16 Days Danakil Depression, North Historic And South Omo Tribe Ethiopia

In the mooring, On arrival in Addis Ababa you will be met at the airport and transferred we will fly to Addis - Mequella We will arrive in Mequellain early afternoon and City tour Mequella Overnight Axum Hotel.

Drive to kusrewad here where we arrange the camel to ascend our logistics and for those who wish to ride, Local militia and rock guide apart from those who already with us. Late afternoon start walking to Erta ale. Around 5 pm 3 hours trek climb to Erta Ale volcano and overnight on the top of the mountain. Erta Ale is 613 meters tall, with a lava lake, one of only five in the world, at the summit. It is notable for being the longest existing lava lake, present since the early years of the twentieth century.

Overnight on the Summit.

Drive to Hammed Ela. Around 9 AM we will be at foot base of the volcanic mountain where our cook and cars camp have our breakfast and drive to Hammed Ela via Kusrewad. This day drive will be the most challenging drive of all day which may be happen to stuck in the Sand and inhospitable weather, we should keep rehydrate to you manage the driving. Arrive Hammed Ela overnight camping at Hammed Ela.

Dallol Salphur spring, Lake Assale Salt Bar and camel caravans. Excursion to Dallol (116 meter below sea level, one of the lowest places in the world) colorful salts mining, visit Lake Assale, follow up camel?fs caravans and walk with the Afar and people from highland. The traditional way of extracting Salt bar, which once used as local currency, packing on the Camel. You?fll see how they prepare their traditional bread, how they travel, communicate & more. It is another unique experience. Back to Hammed Ela - Mekele. Drive to Mekele via the town of Berhale in the River bed Ascend all way to the Tigrian highland with the camel caravans and stop for photo over the depression.

Overnight in Mequelle Axume Hotel.

Morning drive to Gheralta. In the way visit the rock-hewn churches of Wukero cherkos and Abreha Asbeha.

After noon, Overnight at Hawzien Hotel. (B,D)

This day you will have a city tour of Axum: Axum is the ancient capital of Ethiopia and the cradle of Ethiopian civilisation. It is famous for its more than 2000-year-old Axumite long standing steles measuring some of them up to 33m high, the bath and palace of Queen of Sheba, King Kaleb's and other king’s tombs, archaeological museum which is widely rated as Ethiopia's best, the church of St. Mary of Tsion, where the original Ark of covenant is housed. Legend has it that the son of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon of Israel, Menelik I brought the original Ark from Israel to Axum.

Overnight consular hotel. (B, D)

In the morning after breakfast, we will visit the first cluster of rockhewn

churches in the afternoon. Lalibela, the ‘New Jerusalem’, is thought to have been constructed some 800 years ago by King Lalibela. Lalibela was his capital city, but today it is a small village. 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. This rock was then shaped and formed both inside and out and the carvings show extremely skillful workmanship and 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 It is exceptionally well preserved.

Overnight in Tukulu Village Hotel (B, D)

In the morning excursion to Asheten Mariam church found on top of a hill. You will be back around midday. you will visit the remaining 5 rock hewn churches. Finishing the churches visit you will be invited for a coffee ceremony in one of the traditional houses. Overnight Tukulu Hotel

This morning we fiy for the one hour north to Gondar, the former capital of Ethiopia. Gondar has now become one of Ethiopia’s largest and most impressive cities, with its walled Royal Enclosure.  Gondar’s most famous monuments are its exceptionally well preserved 17th century castles. The largest and best is that of King Fasilidas. It is a stone-built construction with round turrets and wooden balconies. The king also built a remarkable bath a mile or so outside of town

known as the ‘Pavilion of Delight’. The Bathhouse of Fasil at which thousands of Ethiopians celebrate Timkat festival every January. This whole complex of buildings is unique in Ethiopia and unlike anything found elsewhere in Africa. This afternoon we’ll also make a visit to the Debre Birhan Selassie church (Light of Trinity) with its sensational angelic ceiling and mural. Overnight in Taye Hotel ( B,D)

In the Monring Drive for the 3-31/2-hour (185km) north to to Bahir dar and then full day visiting in Bahar Dar, capital of the Amhara region situated on the shores of Lake Tana, the largest lake in the country. Bahir Dar is one of the best well-planned cities in Ethiopia. This morning we take a boat trip on the lake to learn the secrets held by the monasteries and churches on the islands. We will visit Ura Kidane Mihret church on Zeghie peninsula. Under the thatched roof are some distinctive colourful paintings of religious scenes, and an impressive display of illuminated bibles written in Ge'ez, the religious language from which Amharic is derived. In the afternoon, if you have time we will visit Tississat Falls, Amharic for ‘water that smokes’ located about 32km south of Bahar Dar. Due to a nearby hydro electrical power scheme, the waterfalls can no longer be guaranteed to be in full force.

Overnight in Jacaranda Hotel (B,D)

This day after our morning breakfast we will transfer to the Air Port for our flight back to Addis Ababa and to Jinka 3;50 pm afternoon arrival we will go to the Ari Village near by the town of Jinka for experiencing and learning the culture of Ari tribe and explore how they make their traditional homemade alcoholic drinks Overnight at Eco omo Lodge. (B,D)

Early morning drive to Mago National Park, from here, visit the Mursi highlands where the most illustrious of Ethiopia's unique tribes lives. The Mursi are known all over the world, for their decorative lip plates that adorn the lower lips of the Mursi women. The plates stretch the lower lip beyond imagination and the women's beauty , pride  and desirability is determined in direct proportion to the size of the plate. The Mursi men and women may appear gracious but the Mursi warriors are not to be sneezed at. On their arms are deep crescent incisions that represent each enemy they have killed in battle. The men are also famous for their hairstyle. The various cultural aspects of the tribe will be explained and you will be able to take their photographs but not for free. Back to Jinka for your lunch and afternoon drive Turme Overnight at busk Lodge (B,D)

This day morning, we continue through the savannah along tracks that are barely visible, passing through a vast meadowland with shrubs and umbellifers ('umbrella' acacia trees) for an excursion to the Murulle area. We arrive at Korcho village with beautiful views over the Omo River to see the Karo ethnic group, experts in body painting, using clay and locally available vegetable pigments to paint fantastic patterns on each other's faces, chests, arms and legs. These designs have no special symbolic significance, but are created purely for fun and aesthetic effect, each artist vying to out-do their fellow artists. Karo men also sculpt and shave their hair into extravagant shapes, with special ochre "caps" of hair usually containing several ostrich feathers. En route have a picnic lunch. We then drive back to the village of Turmi. Overnight at Busk Lodge. (B,D)

This day we will drive to Konso visiting in the way Erbore people en route. Then we will proceed to the New-York; a bizarre landscape of sand panicles formed by wind and rain (erosion). After lunch stop at Konso, continue Arba Minch for our overnight stops.

Overnight at Haile Resort (B,D)

Morning drive 40kms northwest of Arba Minch to Guge Mountains to visit the Dorze and Chencha villages. Once warriors, the Dorze have now turned to farming and weaving to earn a living. They speak an Omotic tongue and the Dorze name is synonymous with the best woven cotton cloth. The "elephant huts" of the Dorze are unique and worth seeing. Also, the Dorze beehive-shaped houses are constructed entirely of organic material and has its own small garden surrounded by beds of spices, cabbage and tobacco. Some of Ethiopia’s best woven cottons come from Chencha, which is located 8 km northwest of Dorze Village. Men weave and women spin.

Afternoon a boat trip on clear blue waters of Lake Chamo to see the crocodiles, hippos & aquatic bird species. The northern shores of Lake Chamo are famous for its large crocodiles, which can be seen in great numbers lounging in the heat. The lake is about 32km long and provides a lush wetland habitat for many species of flora and fauna. Overnight at Haile Resort(B,D)  

We will drive back to Addis on the way we will visit in the landscape We will arrive in Addis Ababa in early afternoon and you might be interested for the last-minute souvenir shopping at the markets. In the evening, we will go out to one of the best cultural restaurant for the Farewell Dinner at traditional restaurant with live traditional dances program. transfer to the airport for your departure to Tour End!   (B, D)