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Ethiopia is one of the best kept secrets in the world for seeing an astonishing range of wildlife, architecture and ancient artifacts and ruins and a multitude of different cultures.
Depart the USA on any regularly scheduled flight to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Welcome to Ethiopia! Coda Tours’ representatives will receive you on arrival at the Addis Ababa Airport where you can obtain your visa for entry. Transfer to our hotel. After taking a rest, we will start to explore Addis Ababa, the third highest capital in the world. The visit includes the National Archaeological Museum, ranked among the most important in sub-Saharan Africa. Here one finds exhibits ranging from the 3.2million-year-old bones of Lucy, the pre-Aksumite, Aksumite, Solomonic and Gonder periods, with a wide array of artifacts, including an elaborate pre-1st-century-AD bronze oil lamp showing a dog chasing an ibex, a fascinating 4th-century-BC rock-hewn chair emblazoned with mythical ibexes, and ancient Sabaean inscriptions. The Ethnographic Museum, with its two main sections covering local crafts and regions and peoples, is an ideal place to start learning about Ethiopia’s rich ethnic diversity. The museum has an impressive array of religious crosses, triptychs and murals, as well as Haile Selassie’s (Ethiopia’s last Emperor) bedroom and bathroom. Next, it is on to Holy Trinity Cathedral. Built in 1945, this cathedral is renowned for its stunning stain-glassed windows which depict scenes from the Old and New Testament of the Holy Bible. The Trinity Cathedral also houses the tombs of the late emperor and his family as well as the tomb of English feminist, Sylvia Pankhurst.
This morning, fly to Bahir Dar, an attractive town on the shores of Lake Tana that boasts an almost tropical ambiance. Enjoy a cruise on Lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia. Of the vast lake’s 33 islands, 23 of them have churches and monasteries of historical and cultural interest, some of which still forbid women to enter. Then see the stunning frescoes, ancient biblical manuscripts and old crosses of the monastery church of Ura Kidane Mihret.
Embark upon a scenic drive to Gondar, the first capital of the Ethiopian empire, founded in 1635 by the Emperor Fasilidas. Gondar is best known for its collection of 17th-century castles and palaces. This afternoon, visit the palaces, the library of Fasilidas’ son and the church of Debre Berhan Selassie, which is located at the summit of a hill and surrounded by fortified walls. Finally, explore the ruins of Kuskuam Church and a nearby palace.
Discover the wild beauty of Simien Mountains National Park. The road to the park passes through mountainous areas boasting amethyst colored peaks and deep gullies. These river valleys are home to the Walia ibex and troops of mischievous Gelada baboon, which are endemic to Ethiopia. After a picnic lunch in the park, visit the former village of the Felasha (African Jews) who have now migrated to Israel.
This morning head a little deeper into the park, up to and a little past Sankaber, for marvelous views and plenty of Gelada baboons. See the endemic Gelada or bleeding heart baboon, the Walia Ibex, the Semien Wolf (the rarest canid in the world) and rock hyrax. Endemic birds abound. Cruising Lammergeyers are often seen. The park is also famous for its Afro-Alpine flora, meadows and grasslands punctuated by Giant Lobelia and flowering Red Hot Pokers. Drive back to Gondar (5-6 hours over gravel road.) Overnight in Gondar.
Fly to Axum, which was founded at least three centuries before the birth of Christ. Axum was the capital of one of the oldest African empires — and the city represented a crucial connection between Africa and Asia for almost a thousand years. It is also the site of the Cathedral of Tsion Maryam, which was founded in the 4th century and is still considered the home of Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity. Visit this cathedral, where the Ark of the Covenant is reputed to be stored; the palace of the Queen of Sheba; and a field of carved monoliths from pre-Christian times. The most controversial of the stelae, the Obelisk of Axum, was stolen by Italian forces in 1937 during Italy’s conquest of Ethiopia, and has only recently been returned and restored.
Fly to Lalibela, which was formerly the thriving capital of a medieval dynasty. Legend tells that in this town, once called Roha, a mother saw her baby in a cradle surrounded by a dense swarm of bees. She called her son “Lalibela”— meaning “the bees recognize his sovereignty” — and he went on to build many of the stone churches, painstakingly hewn from the rock more than 800 years ago, for which the town is renowned. After lunch, discover these wonders of the world, many of which still hold religious services.
After breakfast journey to the Monastery of Nakuto leab. Located on the outskirts of the city, this monastery was hewn out of a rock cave. Alternatively, you may choose to embark on a ‘mule trek’ up Mount Ashetone to pay a visit to the Ashetone Mariam Monastery. The road up the mountain is very steep and looks like a twisted rope hugging the wall.
After breakfast transfer to the airport for our flight to Addis. Upon arrival in Addis drive to Langano.
Early morning after breakfast drive to Arbaminch. En route visit the home of the Dorze people at Chencha, renowned cotton weavers whose tall beehive- shaped dwellings are among the most distinctive traditional structures to be seen anywhere in Africa. The main occupations of the region are subsistence farming and weaving. The shama cloth produced around Chencha is regarded to be the finest in Ethiopia. Plain white gabbi robes and brightly colored scarf-like netalas are sold along the roadside.
Early this morning, we will enjoy a boat trip on Lake Chamo – one of the best features of the park. View large numbers of hippos and crocodiles from a very close range. Then drive to Jinka through the Konso village, whose people are known for their intricately terraced hillsides, fine woven materials and the carved totems with which they decorate their graves. Enjoy the terraced land, recognized and prized by UNESCO. Visit the Machekie tribe, on the way to Machekie there is a home of the Konso tribal king. Proceed to Weito village and then to Jinka visit South Omo Research Center (Museum), an excellent for information about the tribes that live in Lower Omo. Then drive to Yetnebersh village to visit the Ari tribe and visit how they make their local liquor from Sorghum, Garlic and maize.
Early morning drive from Jinka to Mago National Park. Mago National Park, located on the east bank of the river Omo. Drive to a Mursi village to meet with the people and learn about their culture. One of the tribe’s distinguishing characteristics is the custom of adult women wearing circular disks in their lower lips. In Turmi, the women of the Hamer are a fine looking people, both men and women take great pride in their appearance, shaving and coloring their hair, oiling their bodies and decorating themselves with beads and bracelets worn around arms and legs. This afternoon, arrive at Buska Lodge on the banks of the Keske River.
Early morning drive to Murelle to visit the Karo people near by the Omo River. They are easily recognizable by their elaborate body scarifications and their lower lips pierced with a stick or a plate of ivory.
Morning after breakfast drive to Arbaminch and en route see the beautiful terraced agricultural fields of the Konso. The Konso people are famous for their traditional terracing system and Waka Totem (Grave wooden totem). Today, you will be able to visit the compound and house of the Chief of Kertita Clan and his chiefly artifacts.
En route visit Tiya prehistoric site, classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Here we can see the northernmost example of a peculiar type of engraved, standing stellae which stretches across parts of southern Ethiopia. These stellae are believed to have been erected between the 12th and 14th centuries and are almost certainly grave markers – recent excavations at Tiya have revealed the remains of young people of both sexes, 18 – 30 years old and buried in fetal positions. Tonight enjoy a memorable farewell dinner in one of the traditional restaurants of Addis Ababa complete with traditional Ethiopian food and cultural dances. Transfer to the airport for your departure.
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