History & Culture Tour
Destination: Hawzien, Axum, Gondar, Bahirdar, Awramba, Lalibela, Omo Tribe
Duration: 15days/14nights
Day 1: Mekelle - HawzienAfter a drive of 47km we turn to the West pista road into the beautiful landscape full of amazing shaped mountains, the area of Gheralta and Hawzien. In here are more than 60 of the Rock Hewn Churches; in the whole Tigray Region are around 120 churches. Some are easily to reach, to visit others you have to take a walk or a climb up on the rocks what offers you, next to the interesting history of the churches, a spectacular view. With a local guide we are going to visit 2 or 3 churches.Overnight: Hotel in Hawzien
Day 2: Hawzien – AxumAfter a drive of 220km we reach Axum which belongs to Ethiopia´s most visited and interesting star attractions and UNESCO lists it as a World Heritage Site! 400 years BC the history of the powerful kingdom Axum started and thought it was the most powerful one. Now a days the sites prove and show you about Axum and its history. After Lunch, We take a professional guide who explains you about the attractions and answers detail questions of you.Overnight: Hotel in Axum
Day 3: Axum – GondarDrive to Gondar(310km) , on the way visit and stop shot in different spot in the beautiful highlands of Limalimo, visit the way of life of the people of Amhara, lunch in debark which is the nearest city to visit the magnificent nature of Simien mountains , evening arrive in Gondar.Overnight hotel in Gondar
Day 4: Gondar - Bahir darMorning after breakfast, visit the church of Debrebrhan Selassie, Royal Castel of Fasil and different kings which are wonderful architectural art of the Castel which dates back 16th century and Fasil bath which is a place where annual baptism celebration takes place. Lunch in Gondar .After lunch drive to BahirDar( 185km) , after check in to in your hotel , at night you will be amused in the traditional music houses called Azmari .Overnight: Hotel in BahirDar
Day5: Visit in BahirDarVisit in the Lake Tana monasteries of Zege , boat excision along the lake and the beautiful spectacular view in the lake. After lunch drive to the Awramba village community.Overnight: Guest room in Awramba
Day 6: AwrambaMorning after breakfast visit the Awramba community which are known for their unique way of life philosophy ,social and economic system ,meet Zumra head of the village and listen how their ways of life functions. Lunch on the way city called Debretabor, evening arrive in Lalibela.Overnight: Hotel in Lalibel
Day 7: Full day visit in LalibelaFull day visit of the 11 rock hewn churches of Lalibela dated back 11century, unbelievable architectural design of the churches made from a single rock , and considered as among the 8th wonders of the world and registered as world heritage by UNESCO.Overnight: Hotel in Lalibela
Day 8: Lalibela – AddisFly to Addis and city tour.Overnight: Hotel in Addis
Day 9: Addis – Omo vallyFull day drive from Addis Ababa to Arbaminch,Overnight: Hotel in Arbaminch
Day 10: Arbaminch - Turmi In the morning a boat trip on Lake Chamo to visit the “crocodile market”, and the local hippos. Afterwards, depart from Arba Minch to Turmi. On the way you will pass through the village of Weyto (market day Saturday), which is home to the Tsemai tribe. Continue through the Weyto Valley to Erbore, where you will have a brief visit to a local Erbore village (market day is Saturday). Finally, proceed to Turmi, home of the Hamer tribe. At night, ''if there is''you can see the traditional night dancing of the Hamer tribe, known as evangadi. Overnight: Hotel/Camping in Turmi
Day 11: TurmiIn the morning, take a day trip to Omorate to visit the Dassenech tribe. Here you will cross the Omo River by local boat and enter a Dassenech village. Afterwards, return to Turmi (Monday is market day) for a visit to a local Hamer village. If there is Jumping of the Bulls traditional Hamer coming-of-age ceremony, that will be visited.Overnight: Hotel/Camping in Turmi
Day 12: Turmi - JinkaDepart for Jinka, via Dimeka and Key Afar. Tuesdays and Saturdays are market days in Dimeka, which is one of the most colorful markets in the area and is visited by many tribes, including Hamer, Benna and Karo. Afterwards, continue to JinkaOvernight: Hotel in Jinka
Day 13: JinkaIn the morning, drive through the Mago National Park to a local village of the Mursi tribe. The Mursi are known for their lower lip and earlobe plates. In the afternoon, after returning to Jinka, you can visit the South Omo Museum & Research Center to learn more about the local tribes. Alternatively, take a hike in the surrounding hills to visit a local Ari village. Overnight: Hotel in Jinka Day 14: Jinka - ArbaminchAfter breakfast, depart from Jinka to Arba Minch via Key Afar and Konso. Thursday is market day in Key Afar, where you will see the Benna and Tsemai tribes trading goods. This is another very popular market in the region. After the visit, proceed to Konso (market days are Mondays and Thursdays). The Konso people are known for their wooden statues, known as wakas, which are erected in honor of dead heroes as well as their innovative agricultural terracing. Today you will have a brief opportunity to visit a local village and the cultural museum displaying many waka statues. After the visit, proceed driving to Arba Minch. Overnight: Hotel in Arba Minch
Day 15: Arbaminch - AddisEarly in the morning, depart from Arba Minch for a full day’s drive to Addis Ababa. On the way you may have time to visit one of the following archeological sites of interest:- Tiya - ancient stellae field and UNESCO World Heritage site- Adadi Maryam – rock-hewn church similar to those in Lalibela- Melka Kunture – pre-historic tool-making site
