Arrive Addis Ababa

Meet with our representative upon arrival at the Bole International Airport and transfer to the hotel.

Overnight at Sheraton Hotel. (D)

Explore Addis Ababa

City tour including the Trinity Catedral and the National Museum where we will meet “Lucy”, the oldest hominid ever discovered. After lunch, we will drive to Mount Entoto that reaches 9600 ft from where we will enjoy stunning Panoramic Views. Then visit the famous Saint Mary Church where Menelik II has crowned Emperor of Ethiopia in 1889.

Overnight at Sheraton Hotel (B, L, D)

Lalibela Rock-Hewn Churches and outstanding Saint Mary festival

Fly to visit another World Heritage Site, the ancient rock-hewn churches of Lalibela. Our visit to Lalibela will coincide with Saint Mary’s day festivities, which will provide unique cultural experiences and superb photographic opportunities.

While in Lalibela, we marvel at 9 of the 13 churches, which are grouped into 4 clusters. Among them is Bete Emanuel, a 36-foot-high monolith.

We will also visit a local family to participate in a traditional coffee ceremony and share a very special moment with the family.

Overnight at Tukul Village Hotel (B, L, D)

Two full days exploring the beautiful Simien Mountains with truly close encounters with Gelada Baboons and other endemic wildlife

The Simien Mountains are one of Africa’s largest ranges, with over a dozen peaks higher than 12,000 ft, including Ras Dashen, the highest peak in Ethiopia. The western side of the range was designated as a national park in 1969, and the entire range was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. You will look for the endemic and impressive Geledas and observe the Afro-Alpine flora, look for Walia Ibex and birds.

Overnight at Simiens Mountain Lodge (B, L, D)

Medival Gondar

Drive to Gondar. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Debre Birhan Selassie Church wich walls and ceilings have been decorated with scenes of Biblical lore and medieval Ethiopian history.

Overnight at Mayleko Lodge (B, L, D)

Drive to the source of the Blue Nile, explore by boat Lake Tana and visit the Blue Nile Falls with birdwatching

With a surface area of 2,282 square miles, Lake Tana is the largest lake in Ethiopia and is also the source of the Blue Nile, a connection that explains many of Ethiopia’s links with the ancient world. The lake is dotted with islands, many of which shelter isolated monasteries containing the remains of ancient Ethiopian emperors and treasures of the Ethiopian Church. You will also enjoy incredible birding at the Blue Nile Falls.

Overnight at Kuriftu Resort or similar for 2 nights (B, L, D)

A day in Addis Ababa

Fly back to the capital city. Afternoon at leisure to enjoy some shopping. The guide will be at our disposal.

Radisson Blu or similar (B, L, D)

Fly over the Rift Valley to the heart of the Southern Omo Valley

Fly to Weito and drive to Jinka including tribes encounters on the way.

In the afternoon, we will visit the South Omo Research Centre and Museum to inspect their collections of tribal artifacts and learn more about the interactions and history among tribes of the area.

Overnight at the Eco Omo Lodge (B, L, D)

Through the Mago National Park to visit the remote Mursi Tribe

We leave early morning to the Mago National Park and visit a Mursi village that lies along the Mago River in the heart of the park.

When we are back in Jinka, we will attend the colorful local market.

Overnight at the Eco Omo Lodge (B, L, D)

Encounter with the Bena and Hammar tribes

Today, we will drive to Turmi. We will stop along the way to visit the Benna tribe who reside along the bounds of the Lower Omo River.  The Benna incorporate rich cultural symbolism into their rituals and use impressive ornate body art.

Then check-in at the lodge, and after a rest time we will visit one of the close-to-town striking Hamer villages. 

Overnight at Buska Lodge. (B, L, D)

Visit the Desanech tribe

The Dessanech is the most remote of the Omo tribes, living just north of Kenya’s Lake Turkana. The tribe is typical in that it is not strictly defined by ethnicity, anyone will be admitted, and this makes into a very interesting mix of traditions and believes.

We will spend the afternoon at the lively Turmi market.

Overnight at Buska Lodge. (B, L, D)

Fly back to Addis. Farewell dinner and fly back to the U.S, or continue with the Bale Endemic Wildlife Extension.

Before leaving the Omo Valley, we will visit a Karo tribe village. They paint themselves daily with colored ochre, white chalk, yellow mineral rock, charcoal, and pulverized iron ore.

Fly back to Addis Ababa and rest time until the fabulous farewell dinner.

Then transfer to the airport to catch your flight to the U.S.

Day-use (or overnight if you take the recommended Bale extension) at the Radisson Blu (B, L, D)