14-Day Ethiopia Adventure through Omo Valley and Northern Heritage

• On arrival in Addis Ababa, you will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. Addis was founded in 1886 by Menelik II and is situated at around 2438 m, making it the world's third-highest capital city. Addis Ababa enjoys an excellent climate all year round, with an average temperature of 25°C. We will start our sightseeing at the National Museum, which houses some of the country's historic treasures. The fossils and bones of early hominids discovered in Ethiopia include the 3.5 million-year-old remains of 'Lucy', the oldest hominid ever found. Proceed to visit two major highlights of the city, the Ethnographic Museum and the Church of the Holy Trinity, Ethiopia's main cathedral and home to the remains of the last emperor, Haile Selassie. Overnight at Damat Hotel.

• Today we fly north to Bahir Dar, the capital of the Amhara region, situated on the shores of Lake Tana, the largest lake in the country. Bahir Dar is one of the best-planned cities in Ethiopia. This morning, we take a boat trip on the lake to learn the secrets the monasteries and churches hold on the islands. We will visit Ura Kidane Mihret Church on the Zeghie Peninsula. Under the thatched roof are some distinctive colourful paintings of religious scenes and an impressive display of illuminated Bibles written in Ge'ez, the religious language from which Amharic is derived.
• In the afternoon, we will visit Tississat Falls, Amharic for 'water that smokes', located about 32 km south of Bahir Dar. Due to a nearby hydroelectric power scheme, the waterfalls sometimes cannot be guaranteed to be in full force. Overnight at Kuriftu Resort.

This morning, we drive 3 hours (185 km) north to Gondar, the former capital of Ethiopia. Gondar has now become one of Ethiopia's largest and most impressive cities, with its walled Royal Enclosure. Gondar's most famous monuments are its exceptionally well-preserved 17th-century castles. The largest and best is that of King Fasilidas. It is a stone-built construction with round turrets and wooden balconies. The king also built a remarkable bath a mile or so outside town known as the 'Pavilion of Delight'. The Bathhouse of Fasil is where thousands of Ethiopians celebrate the Timkat festival every January. This whole complex of buildings is unique in Ethiopia and unlike anything found elsewhere in Africa. This afternoon, we'll also visit Debre Birhan Selassie Church (Light of Trinity), with its sensational angelic ceiling and mural. Overnight at Ag Palace Hotel.

• After breakfast, we drive to Debark on the edge of the Simien Mountains. In the late morning, we drive up into the mountains for some spectacular views of this unique ecosystem. We take an optional 1.5-hour walk, mostly flat or downhill, and we will see the endemic Gelada baboons, klipspringers, lammergeyer vultures, and bushbuck. The scenery is truly breathtaking, and there will be time for a walk around the Sankaber region of the National Park. The maximum altitude we reach is 3250 m. In the afternoon, we will drive back to Gondar for our overnight stay.

• We will take a short flight to the city of Axum, once one of the most powerful cities in the ancient world. Located at the centre of the trading routes between the Mediterranean and India and the great port of Adulis on the Red Sea, it was economically, politically, and technically advanced and, at times, had control over both sides of the Red Sea. Axum is also the origin of Christianity in Ethiopia and is believed to be the resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. The old St Mary of Zion Church was the first to be built in Sub-Saharan Africa around 330 AD. Its ruins can be seen in the precinct of the church compound. We visit the famous monolithic stelae of Axum; the tallest one still standing reaches over 21 metres, and the greatest one, once 34 metres high, now lies toppled on the ground.
• However, it is still the largest monolith ever erected by man. The subterranean tombs, stone inscriptions of ancient Axumite kings, and the small archaeological museum are also living witnesses to ancient Axumite history. We will also visit the ruined palace of the Queen of Sheba, who is said to have given birth to Menelik the First, fathered by King Solomon.
• Overnight at Yared Zema International Hotel.

• After a short flight, we start our day by visiting the first cluster of rock-hewn churches in the afternoon. Lalibela, the 'New Jerusalem', is thought to have been constructed some 800 years ago by King Lalibela. Although churches carved in rock are found in other parts of the world, those found in Ethiopia are particularly interesting. Generally, they were excavated on all sides of a rectangle, leaving a large block of granite isolated in the centre. This rock was then shaped and formed both inside and out, and the carvings show extremely skilful workmanship. They have been classified as one of the wonders of the world. Each church has a unique architectural style, and all are superbly carved. There are 11 rock-cut churches, of which the most impressive is Bet Giorgis. It is carved in the form of a Greek cross and is exceptionally well preserved.
• Overnight at Top Twelve Hotel.

• Today we will visit the church of Yimrhane Kristos. This exquisite church, a masterpiece of Axumite wood and stone construction, is renowned for its interior decoration and its beautiful wooden coffer ceiling inlaid with hexagons and medallions featuring both figurative and geometric motifs. Drive back to Lalibela. In the afternoon, we will visit the remaining rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, including the churches of Bete Gabriel and Rafael, Merkorous, Emanuel, and Abba Libanos. Bete Emanuel is the best in this group and is exceptionally carved with unique Axumite building features, such as the indentations on the walls, symbols of the multi-story building taken from the stelae of Axum, monkey heads, and false windows. Overnight at Top Twelve Hotel.

• After breakfast, we will transfer to the airport for our flight back to Addis Ababa. On arrival, we will drive directly to Lake Langano and enjoy more of the Rift Valley landscape and the stunning views over the lakes of Abijata and Shala. We can visit the ostrich farm at Abijata Shala National Park. In the afternoon, we will relax on the shore of Lake Langano. Overnight at Lake View Hotel.

• On this day, we will drive to Arba Minch through the Sodo Village and then proceed northwest of Arba Minch to the Guge Mountains to visit the Dorze and Chencha villages. Once warriors, the Dorze turned to farming and weaving to earn a living. They speak an Omotic tongue, and the Dorze name is synonymous with the best-woven cotton cloth. Also, the Dorze beehive-shaped houses are constructed entirely of organic material and have a small garden surrounded by beds of spices, cabbage, and tobacco. Some of Ethiopia's best-woven cotton comes from Chencha, located 8 km northwest of Dorze Village. Men weave, and women spin. In the late afternoon, drive back to Arba Minch. Overnight at Tourist Hotel.

• Early in the morning, visit Lake Chamo, where you will see crocodiles.
• Later, drive to Konso, where colourfully costumed dresses, impressive terracing of the land, and unusually engraved wooden statues used as grave markers can be seen. Differing from their neighbours, the Konso are pure agriculturists, famed for their use of the stone terraces that they utilise to such good effect in this dry and barren region of basalt hills. Originally from the east and speaking an East Cushitic language, the Konso live in settlements surrounded by stone walls. A generation pole classifies the age of each town, and each family lives in compounds accessible only through gateways that require the visitor to enter on all fours, thereby rendering any potential attackers vulnerable.

Overnight at Emerald Lodge in Turmi.

Visit the Dassanech people, known for their unique customs and colorful attire. Explore their traditional villages along the Omo River, learning about their daily life and culture.

Witness traditional ceremonies, dances, and local crafts. Experience the rich heritage of one of Ethiopia's most fascinating tribal communities. Then return to Turmi, where you will attend bull jumping ceremonies. Overnight at Emerald Lodge.

After an early breakfast, you'll visit two fascinating tribes.

Karo Tribe: Known for their vibrant body art, face painting, and beadwork, the Karo live along the Omo River, practicing farming and cattle herding.

Mursi Tribe: Renowned for their striking lip plates and body decorations, the Mursi are pastoralists who use cattle herding as their main livelihood, with the lip plate symbolizing beauty and social status.

Overnight at Nasa Hotel.

After breakfast, fly back to Addis Ababa. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner before preparing for your departure.