Overview
Take a journey through one of Africa’s least explored countries – a true blend of natural wonders and ancient history. A visit to the dramatic, arid landscapes of the Danakil Depression kicks-off an adventurous fortnight of discovery, including Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches and the rugged Simien Mountains.
Trip Highlights
- The Historic North (Lalibela's rock churches, Aksum's obelisks, Gondar's castles, Lake Tana)
- Dramatic nature in the Simien & Bale Mountains
- Colorful Danakil Depression (Erta Ale volcano)
- The tribal diversity of the Omo Valley
- Vibrant capital, Addis Ababa
Itinerary
Upon arrival you will meet up with your escort guide for the tour who will be awaiting you at the reception holding your names. have a quick breakfast at the airport and board a flight to iconic Lalibela. Upon landing you be picked up by a Van and driven to the engineering master works of king and saint Lalibela during the Zagwe dynasty in the 12th and 13th century. Whose orthodox devotion led to 11 rock hewn churches. All the churches are curved manually upside down with exquisite precision using basic tools of hammers and chisels. The churches of Lalibela still to this day hold a significant place in the hearts of Ethiopian orthodox Christians. Apart from its historical and symbolic values it’s also a site of spirituality with thousands flocking annually to fulfill their religious duties. Overnight.
Right in the morning after breakfast continue exploring the rest of the churches in Lalibela. Soon after catch a midday flight to Addis Ababa. Having Driven you to your designated hotel and dropping off the luggage. We will sit down for a quick lunch. afterwards commence the city tour from Miniliks palace and museum followed by Baeta Mariam church then stop by the national museum if time permits. Overnight
Take the earliest of flights on the day to Afar regional capital Semera. Upon landing at the airport in semera we will be introduced to our expedition accompany team of drivers, local guide and cooking team, road leaders from the tourism authorities and a police escort. With our tuff Toyota Landcruiser SUVs Packed with cooking and camping gears as well as provisions for the voyage, we begin our journey to Hamadela located in the Dallol vicinity. In the afternoon Explore the eye-catching Sunset over a saline lake Assale. Open-air camp. Overnight.
Infuse
Early in the morning before sunrise we drive to the lunar landscape of Dallol geothermal site for an amazing wonder seen nowhere else in the planet. A chemical reaction happening right in front of you live face to face with row nature. You will revise your knowledge of colours from that moment on. After this we drive to the salt and mud formed mountain cave right underneath Dallol crater. Another 10 minutes’ drive and a completely different world. We will have a picnic breakfast in nearby this cave with wonder. After this visit we drive to the vast salt plains, submerge and cool your body temperature at lake Karum saltwater pond and finally visit the salt miners before leaving back to Hamedela for some rest and after lunch we continue driving to Ertale active volcano. We reach our camping ground at the top of the Caldera. Walk 30 minutes until the summit crater lake currently at its active cycle.
Enjoy the wonder happening right in front of you and walk back to the camping site. We leave for the volcano around 5:30 Pm late in the afternoon and walk back after visiting around
8:00PM.
Overnight open-air camping on a flat ground with under an open sky with serene surroundings.
In the morning wake up with the sun in opens and after breakfast drive to Afdera Salt Lake town.
The main hub for Ethiopia’s salt production and distribution lying at -102m below sea level and the highest temperature feeling in the Danakil depression.
Have lunch in town, a glimpse of the Salt Lake, a walk along the salt farms and lastly continue driving back to Semera and take a late afternoon flight back to Addis @4:45pm. Overnight
On arrival in at Arbaminch Airport you will be welcomed by our new drivers and 4*4s for the Omo valley voyage. head straight to your designated hotel for check in for then sit down for breakfast. Shortly after drive to Chamo lake. Boat cruise on lake Chamo while witnessing the largest fresh water reptile, the NILE Crocodile, the largest fresh water passive mammal the Hippopotamus and a variety of birdlife. On the way step into Nechsar national park. In the park you will come across Burchels Zebra, Gazelle and antelopes going about their daily business. Lunch then in the afternoon drive uphill to Dorze tribe’s village. The Dorze people are pretty famous for their tradition of weaving, for their beehive shaped houses with the front mimicking an elephant. Have a taste of their flat bread made out of a false banana and homemade distilled spirit(Russian vodka) etc. after concluding you tour of dorze revert back to Arbaminch for an overnight.
Wake up early in the morning and set forward to Konso. The konso people are an ethinic group who are revered for their landscaping tradition of terracing and housing style. a centuries old engineering mastery that has become the way of life. An adaptation to unfavorable rocky environment and steep terrain solely driven by social survivalism that has been rewarded by the world heritage organization, the UNESCO in 2011. The main factor for construction of the horizontal stone layer walls is to retain the quality of the soil on top that serve as a fence against erosion and landslide. once in Konso, we will visit one of the villages, Gamole and find out and learn more about their authenticities. Learn about the community housing for the youth and the homeless, generation poles installed once every 18 years to implicate the age of a particular neighborhood, circular aval shaped maturity stones Etc…
After we complete our visitation, we continue driving towards enroute stop by the road Turmi for an overnight camping at the hammer tribe’s village. There you will engage with a Hamar family to learn about their daily routines, lifestyle and activities. Overnight camping.
here after breakfast, you will get to explore the authentic tribal open air-market of the nomadic Hamar who share similar cultural traditions with its close ancestor the Bana tribe. Learn about Hamar lady’s unique goat skin dresses and hair beautification styles, about their quite rare rituals, language, daily activities, means of economic wealth. After an hour of kickbacks, In the evening short drive to one of the Hamar villages. if lucky Witness their evening Rituals like the Evangadi, an evening singing and dancing Ceremony/Bull jumping ceremony. Camping at the village /Overnight at paradise lodge or similar.
if lucky Witness their evening Rituals like the Evangadi, an evening singing and dancing Ceremony/Bull jumping ceremony. Camping at the village /Overnight at paradise lodge or similar.
Right in the morning drive to Omorate. There explore the scattered village of the Dasanech tribe crossing the Omo River with an improvised flat bottomed wooden boat. Then after drive to Karo and witness the famous Karo tribe who are known for their intricate body painting. Drive back to Turmi for an overnight.
Wake up early in the morning and drive straight to Jinka, make a short stop at Alduba town. Have glimpses of the Alduba open air market dominated by Bana and Aari tribes, trader and merchants from close and far. Settle for lunch, soon after, continue driving towards Jinka. Make another stop atop a hill by the charming and entertaining body painted stilt walkers of Bana tribe boys.
In Jinka get a glimpse of an Aari tribes biggest open-air market. A vibrant slightly modern but diverse in produce that’s the center for traders and merchants from all over the Omo Valley. Overnight. Hotel/ similar lodging.
Wake up in the morning, after breakfast make a short excursion to Mago national park to visit the Mursi tribe within. Whose women are known for leap stretching with circular plates. After wrapping up our time with the Iconic Mursi revert back to Jinka. Drop off at the airport.
END OF THE TOUR!!!
Included and Excluded
Included
- All accommodation twin/ double basis as stated in the program
- All transport and listed activities, 4WD Toyota Land cruiser
- Tour guide throughout
- All camping materials
- All entrance fees
- Cook for the camping
- All government tax
Excluded
- Travel insurance
- Single accommodation (available on request)
- Visa fees
- Vaccinations
- Domestic Flights (available on request)
- Activities not mentioned in the itinerary