16 Days Tours Danakil, Lalibela, Omo Valley
Day 1,
fly addis - mekelle – Volcano our driver will wait for you at the airport for pick up then after,
We drive from Mekelle – 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 ErtaAle and it takes about 3 hrs trekking. Early dinner around 17:00 and trek up to ErtaAle 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. ErtaAle 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. ErtaAle contains the world’s only permanent lava lake. ErtaAle 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 2,
ErtaAle-HamadEla
waking up early ErtaAle -Dodom Leave back to Dodom you will reach latest at 8.00 am at the camp , after breakfast time to relax. then drive to HamadEla 100km, picnic lunch on the way on shed of palm tree, reach HamadEla 04:30, better village with a total population about 500 people. You will see lots of camel caravans and you will have the sun set look from the very shallow salt lake Assale. Overnight camping at HamadEla. over night camping
Day 3,
HamadEla- Dallol- Mekelle
Morning tour Drive to Ragad (Asebo), the place where the
localities are mining salt. 1,200 km2 (460 sq mi) the Afar Depression is covered by salt, and you will Look the activity of breaking the salt from the ground, local people are 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 Assale + salt canon, camel caravans, follow up camel caravans and Drive back to HamadEla for lunch and proceed to Mekele, over night hotel
Day 4,
drive mekelle – lalibela in this day we have 9 hours driving approximate through out the good road and amazing land escapes, over night hotel
Day 5,
with our professional tour guide visit the rock hewn churches of Lalibela. Lalibela is most famous for its churches. Visit the 12-13th century Rock hewn churches called the ̎Eighth wonder of the world ̋ which are still active places of worship and host many major religious Ceremonies. The churches are carved out of solid rock, and each has unique architectural features. Take a wander through the tunnels and stairways linking the churches together.
After lunch will drive to the site where we find a concentration of some of Ethiopians most famous Rock Hewn churches, mostly referred by many as ʺthe living wonders of the worldʺ this churches are, they have been here for at list 900 years, an active christen shrine, the spiritual centre of the counters religious life. The monolithic churches where carved out of 2600-sq natural rock terrace in the twelve century AD by king lalibela.
Bete Medhanialem, the largest monolithic Roc k hewn churches of the world, Magers 37.7 ft in Height, covers an area of almost 2625 Square ft and has walls that are up to 6 feet thick. A plain building supported by 36 pillars on the inside and anther 38 pillars around the outside. Bête Medhanialem modeled on the original st. Merry zion church build by king Ezana in 4th century at axum.
The Rock hewn churchs that we will visit today before lunch will be the first group of churches included: Bete Medhanialem, Bete Mariam, Bete Meskel, BeteDenagl and Bete Gologota Michal, over night hotel.
Day 6,
The 2nd and 3rd group Churches of lalibela
After Having breakfast we will continue our journey in To Ethiopians long and marvellous past with a visit to other sent Lalibela Remarkable churches. There architecture and artistry must be seen to be believed.
The Rock Hewn Churches that we will visit this afternoon the second group of churches and St, Gorge it included: Bete Gebral, Bete Merquros, Bete Emanule, Betelehiam , Bete Aba Libanos and Bete Ghiorgis .
Once we finished visiting the second group of churches and we will walk to the village so the complex bewildering labyrinth of underground Tunnels to the monastery where the monks and nuns live.
At the end of the tour, there will be Ethiopian Traditional coffee ceremony for you prepared at local House. Those who can’t face there day without a cup of coffee maybe surprise to know that in Its birth place in Ethiopia caffa Region from which it gets its name the Berries where originally only eaten. Never roosted and Ground for a drink. Only since the 13th century. Coffee has been mad a hot drink. Holding a coffee ceremony is a traditional Ethiopian way of welcoming a gust and Giving the Gust the best Hospitality. It is probably only one of the most celebrated Ethiopian Tradition, and a life style in which most Ethiopians can identify themselves with. o/n hotel
Day 7,
Asheten marim monastery & yimrhanne kirstos
After early Breakfast trek to visit the monastery church of Asheten Maryam (3150m). Ashten mariam monastery located 2:00hur walk from Lalibela, enjoy the spectacular view starting you left the town, Asheten mariam was the first church of king lalibela but Lalibela he didn’t finished the church it was completed by his nephew and successor king Nakutelab. The church has ancient sculptures. After you visit the church walk to the near hill to enjoy the panoramic view of the area and in another direction return lalibela.
After Lunch we Drive to YemrehaneKirstos(2hur) visit the marble churches called Yimrhannekirstos, which predates the Lalibela churches and was built using a completely different style of construction involving marble and wood. The church is built inside a cave. Pass through different villages and learn about local crops on different plateaus, specular view till your reach the church. return to Lalibela let in the afternoon for a nice dinner at ben abeba restaurant. o/n hotel
Day 8,
fly lalibela - Addis o/n hotel
Day 9
Depart south from Addis Ababa via Butajira. On the way you will visit the archeological sites of Tiya (ancient stelae field and UNESCO World Heritage Site), Adadi Maryam (a rock-hewn church similar to those in Lalibela) and Melka Kunture (pre-historic tool-making site). Final destination for the day is Awassa. O/n hotel
Day 10,
In the morning after breakfast, visit the fish market on the shores of Lake Awassa and then proceed driving to Dorze, set in the highlands above Arba Minch. The Dorze people are known for their tall beehive-like houses and their fine cotton weaving. You will visit the village and learn about the daily lives of these industrious people. If today is market day (in Dorze village on Monday and Thursday and in nearby Chencha on Tuesday and Saturday), that will be visited. Overnight in Dorze in traditional Dorze hut (shared toilet facilities) or continue to Arba Minch. o/n hotel or lodge
Day 11,
In the morning, depart from Arba Minch to Turmi. On the way you will pass through the village of Weyto (market daySaturday), which is home to the Tsemai tribe. Continue through the Weyto Valley to Erbore, where you will have a brief visit to a local Erbore village (market day is Saturday). Finally, proceed to Turmi, home of the Hamer tribe. At night, you can see the traditional night dancing of the Hamer tribe, known as evangadi. O/n hotel or lodge
Day 12,
In the morning, take a day trip to Omorate to visit the Dassenech tribe. Here you will cross the Omo River by local boat and enter a Dassenech village. Afterwards, return to Turmi (Monday is market day) for a visit to a local Hamer village. If there is jumping of the Bulls traditional Hamer coming-of-age ceremony that will be visited. O/n hotel or lodge
Day 13,
Depart for Jinka, via Dimeka and Key Afar. Tuesdays and Saturdays are marketdays in Dimeka, which is one of the most colorful markets in the area and is visited by many tribes, including Hamer, Benna and Karo. Afterwards, continue to Jinka. O/n hotel or lodge
Day 14,
In the morning, drive through the Mago National Park to a local village of the Mursi tribe. The Mursi are known for their lower lip and earlobe plates. In the afternoon, after returning to Jinka, you can visit the South Omo Museum & Research Center to learn more about the local tribes. Alternatively, take a hike in the surrounding hills to visit a local Ari village. O/n hotel or lodge
Day 15,
After breakfast, depart from Jinka to Arba Minch via Key Afar and Konso. Thursday is market day in Key Afar, where you will see the Benna and Tsemai tribes trading goods. This is another very popular market in the region. After the visit, proceed to Konso (market days are Mondays and Thursdays). The Konso people are known for their wooden statues, known as wakas, which are erected in honor of dead heroes as well as their innovative agricultural terracing. Today you will have a brief opportunity to visit a local village and the cultural museum displaying many waka statues. After the visit, proceed driving to Arba Minch. O/n hotel or lodge
Day 16,
Early in the morning depart for a boat trip on Lake Chamo to visit the “crocodile market”, and the local hippos. Afterwards, fly Arba Minch to Addis Ababa.
Arrive addis afternoon around 4pm and shopping around addis and evening transfer to airport.