8 Days Omo Valley, Danakil and Lalibela Tours from Jinka

• Omo Valley Tribes (southern Ethiopia)

• The surreal Danakil Depression (northeast)

• The sacred rock-hewn churches of Lalibela (north-central highlands)

Start Point: Jinka
End Point: Addis Ababa
Style: Adventure + Culture
Best Season: October to March

🗓️ Day 1: Jinka – Mursi Tribe – Turmi (Hamar Tribe)

Highlights: Mursi Lip Plates, Tribal Villages, Hamar Culture

• Morning: Visit the Mursi tribe in Mago National Park

  • Women with clay lip plates, body scarification

• Return to Jinka for lunch.

• Drive to Turmi, home of the Hamar people

  • If available: Bull-jumping ceremony (rite of passage)

  • Optional Evangadi dance with locals in the evening

Overnight: Buska Lodge or similar – Turmi
Drive Time: ~5–6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

🗓️ Day 2: Turmi – Dassanech Tribe – Dimeka Market – Konso

Highlights: Omo River, Dassanech & Hamar Tribes, Local Market

• Morning: Cross the Omo River to visit the Dassanech people – pastoralists near the Kenya border

• Visit the Dimeka market (if Saturday or Tuesday) – Hamar, Karo, Benna tribes

• Afternoon drive to Konso (UNESCO site)

  • Visit a Konso village: Stone terraces, waka totems

Overnight: Kanta Lodge – Konso
Drive Time: ~6–7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

🗓️ Day 3: Konso – Arba Minch – Addis Ababa (Flight)

Highlights: Dorze Village (optional), Scenic Rift Valley, City Transfer

• Morning drive to Arba Minch.

  • Optional stop at Dorze village (weavers, bamboo houses, enset processing)

• Flight to Addis Ababa (typically mid-day or afternoon)

• Transfer to hotel, relax

Overnight: Hotel in Addis Ababa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Flight: Arba Minch → Addis Ababa

🗓️ Day 4: Addis Ababa – Semera (Flight) – Danakil (Lake Afdera)

Highlights: Salt Lake, Afar Culture, Desert Drive

• Morning flight to Semera, gateway to Danakil

• Join 4×4 team and drive to Lake Afdera – desert salt lake surrounded by lava fields

• Visit Afar salt workers, optional dip in lake or hot springs

• Camp under the stars near the lake

Overnight: Desert Camp – Afdera
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Flight: Addis → Semera
Drive Time: ~4–5 hours

🗓️ Day 5: Afdera – Erta Ale Volcano (Night Hike)

Highlights: Night Trek, Lava Lake, Volcano Experience

• Morning drive across volcanic plains toward Erta Ale

• Evening hike (3 hours) to the crater rim

  • See lava activity (if active)

  • Sleep near the summit in basic shelters

Overnight: Volcano Crater Shelter
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Trek: ~3 hours up, 2.5 down

🗓️ Day 6: Erta Ale – Dallol – Semera – Lalibela (Flight or Drive + Flight)

Highlights: Dallol Sulfur Fields, Salt Flats, Fly to Lalibela

• Early descent, then drive to Dallol:

  • Acid pools, colorful salt formations, camel caravans

  • One of Earth’s lowest and hottest places

• Return to Semera, evening flight or next-day morning flight to Lalibela

Overnight: Hotel in Lalibela
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Flight: Semera → Lalibela (via Addis if needed)

🗓️ Day 7: Full-Day Lalibela Rock-Hewn Churches Tour

Highlights: UNESCO Heritage Churches, Spiritual Experience

• Visit Lalibela’s northern and eastern clusters of rock-hewn churches

  • Highlights: Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Giyorgis, Bet Maryam

  • Learn about King Lalibela’s 12th-century vision of a “New Jerusalem”

• Optional: Attend church service or coffee ceremony

Overnight: Hotel in Lalibela
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

🗓️ Day 8: Lalibela – Addis Ababa (Flight) – Departure

Highlights: Morning flight, optional souvenir shopping, farewell dinner

• Morning flight to Addis Ababa

• Optional final sightseeing (time permitting): Mercato market, coffee tasting

• Farewell dinner at traditional Ethiopian restaurant

• Transfer to airport for international flight

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Flight: Lalibela → Addis Ababa

✅ What’s Included:

• All domestic flights (Addis–Semera, Semera–Lalibela, Lalibela–Addis)

• 4×4 transport in Omo Valley and Danakil with experienced drivers

• All accommodations: hotels, lodges, camps

• All meals in Danakil and Omo Valley

• Professional English-speaking guides

• Park & village entrance fees

• Camping equipment (in Danakil)

⚠️ Travel Notes:

• Danakil is extreme: hot, remote, and basic — bring sun protection, electrolytes, and a spirit of adventure.

• Flights may require flexibility due to regional schedules (especially Semera–Lalibela).

• Consider adding travel insurance for emergency coverage in remote areas.