Title: Visit Rift valley and Reach to the History and Culture
Duration: 13 Days
Code: ETTA-N005
Day-1: Arrival at Bole International Airport and meet with ETTA representative, transfer to hotel for check in. Depend of your arrival time for city tour of the Capital.
Addis Ababa is established on 1886 by Emperor Menelik II and Empress Taitu. Visit Entoto Mountains from 3,000m high with panoramic view over the capital's National and Ethnographic museum, St George, Trinity cathedral and Merkato which is the biggest open air market in Africa. Overnight, stay in the hotel.
Day-2: Addis- Awash. In the Awash National Park you will see the graceful Beisa Oryx on the savanna plains. Also Soemmering’s Gazelle, Dik-Diks, Lesser Kudus and Waterbucks can be observed. The park is well known for more than 484 bird species from which 6 are endemic. Overnight, stay in Doho Lodge and Hot Springs.
Day-3: Awash-Semera. These days it has to make an early start to reach Semera in time to get the necessary permission for a visit to Erta’ Ale and Dallol. Overnight, stay in hotel.
Day-4: Semera-Afdera. Early in the morning drive through the desolate landscape with only some coned shaped volcanos here and there to Afdera salt lake. Late in the afternoon can visit the salt extractors and hot spring at the lakeside. Overnight, stay with camping.
Day-5: Afdera- Dodom-Erta’Ale. Morning drive to Dodom to set up our camp then start trekking to an active volcano where you enjoy the terrific view of the eruptions inside the lava lake (which is the sole Crater Lake in the world) causing a firework of burning molten rock. Overnight, stay at camping.
Day-6: Dodem-Hamedela. Early in the morning, we have to walking back to Dodom then driven to Hamedela, tiny village near the salt extraction area. Overnight, stay on camping.
Day-7: Excursion to Dallol and Asa’Ale. You visit one of the lowest points in the world. Dallol Depression – 150 meters below sea level. Overnight, back to campsite.
Day-8: Hamedella-Mekelle. In Mekelle visit the 17th century palace-museum of Emperor Yohannes IV. Overnight, stay in Hotel.
Day-9: Mekele-Lalibela. Lalibela and its rock-hewn church are thought, to date the 12th and 13th century during King Lalibela reign. The churches are remarkable since they are completely not tied up from the rock, refined and concentrated in small land. Overnight, stay in hotel.
Day-10: Visit the Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela. It is identified the eighth wonder of the world. Start to visit the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela which is clustered into three different places separated by River Jordan. Today visit the first and the third groups of churches. Overnight, stay in Lalibela.
Day -11: Continue to visit the attractions around and in Lalibela. Make an excursion to visit Asheton Mariam by mule or drive 1.5 hours on the unpaved road on the north of Lalibela & few minute climb up by walking to reach Yemrehane Christos church. Afterward, back to Lalibela, have lunch and continue to visit the second groups of churches. Overnight, stay in Hotel.
Day-12: Lalibela-Dessie/Kombolcha. On this day also will you enjoy the mountainous landscape and splendid views on your way to Dessie/Kombolcha. On the way just 30 km to Dessie, there is possibilities to visit pretty Crater Lake Hayek and its 13th Century of Istephanos Monastery. Subsequently, continue to Dessie/Kombolcha. Overnight, stay in Hotel.
Day-13: Dessie/Kombolcha-Addis. Drive back to Addis Ababa through the variety of landscapes from side to side several villages watching the way of life all the way back through. In Addis, Enjoy with traditional farewell dinner with Ethiopian cultural music and dancing presentations. In the evening transfer to the airport and flight of return.