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DANAKIL DEPRESSION & LALIBELA
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12 |
12 |
BET05 |
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DAYS |
MIN AGE |
TRIP CODE |
LEISURELY/ MODERATE |
ITINERARIES
Blessed Ethiopia tour will be pleased to prepare customized itineraries and price quotes according to our clients’ requirements. We suggest and design tour programs for every client.
FLEXIBILITY
We are very flexible every client’s suggestions to ensure our clients enjoy a perfect holiday. Our purpose and principle is to work with each client, family and group individually. We encourage our clients to discuss their expectations.
» TOUR PROGRAMS – ITINERARIES
Blessed Ethiopia tour will be pleased to prepare customized itineraries and price quotes according to our clients’ requirements. We suggest and design tour programs for every client. All itineraries have been personally researched by our executive tour operators in Addis Ababa.
» VEHICLES & EQUIPMENT
Our priority is to ensure our clients a 100% safe and comfortable trip. This is why we continually invest in flotillas of Toyota mini buses, Toyota Coaster Buses and 4WD Toyota Land Cruisers which are equipped with Microphone, seat belts and comprehensive insurance and maintained in a daily basis. Our experienced drivers know the Ethiopian roads pretty well and drive with strict safety measures.
Blessed Ethiopia tours are spent traveling between sites, villages and cities, we have top of the line vehicles and care about the comfort of every visitor. On those off-road journeys, Blessed Ethiopia Tour provides clients with quality, functional camping gear including tents, sleeping bags and mattresses for adventure tours to the Simien and Bale Mountains or camping tours in the South Omo Valley and Danakil Depression.
Blessed Ethiopia tours are spent traveling between sites, villages and cities, we have top of the line vehicles and care about the comfort of every visitor. On those off-road journeys, Blessed Ethiopia Tour provides clients with quality, functional camping gear including tents, sleeping bags and mattresses for adventure tours to the Simien and Bale Mountains or camping tours in the South Omo Valley and Danakil Depression.
» FLEXIBILITY
We are very flexibleio every client’s suggestions to ensure our clients enjoy a perfect holiday. Our purpose and principle is to work with each client, family and group individually. We encourage our clients to discuss their expectations, interest, budget etc., to be able to arrange a custom made tour just for you.
» PAST CLIENTS
The best and most reliable source of information is someone who has first-hand experience on something. Even better than a guidebook, our past clients are a great and reliable source of information. Most of them have stayed in constant touch with us even after going back home and are willing to have their contacts given out to potential clients.
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TRIP OVERVIEW
One of our most popular trips in Ethiopia, this tour explores the seldom-visited Ethiopia. This journey has all the best of the country's highlands and the north; the main highlights of the trip being the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, trekking in the Simien Mountains and an expedition into the wilds of the north to explore the Danakil Depression.
We also visit Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile, and the Blue Nile Falls where the great river cascades down into a massive gorge. Nestling on the bank of Lake Tana is the picturesque city of Bahir Dar, one the three great Ethiopian settlements we visit; the others are Addis Ababa and the historic city of Gondar, with its ancient castles and churches.
ITINERARY
DAY 1: WELCOME TO ETHIOPIA!
Upon arrival at Addis Ababa Airport, a representative from Blessed Tours will be waiting to pick you up at the airport and transfer you to your Hotel.
Depending on your arrival time, you may have time to explore the capital and visit sites like the National Museum (home of the world-famous human ancestor fossil Lucy), the Holy Trinity Cathedral and the Ethnological Museum, which will give you an insight into the history and culture of Ethiopia.
In the evening you will have the opportunity to sample the famous Ethiopian cuisine and see a cultural show at a restaurant in town before returning to your hotel for the night. (Activities and meals in Addis Ababa today are at your own expense).
DAY 2: ADDIS ABABA TO AWASH NATIONAL PARK
This day, we will drive to the Awash National Park through the small town of mila. In the afternoon arrive in the park the scenic Awash National Park located in the dry acacia savanna of the Rift Valley. The skyline of the park is dominated by the jagged edges of Mount Fantelle, a dormant volcano whose crater towers above the surrounding bush. This aftenoon we will have an opportunity to visit its splendid waterfall spilling into a 150m gorge. We may also have the opportunity to spot some of the parks wildlife. The most visible large mammals are the Beisa Oryx, Soemmering’s gazelle and the Slat’s dik-dik.
DAY 3: AWASH NATIONAL PARK TO LOGIA
Today, you continue to drive through the Rift Valley into the Afar triangle, slowly loosing elevation. The landscape changes from savannah to steppe and half-desert, interrupted by oases from the Awash River. We will also have an opportunity to see the Kereyou tribes on the way.
DAY 4: DRIVE INTO LAKE AFDERA – THE SALT LAKE
We leave the main road and continue on an unpaved 4×4 road northwards into the Danakil. The trip leads through rugged moon-landscapes, characterized by volcanic rifts and faults, young black lava flows and gravel desert. As a result, we will be slowly losing altitude and by the time we reach Lake Afrera we will be 100m below sea level. As we will reach there in a good time, we will have a chance to visit the interesting salines, where pure salt is being produced.
DAY 5: AFDERA DRIVE TO DODOM VILLAGE (BASE OF ERTA ALE)
This day morning we will see the salt workers in the morning and watch the interesting technique to gain salt from the lake and then we leave the tarmac and head out over the sand towards Erta Ale Volcano. After several hours we reach Kuswarad, an Afar village where we have lunch and pick up our local Afar guides. We then continue through the desert where we reach the basalt rock formed by old lava flows. A slow and bumpy drive brings us to the base of Erta Ale Volcano. After loading up the camels we will start our trek to the rim of the volcano at around sunset, to avoid walking during the heat of the day. The trek will take about 4 – 5 hours, with the latter part of the walk taking part in the dark. The gently climbing hike itself follows interesting lava formations. The path is not that steep, but it is important everyone has a torch and sticks together. We camp on the crater rim, a safe distance away from the lava and enjoy watching the Erta Ale, which is an active volcano and it has a spectacular sight.
DAY 6: ERTA ALE – AHMED ELA
This morning we leave camp and descend to the bottom of the mountain and then driving to Ahamd Ala. The driving is all off road, through the desert. In the late afternoon, we will arrive at Ahmed Ala, a small settlement where the salt caravans meet before their long walk to Mekele. In the afternoon and evening, we can watch the endless camel caravans coming and going: arriving empty they are met by the ones leaving packed full with precious salt blocks.
This morning we leave camp and descend to the bottom of the mountain and then driving to Ahamd Ala. The driving is all off road, through the desert. In the late afternoon, we will arrive at Ahmed Ala, a small settlement where the salt caravans meet before their long walk to Mekele. In the afternoon and evening, we can watch the endless camel caravans coming and going: arriving empty they are met by the ones leaving packed full with precious salt blocks.
DAY 7: DISCOVER THE DALOL VOLCANO AND THE SALT FLATS OF LAKE ASALE
today your journey sets off to one of the most spectacular geographical features in Africa: The Danakil Depression. Situated in the triple junction of three tectonic plates this area is one of the hottest, driest and lowest (125m below sea level) places on earth. At noon temperatures can rise to 50°C. In this unforgiving landscape, you will have the opportunity to see some of the most fascinating features of the Danakil. To begin we will travel along the expansive salt flats formed tens of thousands of years ago by the evaporating of an inland sea.
today your journey sets off to one of the most spectacular geographical features in Africa: The Danakil Depression. Situated in the triple junction of three tectonic plates this area is one of the hottest, driest and lowest (125m below sea level) places on earth. At noon temperatures can rise to 50°C. In this unforgiving landscape, you will have the opportunity to see some of the most fascinating features of the Danakil. To begin we will travel along the expansive salt flats formed tens of thousands of years ago by the evaporating of an inland sea.
These dry lands provide an incredible panoramic view where you may be able to spot salt miners extracting salt slabs from the immense basin, or meandering camel caravans traveling the age-old salt route to the markets in Mekele, laden with blocks of raw salt on their backs. You will have the opportunity to interact with the miners and caravan merchants. You will also visit other geological phenomena like the multi-colored hydrothermal fields, steam emitting fumaroles and tall salt domes located in the vicinity of the Dallol. This hauntingly dramatic landscape was once described by the British desert explorer Wilfred Thesiger as “a land of death”.
Toward the end of the day you return to camp for dinner made by your camp cook.
DAY 8: AHMED ELA TO MEKELLE
Today you will rise at dawn and together with your personal camel caravan begin your 4-hour descent back to base camp where your vehicle and a well-deserved brunch will be waiting for you. After brunch you will be able to rest your legs during the scenic 3-hour drive to Mekele.
Tonight, you will stay at a comfortable hotel in Mekele and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
DAY 9: TO LALIBELA
Today you will have quite a long drive from Mekele to Lalibela. During the journey, you encounter the scenic beauty of the Alamata mountain chain and observe the daily life of the Tigray and Amhara people in the villages that you pass along the way. During the next two nights Lalibela.
DAY 10: EXPLORE THE CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS IN LALIBELA
Today you will spend the day exploring Lalibela, which is regarded as one of Ethiopia’s holiest cities (second only to Axum) and an important center of pilgrimage.
Today you will spend the day exploring Lalibela, which is regarded as one of Ethiopia’s holiest cities (second only to Axum) and an important center of pilgrimage.
Religious rituals are central to the life of the town and there are often processions of priests and crowds of singing and dancing devotees. This in combination with Lalibela’s extraordinary history and architecture gives this small town a timeless and biblical atmosphere. The most famous attractions in Lalibela are the monolithic rock-hewn churches, which are the biggest monolithic temples in the world, and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The rest of today will be dedicated to exploring these architectural wonders. Nothing will prepare you for what you are about to see. Every individual church is unique in shape, size and perfectly carved and decorated by hand. Some of the churches you will see along your tour today are the historically interesting churches Bet Medhane Alem (the largest monolithic church in the world and home to the Lalibela Cross) and Bet Maryam (possibly the oldest of the churches).
You will have a local guide showing you around who will be able to tell you everything you want to know about these churches.
At the end of the day you will return to the Hotel to relax and enjoy a nice dinner
DAY 11: EXPLORING LALIBELA FURTHER AFIELD
There are several fascinating churches and monasteries carved into the landscape surrounding the town of Lalibela itself, and today we will go on an excursion to visit one of them. After breakfast, you will drive 50 km outside of Lalibela to the beautiful Yemerehana Christos Monastery, one of Ethiopia’s best-preserved late Axumite churches.
In contrast to the other churches you have seen on this tour, this 11th century monastery is constructed using both stone and wood. Be sure to go inside to look at the walls that have been painted with murals depicting scenes from the Bible. You will have a packed lunch with you on the trip, which you can enjoy as you gaze at the incredible mountain views.
After this morning excursion you will head back to Lalibela to continue your exploration of the churches. The most iconic and visually spectacular of these churches is the Bet Giyorgis (St. George’s Church). The 15-meter high structure is carved out of rock, excavated externally and internally into the shape of the Greek Ross. This church is often referred to as the “Eighth Wonder of the World” and is therefore a must see on this trip!
In the late afternoon you will return back to the Hotel to relax and enjoy a nice dinner.
DAY 12: RETURN TO ADDIS ABABA
After an early breakfast you will be picked up at your hotel and taken to the airport for your domestic flight back to Addis Ababa.
After an early breakfast you will be picked up at your hotel and taken to the airport for your domestic flight back to Addis Ababa.
From Addis Ababa you can connect with your international flight back home. Depending on the time of your international flight you may have some time to shopping and exploring the city. In the evening we will have a fare well dinner in one of the Ethiopian restaurants for traditional dinner and live stage dances from the different ethnic groups. Then transfer to the airport for your departure to Home or to your next destination. Tour End!
If you wish we can help arrange for a day room so that you can store your luggage and use shower facilities before your international flight.
DAY 1: Welcome to Ethiopia!
Upon arrival in Ethiopia, a representative from Blessed Tours will be waiting to pick you up at the airport and take you to your Hotel, which is located just 5 km from the airport.
Depending on your arrival time, you may have time to explore the capital and visit sites like the National Museum (home of the world-famous human ancestor fossil Lucy), the Holy Trinity Cathedral and the Ethnological Museum, which will give you an insight into the history and culture of Ethiopia. In the evening you will have the opportunity to sample the famous Ethiopian cuisine and see a cultural show at a restaurant in town before returning to your Hotel for the night.
DAY 2: Fly to Gondar & Drive to the Simien Mountains
DAY 3: Spot Wildlife on a Scenic Escarpment Trek
DAY 4: Lodge To Lodge Trek in Simien Mountains
DAY 5: Afdera Drive to Dodom Village (Base of Erta Ale).
DAY 6: Erta Ale – Ahmed Ela
DAY 7: Discover The Dalol Volcano and The Salt Flats of Lake Asale
DAY 8: Ahmed Ela to Mekelle
DAY 9: To Lalibela
DAY 10: Explore the Cultural Highlights in Lalibela
DAY 11: Exploring Lalibela Further Afield
DAY 12: Return to Addis Ababa
