12 Days 11 Nights Ancient Ethiopia Tour

12 Days 11 Nights Ancient Ethiopia tour itinerary

Day 1: Addis Ababa city tour

Morning drive to discover the city of Addis Ababa, founded in 1886 by Menelik II and situated at an elevation of around 2438m making it the 3^rd highest capital city in the world. It enjoys an excellent climate all year round, with an average temperature of 25°C. Our city tour takes us to visit the National museum housing some of the country’s historic treasures like the 3.5 million year old remains of ‘Lucy’, the oldest hominid every found. We proceed to the ethnographic Museum and the church of the Holy Trinity, Ethiopia’s main cathedral and home to the remains of the last emperor, Haile Selassie. Dinner and overnight at Monarch Hotel (www.monarchaddis.com) or Golden Tulip Hotel or Lobelia Hotel (www.hotellobeliaaddis.com) or similar

Day 2: Awash National Park

After breakfast, we drive to the Awash National Park through the small town of mila, arriving in the afternoon. The scenic Awash National Park is 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 will also see some of the park’s wildlife like the Beisa Oryx, Soemmering’s gazelle and the Slat’s dik-dik. Dinner and overnight at Awash Falls Lodge (www.awashfallslodge.net) or similar in Awash National park 

Day 3: Logia (Afar Triangle)

After breakfast, we drive through the Rift Valley into the Afar triangle. 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. Dinner and Overnight at Ardi Hotel or similar

Day 4: Lake Afdera (The Salt Lake)

After breakfast, we leave the main road and continue on an unpaved road northwards into the Danakil deperssion. The journey 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. We arrive in good time to visit the interesting salines where pure salt is being produced. Dinner and Overnight nearby on wooden beds or similar 

Day 5: Dodom Village (Base of ERTA ALE).

After breakfast, we 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 which is an Afar village where we have lunch and pick up our local Afar guides. We proceed 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 start our 4-5 hour trek to the rim of the volcano at around sunset to avoid walking during the heat of the day. The final leg of our trek is in the dark and the gently climbing hike follows interesting lava formations. The path is not that steep but we recommend that everyone carries a torch and walking stick. 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. Dinner and Overnight at the campsite on the rim of the crater or similar

Day 6: Ahmed Ela

This morning, we break camp and descend to the bottom of the mountain, then proceed to Ahamd Ala. The driving is off road through the desert. In the late afternoon, we will arrive at Ahmed Ala, which is 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 loaded with salt blocks. Dinner and Overnight at campsite in Afar Village or similar

Day 7: Dallol / Ahmed Ela

After breakfast, we visit the salt workers and the merchant at around Lake Asela to see how the locals produce salt by cutting, shaping and then loading to the endless Camel Caravans. We proceed to Dallol with views of the small hills and colourful hot spring in several places. These hot springs are composed of different minerals along with sulphur and potash and create spectacular colours. Dallol is renowned as being the hottest inhabited place on earth. Drive back to our camp site in the late afternoon. Dinner and Overnight at campsite in Afar Village or similar

Day 8: Mekele

In the morning, we watch thousands of camels leaving for the salt cutting area with forming a long line then we drive to Mekelle with lunch enroute at a small, clear waterfall where we bath and clean the cars from the salt. In the late afternoon, we arrive in mekele. Dinner and overnight at Axum Hotel (www.axum-hotels.com) or Planet Hotel or similar

Day 9: Lalibela

After breakfast, we have a full day drive through stunning countryside to the south, between the mountains to the west and the start landscape of the Danakil Depression to the east to arrive at the remarkable archaeological site of Laliblea. Dinner and overnight at Panoramic View Hotel (www.panoramicviewhotel.com) or Mountain View Hotel (www.mountainview-hotel.com) or Maribela Hotel or Top 12 Hotel (www.toptwelvehotel.com) or similar

Day 10: Lalibela (UNSECO – World Heritage Site)

After breakfast, we visit the 1^st cluster of Lalibela’s rock hewn churches. Lalibela, the ‘New Jerusalem’, thought to have been constructed some 800 years ago by King Lalibela. Although churches carved in rock are found in other parts of the world, those found in Ethiopia are particularly interesting. Generally, they were excavated on all sides of a rectangle, leaving a large block of granite isolated in the centre. They have been classified as one of the wonders of the world. Each church has a unique architectural style and all are superbly carved. There are 11 rock-cut churches of which the most impressive is Bet Giorgis. It is carved in the form of a Greek cross and is exceptionally well preserved. Dinner and overnight at Panoramic View Hotel (www.panoramicviewhotel.com) or Mountain View Hotel (www.mountainview-hotel.com) or Maribela Hotel or Top 12 Hotel (www.toptwelvehotel.com) or similar

Day 11: Lalibela.

After breakfast, we visit the church of Yimrhane Kristos. This exquisite church, a masterpiece of Axumit wood and stone construction is renowned for its interior decoration, it’s beautiful wooden coffer ceiling inlaid with hexagons and medallions with both figurative and geometric motifs. Drive back to Lalibela. In the afternoon, we will visit the remaining rock-hewn churches of Lalibela that include the churches of Bete Gabriel and Rafael, Merkorous, Emanuel and Abba Libanos. Bete Emanuel is the best in this group and exceptionally carved with unique Axumite building features, such as the indentations on the walls, symbols of the multi-storey building taken from the stelae of Axum, monkey heads and false windows. Dinner and overnight at Panoramic View Hotel (www.panoramicviewhotel.com) or Mountain View Hotel (www.mountainview-hotel.com) or Maribela Hotel or Top 12 Hotel (www.toptwelvehotel.com) or similar

Day 12: Addis Ababa

After breakfast, transfer to the local airport for your domestic flight to Addis Ababa.

Group Size per vehicle (adults) – 2 Pax, 3 Pax ,4 Pax ,5 Pax ,6 Pax

What is Included on the Safari price:-

• 11-night accommodation & meals as per the program
• All tours as per the itinerary
• Transport as per program
• One-way domestic regular flight Lalibela/Addis
• English speaking guide
• Entrance fees to all sites as per the itinerary
• Bottled water during the tours
• All service charges and taxes

What is Excluded on the Safari price:-

• International flights and taxes
• Entry visa
• Addis airport transfers
• Personal expenses
• Optional activities not included above
• Gratuities and tips
• Personal insurance cover
• Deviation from above program