Ethiopia, the original home of the coffee plant, coffee Arabica, still grows wild in the forest of the highlands. While nobody is sure exactly how coffee was originally discovered as a beverage, it is believed that its cultivation and use began as early as the 9th century. Some authorities claim that it was cultivated in Yemen earlier, around AD 575. The only thing that seems certain is that it originated in Ethiopia, from where it traveled to Yemen about 600 years ago, and from Arabia, it began its journey around the world.
Departure & Return Location: Addis Ababa
Departure Time: Early Morning
Price Includes:
- 9 Nights of Hotel Accommodation
- Tour Guide
- Entrance Fees
- All transportation in the destination location
Price Excludes
- Driver Service Fee
- Any Private Expenses
- Room Service Fees
The most pleasant weather occurs in May-June and September-October. The warmest time of the year starts in mid-July and generally lasts until mid-August when the annual meltémi winds from the north cool the country. Mid-July to mid-August is the height of summer, and the midday sun tends to get very strong; during this time, most Greeks avoid heavy physical activity outdoors between 1:00 and 5:00 PM.
Day 1 – Addis Ababa
Arrive in Addis in the morning at Bole Airport, and transfer to the hotel. Visit Addis Ababa: Tomoca coffee shop (Piazza), Kaldis Coffee Shops, and Mercato/Entoto Mountains. If time permits, add the national museum or one of its beautiful churches (St-George Cathedral, Holy Trinity church, or Bole Medhane Alem Cathedral) In the evening traditional dinner in a Cultural Restaurant. Hotel Addis Ababa (Upgrade 3 stars or 4 stars)
Day 2 – Addis Ababa – Jimma
Leave Addis and drive to Jimma, a 350 km drive from Addis. Lunch on the way, Welkite for example. Stop in Jimma for Coffee Statue.
Day 3 – Jimma – Limu Kossa – Jimma – Mizan Teferi – Bebeka
In the morning visit Limu Kossa Coffee Plantation. Drive back to Jimma for lunch. If time permits visit Jimma Agricultural Research Center (Jarco). Drive to Mizan Teferi by Bongo and Wush Wush Tea Estate. Either spend the night in Bebeka or in Mizan Teferi.
Day 4 – Bebeka
Visit the largest and oldest coffee estate in Ethiopia, Bebeka, recently taken over by the Midroc Group.
Day 5 – Bebeka – Tepi – Bebeka
Today drive to Tepi to visit the Coffee Plantation of Tepi. Lunch in Tepi Guesthouse close to the Estate. Return to Bebeka or Mizan
Day 6 – Bebeka – Tepi – Bebeka
Today drive to Tepi to visit the Coffee Plantation of Tepi. Lunch in Tepi Guesthouse close to the Estate. Return to Bebeka or Mizan.
Day 7. Mizan – sodo
Drive sodo on the way visit Gurga and sodo village and landscape overnight sodo. Haile Resort
Day 8 – Sodo-Yirga Alem
Via Boditi, Shashemene and Awasa travel to Yirga Alem, in the Sidama region. Stay in Aregash Lodge. The rest of the day can be spent on walks and a traditional coffee ceremony or visiting the area to see coffee farmers
Day 9 – Yirga Alem
Visit of Sidamo coffee region: Cola washing station & Efico Foundation project.
Day 10 – Yirga Alem – Yirga Chefe – Yirga Alem
Drive more south to visit coffee plantations and coffee union projects in Yirga Cheffe. Visit Manchiti Rock Engravings on the way close to Dilla. Return to Yirga Alem in the evening.
Day 11 – Yirga Alem – Addis
Drive back to Addis. Stop for Oromo graves and lunch in Zway, see waterbirds on the Zway lake. Visit Dry Mills Kuru.
No comment