This Ethiopia Coffee Tour takes you to the birth place of Coffee Arebic, book this trip and experience coffee growing Highlands of Ethiopia, big coffee plantation farms, hand peaking of coffee beans, and the most iconic cultural aspect of Ethiopia, Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony .
TOUR CODE: AAT-CT-72
DURATION: 8 DAYS/7 NIGHTS
SITE: Jimma, Bonga, Mankira, Bebeka and Tapi
TRANSPORT: SURFACE
Tour Highlights
- Explore the birth place of Coffee.
- Visit the coffee farms,learn all the process coffee undergo from drying until packing
- Experience the most iconic cultural aspect of Ethiopia, Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony
- Taste the original Organic coffee from its birthplace
- Experience the breathtaking scenery of coffee growing highland reigns of Ethiopia
- Shop the stalls of Merkato, the largest open-air market in Africa
- Traditional Ethiopian farewell dinner ”
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Itinerary
Departure Day: Daily Guaranteed Departure with 2 participants minimum
Coffee production in Ethiopia is a longstanding tradition which dates back to thousands of years. Ethiopia is a country where Coffea Arabica originates.
Among the many legends that have developed concerning the origin of coffee, one of the most popular accounts is that of Kaldi, an Abyssinian goatherd, who lived around AD 850. One day he observed his goats behaving in abnormally exuberant manner, skipping, rearing on their hindlegs and bleating loudly. He noticed they were eating the bright red berries that grew on the green bushes nearby.
Kaldi tried a few himself, and soon felt a novel sense of elation. He filled his pockets with the berries and ran home to announce his discovery to his wife. They are heaven-sent, he declared. You must take them to the Monks in the monastery. Kaldi presented the chief Monk with a handful of berries and related his discovery of their miraculous effect. Devils work! Exclaimed the monk, and hurled the berries in the fire. Within minutes the monastery filled with the heavenly aroma of roasting beans, and the other monks gathered to investigate. The beans were raked from the fire and crushed to extinguish the embers. The Monk ordered the grains to be placed in the ewer and covered with hot water to preserve their goodness. That night the monks sat up drinking the rich and fragrant brew, and from that day vowed they would drink it daily to keep them awake during their long, nocturnal devotions.
While the legends attempt to condense the discovery of coffee and its development as a beverage into one story, it is believed that the monks of Ethiopia, may have chewed on the berries as a stimulant for centuries before it was brewed as a hot drink.
Nowadays coffee grows in various parts of the world; Ethiopia accounts for around 3% of the global coffee market. Coffee is important to the economy of Ethiopia: around 60% of foreign income comes from coffee, with an estimated 15 million of the population relying on some aspect of coffee production for their livelihood.
Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa
WELCOME TO ETHIOPIA. On arrival in Addis Ababa our representative will meet you at Bole
International Airport. After transfer to your hotel an overview of the program will be given. The rest of the day visit historical sites in Addis Ababa including the National Archaeological Museum, where the 3,6 million year old skeletal remains of “Lucy” rest, which were discovered in 1974. Proceed to the Unity Park at the National Palace, the Holy Trinity Cathedral and Mount Entoto, which rises up to an altitude of 3200 meters and offers a panoramic view of the metropolis. Overnight in 4-star hotel.
Day 2: Drive to Jimma
In the morning after breakfast, you will drive to Jimma (345 Km from Addis). On the way you will pass through beautiful landscapes as you drive through the Gibe River Valley. Later, you can visit Jimma Museum and King Abba Jiffar Place. You will have dinner and spend the night at the hotel. Overnight stay in Honey land hotel.
Day 3: Drive to Bonga , (125 Kms from Jimma)
After an early morning breakfast you will drive to Bonga (125 Kms from Jimma) the birth place of coffee. And upon arrival at Bonga, you will visit to a traditional Kaffa house and learn about the culture of the Kaffa people. You will have lunch at Bonga. After having lunch drive to Ellelo, Adiyo falls, the Dadiben and Gora Hot spring. . Overnight stay in Coffee Land hotel, Bonga.
Day 4: Drive Mankira then to Jimma
After breakfast drive to Mankira, the place where coffee Arabica was discovered. En route visit the ancient Adaracha Medhane Alem church and the Gurguto natural Bridge. Visit coffe plantations, coffee farms and then after drive to Jimma
Day 5: Drive to from Jimma Bebeka via Mizan Teferi
You will be driven to Bebeka (30 km from Mizan Tefari) right after breakfast. There you will check into a hotel and after a brief break, you will have lunch. Later you will visit the largest Coffee Plantation in Ethiopia (covers some 6,000 hectares and is the largest and oldest Coffee Plantation in Ethiopia). In the evening, you will have dinner and spend the night at the hotel. Overnight stay in Bebeka Guest house, or Camping.
Day 6: One more day exploring Coffee around Tapi
After breakfast drive to Tapi town and explore the coffee plantation he region. Then after drive back to Mizan Teferi for Overnight stay
Day 7: Drive back to Jimma
In the morning after breakfast you drive back to Jimma. Depending on arrival you can continue a visit to the Jimma attractions. Visit the historical palace of Sultan Abba Jifar (1853 – 1925) that is standing at Jiren. Still stands with its colourful architectural beauty. And continue your visit to Jimma museum that displays most of the historical materials of King Abba Jifar, his kingdom and cultural objects of the local Oromo people and that of the other ethnic groups around Kaffa. Overnight stay in Honey land hotel, Jimma.
Day 8: Drive to Addis Ababa , Departure
after breakfast drive to Addis Ababa. Then upon arrival in Addis Ababa visit Coffee processing & Warehouse Enterprises (where the sorting, the quality control, cupping, packaging and shipment taken place). You will have lunch in Addis Ababa.
Then after lunch, you will visit Ethiopian Commodity Exchange is a market place in Addis Ababa where most coffee needs to bypass, meet Coffee expert, Cooperative Union leaders & visit Coffee Shops in Addis Ababa .
Trip Information
Inclusions
We respect your personal preference on what is to be included and not included on the tour cost.
But as a standard included in our given prices are meet and greet at airport, All accommodation, Meals in Addis, on bed and breakfast basis, Meals out of Addis, on full board basis, All entrance fees at sites, churches, parks and villages, All ground transportation according to the itinerary and Guide service.
Exclusions
International flights, Lunch and Dinner in Addis Ababa , Any drinks including local non-alcoholic beverage and alcoholic drinks, Video filming and photography fees, Incidental meals, snacks and drinks and Tips and items of personal nature like laundry, souvenirs, etc
Visa and Immigration Requirements
Most nationals require a visa for entry into Ethiopia. The easiest way to get Ethiopian Visa is to get it on line thttps://www.evisa.gov.et/ . Again visa can be obtained at Ethiopia’s diplomatic missions overseas.. The last option is to get visa on arrival at Bole International Airport; nationals of 33 countries are now allowed to receive their tourist visas on arrival in Ethiopia at the regular charge. The list includes Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greek, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Thailand, citizens of United Kingdom and United States.
How to get in to Ethiopia
Addis Ababa is a major hub for international airlines. Ethiopian Airlines, the national airline of Ethiopia, provides excellent links with East, West and South Africa, Europe and the Middle East, with connections to America and the Far East. The national airline also offers domestic services to the major towns in Ethiopia, as well as most regional centers. All international services arrive at Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa. Other airlines serving Ethiopia include: Kenya Airways, Emirates, Egyptian, Alitalia, British Airways, Lufthansa, Saudi, Aeroflot, Yemeni, and Turkish Airways.
Luggage on tour
your luggage should not exceed 20kgs (44lbs). One large suitcase/rucksack, and one small hand luggage rucksack is acceptable. Soft rolling bag (we usually use a 22 inch roll aboard) are recommended.
Weather and Climate
There are two seasons: the dry season prevails from October through May; the wet season runs from June to September.
Generally except for June, July and August, most part of Ethiopia will be sunny and pleasant temperature to travel around.
When you travel to the north you are staying in higher altitude towns (Example Addis Ababa, Gondar, and Lalibela) the daily average Temperature is from 20 – 25 degrees and the temperature drops quite rapidly towards sunset. Evenings are fairly cold and you are advised to bring something warm for the evenings, like a sweater or warm Jacket.
Those travelling to the Southern Omo Valley of Ethiopia, the weather of this region will be sunny, hot and dry; the average temperatures is about 30 degrees. During the day the sun is strong. Shorts, Hats, sun glasses, sun creams, light cotton summer clothes and layers of clothes are recommended. Although the daytime temperatures are not very high, the sun is strong and people coming pale and pasty from a European winter should be careful of sunburn -long sleeved shirts may be advisable.
Currency
Travelers are advised to travel with American Dollar or Euro. Australian dollar cannot be exchanged in Ethiopia. There is ATM machine In Most of the Regions and one can withdraw money Visa or Master Card. Banks are places to exchange money.
Accommodation
Hotel rooms are basic but generally clean with en suite toilet and bath facilities (usually shower only). In many places hotel accommodation is limited; we utilize the best tourist class properties available. Hotel in Addis is 3-star international standard.
Transport
We will be using 4WD Land Cruisers, 4WD mini buses or Coaster buses depending on the conditions of the roads and the size of the group. All our vehicles are Air- conditioned.
For internal flights, we use the national airline Ethiopian Air lines, which offer excellent domestic services to the major towns in Ethiopia.
Greetings:
Handshaking is the usual mode of greeting, although friends or families who have not seen each other for some time will kiss on each cheek. (Displays of sexual intimacy, kissing or hugging, will arouse embarrassment among most Ethiopians.) Usually a handshake greeting is accompanied by a pleasant discussion on personal matters before getting down to business. The offer of tea or coffee is normal, and time is not that important. Smoking is not popular amongst traditional people, or in front of priests. Shoes are often taken off on entering churches, and always on entering mosques.
Security
Despite years of the civil wars in the previous regime, in terms of crime and robbers, Ethiopia is still a very safe country to visit, and Addis Ababa is still one of the safest capitals in Africa. Visitors should of course take the usual precautions, not carry large amounts of money with them and leave particularly valuable items with hotel reception. Both men and women visitors should be careful about hand and money bags, keeping them close at hand in crowded places. Like everywhere else, pick pockets and snatch thieves like to create some kind of diversion before making their move, so visitors should walk purposefully and be cautious about sudden introductions in the street.
Price includes
- Meet and greet at airport
- All accommodation
- Meals in Addis, on bed and breakfast basis
- Meals out of Addis, on full board basis
- All entrance fees at sites,
- All transfers according to the itinerary.
- All Ground transportation including insurance, fuel and all costs of the driver.
- Guide service.
- Farewell dinner in Addis to enjoy traditional Ethiopian food and Music
- A traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony at a convenient time in the program
Price doesn’t include
- International flights
- Lunch and Dinner in Addis Ababa
- Any drinks including local non-alcoholic beverage and alcoholic drinks.
- Video filming and photography fees
- Incidental meals, snacks and drinks
- Tips and items of personal nature like laundry, souvenirs, etc
- All what is not included in the list above