ETHIOPIA FAM TRIP



From Great Rift Valley tribes
to
Highlands Ancient Kingdoms



This fam trip will give you

an overview of the

many different experiences Ethiopia can offer to tourists.

  • Meeting remote tribes
  • Amazing nature and wildlife
  • Age-old historic places and buildings
  • Mountain trekking
  • Community -based stay


Day 1



Addis Abeba, the new flower





City tour of the capital city & African Union headquarter.


Meeting with our ancestor, Lucy at the National museum.


Meeting with Ehtiopian Tourism authorities.





Day 2



The great African RIFT VALLEY & coffee land





Drive along the Great Rift Valley,that great tectonic fault line which cuts across East Africa. Superb panorama over the valley dotted with numerous lake.


Arrival in Awassa, capital of the Sidamo region, famous for its coffee. Walk by the lake frequented by the marabouts and in the park Amor Gedel and its monkeys.


Crossing the Rift valley, we enter in Sidama region, famous coffee area that give name to Sidamo coffee. We will visit the heart and soul of Ethiopian coffee growing – the cottage farmers and enjoy a coffee ceremony at the lodge nestled between coffee plantation and lush vegetation.


By the end of the day, watching hyenas down the canyon.



Day 3



Dorze & Konso tribes





Drive to Gughe Mountain chain. We enter into the territory of Dorze tribes. Their beehive- shaped houses are among the most distinctive traditional structures to be seen anywhere in Africa. Visit of the village and observing Kocho staple food preparation, cotton weaving and all daily activities.

We will drive to Konso territories taking place in a landscape of gentle hills. Visit of Konso fortified villages. These walled hilltop settlements can only be reached via a limited number of steep footpaths. Konso celebrate brave men by unique carving sculptures, Wagas featuring hero, his wives and the enemy he defeated.



Day 4



The biggest crocofiles of africa





Boat trip on Chamo Lake, where lives the biggest crocodiles with hippos and a wide variety of birds.

Transfer to airport for flight back to Gonder via Addis Abeba


Arrival at Gonder, imperial city Founded by Emperor Fasilidas, in the 17th century.


Enjoy the Ethiopian Tradiitonal coffee ceremony called Jenbena Buna






Day 5



GONder Medieval castles





Gonder still preserves within its walled Royal Enclosure several very medieval-looking castles, dating from as early as 1650. The castles are unusual in the Horn Of Africa, deriving their architectural style from the Moors and the Portuguese.

Visit of Debre Berhan Selassie Church with its impressive interior covered with paintings

Scenic road along Tana lake eastern shore to Bahir Dar, the ethiopian riviera with its palm trees lined avenues.



Day 6



SIMIEN MOUNTAINS & Geladas baboons





Massive erosion over the years has formed one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world on the Ethiopian plateau with peaks, valleys and precipices up to 1500m deep.

Panoramic walk along the escarpment on the ridge line trail with magnificent views of the valley below and the surrounding peaks to the great Jinbar waterfall.

Observation of Gelada baboons colony, great apes of the Ethiopian Highlands. These baboons are vegetarian and live in groups of 200-300 with a dominant male. They spend their time grazing the grass and scrubbing themselves. Females have a red breast.


Day 7



Through Ethiopian Highlands





Drive West through the fertile land of Gojam producing the local endemic cereal called teff

Arrival at Lalibela, the Ethiopian christians holy city has been listed as Wolrd Heritage by UNESCO. At 2500m high, the little town of lalibela is an important centre for pilgrimage.

At evening, go to “tejbet”, local place selling Tej, the king’s drink (a sweet honey wine). A tradition and recipe that dates back from Queen of Sheba. As the meaning of Lalibela is the king of bees, honey wine from Lalibela is particularly famous.


Day 8



LALIBELA, the black JERUSALEM





Lalibela is most famous for its rock-hewn churches which are literally carved out of the surrounding rock, and which date back to the 12th century. Discovery of different churches complex, connected by a system of galleries and tunnels.


Meet local communities and discover more about traditional Ethiopian cuisine through cooking classes.

Give a try to bake the famous injera, teff-based ethiopian pancake.




Day 9



Age old celebrations





Depending on the liturgical calendar, possibility of attending a religious service in the early morning in one of the churches, lulled by the chanting of the priests and punctuated by the sistrums.


Transfer to airport for fligh to Addis Abeba.

Shopping

Transfer to airport for return flight


9 days Ethiopia FAM TRIP







Addis Abeba - BAhir Dar - Brussels

+ 251 960 800 960

+32 465 722 063