15 Days Omo Valley, Danakil & Tigray Churche s tours

Embark on a 15-day adventure that combines two of Ethiopia’s most captivating regions—the South Omo Valley and Danakil Depression & Tigray Cluster Churches—offering a rich mix of cultural immersion and natural wonders.

This meticulously planned tour offers an enriching and unique opportunity for travelers who want to experience Ethiopia’s stunning landscapes, cultural diversity, and historical treasures. You’ll witness extraordinary geological wonders and immerse yourself in the living traditions of Ethiopia’s indigenous tribes while also exploring sacred sites that span thousands of years of Christian history.

Whether you’re a history enthusiast, an adventurer, or someone looking to connect with different cultures, this 15-day journey will leave you with lasting memories and a deeper appreciation for Ethiopia’s unparalleled natural and cultural beauty.

Program in detail

Day 01:-Arrival and City Tour

You will meet our staff upon arrival from international flight & take to your hotel for some refreshment. You will begin sightseeing of Addis with the Ethnological Museum houses anthropological, musicological and cultural objects. The Ethnological Museum is the first university museum in Ethiopia. The Museum is in the main Campus of Addis Ababa University which houses the Institute of Ethiopian Studies, and it was the former palace of Emperor Haile Selassie. Then drive to National Museum, it contains many precious local archaeological finds such as the fossilized remains of early hominids, the most famous of which is “Lucy,” the partial skeleton of a specimen of Australopithecus Afarensis. Recently added to the basement gallery is a display on Selam, found between 2000 and 2004. This archaic fossil is estimated to date 3.3 million years ago. Overnight Aya Addis Hotel Addis Ababa (Bed and breakfast)

Day 02:- Fly Addis Ababa to Arba Minch

In the morning have a sightseeing tour in Addis Ababa and then transfer to the Airport for our flight down to Arba Minch where our 4 WD car with driver will waiting us at Arba Minch Airport and then start driving 40kms northwest of Arba Minch to Guge Mountains to visit the Dorze and Chencha villages. Once warriors, the Dorze have now turned to farming and weaving to earn a living. They speak an Omotic tongue and the Dorze name is synonymous with the best woven cotton cloth. Also, the Dorze beehive-shaped houses are constructed entirely of organic material and has its own small garden surrounded by beds of spices, cabbage and tobacco. Some of Ethiopia’s best woven cottons come from Chencha, which is located 8 km northwest of Dorze Village. Men weave and women spin. In the late afternoon drive back to Arba Minch. Overnight Haile Resort Arba Minch (Bed and breakfast)

Day 03:- Drive Arba Minch to Jinka

Early morning drive to Konso where colorfully costumed dress, impressive terracing of the land and unusually engraved wooden statues used as grave markers can be seen. Differing from their neighbors, the Konso are pure agriculturists, famed for their use of the stone terraces that they utilize to such good effect in this dry and barren region of basalt hills. Originally from the east and speaking an east Cushitic language, the Konso live in settlements that are surrounded by stone walls. The age of each town is classified by a generation pole and each family lives in compounds that are accessible only through gateways that require the visitor to enter on all fours thereby rendering any potential attackers vulnerable. Keep driving to Key Afer for the colorful Thursday market where we should see and photographed the Ari, Bena, Hamer and Tsemay people. The Bena and Hamer women usually favor red clay braids in their hair, shiny with butter and perfumed with incense. The long-beaded skirts of the Tsemay have a stick incorporated in the back to denote a married woman and the men have elaborately plaited hairstyles decorated with feathers and colorful beads. After visiting the market we drive on to Jinka, often called the gateway to the Omo Valley. Overnight Eco Omo Lodge Jinka (Bed and breakfast)

Day 04:-Jinka-Mursi – Turmi

After breakfast, drive to Mursi Village (70 km), home to one of the most iconic tribes of the Lower Omo Valley. The Mursi are known for their large clay lip plates worn by women, which symbolize beauty, pride, and desirability, with larger plates considered more attractive. While the Mursi men and women may seem gracious, their warriors, marked with crescent incisions for each enemy killed, are formidable. The men are also known for their unique hairstyles. You’ll learn about their culture and can photograph them (for a fee). Afterward, return to Jinka for lunch. In the afternoon, continue through the Omo Valley to Turmi via Dimeka to visit the Hamer tribe. The Hamer, one of the largest groups in the valley, cultivate millet, vegetables, tobacco, and cotton, and raise cattle and goats. They are known for their fine pottery and dramatic hairstyles, including clay hair buns with ostrich feathers worn by men who have killed a fierce animal. Hamer women wear beaded necklaces, iron coils around their arms, and cowry shell decorations, signifying the wealth and prestige of their husbands. Overnight in Paradise Turmi Lodge (Bed and breakfast)

Day 05:-Excursion to Omorate & Murulle

Today after a short drive, visit the nearby village of Kolcho which overlooks the Omo River. Home to the Karo people, this tribe excels in face and body painting. They often decorate their bodies with the spotted plumage of a guinea fowl. Feather plumes are inserted in their clay hair buns to complete the look. The clay hair bun can take up to three days to construct and is usually re-made every three to six months. Their painted facemasks are spectacular. Karo women scarify their chests to beautify themselves. Scars are cut with a knife and ash is rubbed to produce a raised welt.

If the date falls on a Monday or Saturday, you will visit the vibrant market of the Hammer people at Turmi.

Overnight Paradise Lodge Turmi (Bed and breakfast)

Day 06:- Drive back to Arba Minch

This day we will drive to Arba Minch and visiting the Erbore people enroute. Then we will proceed to New York; a bizarre landscape of sand panicles formed by wind and rain (erosion). After lunch stop at Konso, continue Arba Minch for our overnight stays.

Overnight Haile Resort in Arba Minch (Bed and breakfast)

Day 07:-fly back to Addis Ababa

Today after breakfast you will fly back to Addis Ababa. You will arrive in Addis Ababa and transfer to the Hotel. Start your city tour looking down on Addis Ababa from Entoto Mountain, the capital of Ethiopia before Addis Ababa. Here you will have panoramic views of the city with fresh air from the eucalyptus forests. After the visit,

Overnight Aya Addis Hotel Addis Ababa (Bed and breakfast)

Day 08:- Fly to Semera

You will meet upon arrival at Semera airport and drive to Afdera it is used for salt extraction. It is named after the saline Lake Afdera, located in the southern part of the Afar Depression. It is a major source of salt extraction in Ethiopia, where the Lake water is pumped to saltpans for solar evaporation. After lunch we will continue the trip to Ahmed Ella visiting beautiful landscape of solidified lava, rock, sand and occasional palm lined oasis after you pass several small hamlets start visiting Ahmad Ella village total population of more than 500 people to see the lifestyle of the local Afar people. Finally, precede to Salt Lake Asale a huge salty lake where you will swim in a natural pool while enjoying sunset reflections of the salty ground.

Overnight camping at Ahmed Ella (Bed and breakfast)

Day 09:- Visit Dallol Then Drive to Erta Ale

Morning tour Drive to Ragad (Asebo), the place where the localities are mining salt. Look the activity of breaking the salt from the ground, cutting in to rectangular pieces and loading on camels. You drive ahead to Dallol and visit the different landscapes formed by volcanic activity (125 meters below sea level, one of the lowest and hottest places in the world) colorful salts mining and different terrestrial places formed by volcanic activity like bubbling oily lake creates a different experience of your trip. Then we went back to Ahmad Ella for lunch then proceed to Erta Ale. We spend the night watching the dramatic action of the boiling lava. Erta Ale ranks one of the most alluring and physically challenging natural attractions anywhere in Ethiopia. It is a shield volcano with a base diameter of 30 km and 1km square caldera at its summit. Erta Ale contains the world’s only permanent lava lake. Erta Ale is 613 meters, with a lava lake, one of only five in the world, at the summit. It is notable for being the longest existing lava lake, present since the early years of the twentieth century.

Overnight camping at Erta Ale (Bed and breakfast)

Day 10:- DRIVE TO DODOM VILLAGE (BASE OF ERTA ALE)

This morning, we will head to Dodom, continue to the tarmac and head out over the sands towards Erta Ale Volcano. After several hours we reach Kuswarad, an Afar village where we have lunch and pick up our local Afar guides. We then continue through the desert where we reach the basalt rock formed by old lava flows. A slow and bumpy drive brings us to the base of Erta Ale Volcano. After loading up the camels we will start our trek to the rim of the volcano at around sunset, to avoid walking during the heat of the day. The trek will take about 4 – 5 hours, with the latter part of the walk taking part in the dark. The gently climbing hike itself follows interesting lava formations. The path is not that steep, but it is important everyone has a torch and sticks together. We camp on the crater rim, a safe distance away from the lava and enjoy watching the Erta Ale, which is an active volcano and it has a spectacular sight.

Overnight in camping at Erta Ale (Bed and breakfast)

Day 11:- ERTA ALE – AHMED ELA

This morning, we leave camp and descend to the bottom of the mountain and then driving to Ahamd Ala. Driving is all offroad, through the desert. In the late afternoon, we will arrive at Ahmed Ala, a small settlement where the salt caravans meet before their long walk to Mekelle. In the afternoon and evening, we can watch the endless camel caravans coming and going arriving empty, they are met by the ones left packed full of precious salt blocks.

Overnight camping at AHMED ELA (Bed and breakfast)

Day 12:- Drive Ahmed Ela – Hawzen

After breakfast, embark on a drive to Hawzen. Along the way, visit the historic Church of Abreha wa Atsbeha, believed to be the burial site of the two kings who introduced Christianity to Ethiopia. The church’s remarkable architecture and its role in Ethiopian history make it a significant landmark. Learn about its monastic past and admire its historical importance.

Overnight Vision Hotel Hawzen/Similar (Bed and breakfast)

Day 13:- Hawzen – Abuna Yemata Guh – Yeha Temple – Axum

This day after breakfast you will visit the church of Abuna Yemata Guh. It is a monolithic church dedicated to Abuna Yemata (also referred to as Abba Yemata), one of the Nine Saints. It is situated at a height of 2,580 meters and must be climbed on foot to reach. It is notable for its dome and wall paintings dating back to the 5th century and its architecture. Later drive to Yeha 5^th century Temple displaying incredible skills in stonework and is in fact the oldest building still standing in Ethiopia. Finally drive to Axum.

Overnight Sabean Hotel Axum/Similar (Bed and breakfast)

Day 14:- Axum City Tour

After breakfast, explore Axum, a city with over 2,500 years of history and the heart of Ethiopia’s ancient civilization. Visit St. Mary’s Church and the Sanctuary Chapel, believed to house the Ark of the Covenant. Tour the famous Stelae Park, featuring towering obelisks that serve as reminders of Axum’s rich past. Explore the Tombs of King Kaleb and his son Gebre Meskel, and view Ezana’s Inscriptions, a record of Ethiopia’s early history. Discover the legendary Queen of Sheba’s Bath and Palace Ruins before concluding with a visit to the Axum Museum, which showcases a wealth of historical artifacts.

Overnight Sabean Hotel Axum/Similar (Bed and breakfast)

Day 15:- Fly Axum – Addis Ababa – Departure

Today you will be transferred to take your flight to Addis Ababa, where upon arrival you will enjoy a full day of sightseeing and shopping at Shiro Meda, the city’s largest market for traditional clothes. This evening you culminate with a farewell dinner in a traditional restaurant with traditional music and dances transfer to the airport for departure.