24 Days North, East and South Ethiopia with Danakil Depression Tours

Day 01: Arrival – Sightseeing Addis (The new Flower)

You will be met upon arrival and transferred to your hotel. Refresh and begin your sightseeing of Addis with a drive up to mount Entoto for a panoramic view of Addis. Descend down and drive to National museum where you will have a chance to spot the oldest hominids of ‘Lucy’ fossil. Visit and proceed to the Holy Trinity built during the WWII. Then proceed to Ethnographic museum, which use to be the palace of Emperor Hailesellase. To wrap up you drive to merkato, the biggest market in East Africa. Overnight in Addis.

Day 02: Fly Addis – Bahir Dar

After breakfast passing through the wonderful chain mountains and densely tree forest of Mount Entoto then after a two hours driving we will be arriving at one of the respected monastery of Ethiopia Debre Libanos is a monastery in Ethiopia which is  lying northwest of Addis Ababa and it was  Founded in the 13th century by Saint Tekle Haymanot we will visit the museums that have a lot of ancient bible books collection with religious crosses later we will see the internal parts of the church then we will be passing the womndeerful landscapes of Blue Nile George we will have a stop over at Debre Markos later after lunch we will keep our driving to the next stop of lake Zengena.

Overnight Bahir Dar

Day 03: Bahir Dar (Lakeside Town)

After breakfast you will take a boat cruise on Lake Tana to visit the 14th century Monastery of Ura Kidane Mihret which is the most famous of the Zege peninsula monasteries. Afternoon, you will drive to the village of Tis Isat to see the Blue Nile falls ((Note that the volume of the water could be minimal because of the construction of the new dam.) Overnight in Bahir Dar.

Day 04: Drive Bahir Dar – Gondar (The Camelot of Africa)

After having your breakfast, you will begin your journey to Gondar. The Royal Capital of Ethiopia, Gondar was founded in 1636 by Emperor Fassiladas. In the afternoon you will visit the city of Gondar with the drive to the Castles and Churches built by Emperor Fassiladas and his descendants.  Proceed to the fascinating Debre Birhan Selassie (The Enlightening of Trinity) with Wonderful murals art, Qusquam Church. Overnight in Gondar.

Day 05: Gondar – Excursion to Semien Mountains (122 kms 4 – 5 hrs  drive)

Today you will drive to Buyit Ras a segment of the Semein Mountain. This is a sight, which is termed as the most wild and magnificent view all Ethiopian landscapes. The Semien Mountains National park is the only place in Ethiopia registered by the UNESCO as a natural beauty.

Overnight Debarq

Day 06:Debarq Axum (Mysterious Monolithes)

After an early breakfast we will be driving to  Axum. A city more than 2500 years of history, once the center of a great empire and ancient civilization, home of the original Ark of covenants, Axum is the prime historical site in the north of Ethiopia. Take a city tour that include the St. Mary’s Church, the sanctuary Chapel which is the repository of the ‘Ark of covenant’, the coronation yard, Stelae Park, Tomb of Kaleb and his son Gebre Meskel, Ezana’s Inscriptions, Queen of Sheba’s Bath, Queen of Sheba’s palace ruins and Axum Museum. Overnight in Axum.

Day 07: Axum –Hawzen

This day after breakfast we will be driving to Hawzen on the way we will stop at the temple of Yeha and the Rock Hewan Churches Of Tigray (Adikisho Medhanyalem,Wukero Cherkos and Abrha Wasba) then we will be staying the night at the town of Mekelle.

Overnight Mekelle

Day 08:Mekelle-Drive to Dodom-Volcano

We drive from Mekele to – Dodom. We start early drive to Dodom (at the base of Erta Ale). Leave after an early breakfast, possible at 07:30. This is may be one of the worst roads in the world. The 70 km distance may take about 5 hrs passing through changing landscape of solidified lava, rock, sand and occasional palm lined oasis. After you pass several small hamlets scattered here and there in this desert land, Dodom is about 9.5km from Erta Ale and it takes about 3 hrs trekking. Early dinner around 17:00 and trek up to Ertale at 20:00 hours. Camels transport all the camping materials and some food (sleeping materials like light mattresses and mat and water) to the rim of the volcano, where 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. Overnight on the top of the mountain. 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.

O/n camping on the mountain

Day 09: Dodem –Hammedele,

Descend from Erta Ale around 9 am Dodom – Hamd Ela. Leave back to Dodom after an early breakfast, if possible at 07:00. You will reach latest at 10:30 am at the camp, time to relax. After drive to reach Hamad Ela, better village with a total population about 500 people. O/n Hamedela( camping)

Day 10:Hamedela-Mekele

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 difference landscape formed by volcanic activity, Dallol + Lake Assal + camel caravans. Excursion to Dallol (116 meter below sea level, one of the lowest places in the world) colorful salts mining, visit Lake Assal, follow up camel caravans and walk with the Afar people. Drive back to Hamedela and proceed to Mekele.

Day 11:Meklle –Alamata-Lalibela

This day after breakfat we will be driving to the town of Lalibela on the way you will see the beautiful landscapes of Tigray reion and you will have a stopover at Alamata to see the markets of the wello and tigray people later we will be stoping at Weldya for lunch and we will continue our driving to Lalibela

Overnight Lalibela

Day 12: Lalibela (The Eighth Wonder of the World)  

You will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Lalibela. Be met upon arrival and transferred to your hotel. ‘Eighth wonder of world Heritage’ Lalibela is famous for its underground rock-hewn cathedrals.  In the afternoon you will visit top attractions of Lalibela that will simply stagger you. Overnight in Lalibela.

Day 13: Excursion to Yimrehane Kristos

Morning you will take an excursion to visit Yimrehane Kirstos, located in a mountain ridge, in the peak of Abuna Yosep. This exquisite church, a masterpiece of Axumite wood and stone construction and renewed for its interior decoration. The walls are subdivided vertically with recessions and projections. In the afternoon you will visit the remaining churches: Bete Gabriel, Bete Marqorios, Bete Emmanuel, and Bete Aba Libanos. Overnight in Lalibela.

Day 14:Lalibela- Kombolcha

After breakfast we will be driving to the town of Desse on the way we will stop at one of the lake side monastery of Hayq Estifanos which was built around the 13^th c by St Abune Moa later drive to Desse passing throught the amazing landscapes of Wello then we will stop for late lunch at Desse then we will continue our journey to our night stay town of Kmobolcha.

Overnight Kmbolcha

Day 15:Kombolcha –Senbete Market-Bati Market-Awash NP

This day based on the below dates you will have a chance of seeing the largest and nice markets

If the day is Monday you will have a chance of attending the 2^nd largest markets of Ethiopia(Bati Market) at the town of Bati then you will meet three tribes Afar , Wello and Oromo tribes and you will see the camel markets also.

If the day is Sunday you will see the Senbete(Sunday) market at the town of Senbete and you will see the beautiful people of Oromo and Wello together.

Later drive to Addis Ababa by stopping at Debre Birhan for lunch.

Overnight Addis

Day 16:Awash NP-Harar

After having  breakfast you will have a more game viewing and sightseeing precede to Harar. Visit the Hyena man in the evening.  Overnight Hotel.

Day 17: Harar-Dire Dewa

After having  breakfast you will have a city tour of Harar that includes Harari house and Museums, with colorful market, Arthur Rambau’d house, and ancient mosques.  Later in the afternoon we will be drive to dire Dawa for overnight Hotel

Day 18: ADire Dewa – Drive Langano (200 kms 4 – 5hrs drive)

This day you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Addis. You will be met upon arrival and drive further down southwards to Langano. En route visit Lake Ziway the largest of the upper Rift Valley lakes with an area of 400 sq. km. Its shores are creased with water lilies, breeding place for different Ethiopian. Proceed towards the Lake Langano. The lake is a place to enjoy water activities. Overnight in Langano.

Day 19: Drive Langano – Chencha – Arba Minch

Morning, drive to the town of Arba Minch visiting en route the Doreze village who are expert in weaving called Shammas. The shape of their house looks Elephant, in order to remember the existence of these animals around the area many years ago. Enset “fake banana” is the stable food for these peoples. Overnight in Arba Minch.

Day 20:  Drive Arba Minch – Konso – Jinka

After having your breakfast you will take a boat cruise on the Lake Chamo, the third biggest Lake in Ethiopia. On the Lake you may have a chance to see the Nile crocodiles, hippos and different types of birds. Visit and proceed southwards to Jinka passing through the Konso village, one of the UNESCO site in Ethiopia know by their terracing. One of the best types of coffee for the country is also from this village. Proceed to the Bana village. The Bana who are indigenous pastoral and semi-nomadic people living in the harsh environment of lower Omo Valley. The men often have their hair dressed up with a colorful clay cap that is decorated with feathers. Drive to the Ari people, the largest population in the lower omo valley. The women wear skirts from the banana like tree, called Enset are expert in pottery. Overnight in Jinka.

Day 21: Drive Jinka – Mago – Jinka – Turmi

Take a day excursion to Mago National Park to visit the Mursi village. The Mursi are one of the exotic ethnic groups in Ethiopia. They live in very low huts made of straw leaves. The women like to wear terra cotta on their enormously stretched lower lips and ear lobes. Drive back to Jinka for lunch. Then proceed to the Turmi where the Hamer people lives. Overnight in Turmi.

Day 22: Excursion to Karo and Nyangatom

This day you will drive to Murulle where you can find the Karo people.  Karo People is very famous for their splendid body decoration, which they paint their bodies and faces with white chalk to prepare for a ceremony. The women scar their chest believing it makes them beautiful. The men’s scars represent an enemy or dangerous animal killed. Visit and proceed to Nyangatom people, 17 kms away from the Murulle area. To adore their long and lean bodies, the Nyangatom women wear numerous necklaces and long skirts from goatskins that are richly decorated. Overnight in Turmi.

Day 23: Drive Turmi – Arbore Tribes-Arba Minch

Depart Turmi and proceed to Arba Minch visiting en route the Arobre tribes. Overnight in Arba Minch.

Day 24: Fly Arba Minch – Addis

You will be driving back to Addis Ababa on the way you will see the UNESCO sites of Tiya then in Addis at the evening attend a folkloric dinner where you will have a chance to taste several national dishes and watch dances of the various ethnic groups of Ethiopia. The traditional coffee ceremony will also be served.  Later you will be transferred to the airport for your departure.