Tour Code: VET068
Transport: surface
Duration: 19 Days and 18 Nights
Attractions highlight – Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar, Gondar, Axum, Lalibela, Lake Tana, Castle compound, Debre Berhan Selase Church, Obelisks, Rock Churches of Lalibela, Stunning Scenery, Simien Mountain National Park, Rock Churches of Tigrai, UNSCO sites, Nature, people, Danakil depression, salt extraction, caravan ,desert, active volcano, National park, lowest place on the earth, tribes, Dallol, rock hewn churches of Tigrai, rift valley, saline lake, Addis Ababa, adventure and much more.
Day 1: Drive to Awash National park on the way visit Debre Zeit, crater lakes, before reaching the town of Metahara, observe the large fields of volcanic lava and lake Beseka where crocodiles and plenty of birds are observed, proceeding further to awash national park, we will come across wildlife such as Beissa Oryx, gazelles, warthogs, overnight lodge
Day 2:Morning observe games like lions, beissa Oryx, warthogs, lesser kudu etc… around the lodge; one can have an early morning swim in the hot spring as well, then proceed to Semera, overnight hotel/ camping.
Day 3: Morning permit papers from tourism office and drive to Afdera, afternoon visit the salt mining in the lake, overnight camping.
Day 4:Drive Afdera to Dodom 60km base camp, this is the place where you will arrange camels to transport your luggage and water evening start trek to Erta-Ale admire the active volcano, Overnight camping.
Day 5: Full Day at the top of the rim take a good rest and evening again admire Erta-Ale temperature of this active volcanic lake is over 3000 degrees centigrade, overnight camping.
Day 6: Early start trekking back to Dodom base camp meet the car and to Hamedela after Camping in the early evening observe the caravan from the camping sight, overnight camping.
Day 7: Morning excursion to Dallol to visit the salt extraction by the Afar and Tigre people, lunch break, continue to visit the minerals bubbles out, and the lowest spot 120 meter below sea level, overnight camping Hamedela.
Day 8: Drive to Mekelle passing the small settlement of the Berhale town for COLD soft drink stop, overnight hotel.
Day 9: Morning drive to Ger-Alta cluster to visit the rock churches of Tigrai, overnight Adigrat.
Day 10: Morning head to Axum on the way visit the Debre Damo monastery (only men) climb a rope to reach the monastery dated back to the 6th century, after lunch head to Yeha small settlement to visit the 5th century B.C pagan temple dedicated to moon, Overnight hotel.
Day 11: Full day visit the town of Axum stelae field with the museum, the tomb of Kaleb and Gebre Meskel and Ezana inscription. After lunch break heading to St. Mary cathedral with the museum and the Sheba palace and swimming pool, overnight hotel.
Day 12: Morning drives to simian Mountain National Park on the way admire the magnificent Tekeze valley and the escarpment of the park, overnight camping/Lodge.
Day 13: Drive to Chenek, and then trek to Buhiet Ras. Observe the endemic Wali Ibex and Gelada baboon with their outstanding habitat, overnight camping at Chenek.
Day 14:Morning have time in the National Park for short hike ,then drive to Gonder on the way visit the Ethiopian Jews ,overnight hotel.
Day 15: Full day explore Gonder, the royal compound with the bath of Fasiladas .after lunch break Debre Berhan Selase church and the Qusquam complex, overnight hotel.
Day 16:Drive to Bahir Dar after check in to hotel, head to Blue Nile fall (Tiss Isat) 32 km to admire the fall, overnight hotel.
Day 17: Full day boat cruise in Lake Tana (the largest lake in Ethiopia with a total area of 3600 sq.km and the official source of Blue Nile) to spot the medieval monasteries on the spotted islands on the lake.
Day 18: Fly to Lalibela to explore the 12th century rock hewn churches of Lalibela, Sightseeing of Lalibela Visit the magnificent Rock Hewn Churches of Lalibela carve out from single rock, overnight hotel.
Day 19:Morning transfer to airport to fly back to Addis on the way to airport visit the cave monastery of Nakuto’leab, afternoon shopping city tour and evening cultural dinner in traditional restaurant then departure.