Region: Amhara & Northern Highlands
Focus: Teff farming, rural livelihoods, markets, culture
Style: Educational, ethical, community-based
Itinerary
Day 1 :
Arrival in Addis Ababa | Orientation
- Focus: National context
- Arrival at Bole International Airport
- Group briefing:
- Overview of Ethiopian agriculture
- Importance of teff in northern highlands
Visit:
- National Museum
- Welcome dinner with injera varietal tasting
Overnight: Addis Ababa
Day 2 :
Addis Ababa → Debre Birhan
- Focus: High-altitude teff systems
- Drive ~3 hours north
- Visit smallholder teff farms:
- Highland teff varieties
- Harvest timing & frost risk
- Observe: Cutting & field drying
- Discussion:
- Climate challenges
- Yield constraints
Overnight: Debre Birhan
Day 3 :
Debre Birhan | Farmers & Cooperatives
- Focus: Harvest & post-harvest
- Observe:
- Threshing (animal-powered)
- Winnowing methods
- Visit farmer cooperative:
- Grain storage
- Collective marketing
- Reflection session (students/NGOs)
- Overnight: Debre Birhan
Day 4 :
Debre Birhan → Lalibela
- Focus: Rural economy & culture
- Scenic drive through Wollo highlands
- Roadside market visits:
- Teff grading & pricing
- Evening:
- Community dinner
- Overnight: Lalibela
Day 5 :
Lalibela | Farming & Heritage
- Focus: Culture + agriculture
- Morning visit:
- Rural farming villages
- Teff consumption patterns
- Afternoon: Rock-hewn churches (contextual, not rushed)
- Discussion: Tourism & farmer livelihoods
- Overnight: Lalibela
Day 6 :
Lalibela → Gondar
- Focus: Agricultural transition zones
- Drive through mixed-crop areas
- Visit farms producing: Teff, barley, pulses
- Observe: Crop rotation practices
- Overnight: Gondar
Day 7 :
Gondar | Markets & Women's Roles
- Focus: Value chains
- Visit Gondar grain market:
- Teff price variation
- Urban demand
- Visit women-led injera producers:
- Milling
- Fermentation
- Gender & livelihoods discussion
- Overnight: Gondar
Day 8 :
Gondar → Bahir Dar
- Focus: Lake Tana & irrigation
- Drive to Bahir Dar
- Visit irrigated farms near Lake Tana:
- Comparison with rain-fed teff
- Boat trip (optional):
- Monasteries & farming communities
- Overnight: Bahir Dar
Day 9 :
Bahir Dar | Extension & Policy
- Focus: Institutions & development
- Meet:
- Agricultural extension officers or local NGOs
- Topics:
- Seed distribution
- Post-harvest loss reduction
- Group workshop:
- Lessons learned
- Policy implications
- Overnight: Bahir Dar
Day 10 :
Bahir Dar → Addis Ababa → Departure
- Morning flight or drive to Addis Ababa
- Final shopping:
- Teff flour
- Local crafts
- Departure
