16 days/15 nights Historic Route with Danakil Depression Tour

Day 1. Addis

You will be welcomed by your guide/a member of Magma Flow Team at Bole International airport Addis and transfer to your hotel. If arrival time is in the morning, after check-in your hotel and quick refreshment, you will have Addis city tour or short excursion to sites around Addis which includes Tiya Archeological Site, Adadi Maryam Church…

Overnight hotel in Addis

Day 2. Addis – Lalibela

– Morning, fly to Lalibela, pick up from airport and check-in your hotel/lodge.

– Afternoon, visit Yemrahanna Kristos Church or Monastery of Ashton Maryam.

Overnight hotel/lodge in Lalibela

Day 3. Lalibela

Morning, visit half of the 11 rock-hewn churches (Northwest cluster):

• BetMedhaneAlem
• BetMaryam
• BetMeskel
• BetDanaghel
• BetMikael
• BetGolgotha (entry not permitted for women).

Afternoon, visit the rest half (Southeast cluster):

• BetGabriel-Rufael
• BetMerkorios
• BetAmanual
• BetAbbaLibanos
• BetGiyorgis until the sunset (the most famous of all)

Overnight hotel/lodge in Lalibela

Day 4. Lalibela – Mekelle

– Drive to Mekelle in route, wondering by the differences and beauties of the Amhara & Tigray region landscapes.

Overnight hotel in Mekelle

Day 5. Mekelle – Danakil Depression  (Lake Asale – HamadEla)

– Drive to the Danakil Depression.

– Enjoy the evening by the spectacular view of the sunset reflection on Lake Asale/Karum.

Overnight outside under the stars in HamadEla

Day 6. Danakil Depression (HamadEla – Dallol – Abala)

Explore:

– Dallol Volcano (colourful places)

– Salt Mountains (Canyons)

– Sulfuric Lake

– Camel Caravans & Local Salt Mining (if available)

Overnight Local Guest House in Abala

Day 7. Danakil Depression (Abala – Erta Ale)

– Ascend to Erta Ale Mountain (30-40min trekking).

– Visit Erta Ale Volcano (Lava Lake) during the night.

Overnight outside/inside Local Huts made up of Lave Rocks near to the rim

Day 8. Danakil Depression (Erta Ale – Afdera) – Mekelle

– Second visit of Erta Ale (Lava Lake) until the sunrises.

– Swim in Lake Afrera & take a bath in Hydrothermal Springs.

Overnight hotel in Mekelle

Day 9. Mekelle – Gheralta – Hawzen

– Morning, drive to Hawzen.

– Visit:

• Abune Yemata Guh (total trek & climb: 2 hours)
• Maryam & Daniel Korkor (total trek: 2-2.5 hours)

Overnight hotel/lodge in Hawzen

Day 10. Hawzen – Teka Tesfay – Yeha – Axum

– Drive to Axum in route, visit

• Medhane Alem AdiKosho (total trek: 1 hour)
• Mikael MelhayZengi (total trek: 1 hour)
• The ruins of Yeha Temple.

Overnight hotel in Axum

Day 11. Axum – Debark

Morning, visit sites in Axum:

• The famous Obelisks
• Archeological museum
• Queen of Shebas Bath
• Ezanas enscription
• King Kalebs tomb
• King Bazens tomb
• Queen of Shebas Palace
• Mary of Zion church, where the Ark of the Covenant is kept.

– Afternoon, drive to Debark in route, enjoy by the wonderful views of the landscapes.

Overnight hotel/lodge in Debark

Day 12. Debark – Simien Mountains – Wolleka – Gondar

– Morning, short trek (1-3 hours) around Simien Mountains.

– Afterwards, drive to Gondar in route, visit Wolleka (Falasha Village).

– Afternoon, visit sites in Gondar:

• The Royal Enclosure
• Fasilidass Pool, still used for Timket celebrations
• Ras Gimb Palace Museum
• Debre Birhan Selassie church

Overnight hotel/lodge in Gondar

Day 13. Gondar – Bahir Dar

– Morning, drive to Bahir Dar.

– Afternoon, visit Blue Nile Falls & walk around to enjoy the beautiful views of the area.

– Sunset on the best viewpoint of the Lake.

Overnight hotel/lodge in Bahir Dar

Day 14. Bahir Dar – Debre Markos

– Morning, take a boat trip on Lake Tana.

Visit:

• ZegePenninsula
• AzuwaMaryam
• UraKidaneMehret
• DebreMaryam

– Afternoon, drive to Debre Markos.

Overnight hotel in Debre Markos

Day 15. Debre Markos – Blue Nile Gorge – Addis

– Morning, drive to Addis in route:

• Drive down to Blue Nile Gorge
• Cross Blue Nile Bridge by car and walking
• Visit Debre Libanos Monastery & Jemma Valley.

Overnight hotel in Addis

Day 16. Addis

– Explore the Capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa:

• Panoramic view of the city from Entoto Mountain.
• Entoto Maryam Church & Museum
• The city’s largest market for traditional clothes.
• The ethnographical museum, with great displays of the many cultures of Ethiopia, housed in the former palace of Haile Selassie.
• National Museum, where Ethiopias oldest resident, Lucy, is housed.
• The Selassie (Trinity) church, one of the most important churches of Addis Ababa and the final resting place of Haile Selassie, to whom there is a dedicated museum on site.
• Merkato, Africas largest open-air market.

– Evening, cultural dinner invitation at a traditional restaurant with local folkloric dances.

– Transfer to Bole International airport Addis to fly back home or your hotel for overnight.