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Explore Historical Northern Ethiopia and the Danakil Depression
11 days
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About this activity
Itinerary
Day 1: Addis City Tour while you get acclimated to the altitude!
Stop At: Ethnological Museum, Algeria St Piazza Haile, Addis Ababa Ethiopia
Here you have a guided introduction to Ethiopian cultures and history.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Addis Mercato, Kenya St Addis Ketema, Addis Ababa Ethiopia
Experience one of the busiest and biggest open air market in Africa! We guide you through the maze which is Mercato, and have fun doing it.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Entoto Hill, Addis Ababa Ethiopia
Depending on the time you arrive we end the day here at the top of Entoto Hill. You'll enjoy the sunset while watching the sweeping views over the city of Addis Ababa.
Duration: 45 minutes
Meals included:
• Dinner: You will have a welcome dinner of traditional Ethiopian food, music and dance. Alcoholic drinks are not included.
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Nexus Hotel or similar 4 star accommodation.
Day 2: Fly from Addis to Bahir Dar
Stop At: Lake Tana, Ground floor from Blue Nile Hotel, Bahir Dar 1000 Ethiopia
We take the morning flight to Bahir Dar, one of the largest cities in Ethiopia. Here our guests enjoy a boat trip on Lake Tana, here there are 37 islands and 32 of them have churches and monasteries of considerable historical and cultural interest. The monastery church of UraKidane Mihret is the most decorative with a huge, conical thatched roof, painted with scenes of Biblical lore.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Blue Nile Falls, Ethiopia
After lunch guests take an excursion to the Blue Nile Falls, also known locally as Tissisat (smoking waterfall): 100 m (328 ft) wide, the water plunges for 45m, giving rise to steam clouds and rainbows. Late in the afternoon, drive back to Bahir Dar and finish the day with a lovely sunset over Lake Tana.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Dinner
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Jacaranda Hotel- 3 star hotel
Day 3: Drive from Bahir Dar to the Simien Mountains National Park
Stop At: Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia
After breakfast drive to the Semien Mountains via Kosoye where we stop at Befikir Kosoye Ecology Lodge (lunch stop). Upon arrival in Debark, where we obtain a permit from the Park headquarters, the obligatory scout will join the group. Guests have the option to be dropped off two hours hike away from their lodge. This allows you to enjoy the breathtaking views over the escarpment and spot large groups of Gelada monkeys.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
• Lunch
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at the Simien Lodge the only accommodations within the park.
Day 4: Spend the day trekking in the Simien Mountains
Stop At: Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia
You'll enjoy the whole day trekking and exploring the fauna and flora of the park.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
• Lunch
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Simien Lodge
Day 5: Drive to Gondar
Stop At: Fasil Ghebbi, Gonder Ethiopia
In Gondar you will learn the history behind the only castles found in Africa.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Debre Berhan Selassie Church, Gondar, Ethiopia, Gonder Ethiopia
We end the day with a tour of the Church of Debre Berhan Selassie (Light of the Trinity). The interior is decorated with beautiful frescos, cherubs and paintings. This notable church is rumored to have once been the proposed final resting-place of the Ark of the Covenant.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Dinner: We enjoy an amazing dinner at one of the best restaurants in Ethiopia, "The Four Sisters".
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Goha Hotel is an older hotel with panoramic views of the mountains and city of Gondar below.
Day 6: Fly to Lalibela
Stop At: Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, Lalibela 1260 Ethiopia
We take the morning flight to Lalibela. After lunch we begin the tour of the first half of the magnificent rock-hewn churches, a UNESCO World Heritage site. These eleven monolithic churches were carved directly into the stone mountainside at least 800 years ago. This complex boasts the largest monolithic church in the world, a maze of passageways and tunnels, intricately carved reliefs, and many great icon paintings.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
• Dinner
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Lalibela Lodge or similar accommodations.
Day 7: Day trip to Yemrhannes Kristos
Stop At: Yemrehanna Kristos, Lalibela Ethiopia
Drive to YemrehanneKristos, a beautiful church situated in a shallow cave that predates the churches of Lalibela. The drive to Yemrehanne will give you the opportunity to view the rural countryside and villages of the Ethiopian highlands.
Duration: 4 hours
Stop At: Bilbala St. George Rock Hewn Church, Kebele 01 Lasta, Lalibela Ethiopia
Upon returning to Lalibela, guests finish touring the remaining rock-hewn churches, including the most famous St.Georges.
Duration: 2 minutes
Meals included:
• Lunch
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Lalibela Lodge or similar accommodation.
Day 8: Fly from Lalibela to Axum
Stop At: Northern Stelae Field, Near St Mary of Zion Church, Axum Ethiopia
Axum is one of the oldest African empires and represented a crucial trade route connecting Africa and Asia for almost a thousand years. Today guests will visit; the granite stone Stelae of Axum, the Tombs of King Kaleb and his son King G/Meskel, Ezana’s stone inscriptions, the Queen of Sheba’s palace and swimming poo ruins and the Church of Zion, the supposed final resting place of the True Ark of Covenant.
Duration: 5 hours
Meals included:
• Dinner
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Yared Zema Hotel or similar accommodations
Day 9: Drive from Axum to Hamedella
Stop At: Danakil Depression, 0125 Ethiopia
The drive from Axum to HamedEla in the Danakil Depression is approximately six hours. This is one of the lowest and hottest inhabited places on earth, with daytime temperatures often reaching up to 50 °C. Upon arrival we take an excursion to Dallol. Here we witness scenery like no other on earth. It is a sensory experience as you walk on the bright neon colored salt, iron, sulfur and potash deposits. You feel the heat of the earth under your feet, while listening to the bubbling water beneath you and know you are in a one of a kind place. We end the day at the salt flats and on Lake Asale.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight camping under the stars. Clean sheets and all meals are provided while in the Danakil Depression.
Day 10: Trek to Erta Ale volcano
Stop At: Erta Ale, 6611 Ethiopia
After breakfast we cross the desert heading towards Erta Ale. We stop for lunch in Dodom, which is the base of the volcano crater, where we get permits to climb to the top. After our six hour drive, we arrive at Erta Ale around 6pm. Once the temperature cools some we begin our 15 kilometer trek (approx.3.5 hours) to the top of the volcano.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight camping under the stars.
Day 11: Return to Addis Ababa via Mekele
Stop At: Erta Ale, 6611 Ethiopia
The lava is brightest when observed in the dawn light, so at 5 a.m. guests will be awoken to witness the erupting, glowing lava lake. After spending time at one of only six permanent lava lakes in the world, guests have breakfast before beginning the long drive back to Mekele. On the drive back we stop to see how Afar salt miners work to extract salt in the traditional way. If we are fortunate, we also witness the salt being loaded onto long camel caravans, to transport to market.
Once in Mekele, guests fly back to Addis Ababa.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight at Nexus Hotel or similar.
Read more
Show less
Day 1: Addis City Tour while you get acclimated to the altitude!
Stop At: Ethnological Museum, Algeria St Piazza Haile, Addis Ababa Ethiopia
Here you have a guided introduction to Ethiopian cultures and history.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Addis Mercato, Kenya St Addis Ketema, Addis Ababa Ethiopia
Experience one of the busiest and biggest open air market in Africa! We guide you through the maze which is Mercato, and have fun doing it.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Entoto Hill, Addis Ababa Ethiopia
Depending on the time you arrive we end the day here at the top of Entoto Hill. You'll enjoy the sunset while watching the sweeping views over the city of Addis Ababa.
Duration: 45 minutes
Meals included:
• Dinner: You will have a welcome dinner of traditional Ethiopian food, music and dance. Alcoholic drinks are not included.
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Nexus Hotel or similar 4 star accommodation.
Day 2: Fly from Addis to Bahir Dar
Stop At: Lake Tana, Ground floor from Blue Nile Hotel, Bahir Dar 1000 Ethiopia
We take the morning flight to Bahir Dar, one of the largest cities in Ethiopia. Here our guests enjoy a boat trip on Lake Tana, here there are 37 islands and 32 of them have churches and monasteries of considerable historical and cultural interest. The monastery church of UraKidane Mihret is the most decorative with a huge, conical thatched roof, painted with scenes of Biblical lore.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Blue Nile Falls, Ethiopia
After lunch guests take an excursion to the Blue Nile Falls, also known locally as Tissisat (smoking waterfall): 100 m (328 ft) wide, the water plunges for 45m, giving rise to steam clouds and rainbows. Late in the afternoon, drive back to Bahir Dar and finish the day with a lovely sunset over Lake Tana.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Dinner
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Jacaranda Hotel- 3 star hotel
Day 3: Drive from Bahir Dar to the Simien Mountains National Park
Stop At: Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia
After breakfast drive to the Semien Mountains via Kosoye where we stop at Befikir Kosoye Ecology Lodge (lunch stop). Upon arrival in Debark, where we obtain a permit from the Park headquarters, the obligatory scout will join the group. Guests have the option to be dropped off two hours hike away from their lodge. This allows you to enjoy the breathtaking views over the escarpment and spot large groups of Gelada monkeys.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
• Lunch
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at the Simien Lodge the only accommodations within the park.
Day 4: Spend the day trekking in the Simien Mountains
Stop At: Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia
You'll enjoy the whole day trekking and exploring the fauna and flora of the park.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
• Lunch
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Simien Lodge
Day 5: Drive to Gondar
Stop At: Fasil Ghebbi, Gonder Ethiopia
In Gondar you will learn the history behind the only castles found in Africa.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Debre Berhan Selassie Church, Gondar, Ethiopia, Gonder Ethiopia
We end the day with a tour of the Church of Debre Berhan Selassie (Light of the Trinity). The interior is decorated with beautiful frescos, cherubs and paintings. This notable church is rumored to have once been the proposed final resting-place of the Ark of the Covenant.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Dinner: We enjoy an amazing dinner at one of the best restaurants in Ethiopia, "The Four Sisters".
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Goha Hotel is an older hotel with panoramic views of the mountains and city of Gondar below.
Day 6: Fly to Lalibela
Stop At: Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, Lalibela 1260 Ethiopia
We take the morning flight to Lalibela. After lunch we begin the tour of the first half of the magnificent rock-hewn churches, a UNESCO World Heritage site. These eleven monolithic churches were carved directly into the stone mountainside at least 800 years ago. This complex boasts the largest monolithic church in the world, a maze of passageways and tunnels, intricately carved reliefs, and many great icon paintings.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
• Dinner
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Lalibela Lodge or similar accommodations.
Day 7: Day trip to Yemrhannes Kristos
Stop At: Yemrehanna Kristos, Lalibela Ethiopia
Drive to YemrehanneKristos, a beautiful church situated in a shallow cave that predates the churches of Lalibela. The drive to Yemrehanne will give you the opportunity to view the rural countryside and villages of the Ethiopian highlands.
Duration: 4 hours
Stop At: Bilbala St. George Rock Hewn Church, Kebele 01 Lasta, Lalibela Ethiopia
Upon returning to Lalibela, guests finish touring the remaining rock-hewn churches, including the most famous St.Georges.
Duration: 2 minutes
Meals included:
• Lunch
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Lalibela Lodge or similar accommodation.
Day 8: Fly from Lalibela to Axum
Stop At: Northern Stelae Field, Near St Mary of Zion Church, Axum Ethiopia
Axum is one of the oldest African empires and represented a crucial trade route connecting Africa and Asia for almost a thousand years. Today guests will visit; the granite stone Stelae of Axum, the Tombs of King Kaleb and his son King G/Meskel, Ezana’s stone inscriptions, the Queen of Sheba’s palace and swimming poo ruins and the Church of Zion, the supposed final resting place of the True Ark of Covenant.
Duration: 5 hours
Meals included:
• Dinner
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Yared Zema Hotel or similar accommodations
Day 9: Drive from Axum to Hamedella
Stop At: Danakil Depression, 0125 Ethiopia
The drive from Axum to HamedEla in the Danakil Depression is approximately six hours. This is one of the lowest and hottest inhabited places on earth, with daytime temperatures often reaching up to 50 °C. Upon arrival we take an excursion to Dallol. Here we witness scenery like no other on earth. It is a sensory experience as you walk on the bright neon colored salt, iron, sulfur and potash deposits. You feel the heat of the earth under your feet, while listening to the bubbling water beneath you and know you are in a one of a kind place. We end the day at the salt flats and on Lake Asale.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight camping under the stars. Clean sheets and all meals are provided while in the Danakil Depression.
Day 10: Trek to Erta Ale volcano
Stop At: Erta Ale, 6611 Ethiopia
After breakfast we cross the desert heading towards Erta Ale. We stop for lunch in Dodom, which is the base of the volcano crater, where we get permits to climb to the top. After our six hour drive, we arrive at Erta Ale around 6pm. Once the temperature cools some we begin our 15 kilometer trek (approx.3.5 hours) to the top of the volcano.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight camping under the stars.
Day 11: Return to Addis Ababa via Mekele
Stop At: Erta Ale, 6611 Ethiopia
The lava is brightest when observed in the dawn light, so at 5 a.m. guests will be awoken to witness the erupting, glowing lava lake. After spending time at one of only six permanent lava lakes in the world, guests have breakfast before beginning the long drive back to Mekele. On the drive back we stop to see how Afar salt miners work to extract salt in the traditional way. If we are fortunate, we also witness the salt being loaded onto long camel caravans, to transport to market.
Once in Mekele, guests fly back to Addis Ababa.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight at Nexus Hotel or similar.
Included
- 11x Breakfast
- 7x Dinner
- 6x Lunch
- Accommodation included: 11 nights
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Entry/Admission - Ethnological Museum
- Entry/Admission - Entoto Hill
- Entry/Admission - Lake Tana
- Entry/Admission - Blue Nile Falls
- Entry/Admission - Simien Mountains National Park
- Entry/Admission - Fasil Ghebbi
- Entry/Admission - Debre Berhan Selassie Church
- Entry/Admission - Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela
- Entry/Admission - Yemrehanna Kristos
- Entry/Admission - Bilbala St. George Rock Hewn Church
- Entry/Admission - Northern Stelae Field
- Entry/Admission - Danakil Depression
- Entry/Admission - Erta Ale
Not included
- Domestic flights
Additional
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Not recommended for travelers who experience altitude sickness
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
Features
Tourism
95%
Cultural
75%
Original
15%
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