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Uncover the true ‘cradle of humanity’ in Ethiopia
*** In 2019 there will be additional day spent in the beautiful Simien Mountains at our Feature Stay lodge. Your day here can be spent enjoying the fantastic views from the lodge balcony while drinking Ethiopian coffee, or perhaps visiting the local community and learning how to make injerra - the national dish of Ethiopia. While in the south the itinerary will no longer visit the Mursi & Karo tribes but rather the lesser known Ari & Daensch tribes to give you a more authentic experience. The itinerary will remain 20 days and will finish on arrival at Addis Ababa airport for your onward flight or with a group transfer to your post trip accommodation. ***
Compared to what is found in Ethiopia, a more perfect combination of history, tradition, culture and nature couldn’t be created. Ethiopia is an incredible look back into history of the earth and humans. From 3 million-year-old fossilised hominid remains in Addis Ababa to incredible rock-hewn churches, hidden crypts and grottoes in Lalibela, this trip uncovers the 500-year-old monastery islands of Bahir Dar, the elegant castles and palatial complexes that stand guard over the city of Gondar, the majestic geological formations of the Simien mountains, the giant obelisks that rise of Axum, and even the rumoured home of the Ark of the Covenant. Take in views of the Blue Nile, the peaks of the Simien Mountains and the Rift Valley. Cross the savanna, look out for wildlife, taste the famous coffee and delectable cuisine, and encounter the genuine and friendly people along the way – in the Omo Valley, meet a diverse and fascinating range of distinct tribal groups. Explore by 4WD with your local leader, stopping at local markets and villages to discover one of Africa's last great wilderness areas. This is an adventure like no other.
- Start
- Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Finish
- Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Destination
- Ethiopia
- Style
- Peregrine
- Code
- PFLEC
- Physical rating
- Trip rating
- 4 reviews
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1, Max 12
Why you'll love this trip
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Enjoy an afternoon tour of Addis Ababa, including National Museum, Holy Trinity Cathedral and the public square, then a traditional Ethiopian dinner at local project helping the youth of Addis Ababa.
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Take a cruise around Lake Tana - Ethiopia's largest body of water and a source of the Nile - enjoying an on-deck sundowner after checking out island monasteries.
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Venture out on a game walk through the grasslands of the Nechisar Plain in search of zebra, kudu and gazelle.
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Walk through the Simien Mountains National Park and up to Sankaber before staying at our feature stay - the architecturally designed Limalimo Lodge.
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Enjoy a sundowner, local music and dancing on the terrace of our Konso lodge.
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Uncover the eight distinct tribes that call the Omo Valley home, and gain a deeper understanding and respect for their lifestyle and traditions.
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Learn about the importance of scarification and hair grooming for the Karo and the Hamer people in the market town of Turmi.
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See the amazing rock-hewn churches of Lalibela with a guided tour over 2 afternoons before an open-air dinner with spectacular views looking over Lalibela.
Is this trip right for you?
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There are 4 flights included in this itinerary, however the drives on day 2, 4 and 15 will take the majority of the day.
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The walk in the dramatic Nechisar National Park takes approximately 2 hours and can be hot and humid. Be sure to pack appropriate clothing, sun protection, and be sure to drink lots of water.
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Some accommodations on this trip are below the usual Peregrine standard, however are the best in the area. These stays will be at Bahir Dar, Gondar, Axum, Turmi & Konso.
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Festivals and markets are a big part of Ethiopian culture and are a fascinating sight. Sometimes we will amend the order of the Arba Minch to Turmi portion of the itinerary to allow for the group to partake in markets or local festivities.
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Itinerary
Accommodation
- Jupiter hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Addis Ababa - Afternoon City Tour
Meals Included
- Dinner
Special Information
The 18 January departure will forego the afternoon city tour and instead partake in Timket festival. The festival is a three day festival that commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ. Today the priests remove the ‘Tabots' from each church and march to the nearest water source, where the communal baptism takes place. The procession is accompanied by thousands of locals dressed in dazzling white traditional dress that contrasts the colours of the ceremonial robes and sequined velvet umbrellas of the priests. Stay close to your leader and fellow group members as you follow the procession to Jan Meda.The 26 September departure will forego the afternoon city tour and instead will partake in Meskel Festival. In Addis Ababa, on the afternoon of 26 September, the clergy from all the churches of the capital gather on Meskel square to perform religious ceremonies involving singing and drumming. Then in the late afternoon, bonfires and candles are lit by the bishop and crowd.
Accommodation
- Tana Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Lake Tana - Boat Cruise
- Lake Tana- Sundowner Boat Drinks
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Tana Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Bahir Dar - Blue Nile Falls
Optional Activities
- Bahir Dar - Lake Tana Lookout - Free
- Bahir Dar - Market Visit - Free
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Goha Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Gondar - Church & Castles tour
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Feature Stay at Limalimo Lodge or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Simien Mountains National Park - Walk
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
Perched on the edge of the Ethiopia’s Simien Escarpment our feature stay; Limalimo Lodge is a beautiful place to experience Ethiopia's Simien Mountains National Park. The bar and restaurant are perched on top of the hill with views along the dramatic escarpment and onto the lowlands below. The 12 rooms are scattered around the site among the trees with views over wooded hillsides. Enjoy the spectacular views over Ethiopia's Simien Mountain landscape while staying warm around the fire pit or curling up in front of the log fire.Accommodation
- Feature Stay at Limalimo Lodge or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Yared Zema Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Yared Zema Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Axum - Full Day Tour
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Maribela Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Lalibela - Afternoon Tour
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Maribela Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Lalibela - Afternoon Tour
- Lalibela - Sunset drinks
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Jupiter Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Addis Ababa - Afternoon City Tour
- Addis Ababa - Bahir Zaf Dinner
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Feature Stay at Paradise Lodge or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Arba Minch - Dorze Village Visit
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Feature Stay at Paradise Lodge or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Nechsar National Park - Lake Chamo Boat Cruise
- Nechsar National Park - Game Viewing Walk
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Special Information
The roads within the park are sometimes impassable if there have been heavy rains. If this should happen, you’ll take a guided walking tour within the park instead.Festivals and markets are a big part of Ethiopian culture and are a fascinating sight. Sometimes we will amend the order of the Arba Minch to Turmi portion of the itinerary to allow for the group to partake in markets or local festivities.
Accommodation
- Omo Eco lodge or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Omo Eco Lodge or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Jinka - Ari villages
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Buska Lodge or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Turmi - Hamer village
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Buska Lodge or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Turmi - Market Visit
- Omorate - Daasanach community
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Kanta Lodge or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Konso - Local Music & Sundowner
- Konso - Village Visit
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
Total driving today is approximately 5-6 hours.Optional Activities
- Addis Ababa - Holy Trinity Cathedral - USD5
- Addis Ababa - National Museum - USD1
- Addis Ababa - Africa Hall - Free
- Addis Ababa - Merkato - Free
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Meals
18 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 8 dinnersTransport
Private vehicle, 4WD vehicle, Boat, PlaneAccommodation
Comfortable Hotel (4 nights), Tourist Hotel (5 nights), Lodge (5 nights), Feature Stay Lodge (4 nights)Included Activities
- Addis Ababa - Afternoon City Tour
- Lake Tana - Boat Cruise
- Lake Tana- Sundowner Boat Drinks
- Bahir Dar - Blue Nile Falls
- Gondar - Church & Castles tour
- Simien Mountains National Park - Walk
- Axum - Full Day Tour
- Lalibela - Afternoon Tour
- Lalibela - Sunset drinks
- Addis Ababa - Bahir Zaf Dinner
- Arba Minch - Dorze Village Visit
- Nechsar National Park - Lake Chamo Boat Cruise
- Nechsar National Park - Game Viewing Walk
- Jinka - Ari villages
- Turmi - Hamer village
- Turmi - Market Visit
- Omorate - Daasanach community
- Konso - Local Music & Sundowner
- Konso - Village Visit
Dates & availability
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There are currently no scheduled departures on our Ethiopia Experience trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.
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Important notes
1. There is a city tour of Addis Ababa at approximately 2pm on Day 1. Please ensure flights arrive prior to midday.
2. On day 19 there is an included flight back to Addis Ababa international airport. Please do not book any international flights until after 4pm.
3. Accommodation on this trip is twin share unless otherwise stated. An optional single supplement is available on all nights of this trip (subject to availability)
4. This is a combination trip made up of 2 shorter trips. This means the composition of your group may change when you arrive back in Addis Ababa as some group members leave and new ones join you.
5.We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest information on travelling in Ethiopia before your departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas of your itinerary. We have links to prominent government travel advisories and regular updates on issues affecting this trip on our Travel Alerts page - https://www.intrepidtravel.com/travel-alerts

Essential trip information
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