Danakil Depression
Highlights:
Danakil/Dallol Depression: is the remotest, lowest and hottest place in the Great Rift Valley system. It is the most astonishing place, nowhere in the World but in Ethiopia – at north –east (Ethiopian Afar Region.) Tourists and I, Misganaw Alelign – Tour Operator and professional English and French Guide for Action Tours said together, at our presence physically there: “ This is the place where the earth breaths as we do!” Danakil Depression is an extraordinary event – no word, picture or filming equitable to explain about Danakil Depression. The only means to witness about it is being there physically! Anybody who has physical fitness to tolerate the unfriendly climate has to be recommended to explore the life time memory of the Danakil depression’s miraculous event. Staffs of Action Tours have visited the never regrettable site – Danakil Depression and its surroundings repeatedly! Action Tours – Ethiopia is looking forward to take you there as your agent in Ethiopia.
Despite high temperature, Danakil Depression can be visited at any time. Temperature is lower in Danakil Depression during November to March.
Hereunder are some recommended itineraries:
Danakil Depression & historic Routes - 17Days
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Travel to Danakil Depression
Day to day Itinerary
Program: Danakil Depression & historic Routes
Tour Code: Afar 01
Duration: 16Nights (17 Days)
Transportation: Land (4WD)
Tour starts: Addis Ababa
Tour ends: Addis Ababa
Day1: Arrival/ Addis – City Tour
Arrive in the morning, to Addis Ababa Bole international airport, meet with us, and transfer to your hotel for check-in.
Then we drive to the Entoto Mountain (3300m) for a panoramic view of Addis, Entoto Museum with historical and royal exhibit, The Church of St. Mary, built in 1885 and the old palace of emperor MenelikII. Take some images at Mount Entoto and we drive back to Addis for Ethnological Museum that exhibits the culture and handicrafts of various Ethiopian ethnic groups, the National Museum in which you are visiting different archaeological findings (including Lucy’s Skeleton). After lunch, visit the Trinity Cathedral, Mausoleum of emperor MenelikII at Bààta Church and finally Merkato – the largest open market in Africa. Overnight – Hotel – Addis
Day2: Camel Market in Bati Town
Early drive from Addis to Kombolcha (376km). On the way, overlook the old tunnels made by Italians during the Occupation period (1936-1941). Check-in at your hotel and drive to Bati (41km from Kombolcha) for camel market. In the market, people of Amhara, Oromo & Afar are easily observed. Overnight – Hotel – Kombolcha
Day3: Hayk Istifanos & Lalibela
Drive from Kombolcha to Lalibela (349km on which 40km is dirt road). This route is scenic. On the way, visit the monasteries of Lake Hayk for a monastery named Istifanos. Overnight – Hotel - Lalibela
Day4: Asheten Mariam, Nakuto La’abe, first & second groups
Early morning. Climb to Asheten Mariam (about 3hour one way walk) for a panoramic view of the region and a mountain Church. After Asheten Mariam; descend down for the first group of Churches. Afternoon, visit the Second groups & Nakuto Leab Cave Church. Overnight –hotel – Lalibela
Day5: Lalibela - Yimrahine Kirstos -Mekelle.
Drive to the cave church called Yimrahine Kirstos (42 km from Lalibela). This Church has been constructed by King Yimrahine Kirstos during the13th Century. In the church, there are more than 5000 (five thousand) dead human skeletons (Bones) lying without any coverage for the past 700 years. They are supposed to be pilgrimages from Syria, Egypt and Ethiopia. The murals on the walls of the church, and the forest around are very impressive and worthy to be visited. Visit the church and proceed to Mekelle via Korem. The asphalt road starts at town Korem.Overnight – Hotel - Mekelle
Day6: Mekelle – Hammed Ela
Drive from Mekelle via Berahile to Hammed/Ahmed Ela. After the small town of Agula; we descend to the Afar Region. At many spots on the way; you will see camel caravans, transporting rock salt from Lake Asalé to the town of Mekelle. Entrance tickets will be collected at the small town of Berahile (110km from Mekelle). Then we proceed towards Hammed Ela; accompanying with Afar polices and a local guide from Berahile. Overnight – camping (in Afar House) – Hammed Ela
Day7: Dallol Depression and Lake Asalé
Early morning (possibly at 6am local time); excursion to the Danakil depression. On this day; surely, you will be overwhelmed with strong feeling of admiration, because of the awesome of Dallol. Proceed to the traditional salt extraction site from where camels are waiting to be loaded rock salts - just nearby the Salt Lake of Asalé. Then drive on white salt land to visit Lake Asalé. Overnight – camping (in Afar House) – Hammed Ela
Day8: the Eternal fire of Arte Ale, Active Volcano Lake
Morning; drive from Hammed Ela towards Arte Ale (78km dirt road) via Kursewat. After arranging camel/s for Arte Ale Mountain, drive to Waydodom and then climb Arta Ale accompanying with camping gears, being loaded by Afar Camel (3-4hrs walk). After siesta, explore the extraordinary lava that babbles from its mouth of Arte Ale volcanic fire. During night time the volcano will be fully seen with its magnificent color of zigzagging fire, produced from huge rocks. Therefore; in the evening, we will descend from Camping site to the drama of the volcano. Overnight- camping on the top of Arte Ale.
Day9: Arte Ale – Mekelle
Morning; descend to your cars and drive via the Junction road to Afdera & then to the – small town of Abala/shiket -Mekelle Airport - Mekelle – (new road being asphalted to connect Mekelle and Afdera ‘salt mining center’). Overnight – Hotel - Mekelle
Day10: Wukro, Abraha We Atsebeha, Debre Damo, Yeha Temple
Drive from Mekelle to Axum. On the way, explore oldest rock churches of Wukro Cherkos, Abreha-We-Atsbeha, Degum Silassie, Debre Damo (climb aiding by a rope a monk), and the 5th century B.C Pre-Christian Temple of Yeha. Overnight – Hotel -Axum
Day11: the birth Place of Ethiopian History
Explore the city of Axum. Axum treasures the ancient Ethiopian history that includes: the archaeological museum, monolithic steles, the tombs of King Kaleb, and the legendary Bath and the ruins of ancient palace of the Queen of Sheba, St Mary of Zion and the sanctuary that houses the original Ark of the Covenant. Note that almost all Ethiopian Orthodox Christians and some scholars believe firmly on the presence of the original Ark of God for centuries here in Axum, at the chapel in the middle of St Mary of Zion and Emperor Fassiladas’ Castle of Axum.Overnight – Hotel -Axum
Day12: Simien Mountains National Park- Chennek
Drive from Axum to Simien Mountains (Chennek Camping Site). On this day, after crossing the Gorge of River Tekezé, you will appreciate the extremely fabulous Simien Mountains’ escarpments. Arrive to Debark and collect entrance tickets at the Simien Mountains head office then drive to Chennek (57km from Debark). Explore Gelada Baboons at several spots & Walia Ibex nearby Chennek Camping Site (both endemic animals). Overnight- tented camp – Chennek.
Day13: Gondar
Morning, explore the park around Chennek for the walia Ibex and some antelopes, afternoon; drive to Gondar. On the way near the town of Gondar; short visit of Woleka – a place of the Felasha or the black Jewish people for their synagogue and black pottery shop. Jews have amazing history with Ethiopians starting from Biblical (before Christ) up to the Gonderine Civilization (17-19century).The history of the Original Ark of the Covenant, supposed to be in Axum now often relates with Ethiopian Jews. Overnight – Hotel – Gondar
Day14: Gondar Castles, & Bahir Dar
After breakfast; visit the Castles of emperor Fassiladas and his swimming pool, the 17century church of Debre Birhan Sillassie (Light of Trinity) & drive to Bahir Dar. (187kms). on the way; visit Awra Amba Community. Awara Aba people are famous in their unique work ideology in action and social life. They do not have work division and salary or wage difference. What they do all together, they do share it evenly. Also visit the Bezawit Hill tops and the palace of Emperor Haile SelassieI (entering is prohibited) near Bahir Dar. Overnight – Hotel– Bahir Dar
Day15: The Tis Issat of the Blue Nile and Monasteries on Lake Tana
Morning; take a chartered boat trip on Lake Tana to visit monasteries (constructed during 14 up to 18 century). You will visit only the most accessible and representative of the monasteries on the lake, still serving their original function: Ura Kidane Mehret, and Azwa Maryam (in Zeghie Peninsula), Kibran Church (prohibited for women) & Entos Eyesus. Evening, visit the hill of Bezawit (roughly 5km after Gojjam – Gondar border Bridge). At this point, you are visit the Palace of Emperor Haile SelassieI( entering is prohibited), the source of the Blue Nile- leaving Lake Tana and panoramic view of Bahir Dar and the full sunset
Afternoon; drive to the small town of Tiss Abay (32km dirt road). On the way in Bahir Dar, visit the Woito Basket market (made in ox skin and papyrus tree) then continue to the Blue Nile to visit the impressive Blue Nile Falls, locally known as Tis Isat means in Amharic: 'Smoke of Fire'. Much of the water is diverted for Hydro electric Generation plant but it is still worth visiting for remaining waterfalls, trekking around and to see a Portuguese Bridge (17Century) and the country side. The area around the waterfall is amazingly fertile and the Amhara people who live here farm wheat, sorghum and Teff (from which Injera, the national bread, is made). Overnight – Hotel–Bahir Dar
Day16: Blue Nile Gorge.
After an early breakfast; drive to Addis (563km best Asphalt Road). This route (Gojjam province) is famous in Teff production. Teff is stable food of Ethiopians. On the way; enjoy with the fabulous Blue Nile Gorge, 17th Century Portuguese Bridge and the 13th Century monastery of Debre Libanos. Overnight – Hotel – Addis
Day17: Departure
Based on time of departure, we will transfer you to Bole International Airport for Departure ( end of the trip)
This tour can be amended upon request
