camel transport of salt to Mekkele

The Danakil Depression is located in the northern part of the great rift valley in Ethiopia. It is here where the widest part of the rift in Ethiopia is located. This region is a lowland region with semi-desert and desert climate. Geologically the Danakil area is the most unstable one in the country having many places of active volcano.

Travelseason: beginning of October until end of February

Day 01: arraiving in Addis Abeba

Upon arrival you will be welcomed by your guide and drive about 15 minutes to your hotel.  Overnight at Kaleb or Global Hotel.

Day 02: Addis - Mekele and after arrival drive to Ahmed -ela

Fly to Mekelle, and after arrival and break fast drive to Hamed Ela through rocky terrain on the way stop at Berahaile to facilitate the permit of the depression and to get a police scout as well as road guide. O/n camping

Day 03: an excursion trip to Dallol

After early breakfast drive to Dalol in the north to visit the x-phosphate-mining escarpment. The main attractions in this area are the multicolor sulphurous hot springs, the strange wavy rock formations covered with orange deposits that look rather like deliberately dyed. On the way back to the base camp, visit Lake Asale the salt extraction site. O/n camping

Day 04: Drive to Ertale active volcano

After early breakfast drive to Erta Ale Lava Lake. It contains the world's only permanent lava lake that measures 100m x 60m.Scientiste think that the lake has a continuous link with a shallow magma chamber that supplies it with magma. After the village of El Dom drive some 15km to reach the base of Erta Ale, the remaining distance will be walked on foot or on camel's back. The trekking will preferably be in the evening overnight stay there and early in the morning, descend to the base (Do Dom).

O/n camping

Day 05 drive from Ertale to Ahmed-ela

Drive back to where we came from that is Ahmed -ela, just for an overnight stay and after arrival you can have a photographic session when the camel caravans are riding back to Mekele and other places with their salt

O/n camping

Day 06 Ahmed -ela - Mekele

Drive to Mekkele. Visit the museum.

Overnight: Axum hotel.

Day 07-Mekele -Lallibela

In the early morning after havening breakfast you will drive to Lalibela on the way you will see the escarpment of Tigrigna region plateau and chain of Wollo relief.

Overnight: Roha Hotel

Day 08-Lalibela

After breakfast visit the first group of the magnificent rock-hewn churches of Lalibela which are carved out of living volcanic tuff with super architectural skill that the world has never seen, yet elsewhere. UNESCO registers these churches as world heritage. Among churches of this group Bete Medahine Alem (house of the redeemer) is the largest with 5 aisles, 72 pillars, vaulted dome and molding decoration. Bete Mariam (house of st. Marry) is the most decorated among the rock hewn churches. After lunch, visit the second group of the rock-hewn churches; Bete Emanuel (house of Emanuel) is architecturally the finest. Bete Giorgis (the house of George) is the finest of all the churches in Lalibela for which reason art historians conclude that this church is carved at the end of the cluster, after the masons have developed their skill to carve the church in such extraordinary perfection.

Overnight: Roha Hotel

Day 9 - Lallibela - Bahir Dar

After breakfast drive to Bahir-Dar on the way glimpse to beautiful landscape of the region as well as the canyon that is separating Wolo and Gojam region and the then, after check-in at the hotel and lunch proceed on a boat trip to the Zeghe peninsula monasteries; Ura Kidane Mihret established in the 14th century and decorated by 17th century mural paintings and rich in manuscripts, royal belongings donated to it, and Kibran Gebrael/Entons Iyesus monastery.

O/N: Hotel

Day 10- Bahir Dar

Drive to Blue Nile falls (35km.south east of Bahir -Dar) through the 17th century bridge or by boat on the river (400-500 meters wide) before the water is diverted to the hydroelectric power station, watch a number of species of birds on the way along the riverine forest, and then enjoy the spectacular view of the fall that crushes down from 46 meters cliff. Then, back to Bahir Dar for lunch. And drive to the town of Debre Markose for an overnight stay.

O/N: Hotel

Day 11 -Bahir Dar - Addis Ababa

After breakfast drive to Addis Ababa. En route, glimpse to the fertile plain of Gojam, cross the Blue Nile gorge (42 km. Long) that winds down by 2000 meters below the general elevation, starting just after Dejen. This gorge with semi-desert weather condition and plants witnesses that Ethiopia has diversified ecological zones and wildlife. Then, visit the ruin of a bridge called Portuguese bridge and the 13thc.monastery of Debre-Libanos one of the historically and religiously important monasteries and proceed to Addis Ababa through Central Shewan plateau, at night transfer to airport.