Ethiopia Experience
19 days
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Small Group Tour
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...
Overview
Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule
Highlights
- 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.
- 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.
- Venture out on a game walk through the grasslands of the nechisar plain in search of zebra, kudu and gazelle.
- Walk through the simien mountains national park and up to sankaber before staying at our feature stay - the architecturally designed limalimo lodge.
- Enjoy a sundowner, local music and dancing on the terrace of our konso lodge.
- Uncover the eight distinct tribes that call the omo valley home, and gain a deeper understanding and respect for their lifestyle and traditions.
- Learn about the importance of scarification and hair grooming for the karo and the hamer people in the market town of turmi.
- 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.
What's this trip about?
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.
Details
Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - max of 12 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityAddis Ababa
End CityAddis Ababa
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Popular Trips
Itinerary
Day 1 Addis Ababa
Begin this Ethiopian adventure in the capital of Addis Ababa with a welcome meeting at 1pm. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your Jupiter Hotel (approximately 30 minutes). In the afternoon you’ll take a tour of this bustling city, dotted with Italian archi...
Day 2 Bahir Dar
This morning you will be met and transferred to the airport for a short flight to Bahir Dar, one of the most attractive towns in northern Ethiopia. Drive the short distance to your hotel, lying on the shores of the lush setting of Lake Tana. This afternoon, board a sight...
Day 3 Bahir Dar
After breakfast you will leave for the Blue Nile Falls. Located 32 kilometres south of Bahir Dar, the Blue Nile Falls measure over 400 metres wide and descends 48 metres in full flood. These falls are known locally as Tis Isat (Smoking Water) and are a spectacular sight ...
Day 4 Gondar
Travel north around the edge of Lake Tana this morning and head for the regal city of Gondar. This drive will take approximately 4.5 hours, including stops for photos along the way. Gondar was the 17th and 18th century capital of Ethiopia, and is famed for its medieval c...
Day 5 Simien Mountains National Park
Continue North in the morning, making a 3-hour drive into the Simien Mountains. Once you arrive in your National Park hilltop lodgings, the rest of the day is free for you to explore the beautiful surrounds. If you’d like, you can take a walk through the park that will l...
Day 6 Simien Mountains National Park
Today you will enjoy a scenic walk within the Simien Mountains National Park. The park is a majestic series of undulating amethyst peaks, including Ethiopia’s highest point – Ras Dejen. The peaks have been eroded over millions of years and have left strange and wonderful...
Day 7 Axum
Take the asphalt but winding road up to the fabled city of Axum, crossing the lowlands of the Simien Mountains and the Tekeze River gorge (approximately 4.5 hours). Though this is a long and winding journey, the spectacular views of the mountains makes the time slide awa...
Day 8 Axum
Today you will tour the incredible historical sites of Axum. Visit the stele fields, several tombs, the ruins of the Queen of Sheba’s palace and an archaeological museum. The field is home to over 100 stele – the largest one measuring 33 metres and weighing an incredible...
Day 9 Lalibela
Take an early morning flight from Axum to Lalibela (approximately 140 minutes), where you will stay for two nights. Despite the town of Lalibela being isolated in the Lasta Mountains at 2,630 metres above sea level, it is still the home of Ethiopia’s top sight, and one o...
Day 10 Lalibela
This morning there is an option to trek to the rock church of Asheten Mariam, which sits atop the 3,150-metre-high Abune Josef mountain that overlooks Lalibela. You will climb for 2.5 hours to the summit, where the church is carved out of a cleft into the cliff face. The...
Day 11 Addis Ababa
A flight (approximately 1.5 hours) takes you back to Addis Ababa for arrival in the early afternoon. As this is a combination trip there will be another welcome meeting on arrival at your hotel in Addis Ababa to run through the next stage of the itinerary and meet travellers joining your journey. The afternoon is then yours to relax and perhaps find the perfect Ethiopian coffee shop.
Day 12 Arba Minch
Begin the day by travelling to the town of Arba Minch in the south of Ethiopia (approximately 9 hours), a region noted for its enormous variety of peoples and cultures. Many of these populations are nomadic or semi-nomadic and, far from the influence of the modern world,...
Day 13 Arba Minch
With some of the most dramatic scenery in Africa, Nechisar National Park lies at the heart of the Rift Valley, covering Lakes Chamo and Abaya and the mountainous causeway between them known as the 'Bridge of God'. Today you will visit Nechisar for a game viewing walk, an...
Day 14 Jinka
Before leaving the dramatic surrounds of Arba Minch, make a stop at a Dorze village. The Dorze are known for their cotton weaving skills and their beehive style huts, which are some of the most distinctive traditional dwellings on the continent. Made of bamboo and a that...
Day 15 Jinka
In the morning, pay a visit to one of the Ari villages around Jinka. The Ari people are not inundated with tourists in the manner of similar communities, though their style of dress and houses are frequently colourful and eye-catching. Their villages are typically verdan...
Day 16 Turmi
Today you will drive south (approximately 3 hours) to the town of Turmi, an important market town. The two main tribes that live in the area are the Karo and the Hamer, both of whom practise elaborate body decoration. Today you’ll visit a nearby Hamer village and learn m...
Day 17 Turmi
This morning you’ll journey south, driving 75 kilometres (47 miles) to Omorate, a dusty river town where wildlife roams freely. Pass through acacia forests, where you will see Hamer tribespeople herding cattle. Then, visit a Daasanach community, where you’ll see people w...
Day 18 Konso
Today head northeast on a drive that offers spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding scenery, including the terraced hills of Konso. Along the way, you may be lucky enough to see the small dik-dik antelope and the impressively-horned lesser kudu. All roads into Sou...
Day 19 Addis Ababa
We drive back to Arba Minch in the morning and take the flight back to Addis Ababa in the afternoon. From here you can take a transfer with us to your additional accommodation or wait for your flight home.
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Dates & Availability
Price From $8,600
Price per day$453
Last Updated: 8/16/2019
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Peregrine Adventures.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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Logistics
Accommodation
Comfortable Hotel (4 nights),Tourist Hotel (5 nights),Lodge (5 nights),Feature Stay Lodge (4 nights),
Transportation & Flights
Private vehicle,4WD vehicle,Boat,Plane,
Transportation & flights
Private vehicle,4WD vehicle,Boat,Plane
Guides
On this trip you will have the services of a Peregrine trip leader, a driver, and specialised tour guides during some of the city and historical site tours.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for all our trips. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects.
When travelling on a group trip, you won't be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24 hour emergency contact number has been seen by your leader.
If you have credit card insurance your group leader will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country.
Visa requirements
PASSPORT
As a general rule most countries expect that your passport has a minimum of 6 months validity remaining. Please ensure the name on your passport matches the name on your booking and airline tickets. Your passport details are required to complete your booking. Your consultant will contact you when this is required. Take a copy of the main passport pages and other important documents with you, and leave another copy at home with family or friends.
VISAS
Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information. Please visit the relevant consular website of the country or countries you’re visiting for detailed and up-to-date visa information specific to your nationality. Your consultant will also be happy to point you in the right direction with acquiring visas. Visas can take several weeks to process, so familiarise yourself with any requirements as soon as you have booked your trip to allow for processing time.
ETHIOPIA:
All nationalities require a visa for entry to Ethiopia. If you are flying into Addis Ababa you can obtain a 90-day visa can be purchased on arrival. You will need two passport photos and approximately USD50 in cash. You may be asked for proof of a return ticket - please carry your Essential Trip Information if you are leaving overland. If you are entering at any border other than Addis Ababa airport you MUST obtain your visa in advance.
For more information, please contact your closest Ethiopian embassy or consulate as this information may change.
Health & Safety
Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas your itinerary covers. Please refer to our website's travel alerts page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trip.
PERSONAL BELONGINGS:
We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, air tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage.
FREE TIME:
Your leader will accompany you on all included activities, however during your trip you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your group leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns. FIRE PRECAUTIONS:
Please be aware that local laws governing tourism facilities in this region differ from those in your home country and not all the accommodation which we use has a fire exit, fire extinguishers or smoke alarms.
BALCONIES:
Some hotel balconies don't meet western standards in terms of the width of the balcony fence being narrower than 10cm.
TRAFFIC AND DRIVING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD:
Depending on where you come from please note that drivers in this part of the world may drive on the opposite side of the road from what you are used to. Look both ways before crossing any road. Traffic can be a little more chaotic than you might be used to at home. Be aware!
SEAT BELTS:
Please be aware that local laws governing transportation safety may differ from those in your home country and not all the transport which we use is able to provide seat belts.
PICK POCKETING & PERSONAL SAFETY:
While travelling there is always the risk of pick-pocketing and petty theft, particularly in the more touristy cities. We recommend that you exercise caution when walking at night and encourage you to walk in groups and only on main, well-lit thoroughfares. Be particularly vigilant on public transport. Simple measures like carrying your day pack on your front, not hanging your bag over the back of your chair or on the floor and wearing a money belt will reduce any chance that your valuables should go missing.
WATER SAFETY:
Please take care when taking part in any activities in the ocean, river or open water, where waves and currents can be unpredictable. It's expected that anyone taking part in water activities is able to swim and have experience in open water. All swimmers should seek local advice before entering the water.
TRAVEL ADVICE & TRAVEL INSURANCE
We recommend that you check your government's advice in relation to the areas you will be visiting for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas your itinerary covers.
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Finish point Jupiter International Hotel, Cazanchise Tito S Addis Ababa ETHIOPIA Phone: +251 11 552 7333
Trip ID
peregrine-PFLEC
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