The founder of WUB ETHIOPIA TOURS private company is an experienced tourism expert who has been working in tourism institutions for more than 25 years. In one of Ethiopian languages, in Amharic the word “Wub” means; Stunning, Wonderful, Beautiful, etc.
Tour Description
Ethiopia is old country, its culture and traditions date back 3000 years. The country is repository of priceless cultural and religious relics. It is the land of extremes, a land of remote and wild places. Some of the highest (Semien Mountains) and lowest places (Dallol depression) in African continent found here.
The great rift valley of Ethiopia, which is part of the great rift system hosts many beautiful lakes and rich bird and wild life. Archaeological finding unearth the old human hominid (Lucy) that dates back 3.4 million years, accordingly coffee in one of the gifts Ethiopia offered to the world
Ethiopian culture is unique and complex mosaic reflecting diverse nature of more than 80 ethnic groups and many traditions that add up to make up Ethiopian culture which is expressed in language, food, music ,costume ,etc. In Ethiopian culture respect and hospitality forms the cornerstone.
The following combined tour programs will showcase all Ethiopian corners and help you discover this vast nation. WUB ETHIOPIA TOURS is excited to be your trip accompany and assist you to execute these tour programs.
Tour Program
Tour Code: WET-702
Tour Title: Ethiopia Highlight
Duration: 33days 32nights
Transportation: Surface and flight
Day1. Arrival and City tour
Arrival to Addis Ababa and transfer to the hotel and depending on your arrival time make Addis Ababa city tour that includes; National museum, Trinity Church and Merkato.
Day2. Drive to Awash National park
After breakfast drive about 200kms to the Awash National park; on the way visit one of the seven rift valley lakes of Debrezeit. Late in the afternoon game drive in to the national park to observe the charismatic species of the National park BEISA ORYX and other species like: Greater KUDU, Warthog, Anubis Baboon, vervet monkey and Grant’s gazelle. Overnight in Hotel/ Lodge
Day3. Drive to Harar
Morning drive to the walled city of Harar. Overnight Hotel
Day4. Full day visit of Harar
In the morning, visit the Harari museum & Arthur Rambaud’s house in the walled city of Harar. Afternoon, visit the market outside the wall & in the evening participate in the hyena man show. Overnight Hotel
Day5. Drive to Addis Ababa
After breakfast, drive to the very busy city of DIREDAWA for your flight back to Addis Ababa. Then after late lunch, drive to the highest mountain in the city, ENTOTO. Overnight Hotel
Day6. Fly to Bahirdar
Fly to Bahirdar, a modern town on the shore of Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile River that contains about 37 islands. After check-in to the hotel, Make a full day boat excursion on the largest highland Lake of “Tana (the source of blue Nile)” and enjoy visiting the ancient island monasteries of Ura Kidane Meheret (one of the several monasteries in the area containing 17th century mural paintings), AZWA MARIAM, NARGA SILLASSIE and if time allows, KIBRAN GABRIEL. Overnight at a Hotel
Day7. Drive to Gondar
In the morning drive to Blue Nile falls “Tis-issat” and cross the Blue Nile River with boat which will take a total of 25-30minutes to reach the water fall. At Tis-issat , you will see the spectacular “Blue Nile fall” and is surrounding. In the afternoon, drive about 180kms to Gondar (3hours drive with a stopover), currently a town, once the capital city of Ethiopia in the 17th century. Overnight Hotel
Day8. Full day visit of Gondar
Morning visit ancient castle palaces of different emperors including the church of Debre Birhan Silassie church built during the reign of Emperor Iyasu (1682 -1706) which still kept its originality .The ceiling is built with thick beams and decorated with winged angel heads looking down. The wall paintings depict scenes from the life of Christ, Mary, the Saint, the Trinity, and others. In the afternoon, visit the bath of Fasilidas and the palace of MINTIWAB/the church of QUSQWAM MARIAM. Overnight at hotel
Day9. Excursion to Semien Mountain National park
Early in the morning drive about 123kms (3hours drive with stopovers) to SIMIEN mountains national park, UNESCO registered national park and a home to an endemic animal “WALIA IBEX” through the city of DEBARK stepping ground to the park. Proceed to Sankaber camp site area to enjoy the surrounding landscape and spot Gelada-Baboon, klipspringer, bushbuck and birds like LAMMERGEIR. Late in the afternoon drive back to the city of Gondar. Overnight Hotel
Day10. Fly to Axum
In the morning Fly to AXUM, the city of Obelisk’s, and visit the extraordinary obelisks recorded as a world heritage site , the tomb of king Remhay (1st to 4th century AD), the church of St. Mary of Tsion (17th & 20th century AD), in one of which the Ethiopians hosted the Ark of the Covenant. In the afternoon visit the remaining sites of Axum icluding: - Dingur Palace (believed to be the palace of the queen of Sheba) and the tombs of King Kaleb & GebreMeskel. Overnight at Hotel
Day11. Excursion around Axum
In the morning drive 50kms to visit the first capital city of DA’MAT dynasty and YEHA temple. On the way you will stop and admire the mountains of ADOWA (which marks the first African country victory over the European in 1896). Overnight at Hotel
Day12. Fly to Lalibela
In the morning fly to Lalibella and transfer to hotel. After check-in, start visiting the rock hewn churches of Lalibella which includes: Bete Medhanealem, Bete Mariam, Bete Meskel, Bete Denagil and Bete Michael/Gologota, called the 1st group (according to their geographical location). Late in the afternoon, visit the stunning Bete Giorgis, which was hewed out with the perfect architectural work to symbolize the Greek cross. Overnight at a Hotel
Day13. Excursion to Asheten Church
Early in the morning make an excursion to Asheten Mariam church by a mule, where you will see the semi-monolithic church which was hewed out by the nephew of King Lalibella. In the afternoon, visit the remaining churches in Lalibella which includes: Bete Emanuel, Bete Rafael and Gabriel, Bete Merkorius and Bete Aba-Libanos, often called the 2nd group of churches. Overnight at Hotel
Day14. Fly Back to Addis Ababa
Fly from LALIBELA back to Addis Ababa & and check in to Hotel. Afternoon you will be at leisure. Overnight at a Hotel
Day15. Drive to Awassa
Morning drive to Awassa through rift valley and on the way visit Lake Ziway and Abijata national park. After check in to hotel visit aquatic birds found along Lake Awassa. Overnight in Lodge
Day16. Drive to Jinka
Morning ,after breakfast drive to Jinka exploring Tsemay and Benna tribal village, and if the day is Thursday, there is a chance to attend the colorful Keyafer Market which is attended by the BENNA, TSEMAI and ARI tribal groups. Overnight Resort/Lodge
Day17. Excursion to Mursi Village
In the Morning, drive about 90kms to Mago National park & make an excursion tour to see and appreciate the very attractive culture of Mursi tribe. They are renowned for the strange custom pursued by their women, who on reaching maturity, have their lower lips pierced and pop in a “terra cotta” (circular clay disc). Overnight Resort/Lodge
Day18. Drive to Turmi
In the morning, drive about 130kms to Turmi, exploring the Hamer and Benna tribal village and if the day is Saturday, there is a chance to attend the colorful Dimeka market and encounter three different tribal groups like: the HAMER, KARO and BENNA. Overnight at Lodge
Day19. Excursion to Omorate
In the morning drive about 70kms for a half day excursion to Murelle. Here one can visit the Karo ethnic groups, experts in body painting. After lunch drive to visit DASENECH/GELEB people who inhabited in the bank of Omo River and cross the Omo River by locally made boat to see the village. Then drive back to Turmi for dinner and overnight stay. Overnight at Lodge
Day20. Drive to Arbaminch
Morning, leave Turmi and drive about 290kms to ARBAMINCH, on the way visit the Erbore and Konso tribal villages and way of life. Overnight in Lodge
Day21. Visit NechSar national park and boat trip o lake Chamo
After breakfast take boat trip on Lake Chamo to see hippos, large size crocodiles and visit NechSar national Park. Overnight in Lodge
Day22. Drive to Sodo
In the morning drive and ascend to Guge Mountain, to visit the Dorze tribe and their magnificent beehive shaped hut, false banana cultivations and weaving culture. After Lunch in WELAYITA SODO, continue driving to the city of Hosana. Overnight at a Hotel
Day23. Drive to wolisso
Morning after breakfast drive, about 340kms, to Welisso city ; on the way visit the monolithic stelae site of Tiya, the 12th century rock hewn church of Adadi Mariam & Melka-kunture excavation site. Overnight at Lodge
Day24. Drive to Ambo
In the morning drive about 68kms to the very beautiful, interesting & breathtaking Crater Lake “WONCHI” through the magnificent landscapes of south western high lands. Visit the lake with activities like walking, horse riding & boat trip. Late in the afternoon drive to the city of Ambo. Overnight in a Hotel
Day25. Drive to Nekemt
After breakfast drive to Nekemt through the beautiful scenery, on the way visit the local village and Guder Falls. Overnight in local hotel
Day26. Drive to Metu
Morning drive 255km through Dedesa River to Metu. After brief lunch break at Bedele, continue drive through the indigenous natural forests of Western Ethiopia and experiencing the life of the local people residing in the region. Overnight at local hotel
Day27. Drive to Mizan Teferi
Morning, drive to Mizan Teferi through Bebeka coffee plantation, the Ethiopia's largest old coffee plantation. On the way visit the Menit, Yem and the Dizi tribes. Overnight Local Hotel
Day28. Drive to Kibish
Today we will driveto the westwards to Kibish through Bebeka coffee plantation, the Ethiopia’s largest old coffee plantation. After crossing the Akobo River and brief Stop at the little town of Dimma for lunch, continue driving to Kibish which is a small town of the Surma people. The rest of the day, walk around your campsite to visit the Surma people. Overnight camping
Day29. Drive to Bume
Drive about 110kms to the BUME people; visit their way of life and how they make their houses. Overnight camping
Day30. Drive back to Kibish
Today wedrive back to KIBISH; if there is any Donga (Stick fighting of the Surma people) you will attend the ceremony, otherwise you walk around Surma villages-to visit and appreciate the very attractive culture of Surma tribe. Overnight camping
Day31. Drive to Mizan Teferi
After morning visit of the Bench maji people village, participate in the Maji local market and drive back to the city of Mizan Teferi. Overnight Local Hotel
Day32. Drive to Jimma
Morning, drive to Jimma through the Ethiopia's indigenous dense forest. The people living in this area are from Keficho, Yem and Bench ethnic groups. This place is famous for its coffee, tea and spice plantation. Overnight in local Hotel
Day33. Drive back to Addis Ababa & Departure
Today we will drive back to Addis Ababa, en route visit one of the Gurage Village. Evening, you will have a fare well dinner in one of the Ethiopian restaurants for cultural dinner and dances from the different ethnic groups. Then transfer to the airport fly back home.
