Compare 10 Days historic tour and Dallol trip by Ethio Travel & Tours

Day 1: Arrive in Addis Ababa

Accommodation: Overnight at Caravan Hotel

Our driver will pick you up from the airport and take you to your Hotel. If you will be arriving either in the morning or in the afternoon we will provide complimentary city tour.

Day 2: Fly from Addis to Bahirdar

Accommodation: Overnight in Blue Nile Resort

Our Chuffer will pick you up from the airport and will take you to your Hotel After you refresh up you will head to Lake Tana which is Ethiopia’s largest lake. You will have a boat trip to the Monasteries. After lunch drive out to and visit Blue Nile falls.

Day 3: Bahir Dar to Gondar

Accommodation: Overnight in Haz Hotel

After breakfast continue to Gondar. After settling in your hotel, explore the sites of Gondar, including a visit to the Royal Enclosure and the Debre Birhan Selassie church, with the most famous ceiling in Ethiopia.

Day 4: Fly from Gondar to Lalibela

Accommodation: Overnight Lalibela Lodge

You will visit the first group of Lalibela Churches which are located north of a small stream named Jordan River. These Churches were carved during the time of King Lalibela (1181 - 1221) and are registered by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Day 5: Visit Lalibela

After breakfast, have an excursion trip to the cave-built up church of Ne’akuto Le’ab (13th Century AD) which is famous for its wide collection of ancient crosses, manuscripts and icons. If this day is Saturday, spare some time at the interesting weekly market of Lalibela. After lunch, visit the second and third group of churches of Lalibela. Overnight Lalibela Lodge In the city of Lalibela you will see about Eleven Rock Churches organized into groups of three. 1. Biete Medhanealem 2. Biete Maryam 3. Biete Golgotha Mikael 4. Biete Maskal (House of the Cross) 5. Biete Denagel (House of Virgins) 6. Biete Giyorgis 7. Biete Amanuel 8. Biete Qeddus Merkoreos 9. Biete Abba Libanos (House of Abba Libanos) 10. Biete Gabriel-Ruphael 11. Biete Lehem (Bethlehem Hebrew: , House of Holy Bread).

Day 6: Fly from Lalibela to Axum

Accommodation: Overnight in Brana Hotel

Upon arrival, you'll check into your hotel before venturing out to the Northern Stelae field to see the 4th century obelisks that lend the region its name. While all of the tombs excavated so far have been robbed centuries ago, more than 90% of the ancient burial sites remain unearthed! You'll then embark on a day of discovery as you explore the ruins of Dungur, better known as the Queen of Sheba's Palace, as well as the tombs of ancient figures such as King Kaleb, King Gebre Meskel, and more. You'll then proceed to St. Mary's of Zion Cathedral, fabled home of the Ark of the Covenant. Not only is this4th century church said to be home to the Biblical artifact, it is also where ancient Axum Emperors and Empresses were crowned. A visit to the archaeological museum will further enhance your knowledge of the ancient kingdom.

Day 7: Axum - Hawzien

Accommodation: Overnight at Wukro Lodge or similar

In the morning you will drive to Hawzien and on the way you will visit Yeha temple. Then you will visit Mariam and Daniel Korkor Churches which are the most impressive architecturally. A huge, high ceiling is supported by 12 free standing pillars. Looking at the churches you could not help but wonder how the architect managed to carve so high from the ground.

Day 8: Hawzien - Mekele- Addis Ababa

Accommodation: Overnight at Atse Yohannes Hotel

In the morning your driver will pick you up from your Hotel (You can choose the time you want to get picked up, you can inform your driver) You will visit Abuna Yemata Guh; to visit this church, one should walk for about an hour to commence a steep ascent up the side of the Gheralta massif. This steep ascent soon turn into a climb using foot holds and hand holds chipped into the sandstone rock by the passage of many hands and feet. The climb and the walk along very narrow ledges with sheer drops to the side is not one for the faint hearted. The church itself can be reached by walking out on a ledge one meter wide and with a 200m drop to the left hand side. At the entrance there is a small cave and a wooden door built into the rock. Late afternoon drive to Mekele

Day 9: Start Danakil trip: Mekele - Hamede Ela Drive to Hamedela via Berhale

Accommodation: Overnight camping at Hamed Ela

The Danakil Depression can be said to ‘begin’ here. It is one of the most inhospitable regions of the world, but is nonetheless spectacular, full of eye-catching colors, as in the sulphur springs. The desert has several points lying more than 100 meters (328 ft.) below sea level; You pass through a small town of Berhale where the camel caravan stop before they proceed to the northern highlands. En route you see many long camel caravans coming to the salt mine and others going out of the Danakil with their salt loaded camels.(3-4 hrs. drive) Camp Hamed Ela. After drive to reach Hamed Ela, better village with a total population about 500 people. Sun set at Dallol.

Day 10 Drive to Ragad (Asebo)

Morning tour Drive to Ragad (Asebo), the place where the localities are mining salt. Look the activity of breaking the salt from the ground, cutting in to rectangular pieces and loading on camels. You drive ahead to Dallol and visit the difference landscape formed by volcanic activity, Dallol + Lake Assal + camel caravans. Excursion to Dallol (116 meter below sea level, one of the lowest places in the world) colorful salts mining, visit Lake Assal, follow up camel caravans and walk with the Afar people. Drive back to Hamed Ela and proceed to Mekele. Catch an evening flight back to Addis Ababa.