13 Days & 12 Nights Historical & Cultural Tour - FOOTPRINT Ethiopia Tours & Travel

Meet at Bole International airport and transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is exploring the town of Addis Ababa; we began with National Museum to view the 3.6 million year old remains of Lucy, whose skeletal remains were discovered in 1974, Holy Trinity Cathedrals and time permitting Mount Entoto which rises up to an altitude of 3200 meters and offers the panoramic view of the metropolis and Mercato the open market.
Optional tour to Fistula Hospital is a remarkable place to visit, and is considered the best-run charity in the country
Overnight Jupiter International Hotel.

At a morning fly to Bahir Dar, and upon arrival drive to the Tis Isat Village and visit the Blue Nile Falls. This misty deluge produces rainbows that shimmer across the gorge as well as a small perennial rainforest of lush green vegetation, to the delight of the many monkeys and multi-coloured birds that inhabit the region.
In the afternoon boat trip over Ethiopia’s largest Lake Tana to see the medieval monasteries over the islands such as Ura Kidanemihret and Azoa Mariam
Overnight Tana Hotel.

8:00 Am. Meet at the lobby and drive to Gondar 175km/ 120 miles takes about 4 hours with photo stops.
After noon exploring the town of Gondar that includes the buildings that make up the Royal Enclosure and the baths of Fassilides and Debre Berhan Selassie Church, perhaps the country’s most famous Church and end the visit with Welleka village (Ethiopian Jew Village) Overnight Goha Hotel.

At a morning fly to Lalibela, after check in to Roha Hotel start to explore the remarkable rock hewn churches of Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This group of eleven monolithic and semi-monolithic structures were carved directly into the stone of the mountainside at least 800 years ago. This complex boasts the largest monolithic church in the world, a maze of passageways and tunnels, intricately carved reliefs, and fabulous examples of icon paintings. Overnight Roha Hotel.

Take a morning hike with mules (optional) or drive to Mount Asheton Mariam monastery, dated back to 13th century with great views of the area. Or, take an excursion to Yemrehanna Kristos, a beautiful church situated in a shallow cave that actually predates the churches of Lalibela. The drive to Yemrehanna will also give you the opportunity to view the rural countryside and villages of the Ethiopian highlands. Following lunch, continue your tour of the Lalibela churches. Overnight Roha Hotel.

Morning fly to Axum After check in to hotel start exploring Axum, Visit the Stele park, carved out of single granite stone of the pre Christian Era, Axum archaeological Museum, the palace and tombs of Kings Kaleb, the trilingual 4th century inscription.
After noon, visit the 17th century Church of St. Mary standing near to the ruins of an earlier 4th century church and is the country’s oldest and holiest Christian shrine. End the tour at the remnant palace of the legendary Queen Sheba.
Overnight at the Sabean Hotel .

Upon arrival we will have more sightseeing’s in Addis Ababa that includes Ethnographic Museum and St. George Cathedral .Overnight Jupiter International Hotel.

Drive to Ariba Minch via Butajirra, on the way visit Tiya Engraved Stelae field dated back 12th century and UNESCO’s world heritage site. Overnight Paradise Lodge.

Drive to Turmi, en route visit the Konso people with colourfully costumed dress, impressive terracing farming Land and unusually engraved wooden totem used as grave markers can be seen. Further along the route crossing the Woito River, visit Tsemay village. Overnight Turmi Splendour Lodge.

Drive to Murule and visit the Karo People. You will be driving through the Hamer village, which is good opportunity to see the way of life of the Hamer people. The Karo Tribe is famous for body decoration, scaring and body painting. They reside by the side of the Omo River. Drive back to Turmi and in the afternoon visit one of the known Hamer village and attend Tribal dance and bull jumping ceremony which is occasionally coincides and optional.
Overnight Turmi Splendour Lodge.

Drive to Jinka then Excursion drive to Mago National park to visit Mursi tribe known for inserting a lip plate (a clay disc) inserted into their cut and stretched lower lip known for their women lip plates and men for ritual stick fighting (donga).Overnight Jinka Resort Hotel

Drive back to Ariba Minch and on the way visit Tsemai tribes at Key Afer, upon arrival boat trip on Lake Chamo, known for spotting hippos and crocodiles as well as for birding. Overnight Paradise Lodge.

Drive back to Addis Ababa via Shashemene, on the way visit some of the rift valley lakes such as Lake Zeway. Early evening, we will have a coffee ceremony to our appreciation for touring with us, Foot prints and we dine a fair well dinner at one of the traditional restaurant with folklore music and dances. Then transfer to the airport for departure.