Travel Ethiopia,
Danakil Depression, Tour to Danakil Depression, visit Danakil Depression, Arta
Ale, Erta Ale, Afar People, Experience Unique & Desert region – Ethiopia
Itinerary
Program:
Danakil Depression
Tour Code: Afar 02
Duration: 13nights (14days)
Transportation: Air and Land (4WD)
Tour starts: Addis Ababa
Tour ends: Addis Ababa
Day1: Arrival/ Addis Ababa
Arrive in the evening transfer to
your Hotel. Overnight
– at 4* hotel – Addis (note that you can be provided from 3*
up to luxury hotels in Addis Ababa)
Day2: City Tour
Addis Ababa is centered at the heart of the
country. Addis Ababa in Amharic language means “New Flower”. It was founded by Emperor Menelik in 1886. An
estimated population of 4 million people is dwelling in the city. Addis is
graced as Africa’s diplomatic capital with the presence of the head quarter for
the African Unity, a seat for numerous embassies and is the port of entry for
most travelers.
After
Breakfast, we drive to the Entoto Mountain (3300m) for a panoramic
view of Addis, Entoto Museum
with historical and royal exhibit, The Church of St. Mary, built in
1885
and the old palace of emperor MenelikII. Take some images at Mount Entoto and we drive back to Addis
for Ethnological Museum that exhibits the culture and handicrafts of various Ethiopian
ethnic groups, the National Museum in which you are visiting
different archaeological findings (including Lucy’s replica Skeleton). After
lunch, visit the Trinity Cathedral, Mausoleum of emperor MenelikII at Bààta
Church and finally Merkato – the
largest open market in Africa. Overnight – at 4* hotel – Addis (note
that you can be provided from 3* up to luxury hotels in Addis Ababa)
Day3: Gondar and Semien Mountains
After
breakfast; fly from Addis to Gondar and visit all sites in the town of Gondar. After
lunch; drive to the Semien Mountains national Park- Overnight –tented camp – Semien Mountains National Park
Day4:
Semien Mountains & Jews Village
After breakfast; explore the park
and drive back to Gondar in the afternoon. On the way; visit the Felasha/Jewish
village. Overnight – at current best
hotel – Gondar
Day5:
Rock Hewn churches of Lalibela
After breakfast; fly from Gondar Lalbela.
Afternoon; visit the first group of the Rock
Hewn Churches. Overnight – at current
best hotel – Lalibela
Day6: full day in Lalibela
Early morning; Hike to Asheten Mariam Mountain Church (optional) .After
lunch and a short siesta, visit Second
groups, and Nakuto Làabe. Overnight – at former hotel - Lalibela
Day7:
Yimrahine Kirstos -Mekelle
After breakfast; we drive to the cave church called
Yimrahine Kirstos (42 km
from Lalibela). This Church has been constructed by King Yimrahane Kirstos
during the13th Century. In the church, there are more than 5000 thousand dead
human skeletons lying without any coverage for the past 700 years. They are
supposed to be pilgrimages from Syria, Egypt and Ethiopia. The murals on the
dark walls of the church, the year round spring water - descending from the top
of the church and the forest around are very impressive and worthy to be
visited. Then we drive to Mekelle. Overnight – at current best hotel – Mekelle
Day8: Mekelle – Hammed Ela
We
drive from Mekelle to Hammed Ela. After the small town of Agula; we descend to
the Afar Region. You will see too many camel caravans, transporting rock salt
from Lake Asalé to the town of Mekelle at many spots on the road. As we
penetrate deep down to the region, the temperature becomes hotter and hotter.
Lunch and siesta at the small town of Berahile (110km from Mekelle) where
entrance tickets will be collected too. The we Proceed towards Hammed Ela with
the accompany of polices and a local guide from Berahile. Overnight – camping (at Afar House) – Ahmed Ela
Day9: Dallol
Depression and Lake Asalé
Early morning; excursion to
the Danakil depression. On this day; surely, you will be overwhelmed with a
strong feeling of admiration, because of the awesome of Dallol. After Dallol;
proceed to the traditional salt extraction site from where too many camels are
waiting to be loaded rock salts just nearby the Salt Lake of Asalé. Then
approach to Lake Asalé. Late afternoon (when temperature cools down), explore
the Afar village of Hammed Ela.
Overnight – camping (at Afar House) – Ahmed Ela
Day10: Nearby Arte Ale
Volcano
Morning; drive from hammed Ela towards Arte Ale
(78km dirty road) via Kursewat. Take some rest (lunch) at Kursewat. At about
3pm, after arranging camels for Arte Ale Mountain at Kursewat, drive to
Waydodom and then towards Arta Ale (13km from Waydodom).Overnight – Camping –
nearby Arte Ale
Day11. The Eternal fire of Arte Ale, Active Volcano
Lake
Morning; Trek to Arte Ale with your camping and cooking gears
being loaded by Afar Camels (3-4hrs trek). After lunch, explore the
extraordinary lava that bounce from its mouth of Arte Ale volcanic fire. During
night time the volcano will be fully seen with its magnificent color of
zigzagging fire, produced from huge rocks. Therefore; in the evening, descend
from your Camping site to the drama of the volcano. Overnight- camping on the top of Arte Ale.
Day12 Afdera
Morning; discover all sites around the Arte Ale area and
descend down towards where your cars are camped. There; take your lunch and
drive to Lake Afdera. In the Afternoon; visit the Salt Lake of Afdera. It is
here where you can see people extracting edible salt in large quantity and
transport it on trucks to Addis Ababa.
Overnight – at a very basic hotel (Horahor hotel) - Afdera.
Day13: Awash Sebat
Morning; Drive
from Afdera to Awash Sebat. Lunch at Logia and proceed to the town of Awash
Sebat over looking the Yangu di Rassa national Park and Awash River; the only
river that waters the desert area of the Afar Region. Over night – at best local hotel - Awash
Sebat.
Day14 Awash National Park
Morning; On
the way to Addis; discover The Awash national Park. The park is known mainly
for Beisa Oryx. Lesser and Greater Kudu,
Dik – Dik, tortoise, and many varied birds can be seen here. The Awash River
fall is an additional value to the park. After the park; drive back to Addis.
Lunch at DebreZeit then continue to Addis. Late afternoon; check –in at Bole
International air port for your departure.
Notice:
This itinerary can be amended up on request
Request this tour : info@actiontourethiopia.com