|
|
| A Bit of Travel
869 Grand Ave
Carlsbad Ca 92008
760-729-1181
800-747-TRAVEL |
|
|
|
Omo Valley & Timket Festival, 17 Days
Tour includes Meet and greet at airport All accommodation based on twin room occupancy Meals indicated Entrance fees to sites All transfers Domestic Flights All Ground transportation English speaking Tour Guide Camping gear - Tents, mattresses, sleeping bags and cooking utensils Farewell dinner in Addis to enjoy traditional Ethiopian food & Music Tour Does not include International flights (Flight from Washington Dulles is $1440, USD) Visa Fees Meals not indicated Tips & Gratuities |
| Call (800) 747-8728 for more information or to book today! Mention code 8379841 | | Palace Travel Inc | | | | Day | Destination | Description | | Day 1 | Addis Ababa | On arrival in Addis Ababa you will be met at Bole International Airport and transfered to your hotel. After an overview of the itineray, visit historical sites in Addis Ababa including the National Archaeological Museum, where we will view the 3.6 million year old skeletal remains of "Lucy", discovered in 1974. You will also visit the Ethnological Museum at Addis Ababa University, Holy Trinity Cathedrals and Mount Entoto which rises up to an altitude of 3200 meters and offers the panoramic view of the metropolis. Meal(s) Included: Dinner Overnight at Ghion Hotel or Similar | | Day 2 | Arba Minch | Drive to Arba Minch via Hosanna, about 460km south of Addis Ababa. This drive will take you along the scenic farmlands of rhe Gurage people. You will also drive through the Wolayita farmlands, with views of the lush green hills and valleys. You arrive late in the afternoon at Arba Minch - meaning "Forty Springs" in Amharic. Arba Minch takes its name from the bubbling streams that cover the groundwater forest occupying the flats of the town. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight at Swaynes Hotel or Similar | | Day 3 | Arba Minch | After breakfast, visit the Dorze tribe and their village, famed for their beehive 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. They have little gardens around their huts with vegetables, spices, tobacco and Enset(false-bananas). In the afternoon, take a boat trip on Lake Chamo. Take a boat ride on Lake Chamo where you may spot many hippos and the world's most spectacular concentrations of giant crocodiles. The water birds are beautiful and the scenery is truly unforgettable. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight at Swaynes Hotel or Similar | | Day 4 | ARBA MINCH to JINKA | As this day falls on Thursday, the colorful Benna, Tsemay & Ari tribes Key Afer Market can be visited en route. After breakfast, drive to Konso where colorful costumes, an impressive landscape and unusually engraved wooden statues used as grave markers can be seen. Further along the route, visit the Woyito people live in the area around Woyito River and Tsemay village. Continue driving to Jinka. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight at Jinka Resort or Similar | | Day 5 | EXCURSION to MURSI TRIBE'S VILLAGES | After breakfast, leave Jinka and drive to Mursi village to visit and appreciate the very amazing culture of Mursi tribe. They are renowned for the custom that their women who, on reaching maturity, have their lower lips slit and circular clay discs inserted. Proceed to Mago National Park. After a picnic lunch in the late afternoon, drive back to Jinka. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight at Jinka Resort or Similar | | Day 6 | Turmi | After breakfast, drive to Turmi through Dimeka to visit the Hammer people and their village. As the day falls on a Saturday, stop at Dimeka for the Hammer tribes market. Turmi is a small town, where visitors overnight when visiting the Hammer village. Hammers have remarkable hairstyles made from ochre, water, and binding resin. They rub the mixture into their hair then twist the strands repeatedly to create coppery-colored locks. This is a sign of wealth and welfare. Hammers are considered to be masters of body decoration. They are also known for the Evangadi dance and Bull Jumping ceremony. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight at Turmi Campsite or Similar | | Day 7 | Turmi | Today, continue through the savannah along tracks that are barely visible, passing through a vast meadowland with shrubs and umbellifers ("umbrella" acacia trees). On arrival at the Korcho village, you will witness a beautiful view of the Omo River. The Karo people are famous for their body painting. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight at Turmi Campsite or Similar | | Day 8 | Arba Minch | Drive back to Arba Minch. En route, visit the Cushitic speaking Erbore people and their villages. The Erbore people adorn themselves with beads and aluminum jewelry. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight at Swaynes Hotel or Similar | | Day 9 | Awassa | In the morning drive to Langano Resort Lake or Awassa town. En route observe the Wolayita, Kembata, Hadiya, Halaba & Oromo people culture & villages. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight at Sabana Resort or Similar | | Day 10 | Addis Ababa | Enjoy more of the landscape of the Rift Valley on the drive back to Addis Ababa (approx 3 hours). You may visit the Ostrich farm at Abijata Shalla National Park and enjoy the stunning view over the Lakes of Abijata and Shalla. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner Overnight at Ghion Hotel or Similar | | Day 11 | BAHIR DAR | In the morning, transfer to the airport for your an hour's flight to Bahir Dar. Bahir Dar, is a beautiful town with tree-lined roads and the blue Lake Tana. Lake Tana is Ethiopia's largest lake and is dotted with islands. Many of these islands are the sites of churches and monasteries. After lunch, depart by boat to the Zeghe Peninsula, known for its 14th century, round, grass-roofed churches with their magnificent wall murals. You will visit two, Baeta Mariam and Ura Kidane Mihret Churches, walking through dense forest with prolific bird life. Bahir Dar has several clubs and bars where you can enjoy both traditional and modern Ethiopian music and dancing. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight at Tana Hotel or Similar | | Day 12 | BAHIR DAR | Your guide and driver will take you on a morning excursion to the Blue Nile Falls, about 30 km from Bahir Dar. They are Africa's second largest waterfalls and are at their most spectacular during and after the rainy season (from about June to January). This is where the Blue Nile, which contributes 85% of the main Nile, begins its long journey to the Mediterranean. After lunch, explore Bahir Dar, including the market and a visit of the Palace of the late Emperor Haile Selassie at Bezawite. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight at Tana Hotel or Similar | | Day 13 | Gondar | Transfer to the airport for the 25 minutes flight to Gondar. Gondar was the imperial capital from the 17th to the mid-19th century. Visitors come to see the Imperial Compound, with the enchanting "Fasilidas" castles still in good condition. Although many of Gondar churches were destroyed in the Mahdist invasion from Sudan in the 1880s, one fine example, Debre Berhan Selassie, survives. According to the legend, a swarm of bees diverted the invaders. The walls and ceiling are covered with vivid murals: the angels' faces on the ceiling have become a common motif in Ethiopian design. The tour ends with a visit to the ruined palace of Queen Mentowab and the church of Qusquam. The Mini Fogera is worth visiting in the evening for Azmari music and Ethiopian food. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight at Hotel Goha or Similar | | Day 14 | Axum | In the morning, you will transfer to the airport for your flight to Axum town. Axum was the most ancient capital city of Ethiopia. In this ancient town, you will visit the mysterious monolithic obelisks, ruins of ancient underground tombs, Axum Tsion church where the Original Ark of the Covenant is kept in a separate Chaplet, the bath of Queen of Sheba, archeological sites & museum etc. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight at Yeha Hotel or Similar | | Day 15 | Lalibela | In the morning, fly to Lalibela and start celebrating the Timket Festival which is one of the most significant festivals in Ethipoia commemorating the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan. Dancing, singing and playing drums in the streets are all part of the festivities. A replica of the Tablets of Law or Ten Commandments, known as the Tabot, is carried by Priests in a procession that ends with a mass baptism. Also, tour the rock-hewn churches built by King Lalibela between the 12th and 13th centuries. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight at Roha Hotel or Similar | | Day 16 | Lalibela | Continue with the Timket celebrations and exploration of the rock-hewn churches. Bet Medihanialem is the largest, supported by 72 pillars and houses the 7kg (15 lbs) gold Lalibela Cross. You will go through a tunnel from Bet Medihanialem to Bet Mariam, in which there is a pillar that it is said Jesus Christ leaned against when he appeared in a vision to King Lalibela. Bet Mariam also contains fabulous carvings of various birds and animals. You will 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 is Bet Giyorgis, one of the more recent churches and best preserved. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight at Roha Hotel or Similar | | Day 17 | Departure | You will be transfered to Lalibela Airport for a flight to Addis Ababa. In the afternoon, continue your city tour of Addis Ababa and shop for souvenirs, before your evening's departure. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast |
| | | Single Supplement $ 450.00 Minimum 6 passengers Airfare out of Washington Dulles is $1,440 USD |
|
|
|
|
|
