14-Day Ethiopia Historical and Trekking Tour with Danakil Depression

1

Day 01

Addis Ababa Arrival and Flight to Mekele

• Upon your arrival in Addis Ababa, you will be met at the airport and begin your city tour of Addis.
• Today, you will visit the National Museum, home of Lucy and other hominid skeletons dating back 3.2 million years, and Merkato, the biggest open-air marketplace in Africa.
• After lunch, transfer to the airport for your flight to Mekele. Upon arrival in Mekele, transfer to your hotel for rest and an overnight stay. Overnight in Mekele. (B, L, D)

2

Day 02

Mekele to Hamedela and Trek to Ertale

• In the morning, drive towards Ertale via Hamedela along sandy tracks. Picnic lunch.
• In the late afternoon, start trekking towards the mountain of Ertale, which may take about 2-3 hours.
• Overnight in a tent. (B, L, D)

3

Day 03

Ertale Trek Back to Hamedela

• Early in the morning, trek back for about 2-3 hours towards the cars.
• Upon arrival, have breakfast and depart for Hamedela. Expected arrival at Hamedela is in the late afternoon.
• Overnight in a tent. (B, L, D)

4

Day 04

Hamedela, Dallol Excursion and Drive to Hawzien

• On this day, go on an excursion to visit the Dallol area. You will see the unique colorful formations created by the interaction of phosphorus, salt, sulfur, and various other chemicals, as well as the salt miners who extract the salt minerals and transport them by camel caravan.
• These salt bars that are extracted were once used as a medium of exchange.
• Return to Hamedela and proceed to Hawzien. Overnight in Hawzien. (B, L, D)

5

Day 05

Hawzien to Axum via Yeha

• After breakfast, drive towards Axum. Along the way, visit Yeha, the pre-Christian Temple of the Moon, which dates to the 5th century B.C.
• If you also wish to visit the monastery of Debre Damo, it is only accessible by climbing the mountain using ropes for approximately 16 meters. It is a very interesting monastery dating to the 6th century; however, this monastery only allows men to visit.
• Afterwards, proceed to Axum. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant. Upon arrival in Axum, rest and dinner. Overnight in Axum. (B, L, D)

6

Day 06

Flight to Lalibela and Visit Yemrehane Kirstos

• Today, you will be transferred to the airport to take your flight to Lalibela. Upon arrival, you will start your sightseeing with a visit to Yemrehane Kirstos, an old built-up church within a large cavern.
• This exquisite church lies 42 km northeast of Lalibela and is situated at around 2700 m. It is a masterpiece of Axumite wood and stone construction and is renowned for its interior decoration.
• Its beautiful wooden coffer ceiling is inlaid with hexagons and medallions featuring both figurative and geometric motifs.
• You will also have the chance to visit a local school. Overnight in Lalibela. (B, L, D)

7

Day 07

Lalibela Rock-Hewn Churches

• In the morning after breakfast, begin your visit with the first group of the rock-hewn churches, namely Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Mariam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghil, Bet Debre Sina, and Bet Gologota.
• Return to your hotel for lunch, and in the afternoon proceed with your visit to the second group of churches, namely Bet Gabriel, Bet Ruffael, Bet Merkorios, Bet Amanuel, and Bet Abba Libanos.
• In the late afternoon, return to your hotel for rest, dinner, and an overnight stay in Lalibela. Overnight in Lalibela. (B, L, D)

8

Day 08

Flight to Gondar and Trek in the Simien Mountains

• In the morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Gondar.
• Upon arrival in Gondar, drive to the Simien Mountains National Park. The road passes over mountainous areas of wild beauty, drawing close to the Simien Massif. In Amharic, Simien means north.
• In the park, many of the mountain peaks exceed 4,000 m (13,123 ft); the highest is Ras Dejen, at 4,543 m above sea level. These mountains consist of volcanic masses that have been eroded away by centuries of rain. Today, they have amethyst-colored peaks and deep gullies, which have been further deepened by rivers.
• The crevices play host to the Walya ibex.
• In the afternoon, you will have about 4 hours of trekking in the first campsite area of Sankaber, where you can see the Gelada baboons and also, if you are lucky, the Walya ibex. Overnight in Simien Park.

9

Day 09

Hiking from Sankaber in the Simien Mountains

• From Sankaber, you will begin hiking along the ridge and look out over the foothills 800 m below.
• From the ridge, you will descend into the valley and be able to view the Jinbar River plunging into the Geech Abyss.
• The area is also a great spot to see the Gelada baboons. Overnight in Simien Park.

10

Day 10

Return to Gondar and Explore the Imperial City

• In the morning, drive back to Gondar. Gondar was the first capital city of the Ethiopian Empire, which began in 1632. In Gondar, there are a dozen castles built by various emperors over the course of 236 years. The city seems more European than African and also has Islamic influences.
• In the morning, visit Fasilidas' Palace, probably the most impressive of all the castles found in the area and the oldest one too. Continue on to the Bath of Fasiledes and Quskuam Church.
• In the afternoon, visit the Church of Debre Berham Selassie (Light of the Trinity).
• The interior of this church is decorated with beautiful frescos, cherubs, and paintings. Debre Berham Selassie is rumored to once have been the proposed final resting place of the Ark of the Covenant.
• After this, visit the colorful market of Gondar. Overnight in Gondar.

11

Day 11

Gondar to Bahir Dar via Lake Tana

• In the morning, drive to Gorgora to cross Lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia, where you will visit Debre Sina Church. Today, you will cross the largest lake in Ethiopia (3000 sq. meters), home to thirty-seven islands, of which twenty shelter churches of significant historical and cultural interest.
• The islands are easily reached by boat. The nearest monastery, Ura Kidane Meheret, is the best known of the monasteries and has an important collection of religious icons from the 16th to 18th centuries A.D.
• In the late afternoon, visit Blue Nile Falls. Overnight in Bahir Dar. (B, L, D)

12

Day 12

Bahir Dar and Blue Nile Falls

• Today, you will visit Bahir Dar, the capital city of the Amhara region.
• For centuries, it has been a place of commercial importance due to papyrus canoes and boats made by the Woyto people who live alongside Lake Tana.
• It is known for two main attractions - the Blue Falls and Lake Tana.
• In the afternoon, visit Blue Nile Falls. Overnight in Bahir Dar. (B, L, D)

13

Day 13

Fly Back to Addis Ababa and Departure

• Today, you will be transferred to take your flight to Addis Ababa, where upon arrival you will enjoy a full day of sightseeing.
• Start your city tour by looking down on Addis Ababa from Entoto Mountain, the capital of Ethiopia before Addis Ababa. Here, you will have panoramic views of the city with fresh air from the eucalyptus forests.
• After the visit, proceed down to Addis Ababa via Shiro Meda, the city's largest market for traditional clothes.
• This evening culminates with a farewell dinner in a traditional restaurant with traditional music and dances, followed by transfer to the airport for departure.