Panoramic Simiens Tour

Sample Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival of Addis Ababa and meet the Panoramic Simiens representative then transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon visit the National Cathedral (Holy Trinity Cathedral) which is massive and ornate cathedral is the second most important place of worship in Ethiopia (ranking behind the Old Church of St Mary of Zion in Aksum). It's also the celebrated the final resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie and his wife Empress Menen Asfaw.

Day 2: Fly Addis Ababa to Bahirdar & then transfer to your hotel.

Morning after breakfast visit National Museum of Addis Ababa where the skeleton of Lucy is placed.

Day 3: Boat Trip on Lake Tana monasteries

In the morning after breakfast make a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit isolated monasteries. There is good birding in the lush forest surrounding much of the lake.

Day 4: Drive to Gonder and relaxation(180 kms)

Day 5: Sightseeing of Gonder that includes city tour of Gondar including a visit to the Royal Compound, where enchanting 17th century castles stand and the swimming pool. Also, visit DebreBerhan Selassie Church meaning Trinity at the Mount of light.

Day 6: Drive to Simien Mountains National park ( 136Kms) + Relaxation

Morning after breakfast drive to the jagged panorama of the Simien Mountains National Park, famed for its exclusive landscape, afro alpine vegetation and unique wildlife, where you may spot the endemic Gelada Baboon troops, Bushbuck, Klipspringer. After the two hours hike and photography of Gelada baboons, you will have lunch by the simien lodge.

Day 7: Drive to Axum, (256Kms)

Through beautiful escarpment of the Simien Mountains and Tekeze river valley.

Day 8: Sightseeing in Axum

Morning after breakfast explores the city of Axum. Visit the interesting museum in stelae field, the impressive Stelae Fields and also the grounds of the 16th-century Cathedral of St. Mary of Zion, home of the original Ark of the Covenant.

Day 9: Drive to Hawzen (160Kms)

On the way to Hawzen you will have an amazing Sightseeing of Yeha Temple which served as the capital of Pre-Axusumite kingdom of Damat and a colorful church called Medahnialem Adi kashu.

Day 10: Sightseeing of another cluster of Churches both Abune Yemata and Mariam Korkor with their fascinating ancient history and exhibit a master pieces of human creative genius. In the afternoon drive to Mekelle for overnight.

Day 11: Drive to Lalibela ( 290 Kms)

In the morning after breakfast drive to Lalibela and on the way visit some local market if the date is on market day.

Day 12: Full day excursions in Lalibela

After breakfast visit Lalibela rock hewn churches, famous for its rock-hewn churches dating back 800 years. This is the most important stop on the historical route and from the air the 11 churches, carved into the rugged mountainside, present an awesome spectacle. Afternoon excursion to the most spectacular churches.

Day 13: Fly Lalibela to Addis Ababa (12:20/13:10) and then drive to Awassa (275Kms).

Morning after breakfast transfer to airport then fly back to Addis and transfer to Awassa to the rift valley lakes region.

Day 14: Drive to Arbaminch (300Kms) via Dorze village After breakfast visit Awassa Fish market and drive to Arbaminch through Chencha village to visit Dorze people.

Day 15: Boat trip on Lake Chamo & drive to Turmi (260Kms).

Morning after breakfast make boat trip on Lake Chamo to see the largest crocodiles in Africa which measure up to 7 metres. Then drive to Turmi en route visiting Tsemay and Benna tribes. Then walk to the villages of the Hammer people that enjoy body decoration and wear quantities of colorful beads and clay hair buns with Ostrich feathers spend pleasant after noon with friendly Hamar people.

Day 16: Excursion to Omorate (71Kms)

To visit the Dasenach tribes across the Omo river by wooden local boat then come back to Turmi in the afternoon to visit the nearby hammer tribe village, also possibility to see special occasion ceremonies like wedding and ritual ceremonies.

Day 17: Drive to Jinka (78kms)

Early Excursion to Karo village for the visit of Karo tribes with their interesting body decorations and scarification; Then drive to Jinka.

Day 18: Excursion to Mursi (55Kms)

In the morning after breakfast, you will be driven to Mursi and visit to the of Mursi tribe village known for their attractive culture, women wearing large clay plates into their lower lips etc.

Day 19: Drive to Arbaminch (250Kms) via Konso Village after breakfast drive to Arbaminch en route visit Konso tribes village. The king village is very interesting.

Day 20: Drive to Langano (300Kms)

On the way visit Abijata-Shalla national park.

Langano is the most beautiful lake for relaxation except expensiveness due to there is no availability of cheap hotels rather lodges and resorts.

Day 06: Drive back to Addis Ababa and fly to home when necessary (250Kms)

After breakfast drive back to Addis Abeba and on the way visit Tiya and Melkakunture archeological site.