10 Days Addis Danakil lalibela and omo valley

Day 1: Addis Ababa

1. Addis Ababa
   7h
   Upon your arrival at Bole International Airport, you will be picked up and taken for breakfast before embarking on a city tour. The itinerary includes visits to the National Museum, which houses the famous fossil of Lucy, the bustling Mercato, the historic old city Piazza (Piassa), and the stunning St. George's Churches. You will also explore Mount Entoto, home to Menelik's Palace, and the Ethnographic Museum. If time permits, a leisurely walk through the streets will offer an opportunity to experience a traditional coffee ceremony, enriching your understanding of local culture.

Day 2: Addis-Semera-Erta Ale

1. Erta Ale
   7h · Admission ticket included
   you will board ET-110 from Addis Ababa to Semera, arriving at 8:20 AM. Upon arrival, our driver and guide will greet you and begin the journey to Erta Ale via Afdera Town, covering a distance of 168 km, which takes approximately 3.5 hours. After a one-hour lunch break, you will continue to the Erta Ale campsite, expected to arrive by 4:30 PM. Following a brief rest, you will embark on a one-hour hike to the active volcano, where you will spend 1.5 to 2 hours exploring before trekking back to the campsite, which will take another 45 minutes to an hour. A fresh dinner will be waiting for you upon your return.

Day 3: Erta Ale-Lake assale-Hamed ela

1. Danakil Depression
   8h · Admission ticket included
   you will rise at 5 AM to trek for an hour to an active volcano, where you will witness the sunrise and spend approximatelyp an hour and a half exploring the area before returning to the campsite. After breakfast, you will depart around 10 AM for Hamed Ela, a journey of 70 km that takes about three hours. Following a break until 4:30 PM, you will drive for an hour to Lake Assale to enjoy the sunset, spending two hours at the lake before heading back to the Hamed Ela campsite, where a fresh dinner awaits. You will then camp overnight.

Day 4: Hamed Ela -Dallol-Mekele

1. Dallol
   7h · Admission ticket included
   you will rise early at 5 AM and embark on a drive to Dallol, renowned for its striking salt formations, vibrant sulfur deposits, colorful salt flats, hot springs, and salt canyons, also known as salt mountains. The journey will take over an hour, followed by a 30-minute trek to explore the area. You will spend approximately two hours walking through the unique landscape before returning to the vehicle for another 30-minute ride back. After breakfast, you will drive to Mekele to catch flight ET-117, departing at 5:45 PM and arriving in Addis at 7:20 PM.

Day 5: Addis-Lalibela

1. Lalibela
   7h
   You will take the ET-120 flight to Lalibela, where your driver and guide will greet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. After checking in, you will explore the renowned rock-hewn churches, often referred to as the 8th wonder of the world, beginning with the Northern Cluster. You will visit Bete Medhane Alem, the largest monolithic church globally, followed by Bete Maryam, known for its stunning ceiling paintings, and other notable churches including Bete Meskel, Bete Denagel, and Bete Golgotha Mikael. After a day of exploration, you will spend the night at either Hiltop Resort or Sora Lodge, or similar accommodation.

Day 6: Lalibela-Addis

1. Addis Ababa
   7h
   After breakfast, you will continue your tour with the Southern Cluster churches, visiting Bete Amanuel, recognized for its Aksumite architectural style, along with Bete Gabriel-Rufael, Bete Merkorios, and Bete Abba Libanos, concluding with the iconic Bete Giyorgis, the famous cross-shaped church that symbolizes Lalibela, before catching your ET-121 flight back to Addis.

Day 7: Addis-Jinka

1. Jinka
   7h
   Depart from Addis Ababa (ADD) to Jinka/Baco (BCO) - Travel to Turmi (130 km, 2:30 hours)
   Upon your arrival at Jinka airport, a guide will greet you and lead you on a 130 km (2 hours) journey to Turmi town, passing through the towns of Jinka, Keyafer, Aldubba, and Dimeka. If you travel on market days (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday), you might encounter a tribal market in one of the towns. This trip takes you through various altitudes and showcases breathtaking landscapes. Along the route, you will visit the Banna tribe, followed by a small community of Mursi people near Keyafer town, known for their women who wear lip plates and have body scarification. Additionally, you might witness the bull jumping ceremony or other rituals performed by the Banna or Hamar tribe, if available.

Day 8: Turmi - Korcho Village (Kara) - Turmi

1. Turmi
   8h
   Travel 30 kilometers to the village of Korcho, associated with the Kara (Karo) tribe, after heading 65 kilometers west from Turmi. In this village located by the Omo River, you will have the opportunity to meet the Kara people. The Kara or Karo are the smallest ethnic group in the Omo Valley. They are recognized for their intricate facial and body art, and you can have your face adorned in their unique style. Afterward, head back to Turmi for lunch, in the after noon where you also have the option to experience the Hamar Bull Jumping Ceremony or the Evangadi Dancing Ceremony.
   In the afternoon,

Day 9: Turmi-Konso-Arba Minch

1. Arba Minch
   8h
   after breakfast, we embarked on a 200 km drive to Konso, a region inhabited by an agricultural and pastoral community that speaks a Cushitic language. The Konso people are renowned for their exceptional terracing skills, which have shaped the landscape into a UNESCO World Heritage site, reflecting over a thousand years of history. During our visit, we observed the traditional wooden statues, or totems known as “waka,” erected in honor of heroes and chiefs. Following our exploration of Konso, we continued our journey to Arba Minch, where we would spend the night at Mora Height Lodge.

Day 10: Arba Minch-Addis

1. Addis Ababa
   7h
   Embarking on a boat trip across the serene waters of the lake, you will have the opportunity to observe crocodiles and hippos in their natural habitat at the renowned crocodile market, where these fascinating creatures bask in the sun and interact with their surroundings. This unique experience allows for close encounters with wildlife, providing insight into their behaviors and ecosystems. After enjoying the sights and sounds of the lake, you will conclude your adventure by heading to Arba Minch airport for your afternoon flight to Addis Ababa, ensuring a seamless transition from nature's wonders to the bustling capital.

Pickup details

AYA Addis Hotel is located on Namibia Avenue in the Atlas Area of the Bole Sub-City in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It is situated approximately 3.1 kilometers from Bole International Airport.
The driver will pick you up at the Lobby of Aya hotel.
There will be a sign of your name at any meeting places.

• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels