| Home | PDF 2020 Trip |

28 Oct -14 Nov 2020 (18 days) Historic Route & Omo Valley Tribal Ethiopia
Cost Rm18,800 (per pax for 10 pax group), Rm18,300 (12 pax), RM17,600 (14 pax), RM16,800 (16 pax and above) (Included International flight & 3 sector domestic flight)
(Note : Based on USD 1 = RM4.10. We will make final adjustment on the cost based on the USD exchange rate in Sep-Oct 2020)

Update 15 Jan 2020 - We had added Danakil Depression this year and will skip some of the places. Travelling days become 18 days. Trip cost revised accordingly.

Update 12 Jan 2020 - Beautiful Landscape, people and culture are top reason why should we explore Ethiopia. Sept to year end is dry season, which is one of best time to go. Visa can be done via online effective 1st June 2018. Trip costs is based on today's flight fare at Rm3300 and will be updated if there is any changes. If fares are higher, group tops up. If lower, overall cost will be lowered. Please inform if you wish to extend to Danakil Expression after the trip. Please email rachelheng123@gmail.com to register.

IMPORTANT NOTICE
This is meant to be a "free and easy" adventure trip. Participants should be relatively fit, with a good sense of humour, and above all, have the right attitude for close travel with others through possibly some trying times. Most definitely, this is not a trip for prudes, whiners, fuss-pots, and other similiarly assorted types! We had a couple of those before and it wasn't pleasant for us or them. Although every effort will be made to stick to the given itinerary, ground conditions may change and cause some disruption and/or deviation from the norm. Otherwise, have fun!

                

 

Day 1 (28 Oct) KLIA-SIN-Addis Ababa : Meet at KLIA for flight ET619 at 2325PM. Will stopover SIN for 1hr15mins before off again to Addis Ababa. ON Plane.

Day 2 (29 Oct) Addis Ababa: Arrived ADD at 0635AM in the morning. Addis Ababa (the name means 'new flower'), the Ethiopian capital, is a delightful place to explore. Morning city tour of the capital including the National museum where you will visit the cast of 3.2 million years old "Lucy" and different historical monuments, continue the city tour at the Ethnological Museum which was the palace of his majesty Emperor Haile Selassie, this museum provides an overview of Ethiopian crafts, culture and art. Finally drive to Merkato, the largest open-air market in East Africa. Check in hotel. Overnight (ON) Addis Ababa.

Day 3 (30 Oct) Addis Ababa -Bahir Dar (Flight) : Fly Addis Ababa to Bahirdar.  Meet loacl guide in Bahirdar and visit the Blue Nile fall  & Lake Tana monastries.   The beautiful, palm-fringed town of Bahir Dar is situated at the southern end of Lake Tana. In the morning, visit the Tis-ISSAT waterfalls of the Blue Nile and in the afternoon you can enjoy a relaxing boat trip to two famous churches on the lake, in their treasuries precious icons, bibles and Coptic crosses are kept. O/N Bahirdar.

Day 4 (31 Oct) Bahir Dar - Gondar (185KM) : Take a trip to the former residence of Emperor Haile Selassie I, and enjoy a panoramic view from here on the Blue Nile, Lake Tana and the town of Bahir Dar. Then go to the imperial city of Gondar, which was founded in 1632 by the Emperor Fasilidas and was a center of Ethiopian art, literature and science for many decades. (Takes about 3 to 4 hours). City tour to the sites of Gonder in the afternoon will include the city's unique Imperial compound which contains a number of Castles built between 1632 and 1855 by various Emperors who reigned during this period , the bath of King Fasiledes,and the church of Debre Berhan Selassie with its unique murals. O/N Gonder.

  Gondar

Day 5 (1 Nov) Gondar - Simen Mountains - Debark (120KM to Semien Park) : Day excursion to Semien Mountains National Park. In the morning drive to Debark and continue to the Simien Mountains National park, magnificent mountain scenery of the Semien Mountains. After a walk of about 1-2h a panoramic view opens on the mountain chains of the entire environment. With a little luck you can watch Gelada Baboon or bearded vulture. Walk in the park. Have picnic lunch. Drive back to Debark for overnight. O/N Debark

 

Simien National Park//Gelada Baboon

Day 6 (2 Nov) Debark -Axum (260 KM) :We leave Debark and drive parallel to spectacular switchbacks to the Semien Mountains towards Axum. Green plateaus, steep cliffs and steep slopes characterize this impressive mountain scenery. On a clear day you can even see the highest mountain in Ethiopia, the Ras Dashen (4550 m). Many endemic species like Rotbrustpavian, Ethiopian wolf and Ethiopian ibex live in Semien National Park (UNESCO World Heritage).  In the afternon arrive in Axum , city tour of Axum (About 6-8h, 260 km) in a hotel. Axum, the former capital of the kingdom, is a center of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. From the heyday of the Axumite kingdom come, the 30-meter-high grave stelae. St. Mary's Church, the original Tablets of the Law of Moses to be saved. The tour of the ruins of former palaces, royal tombs, the "Bath of the Queen of Sheba" and other interesting buildings are now on the agenda. Overnight at Axum, Yared Zema Hotel Hotel or Similar standard accomodation O/N Axum

  

     

Axum

Day 7 (3 Nov) Axum - Gheralta/Hawzien-Mekele (250KM) : Today marvel the ancient Temple of Yeha ( 5th Century B.C ) and climb the built up monastery of Debre Damo which is allowed only for men, then continue to Mekele road. (Note: Debre Damo monastry is open only for men). Visit Wukro Cherkos rock hewn ancient monastery before reaching to Mekele. O/N Mekele.

Day 8 (4 Nov) Mekelle - Hamedella (180 KM )
Drive to Hamedela via Berhale. The Danakil Depression can be said to ‘begin’ here. The desert has several points lying more than 100 meters (328 ft) below sea level. Pass through a small town of Berhale where the camel caravans stop before they proceed to the northern highlands. En route you see many long caravans going to the salt mines and others coming out of the Danakil with their salt loaded camels. (3-4 hrs drive) OVERNIGHT Hamedela. (B /L/ D) CAMPING

Day 9 (5 Nov) Hamedella – Mekele ( 180 KM )
Morning driving tour to Ragad (Asebo), the place where the salts are mined. Observe the breaking of the salt from the ground, cutting into rectangular pieces and loading on camels. You drive ahead to Dallol and visit the difference landscape formed by volcanic activity, Dallol , Lake Assa , camel caravans. Excursion to Dallol (116 meter below sea level, one of the lowest places in the world) colorful salts mining, visit Lake Assal, follow up camel caravans and walk with the Afar people. Drive back to Hamedela and proceed to Mekele. OVERNIGHT in a hotel. (B /- / -)

 

Dallol

Day 10 (6 Nov) Mekele - Lalibela (flight)
Early in the morning, embark on a full day of driving to Lalibela.  Here you will pass through several small villages, with typical sandstone homes of the Tigray people.  Proceed through this rural area for the stunning approach to the home of Ethiopia’s most prized destination – Lalibela.  You will have stunning views of the Wollo Mountains as you travel through this dramatic landscape. Lalibela hosts 11 rock-hewn monolithic churches. This world-famous rock-hewn churches were built by King Lalibela in the early 13th Century.  One of the world's most incredible man-made creations, they are a lasting monument to man's faith in God. Most travel writers describe these churches as the "eighth wonder of the world. Overnight at Lalibela,

 

Lalibela

Day 11 (7 Nov) Visit the rock churches of Lalibela
In the morning, start your tour of the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, visiting the Northwestern Cluster of churches - Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, Bet Mikael & Bet Golgotha After lunch, continue with the Southeastern Cluster of churches – Bet Gabriel-Rufael, Bet Merkorios, Bet Amanual, and Bet Abba Libanos.  Finally, you will visit the most famous of all the churches – Bet Giyorgis, constructed in honor of the patron saint of Ethiopia – Saint George. Overnight at Lalibela.

Day 12 (8 Nov) Fly Lalibela - Addis (Flight)-Hawaasa (Drive): Fly back to Addis and then drive Addis to Hawassa (270 KM) - Fly back to Addis Ababa, where will meet your driver who will take you into the Rift Valley to Hawaasa Lake. On a short hike you can enjoy the nature with countless species of birds and mammals, such as discovering the imposing black-and-white colobus monkeys. O/N Hawassa

  

Day 13 (9 Nov) Hawassa- Arbaminch (220KM) : Experience today the fascinating culture and unique architecture of the indigenous peoples of the South. They travel first to the village of Wolayta, which is located in a spectacular landscape with green hills, before continuing to Chencha Mountain and visit the Dorze people. O/N Arbaminch.

Day 14 (10 Nov) Arbaminch - Turmi (270KM) : Boat excursion on Lake Chamo,  to see the biggest African crocodiles, and Hippopotamus as well as beautiful aquatic birds including the lovely Kingfisher and Fish Eagle. Drive to Konso en route passing different cultural people and their villages which includes, Gamo, Derashe, Konso people and undulating landscape of Konso and the surrounding area.  Visit one nice village of Konso. The Konso are famous for their old and unique terracing, unusual engraved wooden statues of Konso grave markers. The consolidation created a unique cultural landscape by terracing the hill slopes to the intensive cultivation and irrigation of crops. The unusual interaction between man and nature, was honored in June 2011 with the appointment as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Check in to hotel. Overnight at Turmi

Day 15 (11 Nov) Turmi (Turmi-Karo-Turmi 130KM) : : In the morning visit small ethnic group of diamonds on the Omo River called Karo. Particularly impressive from Konso are their body paintings and decorations scars. The Karo Tribe is the smallest tribe in the Omo Valley, South Ethiopia, and resides along the banks of the Omo River. After noon spend your time in Hammer villages in Turmi. Luckily you may get the chance to attend the wedding ceremony of the Hammers, the traditional “bull jumping“, it is a rite of passage for men before a man is permitted to marry. Payment for the "bull jumping " festvitiity is covered by tourists in case lucky to attend it. O/N Turmi

 

    

Interesting painting ethnic at South Ethiopia

Day 16 (12 Nov) Turmi (Turmi -Omorate- Jinka)(260KM) : Your day begins with a visit to the Dassanech in Omorate.  Drive to Omorate about 70 km southwest of Turmi and visit the tribe of Dasenech . Omorate lies on the banks of the Omo. A dugout canoe takes you across the river to a settlement or the Dasanech /Galeb. The semi-nomadic protect their light huts and cattle with thorns from wild animals.  The men wear ivory pegs in the lower lip or ear lobe scars and jewelry. They show their victories with Tonkappen in her hair. Drive back to Turmi for lunch and then continue to Jinka. O/N Jinka.

Day 17 (13 Nov) Mursi- Addis (Flight) (Jinka-Mago-Jinka 150KM) : Today will cross the Mago National Park to the land of the Mursi. The first arduous trip is rewarded with the sight of the vast plain on the Mursi Hills. The Mursi men are renowned warriors, and whose women are famous for the lip plates which is highly considered as sign of beauty. The Mursi live in the dry season on the western slopes of the Omo and grow Sorghun, corn and vegetables, they spend the rainy season, with their cattle herds in the Tama steppe.In addition, they hunt and go fishing. Return back to Jinka town for Lunch. Transfer to Jinka airport for your return flight back to Addis. You can have a last minute shopping in Addis. The evening goes with a traditional meal with a beautiful dance performance in a traditional restaurant in Addis Ababa. Go to airport after dinner. Take next day early morning (16th Nov) flight ET638 ADDKUL 0010. O/N Plane.

Day 18 (14 Nov) Home : Reached home at afternoon 1710PM (14 NOV).

    

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. Cost covers international flight, 3 sector domestic flight included tax & fuel surcharges, accommodation, transportation (midivan & 4WD), entrance fees, boat trip on Lake Tana & Lake Chamo
2. Accommodation will be in budget hotels.
3. Not covered are international flight airport taxes (subject to change appx RM1200), Lunch & Dinner (RM30-60 p/day) except breakfast, in-town taxis, Visa USD52 (Appx RM207), Yellow Fever Vaccine.
4. Guide/driver accompanying group do expect tips. Yongo encourages group members to be generous but should commensurate with services rendered.
5. A deposit of Rm2500 is payable to confirm your place.
6. Cost is subject to change if there's significant changes in foreign exchange rates and airfares.

Email:rachelheng123@gmail.com or yongo123@gmail.com
Phone Rachel 012 352 0868
Phone Yong Lee Min: 016 220 9033 or 603 4031 6225
Mail: 19 Lorong Air Bersih Tiga, Air Panas, 53200 Kuala Lumpur

| Home |