In collaboration with David Dhaen (guide & photographer) we go on a 20-day adventure through North & South Ethiopia, with as absolute highlights the Simien Mountains & DANAKIL DEPRESSION linked with (including domestic flight) South Ethiopia with the focus on many visits to traditional TRIBES. Transport by 4×4 jeeps and mini-bus.
DAY-BY-DAY PROGRAM
Day 1: Flight Addis Ababa
Arrival at Bole International Airport. You will be greeted just outside the airport and transferred to your hotel. Overnight at Ras Hotel.
Included: airport transfer(s), accommodation including breakfast
Day 2 (start program): Lake Tana & Blue Nile Falls
In the morning, take a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit a selection of the monasteries hidden on the island and shores of this sacred lake. Visit the Zege Penninsula and the monasteries of Azuwa Maryam and Ura Kidane Mehret and the outlet of the Blue Nile River. In the afternoon, drive out to the Blue Nile Falls for a short hike in the area. Finish the day with the sunset over the lake.
Overnight at Summerland Hotel.
Included: airport transfer(s), boat trip on Lake Tana, entrance fees, local guide service,accommodation including breakfast, private bus and driver
Day 3: Gondar & Fasilida's pool
Depart north from Bahir Dar to Gondar. The three-hour drive will take you through rural villages offering wonderful insight into the Amhara culture.
Explore the sites of Gondar, including a visit to the Royal Enclosure, with six castles and several other buildings. Additionally, visit Fasilidas’s Pool, still used for Timket celebrations today, Ras Gimb Palace Museum and the Debre Birhan Selassie church, with the most famous ceiling in Ethiopia.
Overnight at L-Shape Hotel.
Included: entrance fees, local guide service, accommodation including breakfast, private bus and driver
Day 4 : Simien Mountains & 'bleeding heart baboons'
Today is an early morning departure to Sankober in the Simien Mountains. From here you will go for an easy hike to the Geech Abyss, where you will see a large waterfall where the Jinbar River plunges into the abyss. This area is also a great place for viewing the endemic gelada baboon, also known as the ‘bleeding heart baboon’ due to the red patch of skin on its chest.
Overnight in Debark at Sona Hotel.
Included: armed scout(s), local guide service, National Park entrance fees, private bus and driver,accommodation including breakfast
- Day 5: Imet Gogo
Today will be a day hike to the peak of Imet Gogo at 3926m. This is one of the most spectacular spots in the Simien Mountains, as you will have sweeping views over the lowlands. It's sure to be a highlight of your visit to the Simien Mountains. You will surely see gelada baboons and perhaps the walia ibex and lammergeyers.
Overnight in Debark at Sona Hotel.
Included: armed scout(s), local guide service, National Park entrance fees, private bus and driver, accommodation including breakfast.
Day 6: Tekeze Valley & Axum
After breakfast, depart north for Axum, enjoying spectacular views of the mountains. Proceed driving through the dramatic Tekeze Valley, offering some of the best landscapes in the country. Proceed to Axum, home of the ancient Axumite Empire, the Queen of Sheba, and the Ark of the Covenant.
Overnight at Ethiopis Hotel.
Included: entrance fees, accommodation including breakfast, private bus and driver
Day 7: Exploring Axum
Today will be a full day visiting the sites of Axum, including the famous obelisks (one that was recently erected after being returned from Italy) and the archeological museum, the Queen of Sheba’s Bath (which supplies water to Axum year-round), Ezana’s enscription, King Kaleb’s tomb, King Bazen’s tomb, and the Queen of Sheba’s Palace. You will also visit the St. Mary of Zion church, where the Ark of the Covenant is kept. Men only are allowed to visit the old church. Unfortunately, no one (except one specially chosen guardian monk) is allowed to enter the chapel where the Ark is kept. Time permitting, you may also visit the Church of Arbuta Ensessa.
Overnight at Ethiopis Hotel.
Included: entrance fees, local guide service, accommodation including breakfast, private bus and driver
Dag 8: Ruïnes van Yeha & Hawzein
Depart from Axum to Hawzein. First stop is to visit the ruins of Yeha, dating from the 8th to 5th centuries BC, and thought to be the capital of Ethiopian civilization before Axum. Afterwards, make an optional visit to the Debre Damo monastery, where the men (sorry! No women allowed.) must climb up a 15-m rope to enter. Proceed through the state of Tigray, stopping en-route for a visit to the rock-hewn church of Medhane Alem Adi Kesho.
Overnight at Adulis Hotel.
Included: entrance fees, local guide service, accommodation including breakfast, private bus and driver
Day 9: Hike to remote churches & Mekele
In the morning, before the heat of the day rises, visit either Abuna Yemata Guh or Maryam Korkor. Both churches require a challenging 1-2 hour hike to reach. The reward is commanding views of the surrounding areas and visiting some of the most remote churches in the world in the most unsuspecting of places.
Depart to Mekele. On the way you will visit the easily-accessible churches of Abreha we Atsbeha and Wukro Chirkos.
Overnight at Atse Yohannes Hotel.
Included: entrance fees, local guide service, accommodation including breakfast, private bus and driver
Day 10: DANAKIL DEPRESSION (incl. PERMIT!)
The tour starts at 09:00 from Mekele, heading to the northeastern corner of Ethiopia – the Danakil Depression. After driving 110km on asphalt road via Kwiha town you will reach Erebti town in the Afar region. After lunch, proceed to ErtaAla via Kesrawat with 2 police men who will accompany the group. In Kesrawat, 2 additional local militias join us for the remainder of the journey. Continue driving to reach in the bottom of the volcano, where you will have some downtime until the sun goes down. After dinner, start the hike of 9.5km (around 3 hours) to reach on the top of mountain, ErtaAle Volcano. Hiking is done in the dark, when it is cooler (bring a flashlight or headlamp) and on foot; riding camels are available for those who want them.
You will camp overnight on the rim of the volcano in a crude hut.
Included: 2 4WDs (minimum), Afar permits, Afar road leaders, armed scout(s), English-speaking guide, food and water while camping, local Afar-style bed, other Danakil costs
Day 11
Enjoy sunrise over the volcano and then return down to the camp at the bottom of the volcano. Have breakfast and drive to Hamadella, arriving in the afternoon. Meals are served on the way under the shade of palm trees. Take a walk in the Afar town of “Hamadella” to see how the people live and survive in the conditions of the desert. You have time to buy souvenirs, take pictures of the Afar and their village and you’ll see plenty of the camel caravans.
Included: 2 4WDs (minimum), Afar permits, Afar road leaders, armed scout(s), English-speaking guide, food and water while camping, local Afar-style bed, other Danakil costs
Day 12
After an early breakfast, start the journey of 45km through Dallol Depression. En route you will visit different places like Red lake (Sulphur Lake), the colorful salt lakes and thermo-active springs of Dallol. You’ll see potash, sulphur and other minerals, the wide white salt desert, a cave pure natural designed rocks, Lake Assale and local salt mining. After the visit, lunch is in Hamedella before returning to Mekele late afternoon.
Overnight at Atse Yohannes Hotel.
Included: 2 4WDs (minimum), Afar permits, Afar road leaders, armed scout(s), English-speaking guide, food and water while camping, other Danakil costs, accommodation including breakfast
Day 13: The Tigray and their sandstone homes
Early in the morning, embark on a full day of driving to Lalibela. Here you will pass through several small villages, with typical sandstone homes of the Tigray people. Proceed through this rural area for the stunning approach to the home of Ethiopia’s most prized destination – Lalibela.
Overnight at Alef Paradise Hotel.
Included: accommodation including breakfast, private bus and driver
Day 14: The rock-hewn churches of Lalibela
In the morning, start your tour of the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, visiting the Northwestern Cluster of churches – Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, Bet Mikael & Bet Golgotha (entry not permitted for women). After lunch, continue with the Southeastern Cluster of churches – Bet Gabriel-Rufael, Bet Merkorios, Bet Amanual, and Bet Abba Libanos. Finally, you will visit the most famous of all the churches – Bet Giyorgis, constructed in honor of the patron saint of Ethiopia – Saint George.
Overnight at Alef Paradise Hotel.
Included: entrance fees, local guide service, accommodation including breakfast, private bus and driver
PART 2: The local South – visit and introduction to many traditional tribes
Day 15: (domestic flight) Arba Minch & the 'Dorze' people
Depart from Arba Minch to Dorze, set in the highlands above Arba Minch.The Dorze people are known for their tall beehive-like houses and their fine cotton weaving. You will visit the village and learn about the daily lives of these industrious people. If today is market day (in Dorze village on Monday and Thursday and in nearby Chencha on Tuesday and Saturday), that will be visited.
Overnight at Mekonnen Dorze Lodge. At night you will enjoy a campfire with traditional singing and dancing with the local Dorze people.
Included: airport transfer(s), private bus and driver, armed scout(s), entrance fees, local guide service, accommodation including breakfast, campfire, vehicle and driver
Day 16: Konso people & 'waka's'
Depart driving from Dorze to Konso.The Konso people are known for their wooden statues, known as wakas, which are erected in honor of dead heroes as well as their innovative agricultural terracing. Today you will have the opportunity to visit a local village and the cultural museum displaying many waka statues. With permission, you will visit the Konso chief's compound. Time permitting, you can also visit the “natural New York Village”, named after the tall sand formations resembling skyscrapers. Market days in Konso are Monday and Thursday. Depart Konso to Turmi via the villages of Weyto, home to the Tsemai tribe (market day Saturday), Key Afar, home to the Benna tribe (market day Thursday) and Dimeka (Hamer & Karo market, Tuesday & Saturday). Finally, proceed to Turmi, home of the Hamer tribe.
Overnight camping at Keske Campsite. At night, you might be lucky to see the traditional night dancing of the Hamer people, known as evangadi.
Included: entrance fees, local guide service, camping fees, evangadi fees NOT INCLUDED, vehicle and driver
Day 17: Hamar village
Today is a full day living with the people of the Hamer tribe. You will see the normal daily activities of these people and maybe you will be lucky to witness some special ceremony.
Overnight camping at Keske Campsite.
If there is Jumping of the Bulls traditional Hamer coming-of-age ceremony, that will be visited.
Included: entrance fees, local guide service, camping fees, bull jumping fees NOT INCLUDED, vehicle and driver
Day 18: Kangatan tribe
Travel to the village of Kangatan, located just across the Omo River, to visit the Kangatan tribe. The Kangatan are a mixture of pastoralist cow herders and fishermen. The women are easily recognized by the large number of colorful beaded necklaces they wear. Travel to the village of Kolcho, perched overlooking the Omo River, to meet people from the Karo tribe. The Karo is the smallest tribal population in the region. They are also known to be the most decorative.
Overnight camping at Keske Campsite.
Included: entrance fees, local guide service, camping fees, vehicle and driver
Day 19: colorful markets & Ari village
Depart for Jinka, via Dimeka and Key Afar. Tuesdays and Saturdays are market days in Dimeka, which is one of the most colorful markets in the area and is visited by many tribes, including Hamer, Benna and Karo. Thursday is market day in Key Afar, where you will see the Benna and Tsemai tribes trading goods. This is another very popular market in the region. Visit the South Omo Museum & Research Center to learn more about the local tribes. Additionally, take a hike in the surrounding hills to visit a local Ari village and learn how the locals do different tasks, such as blacksmith work and distilling the local gin, known as areki.
Overnight camping at Rocky Campsite.
Included: entrance fees, local guide service, camping fees, vehicle and driver
- Day 20: Mago N.P. & Mursi tribe
In the morning, drive through the Mago National Park to a local village of the Mursi tribe. The Mursi women are well known for their lower lip and earlobe plates – the larger the lip plate, the higher the bride price they will get when married.
Domestic flight Jinka to Addis Ababa. Transfer to international terminal for departure.
Included: entrance fees, local guide service, airport transfer(s), vehicle and driver
FOR WHO?
It is an adventurous trip combined with a nice dose of culture, the overnight stays are mostly in lodges or simple hotels and occasionally in tents (camping) for the southern part (tribes). For the activities (hikes, Danakil depression …) we recommend a good basic condition, so everyone can participate.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE?
To participate, fill in the booking-form below. You will receive a confirmation e-mail (check you spam) with the details for payment of the deposit.
Price: North- & South-Ethiopia (20 days) €3.295 /person.
Deposit: €1.495 p.p. (remaining amount 3 months before departure).
Date: 26 September – 15 October. (15/10 landing back in Brussels)
Group: 12 – 15 people, there is only one departure date for this trip.
Included in the trip:
- Flights to Addis Ababa. the airport of departure and arrival is Brussels.
- 3x domestic flights.
- North: overnight stays in simple hotels, except Danakil depression: tents/huts.
- South: overnight stays in tents (campings).
- Transport in 4×4 jeeps or mini-buses.
- Breakfast in the North (incl. hotels).
- Danakil Depression + full board + permit!
- All activities as described in the day-to-day program.
- Local guides and Beyond Borders guide David D'haen.
- All entrance fees (parks, tribes, …).
Excluded:
- Any meals not listed above and all alcoholic beverages
- Camera and/or photo fees
- Tips for driver, guides, etc (at your discretion)
- Items of a personal nature
- visum (http://www.traveldocs.eu)
- travel assistance
- international travel pass.
