Summary
This is a9 days/8 night’s safari that shows you the best of Southern Ethiopia attractions among them, Omo Valley Tribes, Danakil Depression and Lalibela. On this tour the mode of transport will be Car and flight.
Itinerary
When you arrive at Bole International Airport, you will directly go to the domestic area for your flight to Mekelle. On arrival at AtseYohanesInternational Airport in Mekelle, you will be met by our representative and we drive to Dodom.
You will check in at the hotel and have the rest of the day at leisure.
DINNER AN OVERNINGHT AT THE LODGE.
After an early breakfast, possible at 07:30, we depart and drive to Dodom(at the base of Erta Ale).
This is may be one of the worst roads in the world. The 70 km distance may take about 5 hrs passing through changing landscape of solidified lava, rock, sand and occasional palm lined oasis. After you pass several small hamlets scattered here and there in this desert land, Dodom is about 9.5km from Erta Ale and it takes about 3 hrs trekking.
We will arrive on time and have an early dinner for us to start out trek up to Ertale at 20:00 hours.
The Camels will transport all the camping materials and some food (sleeping materials like light mattresses and mat and water) to the rim of the volcano. We will spend the night here watching the dramatic action of the boiling lava.
Erta Ale ranks one of the most alluring and physically challenging natural attractions anywhere in Ethiopia. It is a shield volcano with a base diameter of 30 km and 1km square caldera at its summit. Erta Ale contains the world’s only permanent lava lake. Erta Ale is 613 meters, with a lava lake, one of only five in the world, at the summit. It is notable for being the longest existing lava lake, present since the early years of the twentieth century.
OVERNIGHT CAMPING ON THE MOUNTAIN.
Early in the morning we descend from Erta Ale, have our breakfast and depart for Dodom. We arrive at the camp in good time to have the morning at leisure. After noon drive to reach Hamad Ela, better village with a total population about 500 people.
DINNER AND OVERIGHT AT THE CAMP.
This Morning after breakfast, we will take a tour to Ragad (Asebo). This is 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. We will then drive on to Dallol and visit the difference landscape formed by volcanic activity, Dallol + Lake Assal + camel caravans.
We will then drive back to Hamedela and proceed to Mekele then transfer to the airport for your flight to Addis Ababa. On arrival be transferred to the hotel and have the evening at leisure.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT AT THE HOTEL
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Lalibela. Be met upon arrival and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon you will visit top attractions of Lalibela that will simply stagger you. Be back to the hotel in good time for diner and the evening at leisure.
Lalibela, named the 8th wonder of world Heritage is famous for its underground rock-hewn cathedrals. These churches include BeteMedhaneAlem, Bete Mariam, BeteMeskal, BeteDenaghel, Bete Golgotha, Bete Mikael, and BeteGiorgis.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT AT THE HOTEL
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Arba Minch which will go via Addis Ababa. On arrival at Arba Minch, you will be received by our representative who will drive you to the Dorzy village, this people set high up in the Gughe Mountains where we see the traditional Dorze.
Return to the hotel for dinner and the rest of the evening at leisure.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT AT THE HOTEL
After breakfast you will take a boat trip in Lake LakeChamo, to visit the crocodile market, it is a local name for a place in Lake chamo that the crocodiles went out of the lake and chill, there is no buying or selling, also you will see hippos and different kinds of birds late drive to Turmi then you will have a chance of seeing the Konso village, one of the UNESCO site in Ethiopia know by their terracing. One of the best types of coffee for the country is also from this village. Proceed to the Bana village. The Bana who are indigenous pastoral and semi-nomadic people living in the harsh environment of lower Omo Valley. The men often have their hair dressed up with a colorful clay cap that is decorated with feathers.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT AT THE HOTEL
After having your breakfast, you will have an excursion to Omorate to visit the Dassanech people ‘people of the Delta’, who lives on the northern shore of Lake Turkana. Visit and drive back to Turmi for lunch then drive to Jinka then we will be drive to the Ari people, the largest population in the lower omo valley. The women wear skirts from the banana like tree, called Enset are expert in pottery.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT AT THE HOTEL
Take a day excursion to Mago National Park to visit the Mursi village. The Mursi are one of the exotic ethnic groups in Ethiopia. They live in very low huts made of straw leaves. The women like to wear terra cotta on their enormously stretched lower lips and ear lobes.
Drive back to Jinka for lunch. Later you will be transferred to the Jinka Airport for your flight to Addis Ababa.
In the evening attend a folkloric dinner where you will have a chance to taste several national dishes and watch dances of the various ethnic groups of Ethiopia. The traditional coffee ceremony will also be served. Later you will be transferred to the airport for your departure.
