YOUR GROUPS IN ETHIOPIA

DAY 2

Addis Ababa, the “New Flower,” is the third-highest capital city in the world, located at 3,000 meters above sea level, offering cool temperatures and plenty of fresh mountain air. The city is charming, with fascinating museums and home to one of Africa’s largest open-air markets, Mercato. Addis Ababa is also Africa’s diplomatic capital, hosting the headquarters of the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commissions for Africa.

After a short refresh, we begin with a visit to the National Museum of Archaeology, one of the most important museums in sub-Saharan Africa. Here, the 3.5-million-year-old remains of Lucy are displayed—believed to be the ancestor of all humans. The museum features numerous ancient exhibits reflecting Ethiopia’s importance as the “Cradle of Humanity,” including war artifacts such as crowns, weapons, and images of heroes and kings.

Next, we visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral, built in 1945, renowned for its stunning stained-glass windows depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments. The cathedral also houses the tombs of the late emperor and his family, as well as the grave of English feminist Sylvia Pankhurst.

We continue with a tour of Mercato, Africa’s largest open-air market, where nearly everything imaginable is for sale—from animals to computers. Closed on Sundays, the market offers an enormous selection of Ethiopian arts and crafts for visitors skilled in bargaining.

For those with extra energy, the evening includes a jazz experience at one of Addis Ababa’s best venues. African Jazz Village is an intimate setting to enjoy great musicians, including the father of Ethiopian jazz, Dr. Mulatu Astatke. Reservations depend on how quickly the group forms. Dinner concludes the day.

DAY 3

After an early breakfast, transfer to Addis Abeba (Bole) international airport for the flight to Bahir Dar city. Bahir Dar is the capital of the Amhara region, located on the shores of Lake Tana, the largest lake in the country. Bahir Dar is one of the best-planned cities in Ethiopia. The name “Bahir Dar” means “near the sea.” After check-in at the hotel, we head to the magnificent Blue Nile Falls, “Tiss Isat” (smoking water). The falls are 328 feet wide, and the water drops from a height of 150 feet, creating a dazzling spray and rainbow, sustaining lush tropical vegetation where many monkeys and colorful birds live. The Blue Nile Falls are located 32 km from the city, and it is possible to walk approximately 30 minutes to the base of the falls. We will meet locals for a short coffee break. Cotton processing is the most well-known activity in this area. This is the most dramatic waterfall on the Nile River.

After lunch, we explore the invaluable monasteries from the 12th–14th centuries on Lake Tana during a cruise to the lush Zege Peninsula, witnessing Ethiopia’s ancient connections through the Tankwa papyrus boats, similar to those of ancient Egypt. We visit Azuwa Maryam Monastery, with its round thatched roof, one of the most aesthetically appealing churches on the Zege Peninsula. After an approx. 25-minute walk, we arrive at one of the largest monasteries in the region, Ura Kidane Mehret, renowned for its impressive and psychedelic murals that cover the curved walls. This monastery is one of the most accessible in the area and the most popular. Nestled behind tall palm trees and rich coffee farms, the monastery features vibrant frescoes depicting scenes from Ethiopian folklore and Christianity. Both men and women are allowed entry, and there is a small on-site museum, the Zege Satekela Museum, showcasing handcrafted tools and musical instruments still used today.

We will enjoy a spectacular view of Bezawit Hill and the Bahir Dar Agelgil open-air market, where we will meet local people. In the evening, there will be a family-style dinner featuring traditional Ethiopian dishes, prepared with group participation, including shopping at local markets, cooking, and serving. Organic fresh ingredients, halal options, and steamed vegetables are included. The experience of Ethiopian cuisine—the colors, presentation, and the sensation of the bread—is truly memorable and will stay with you for decades.

DAY 4

After breakfast, we will drive approximately 3 hours (185 km) to the city of Gondar, enjoying the picturesque views along the way and the local houses. Gondar, known as the “Camelot of Africa,” is a medieval royal city distinguished by its castles, imperial complex, and churches, especially Debre Berhan Selassie, whose walls and ceilings are completely covered with murals—the angel faces on the ceiling have become a common motif in Ethiopian design. After an optional lunch, we will visit the main sights of Gondar.

Gondar was founded by Emperor Fasiladas in 1636 as the royal capital of Ethiopia. For several centuries, Ethiopia was governed from a succession of temporary capitals, and Fasiladas recognized that a permanent capital could help ensure greater internal stability. By the time of Fasiladas’s death in 1667, Gondar was the largest and most important city in the empire. It remained Ethiopia’s capital for 250 years, though its status was largely diminished from the late 18th century onward. Today, Gondar is one of Ethiopia’s largest and most impressive cities, with its royal enclosure protected by walls.

The most famous monuments in Gondar are the exceptionally well-preserved castles from the 17th century. The largest and best-maintained is King Fasilidas’s castle, a stone construction with rounded turrets and wooden balconies. The king also built a remarkable bath about a mile outside the city, known as the “Bath of Delight.” Fasil Bath is the central scene for the annual Timkat festival celebrated by thousands of Ethiopians each January. The entire complex is unique in Ethiopia and distinct from anything else in Africa.

We will visit the Royal Enclosure, or Fasil Ghebbi, which includes the castles of various Gondar emperors, including Fasilidas’s palace and the Church of Quskuam, believed to have been the home of the famous explorer James Bruce in the 1770s. A short 2 km drive from the city center will take us to King Fasilidas’s bath, which now serves as the central stage for the Timkat (Epiphany) festival in Gondar.

In the evening, we will enjoy traditional Ethiopian music at Four Sisters in Gondar, a famous Azmari house for indigenous Ethiopian songs. Young couples, a man playing the Masinko (a stringed instrument), and a woman will perform, and if you like, you will have the chance to try local dances.

Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

DAY 5

Early in the morning, we leave the hotel and head toward the magnificent Simien Mountains, a national park in Gondar. After approximately 2 hours by coach, we arrive at the Simien Mountains, a dramatic volcanic landscape and a UNESCO World Heritage site, adorned with exceptional scenery and a true wildlife sanctuary, home to species such as the Ibex, red fox, and Gelada baboons, also known as the “bleeding-heart” baboons, which can be encountered in these areas.

We will visit Sankaber, the first viewpoint in the Simien Mountains, offering some of the most spectacular mountain landscapes in Ethiopia. Here, we will observe the Gelada baboons and their daily habits. A short walk will take us to a nearby waterfall across mildly rugged terrain. Optional: lunch can be enjoyed as a picnic in a picturesque valley.

On the way back to Gondar, we will visit the Ploughshare Crafts Training Center for Women, located 5 km from Gondar. This center supports disadvantaged women in preserving local traditions in pottery, weaving, and Amhara basketry. Founded in 1993, its mission is to assist single mothers who have lost their husbands due to HIV/AIDS, war, natural disasters, or divorce.

We will also visit the Ras Gimb Museum, an attractive palace likely built in the 17th century, which once served as a refuge for Emperor Haile Selassie, a residence for Italian generals, and even housed a torture chamber during the Derg, the 20th-century Ethiopian military government.

We return to Gondar for dinner and overnight stay.

Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

DAY 6

After breakfast, we will be transferred to the airport for a flight to Lalibela. Lalibela is a small town that hosts one of the most astonishing sacred sites in the world, featuring eleven medieval rock-hewn churches, each carved entirely from a single piece of stone. Known as the “New Jerusalem,” Lalibela was built by King Lalibela “with the help of angels” in the 12th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Perched among rugged mountains and vast rocky valleys, Lalibela has a cathedral-like grandeur. Some of the individual churches are believed to predate King Lalibela’s reign by five centuries. The churches in the southeastern group include Bet Gebriel-Rafael, Bet Abba Libanos, Bet Lehem, Bet Emanuel, and Bet Mercurios. According to legend, Bet Abba Libanos was built overnight by Lalibela’s wife, Meskel Kebre, assisted by a group of angels.

We will also explore the local markets in Lalibela, where colorful offerings and a wide variety of goods can be found. Guests will have the opportunity to attend a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, an integral part of the country’s social and cultural life. Participating in a coffee ceremony is considered a gesture of friendship and respect, exemplifying Ethiopian hospitality.

We return to the hotel for dinner and rest.

Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

DAY 7

After breakfast, we will visit the rock-hewn church of Yimrehane Kirstos, located 40 km from Lalibela. This church was built by King Yimrehane Kirstos before the reign of King Lalibela. The church is constructed inside a cave in the Axumite style, similar to the church at Debre Damo, featuring alternating levels of wood and stone.

If we are lucky and arrive on the right day, we may witness the annual celebration of King Yimrehane Kirstos and Saint Yimrehane Kirstos, attended by tens of thousands of pilgrims from across Ethiopia. It is one of Lalibela’s most joyful annual pilgrimages. The gathering is wrapped in white shawls, and with great devotion, participants join the priests in singing and dancing around the church to the powerful rhythm of drums.

After visiting the church, we will be transferred to the airport for a flight back to Addis Ababa, and then onward to Semera. In Semera, we will obtain permits to visit the Danakil Depression and meet our escorted guide for the journey, followed by check-in at the hotel for rest.

Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

DAY 9

Early in the morning, we will have breakfast and explore the incredible landscapes around Dallol. Dallol is located 116 meters below sea level, making it one of the lowest and hottest places on Earth. The Dallol volcano is covered with a thick layer of salt, yet bizarre salt formations, hundreds of fumaroles (gas vents), and colorful acidic lakes appear across the surface.

From Dallol, we will head to Erta Ale, stopping after 3–4 hours at Dodom to take camels for the trek to the Erta Ale volcanic eruptions, also known as the Smoking Mountain, a unique site with a constantly erupting lava lake. Erta Ale is one of the best places to study geology, especially volcanic activity. Beyond its adventurous appeal, Erta Ale is an active volcano that leaves a lasting impression, with temperatures exceeding 3000°C.

Dinner will be served around 6:00 PM, followed by the trek to Erta Ale, which takes approximately 30 minutes. The camels will carry all camping materials, food, sleeping pads, and water to the edge of the volcano, where we will spend the night watching the intense molten lava in action. New Erta Ale is part of the volcanic mountain chain and is one of Ethiopia’s most spectacular and challenging natural attractions. It is a shield volcano with a base diameter of 30 km and a roughly 1 km-wide summit caldera. It contains the only permanent lava lake in the world, where we will spend an unforgettable night atop the volcano.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

DAY 12

After an early breakfast, we will be transferred to the airport to fly to Jinka. The people of Jinka are part of the Ari community, one of the most culturally and economically influential groups in the Omo Valley. Traditionally, they lived independently until the late 19th century, when they were incorporated into the Ethiopian Empire. Their territories are divided into nine independent units, each led by a local chief and a spiritual leader known as a Babi.

Historically, Ari men could marry multiple wives if they could support their families. Today, with the spread of Christianity, polygamy has become less common, and most Ari men now have only one wife. The people are friendly and often invite visitors into their villages to experience daily life. Some Ari villages are large, with multiple streets. Their homes range from bamboo-and-thatch huts to more substantial mud-and-clay structures, with cooking and sleeping taking place inside. Many of these buildings are decorated with murals of animals, people, and cultural symbols in natural colors made from charcoal, cow dung, red earth, and water. These murals, called bartsi (“the gift of beauty”), are traditionally painted by women, while men focus mainly on farming.

We will visit the South Omo Research Museum and local villages around Jinka to observe daily life, including the preparation of traditional drinks from sorghum, garlic, and corn, and pottery-making. Dinner will be served at the hotel, followed by relaxation.

Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

DAY 13

After an early breakfast and receiving a packed lunch, today we will drive to the village of Kolcho and visit the Karo tribes. They are considered masters of body painting, which they apply when preparing for a dance, celebration, or ceremony.

Next, we will head to Konso, a village famous for its terraced hills, recognized by UNESCO, whose inhabitants are known for finely woven textiles and carved totems used to decorate graves. The Konso cultural community is located in the Southern Rift Valley of Ethiopia, with vibrant moringa trees and thatched huts, home to the traditional Konso farmers who grow cereals and cotton and raise cattle and goats. The vast landscape provides a stunning backdrop for Konso’s unique culture.

The Konso villages, known as kantas, are built on hills and surrounded by stone walls for protection. Winding paths through the village lead to the mora, a large thatched meeting hut used by surrounding communities. At night, unmarried young men sleep here to protect the community and learn about life. Konso culture offers visitors many experiences, from cultural performances to craft demonstrations, showing the continuing importance of traditions in daily life.

Konso is the youngest Ethiopian site included in the UNESCO World Heritage list (June 2011). The town of Karat, often referred to as Konso, is a concentrated hilltop settlement with communal houses and village squares. On these squares, the “generation pole” is erected every 18 years to mark a new generation. Well-known villages include Gesergiyo, Mecheke, Kamule, and Dekatu. Surrounding terraces allow for crop cultivation, and their agricultural skills are among the best in Ethiopia.

We will also visit the Waga stelae, carved wooden funerary markers for important Konso individuals. Each Waga symbolizes the hero, his wives, and defeated enemies or dangerous animals they killed.

We will stay overnight in Arba Minch and have dinner.

Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

DAY 14

Arba Minch is home to two of the largest lakes in Ethiopia’s Rift Valley, with stunning landscapes such as the “Bridge of God,” Nechisar National Park with its 40 springs, crocodile farms, the crocodile market, and the Dorze village mountain at the gateway. The city also serves as the southern gateway to the Omo Valley and Konso, making it one of Ethiopia’s top destinations.

After an early breakfast, we will head to Dorze village and visit the homes of the Dorze people in Chencha, about 40 km from the city. The Dorze are renowned cotton weavers, and their tall, beehive-shaped houses are among the most distinctive traditional structures in Africa. The main activities in the region are subsistence farming and weaving. The Shama fabric produced around Chencha is considered the finest in Ethiopia: simple white Gabbi garments and colorful Netalas resembling scarves are sold along the roads. Explore the vibrant Dorze local market decorated with vivid colors.

We will then take a boat trip on Lake Chamo, one of the park’s biggest attractions, famous for the large numbers of hippos and crocodiles visible from close range. The site known as “Azo-Gebeya,” or the Crocodile Market, offers one of the most impressive crocodile displays in Africa.

In the afternoon, we will fly back to Addis Ababa. In the evening, enjoy a cultural night at one of Addis Ababa’s restaurants. Ethiopia is a mosaic of people, with over 80 languages, diverse lifestyles, traditional costumes, and cultural dances. Guests will have the opportunity to experience some of these cultural dances and enjoy a traditional meal accompanied by Tej, a honey-based wine.

Transfer to the airport for departure home.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

*** ATTENTION! Please do not confuse some of the accommodations with the comfort of 4-star hotels! There are areas where you will stay exclusively in lodges or open-air camps, such as the night spent at the Erta Ale volcano. Set your expectations correctly. Complaints or demands regarding this matter will not be appreciated, so if your comfort zone is an all-inclusive resort in Cyprus, this expedition is not suitable for you.