Discover Ethiopia

BEST OF ETHIOPYA - 12 Days

Facts about Ethiopia: Ethiopia, is a federal country located in the Horn of Africa, without sea access since the separation of Eritreea.
Formation: Originally called Abyssinia, Ethiopia is sub-Saharan Africa's oldest state, and its dynasty claims descent from King Menelik I, traditionally believed to have been the son of the queen of Sheba and King Solomon.
Date and Time: The Ethiopian calendar has 13 month and is 8 years behind our calendar. The new year is starting on 11th of September. The Ethiopian day begins at 06:00 as opposed to 00:00, coinciding with sunrise throughout the year.
Food and drinks: Here is the origin of coffee. It is believed that the word coffee derives from Kaffa (also Caffa or Kafa), the southwestern region of Ethiopia in which the plant thrived. A small Abyssinian kingdom on the border with South Sudan, where the Omo, Gojeb, Ghibie, Gibe and Akobo rivers “influence” the plateau which culminates at 3,686 meters high with the summit of Mount Holla and the savannah and splashes of tropical forests all around.
The Ethiopian cuisine is unique in the world.
Population: With over 100,000,000 inhabitants, Ethiopia is the second-most populated nation on the African continent. Christians 62%, Muslims 34%, other religions 4%.
 

Here we would be...8 years ago! That’s because the Ethiopian Calendar is based on the ancient Coptic calendar. There’s also a time difference! Ethiopians use a clock system that has its 00:00 mark at 6:00 AM. In other words, their day begins at sunrise!
Welcome to Ethiopia, the most interesting country in Africa!
Addis Ababa, meaning “new flower”, is the fifth highest capital city in the world (2,355m).
Today we’ll visit the city and the main museums.
Accommodation is arranged at a hotel in Addis Ababa.

Flight to Arba Minch.
Arba Minch, meaning “forty springs”. The city lies near Nech Sar (White Grass) National Park. Our journey today will end at the Dorze tribe village. This is the most evolved tribe that we’ll visit during this trip. The Dorze people are famous for their beehive-shaped huts which are constructed with vertical hardwood poles and woven bamboo.
Accommodation is arranged in traditional houses in the Dorze village.

In the morning we’ll descend again into the Rift Valley and start the day on the Chamo Lake, home for giant crocodiles, hippopotamus and a multitude of birds.
Then we’ll go to “Omo” Valley, where we’ll discover an amazing culture, ceremonies, and unbelievable lifestyles of many remote tribes!
Accommodation will be in bungalows in “Turmi” village, located at the heart of Hamer People.

The morning is dedicated to the meeting with “Hamer” tribe.
In the afternoon, we’ll go to the border with Kenya, where, beyond the Omo River, lives the “Dasenech” tribe. In the evening will leave to “Jinka” town
Accommodation in guesthouse.

In the morning we’ll go to Mago Park where we’ll meet the strangest of the tribes in “Omo” Valley: the “Mursi”. In the afternoon we’ll travel to Jinka.
In the afternoon we’ll fly to Addis Ababa.
Free time for visit the area or relax.

Flight to Lalibela, the holy city of Ethiopian Christians. Here we will visit the renowned monolithic churches, classified by UNESCO as world heritage of humanity.
Accommodation is arranged in a hotel in Lalibela.

 

We’ll take a flight to Axum or Mekele and from there we’ll leave by car to Gera Alta, with a stop at Debre Damo monastery where just the mens are allowed.
Today we will visit one of the most beautiful and hard accessible rock hewn churches in Tigrai.
In this region there are around 200 such places of worship builded hundreds of years ago.
Accommodation in the Gera Alta area at one of the beautiful lodges there.

Today a new adventure begins. We’ll descend from the altitude of 2500m to below the sea level on the Danakil depression.
The last part of the trip is off-road. We’ll cross the hot desert between volcanic rocks, encountering along the route Afar locals who are living a nomadic life in those harsh conditions. At the base of the volcano we take a break in a small Afar camp, then in the evening we’ll begin the ascent of the active volcano : Erta Ale. The trail takes about 3-5 hours, up to the lava lake where we’ll spend the night. The camels will carry our camping equipment, the water and food. During the night, we will admire the spectacular show of the lake.
Tonight we'll sleep on the edge of the crater.

We’ll descend to the camp, at the base of the volcano, take breakfast and then we’ll cross the desert to Hamadella, where we arrive in the evening.
Hamadella is an Afar village in the middle of the desert, under the sea level.
We’ll spend the night under the stars.

After breakfast, early in the morning, we will go to the most colorful place on Earth: "Dalol". On the way we’ll see spectacular landscapes such as salt lakes, white salt flat and salt mountains.
After lunch, we will travel back to Mekelle, where we will arrive in the evening. Accommodation is arranged at a hotel in Mekelle.

Flight to Addis Ababa.
End of services.

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The price is including: • Transport + transfers • Internal flight tickets and airport taxes • English speaking guide • Accommodation in the double room at 3*hotels, bungalows and 2 nights under the stars in Danakil depression • Activities provided in the program • Meals: breakfast (full board in Danakil)

The price is not including: • Visa fees • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages • Single room supplement 350 USD • Any other optional services required by the tourists but not specified in the program • Optional activities. • Tips