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HISTORIC & DANAKIL DEPRESSION
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18 |
12 |
BET14 |
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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: HIKE BLUE NILE FALLS / EXPLORE LAKE TANA
In the morning you will be picked up at your hotel and driven to Bole International Airport to catch your domestic flight to Bahir Dar.
Once in Bahir Dar you will carry on to the shores of Lake Tana. Lake Tana forms the main reservoir for the Blue Nile River and is the largest lake in Ethiopia. Its most notable features however are the historic monasteries and churches located on the shores of some of the lake’s 37 islands. A boat will take you around to some of these spectacular cultural landmarks.
Surrounded by a forest of coffee trees, Ura Kidane Mehret with its magnificent frescos is regarded as the most beautiful of the churches. It is located on Zegge Peninsula, a one-hour boat ride from Bahir Dar.
After lunch at a local restaurant in Bahir Dar, we carry on by car to the village Tiss Issat, and from there we continue on foot on a 2-hour walk to the Blue Nile Falls.
The trail is incredibly scenic, passing through pastoral scenes, giving you a first glimpse of rural life in Ethiopia. At the start of your walk, you will cross a beautiful old stone bridge that was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century. From here the path ascends steeply, passing through a small settlement before reaching a viewpoint for the falls. Due to a dam put in place to provide electricity for the surrounding communities only about 10% of the former water volume now reaches the falls. To see the falls at their most dramatic it is best to do this walk in the rainy season (July-September).
On your descent to the foot of the falls, you will cross a small canyon by way of a modern Swiss-constructed bridge. As you approach the waterfall, be prepared to get a bit wet! The trail continues up to the Blue Nile River, where you will cross by boat and be picked up on the other side and driven back to Bahir Dar.
DAY 3: EXPLORE GONDAR
In the early morning you will leave Bahir Dar and depart for the royal city of Gondar. The three-hour drive takes you through wonderful natural sites and rural villages, giving you a glimpse of the Amharic culture.
After checking in to your lodge in Gondar and having lunch at a local restaurant, you will begin a fascinating exploration of the royal and ancient city of Gondar.
First visit to the fortress city Fasil Ghebbi, also known as the Royal Enclosure. This 70,000-sq meter UNESCO World Heritage site was once the seat of emperor Fasiledes and his successors in the 16th and 17th centuries. The numerous castles and palaces that remain within the walls of the enclosure are a testament to the royal capital’s former splendor.
The cultural tour continues with a visit to Fasiledes’ Bath. Emperor Fasiledes built this rectangular pool to convince the people that he was a true believer of the Orthodox faith. Although the complex was used for bathing it was also used for religious celebrations, some of which carry on to this day. Once a year, during the Timkat festival, the pool is filled with blessed water and devotees are invited to swim and frolic in the pool in a ceremonial replication of Christ’s baptism in the Jordan River.
Before heading back to the Hotel in the late afternoon, you will visit the Debre Berhan Selassie church with its beautifully painted ceilings.
DAY 4: SIMIEN MOUNTAINS N.P
After breakfast you will leave the city and head north to the spectacular Simien Mountains National Park. Simien Mountains N.P. is famous for its wild landscapes of deep gorges and soaring rock spires, interspersed with traditionally cultivated plateaus. It is also home to the fifth-highest mountain range in Africa, with the highest point being the summit of Ras Dashen at 4,543 meters.
These high-altitude landscapes are home to exotic wildlife unique to the area, such as the iconic Walia ibex, the Gelada baboon, several birds of prey and the extremely rare Ethiopian wolf, which has an estimated population of 50 in the Simien Mountains (out of 400 in the entire country). The rareness of the species residing in the Simien Mountains led to the formation of the National Park and its listing as a World Heritage site as early as 1978.
On your journey, you will pass through Debark, which is the nearest town to the Simien Mountains National Park and home to the park headquarters. You can stretch your legs and enjoy a cup of coffee in this small town while your driver makes arrangements for your park permits and the mandatory guide and scout.
DAY 5: HIKE IN SIMIEN MOUNTAINS N.P.
After breakfast at the lodge you will go for a morning hike in the Simien Mountains. Depending on your interests and fitness level, your hike can take from one to six hours. Along the way you will experience the beautiful landscapes of the Simien Mountains and most likely run into the endemic Gelada baboon. These baboons are pretty sociable so you will be able to get quite close to them.
Should you opt for a shorter hike you will return to the lodge for lunch. If you decide to go on a longer hike you will enjoy a packed lunch at one of the best viewpoints along the trail.
In the afternoon you will return to your lodge for another night at the lovely Simien Mountains Lodge.
DAY 6: TO AXUM
Today you will set off early for a long drive to Ethiopia’s holiest city, Axum. During the scenic trip to ward the country’s northern border, you will pass through small villages and see dramatic landscapes of the Simien Mountains.
DAY 7: EXPLORE CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS IN AXUM
If you are enthusiastic about archaeology, today will be one of the highlights of your trip.
The ruins of the ancient city of Axum are a testament to the city’s former historical and political significance. Located in the heart of ancient Ethiopia, the ruins are remnants of a time when the Kingdom of Axum was one of the most powerful empires in the world, equal to Rome and Persia.
The remaining structures, which date from between the 1st and 13th century A.D., include enormous stelae, monolithic obelisks, royal tombs, monasteries and the ruins of ancient palaces.
For foreign visitors, the main attraction is the giant stele which was erected by the Axumite in the pre-Christian times, presumably for religious purposes. One of these granite structures, the Great Stelae, is the biggest monolith in the world, measuring over 33 meters. It fell over sometime in the 4th century while it was being erected and remains in pieces on the ground to this day.
This tour will also include stops at the Bath and Palace of the Queen of Sheba and the tombs of King Kaleb and King Bazen, which are thought to be some of the earliest discovered structures.
The legendary Ark of the Covenant believed to be kept in a chapel near the St. Mary of Zion Church. It is guarded by a priest who is responsible for its care and preservation for life and nobody else is allowed to see it. Men can walk up to the chapel, but women are unfortunately not allowed on the site.
After a day of visiting these incredible ruins, you will look forward to a bit of rest and a good meal at your hotel.
DAY 8: TO HAWZIEN – VIA YEHA AND THE TEMPLE OF THE MOON
After breakfast at your hotel you will depart for Hawzien in the Gheralta Mountains. The drive is very scenic with views of the spikey peaks of the stunning Adwa mountain range in the distance following you along the journey.
About two hours along the national road you will stop in the small town of Yeha to pay a visit to the oldest structure in Ethiopia, the Temple of the Moon. This sandstone temple, which is built-in Sabean style, is estimated to date back to around 700 B.C. A local guide can show you around the site as well as show you a church located just next to the temple. The church is dedicated to Abba Aftse, who was one of the nine saints who came to Ethiopia in the 6th century from the Roman Empire spread their religious teachings.
From Yeha you will continue southeast to Hawzien and to the sheer cliffs and vertical spires of the Gheralta mountains. Perched high and hidden in the folds of these stunning mountains are some of the country’s least-visited rock-hewn cave churches. You will have the opportunity to visit some of these extraordinary structures, some of which are over 1,000 years old.
Set in this dry and rocky environment in northern Tigray is your accommodation for the next two nights on the Lodge.
DAY 9: EXPLORING MONASTERIES IN THE GHERALTA
Today you can decide if you want to have a rest day and enjoy the lovely grounds of the lodge or go on one of the optional hikes that will take you high into the Gheralta Mountains in search of the incredible rock-hewn churches.
Optional: Visit to Maryam and Daniel Korkor
Visiting the Gheralta is not for the fainthearted. Each religious structure was built high in the mountains to stay hidden from raiding armies in the valley below and to bring devotees closer to God. Reaching these churches therefore requires the visitor to hike through slot canyons, free climb steep mountain faces and skirt cliff edges.
You will set off in the morning for the trailhead which is located roughly 8 kilometers from the lodge. Here you will meet your local guide who will shepherd you over these precarious trails. After 90 minutes of walking, including a steep ascent and a scramble up a 6-meter sandstone wall, you will reach Maryam Korkor. Carved partially into the rock, Maryam Korkor’s simple façade hides one of the largest churches in the area. You will be able to go inside this church to see the detailed frescos that cover the pillars and arches.
Maryam Korkor is looked after by an old Ethiopian Orthodox monk who has lived in this remote area for over 60 years. He will lead you to Daniel Korkor, which is located just a short walk away, along a path that skirts the edge of a cliff to the back of the mountain. If you are afraid of heights, you may want to sit this one out!
Regarded as the highlight of this hike, Daniel Korkor sits on a dizzying precipice overlooking the Hawzien valley and offering some of the most amazing views in the region.
After spending some time here enjoying the church and the stunning views you will head back down to horizontal earth and return to your lodge for lunch and a relaxing afternoon.
DAY 10: TO AHMED ELA
You start the journey to Ahamed Ela early in the morning. The drive is truly scenic as you pass through the western escarpment of the Great Rift Valley. Your final destination for the day is a military camp in the desert hamlet of Ahmed Ela where a frontier adventure awaits you. Being a truly remote part of the country, you will experience the authentic lifestyle of a camel caravan driver.
This is no glamorous life and those who venture out here must be prepared to give up all semblances of comfort for unbearably hot and harsh conditions, basic sleeping arrangements in Afar-style huts without proper toilet and shower facilities and in the company of the ever-present flies. Due to the legendary high temperatures, many opt to drag their wood-frame cots outdoors and sleep under the stars in the hopes of catching a passing midnight breeze.
There are no other options than this unfortunately. The region is in the hands of the Afar people who so far have not allowed in outside investors and influence. Therefore, tour operators cannot create suitable accommodation options here. If you are up for the challenge, we do think that this is an amazing experience worth moving out of your comfort zone. For those of you who need an incentive; Day 13 promises lodgings in cool rooms with clean sheets and a nice shower!
DAY 11: DISCOVER THE DALOL VOLCANO AND SEE 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.
These drylands 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 and another night under the stars.
DAY 12: NIGHT TREK TO MOUNT ERTA ALE
After breakfast, you will depart for one of the main attractions in the Danakil depression: Mount Erta Ale. This is truly an excursion for the diehard adventurer. The name Erta Ale means “Smoking Mountain” in the local Afar language, and it is an apt name for the most active volcano in Ethiopia. The 613-meter-tall flaming mountain is known for holding one of only six lava lakes in the world. At night you might see the bubbling cauldron of lava breaching the rim of the crater in a spectacular display of fiery lights against the night sky.
On your drive to the volcano you will stop for lunch in the settlement called Kusqowat before continuing to the base of Erta Ale and the trailhead to the crater. The trail is roughly 12 kilometers and will take four hours to complete. It is necessary to be quite physically fit for this trek. (If you worry about your fitness level it is possible to arrange for a camel to transport you up to the top, for an extra fee). Because of the blistering heat during the day, the hike starts at 4 PM and some of the trail is navigated in the dark. Once at the rim you will be able to observe the volcano and the impressive lava lake at a close distance. Don’t forget to bring your camera!
To make this trip even more adventurous you will camp on the rim of Mount Erta Ale! The crew accompanying you up the volcano will transport everything you need for your overnight stay, including food, water, camping equipment and your luggage. The campsite is very rough and basic. While cooler at this elevation than in the Ahmed Ela camp you are still battling with the dust, dirt and poor facilities. You will sleep in simple Afar-style huts on rolled out mats on the ground. You will be giving up all comfort tonight, but on the plus side – spending a night at the rim of an active volcano is an adventure you will not soon forget.
NOTE: Erta Ale is an active volcano and as such, it is continuously changing. While Erta Ale is known for being one of the few volcanos in the world that has an almost persistent lava lake, the levels of the lava lake’s surface are constantly rising and falling. This, along with periodic volcanic gasses being emitted from the crater, can make observation difficult on certain days. It is therefore never guaranteed that you will see the bubbling lava in the crater on any given day. Even if the views are not as spectacular as you had hoped on the day that you explore Erta Ale, you may still enjoy the challenge of the night-time hike to the summit and the unique experience of spending the night on the rim of an active volcano.
DAY 13: TO MEKELE
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 14: 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 15: 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. 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 16: 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 17: TO THE ASHETEN MARIAM MONASTERY
Today to explore some churches and monasteries in the Lalibela highlands. After breakfast, you will visit the monastery of Asheten Mariam. This monastery is wonderfully located at the foot of the 3,150-meter-high Abune Josef Mountain which overlooks Lalibela.
The Asheten Mariam monastery has been hewn out of rock. Although not as refined as the churches in Lalibela, seeing a monastery chiseled into a mountain face is an incredible sight and the views from the church adds much to the setting. Inside the church, you will find some relics that have been preserved since the 12th and 13th century.
After lunch, you will return to Lalibela to experience a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony. This is one of the most important parts of the Ethiopian culture and therefore a must-do on your trip to the country. The ceremony will take you through all of the steps of preparing and brewing coffee. Be sure to savour the flavours of the coffee during your tasting.
In the evening you will return back to your hotel for another night.
Day 18: 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.
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 explore the capital if you were unable to do so on your first day (at own expense). 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: Hike Blue Nile falls / Explore Lake Tana
DAY 3: Explore Gondar
DAY 4: Simien Mountains N.P
DAY 5: Hike in Simien Mountains N.P.
DAY 6: To Axum
DAY 7: Explore cultural highlights in Axum
DAY 8: To Hawzien – via Yeha and the Temple of the Moon
DAY 9: Exploring monasteries in the Gheralta
DAY 10: To Ahmed Ela
DAY 11: Discover the Dalol volcano and see the salt flats of Lake Asale
DAY 12: Night trek to Mount Erta Ale
DAY 13: To Mekele
DAY 14: To Lalibela
DAY 15: Explore the cultural highlights in Lalibela
DAY 16: Exploring Lalibela further afield
DAY 17: To the Asheten Mariam Monastery
DAY 18: Return to Addis Ababa
