dressed in white, sing and dance in the streets to the beating of drums. Priests, decked out in jewel encrusted velvet and satin robes, carry a replica of Arc of the Covenant known as a talbot in a grand procession through the streets. On all departures we will visit both the western and eastern group of churches where we will spend time wandering through parts of the village. An optional afternoon mule ride can be arranged to some of the many nearby churches or monasteries nestled high above the village. Overnight in Lalibela. Breakfast and dinner. Day 5 Lalibela - Mekelle Today we travel from Lalibela to Mekelle through some outstanding mountain scenery. Mekelle is the capital of the province of Tigre, a dry, rocky region. Today, as we travel from one valley to the next, we shall see a great variety of crops growing. Sugarcane, bananas, citrus fruits, wheat, barley, potatoes, and plenty of teff grow on the dry terraced mountainsides and valley floors. Teff, a short-stalked grain, produces the smallest grain in the world. Ethiopians mill it into flour used to make injera, the national bread. Upon arrival in Mekelle, we can view the city's new war memorial, a towering monument reminding us of the many who lost their lives fighting a bitter struggle for a more democratic Ethiopia. Overnight in Mekelle. Breakfast and dinner. Day 6 Mekelle - Axum Today we continue our journey north towards Axum. The scenery today is spectacular as we travel via Adi and Adwa. Adwa holds a special place in the hearts of Ethiopians, for it was here in March of 1896 that the Ethiopian forces under Emperor Menelik II defeated the Italian army. This victory ended all attempts by Italy to colonize Ethiopia. Later today we arrive in Axum (2202 m / 7,226 ft). This afternoon you may want to walk through part of the town or relax at our hotel, located on a hillside above Axum. Overnight in Axum. Breakfast and dinner. Day 7 Axum Today we explore the wonders of ancient Axum beginning with the Stelae Park. Carved completely from blocks of granite, these stelae are truly impressive. Although never erected, the largest stelae -- now broken into several pieces -- measures over 30 m (100 feet) long and dates from Ethiopia's pre-Christian era. Our tour continues to the Archaeological Museum, and to St Mary of Zion Church. We will see the ruins of the original 4th century church, and view an amazing collection of church relics including crosses and ancient crowns. It is here that we will also see the building that houses Ethiopia's most sacred religious artifact, the supposed Ark of the Covenant. We will wander through King Ezana's Park. Of particular interest is a tablet inscribed in three languages: Ge'ez, Sabean, and Greek. We will also visit the tomb of King Basen, who ruled Axum at the time of Christ's birth. This afternoon we will visit two sites located outside the modern town of Axum: the Palace of the Queen of Sheba, and King Kaleb's Palace. Both enjoy commanding views of the countryside -- lands that were once part of the powerful Axumite Kingdom. On our late November departures, we watch the Hidar Zion Day processions and celebrations. This festival is attended by tens of thousands of people from all over Ethiopia, making it one of the most joyous annual pilgrimages in Axum, the "sacred city of the Ethiopians." Overnight in Axum. Breakfast and dinner. Day 8 Axum - Simien Mountains Today we travel by road into the Simien Mountains and the Simien Eco Lodge. The highest point, Ras Dashen (4620 m / 15,246 ft above sea level), between the towns of Gondar and Axum (Aksum), is Africa's fourth highest peak. Numerous large rivers, including the Blue Nile, drain the highlands from east to west, towards the Nile Basin. From north to south, it's the Omo River, flowing into Lake Turkana. The Simiens stretch for over 40 kilometres with an almost two mile drop into the valley below. Our lodge is near Debarak, an area that is home to endemic animals such as Gelada baboons. Solar under-floor heaters warm the rooms to ward off the chill at night. Visitors are encouraged to learn about various ongoing eco-projects that preserve the fauna and flora and foster the economic development in the region as a whole. Overnight in Simien National Park. Simien Eco-Lodge. Breakfast and dinner. Day 9 Simien Mountains - Gondar Today we travel around Lake Tana to Gondar, the former capital of Ethiopia (1818 m / 6,000 ft). This "City of Castles" is one of Ethiopia's most interesting. Set in a beautiful landscape, Gondar is situated at the base of the Simien Mountains. The city's unique imperial precinct contains a dozen castles built by various emperors over a 236-year period. Overnight in Gondar Breakfast and dinner. Day 10 Gondar Today we will acquaint ourselves with the city, touring the castle of Emperor Fasiledes, founder of the former capital. The two-story castle with its domed towers was said to be "one of the most marvelous of buildings" by a visiting Yemeni envoy. We will also see the Bathing Palace, once surrounded by a moat of water. Today the moat is only filled with water during Epiphany for an annual baptism celebration. We will also visit the monasteries of Qusquam and Debre Berhan Selassie. The latter has not only many detailed 16th century frescoes, but also one of Ethiopia's most photographed ceilings, painted with angels' faces. We will also make a short trip outside Gondar to the tiny village of Wolleka, where once lived a large community of Falashas (Jewish Ethiopians). Although most departed in 1991, their Christian neighbours still make the figurines of black and red pottery for which the Falasha were so famous. Overnight in Gondar. Breakfast and dinner. Day 11 Gondar - Bahr Dar We continue to Bahr Dar, 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 30 km (19 miles) from the spectacular Tissisat Falls. Overnight in Bahr Dar. Breakfast and dinner. Day 12 Bahr Dar - Tis Abay - Bar Dahr From Bahr Dar we make a morning excursion to Tis Abay (Blue Nile Falls). Cascading 45 m (150 feet) to the cataract below, the constant spray of mist produces a spectacular rainbow, visible only in morning hours, above the falls. Home to a great variety of birds and plants, the waterfall is a natural paradise. Overnight in Bahr Dar. Breakfast and dinner. Day 13 Bahr Dar - Addis Ababa Today, if flights are available, we will fly to Addis. Alternatively, we will board our four-wheel drive vehicles for our drive south through the mountains of the central highlands. This is a long drive but the scenery is spectacular as we rise to 3500 m (11,480 feet) above sea level for a short time. We descend into Addis in the late afternoon. Overnight in Addis Ababa. Breakfast and dinner. Day 14 Addis Ababa - Arba Minch This morning we begin our journey southwards to Arba Minch, the "town of many springs". The passes through a mountainous region and highland plateau covered with banana plantations and bamboo. We enjoy scenic views enroute. Arba Minch is situated by lakes Chamo and Abaya, the most southerly of Ethiopia's Rift Valley lakes. Overnight in Arba Minch (900m / 2,970 ft). Swaynes Hotel. Breakfast and dinner. Day 15 Arba Minch Area Today we visit the Dorze tribe, famed for their bee hive shaped houses and their weaving skills. Weaving is a primary profession for many Dorze. They are also farmers, who prevent soil erosion by ingenious terracing of the mountainsides. Around their huts they have their own little garden with vegetables, spices, tobacco and enset (false-banana or musa ensete). This afternoon we take a refreshing boat trip on Lake Chamo, home to huge crocodiles, hippos and a variety of birdlife. Overnight in Arba Minch. Swaynes Hotel. Breakfast and dinner. Day 16 Arba Minch - Jinka We continue our experience with tribal life with a visit to the Konso. A pagan society, the Konso erect eerie wooden totems replete with phallic symbols over the graves of the dead and have numerous cults based around the breeding and veneration of serpents. The cornerstone of Konso culture, however, is a highly specialized and successful agricultural economy that, through terracing buttressed with stone, enable these people to extract a productive living from the none-too-fertile hills and valleys that surround them. An excellent day to meet the people, take photographs with them and learn of a culture that has had very little outside influence. Later afternoon arrival in Jinka, set at the foot of Mago National Park (440m / 1,450 ft). There will be time to visit the tiny local market to see the local Ari women wearing their traditional skirts of tree twigs. The Omo Valley (average elevation 200-400m / 600-1,320 ft) is a virgin environment where tribal traditions have remained unchanged. The women still dress in elaborately decorated skins and the men celebrate adulthood with special coloured hair buns. There is a fascinating mix of nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes, from the Bume and Karo to the Bena, Mursi, and Hamar, coexisting in a harsh land that is all but forgotten by the rest of the world. Overnight in Jinka (HOTEL). Breakfast and dinner. Day 17 Jinka - Mago National Park - Jinka Day excursion to Mago National Park to visit a Mursi village. The insertion of wooden and terracotta discs into the ear lobes is a widespread custom. Mursi women also progressively split and stretch their lower lips to make room for similar discs. Though these lip plates may appear bizarre to outsiders, the Mursi regard them as signs of beauty. Generally, the larger the lip plate the more desirable the wearer. At certain seasons, visitors may be lucky to chance on colourful and dramatic traditional ceremonies. Periodically young men of the Mursi and Surma tribes engage in ritual stick fighting. These duels are conducted with the utmost vigour since the winners are much admired by nubile girls. These are people who farm the land and breed livestock; they live in almost complete isolation from the rest of the world. We have an interesting day here seeing how the lifestyle of bygone days is still being lived. The Omo Valley, part of the "Great African Rift", is located in the south-western corner of Ethiopia and shares its borders with Kenya and Sudan. Many anthropologists consider it to be the birthplace of mankind; the entire region has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1980. Overnight in Jinka (HOTEL). Breakfast and dinner. Day 18 Jinka - Turmi We drive towards Turmi across various villages browsing the different ethnic tribes all with their own unique culture and lifestyle. We visit Dimeka's colourful market and encounter the Hamer, Karo and Dassanech people. OUR "CAMP" is located in fenced and secure compound with spacious, bright, and clean bungalows that contain 2 single beds, linens, a small table and 2 chairs, towels, and running (cold) water. There is a generator but candles are used in the event of a failure. Toilet facilities are located in separate buildings away from the tents. Showers are also located here (cold water only, though the heat makes this rather welcome). We regret that, due to limited space, singles may be required to double up in Turmi. Overnight in Turmi. All meals. Day 19 Turmi Area - Arba Minch Our journey continues into the savannah, driving alongside the mountains of Men, which raise up the Karkerte Mountains--providing splendid panoramic views--until it reaches the soft, terraced hills of Konso. We now start returning northwards, towards the lakes of the Rift Valley. The Rift Valley is a deep fission that extends for over 6000 km / 3,728 mi 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. Overnight in Arba Minch (HOTEL). Breakfast and dinner. Day 20 Arba Minch - Nech Sar National Park - Lake Langano This morning we visit Nech Sar National Park (1108m / 3,634 ft to 1650m / 5,412 ft), situated between lakes Abaya and Tchamo. Nech Sar's name is derived from the plain, where the colour of the grass has striking contrast with the hue of the surrounding hills and lakes that harbour many species of fish, including Nile perch and tiger fish. We continue to Lake Langano and Wenney Ecolodge. The soft brown waters of Langano are set against the blue backdrop of the Arsi Mountains which soar to 4000m / 13,200 ft. Over 150 bird species have been recorded here including sacred ibis and flamingo. The forests in this park are a great place for sighting cockatoos and rare weavers. Overnight at Lake Langano. Wenney Ecolodge. Breakfast and dinner. Day 21 Lake Logano - Addis Ababa After a leisurely morning we travel back to the capital, arriving mid to late afternoon. We travel via Shala and Abyata Rift Valley lakes. Overnight in Addis Ababa. Breakfast and dinner. Day 22 Depart Departure from Addis Ababa. Breakfast. BON VOYAGE!! Save time, money and stress! For reservations: Fill out the vacation planner to be contacted by our Ethiopia vacation specialist. Contact: Travelwizard.com Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252 11/09 |
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