13-Day Ethiopia Adventure: Omo Valley, Lalibela, Danakil & Gheralta

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Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa & City Tour

  • Morning: Arrival in Addis Ababa and transfer to your hotel.

  • City Tour Highlights:

    • National Museum (home of Lucy, the famous hominid fossil)

    • Holy Trinity Cathedral (historical and architectural landmark)

    • Entoto Park (panoramic views of the city)

    • Merkato (Africa’s largest open-air market)

  • Evening: Traditional Ethiopian dinner with live music and dance.

  • Overnight: Addis Ababa

Day 2: Addis Ababa – Arba Minch

  • Flight or drive to Arba Minch.

  • Visit Dorze village, famous for bamboo huts and weaving culture.

  • Overnight: Arba Minch

Day 3: Lake Chamo – Konso – Turmi

  • Morning: Boat trip on Lake Chamo to spot crocodiles, hippos, and birdlife.

  • Visit Konso (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and a traditional Konso village.

  • Drive to Turmi, home of the Hamar people.

  • Optional: Witness a bull-jumping ceremony (Hamar initiation rite).

  • Overnight: Turmi

Day 4: Turmi – Omorate (Dassanech Tribe) – Jinka

  • Visit the Dassanech tribe by crossing the Omo River in a canoe.

  • Drive to Jinka, stopping at Key Afer Market (if it’s a market day).

  • Overnight: Jinka

Day 5: Jinka – Mursi Tribe Visit – Addis Ababa

  • Morning visit to the Mursi tribe, known for lip plates and body art.

  • Explore the South Omo Research Center Museum.

  • Flight: Jinka → Addis Ababa

  • Free evening in Addis Ababa.

  • Overnight: Addis Ababa

Day 6: Addis Ababa – Flight to Lalibela

  • Morning flight: Addis Ababa → Lalibela

  • Explore Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches:

    • Bet Giyorgis (St. George’s Church)

    • Bet Medhane Alem and Bet Maryam

  • Overnight: Lalibela

Day 7: Lalibela – More Churches & Return to Addis Ababa

  • Morning visit to additional churches:

    • Bet Gabriel-Rufael and Bet Amanuel

  • Afternoon flight: Lalibela → Addis Ababa

  • Free evening in Addis Ababa

  • Overnight: Addis Ababa

Day 8: Addis Ababa – Flight to Semera & Drive to Hamed Ela

  • Flight: Addis Ababa → Semera

  • Drive to Hamed Ela, passing through desert landscapes

  • Visit Lake Asale and observe traditional salt extraction

  • Enjoy a sunset over the salt flats

  • Overnight Camping: Hamed Ela

Day 9: Hamed Ela – Dallol – Return to Hamed Ela

  • Explore Dallol, known for colorful hot springs and acidic pools

  • Visit salt canyons and unique geological formations

  • Return to Hamed Ela

  • Overnight Camping: Hamed Ela

Day 10: Erta Ale – Drive to Mekele

  • Morning descent from Erta Ale

  • Revisit the active volcano

  • Drive (~4 hours) to Mekele

  • Overnight: Mekele

Day 11: Mekele – Gheralta (Hawzen) – Shimbreyti

  • Drive to Gheralta, home to stunning rock-hewn churches

  • Hike to Abune Yemata Guh, perched high on a cliff

  • Continue to Shimbreyti Community Guest House for a cultural stay

  • Opportunity to see Gelada baboons in the surrounding mountains

  • Overnight: Shimbreyti Community Guest House

Day 12: Shimbreyti – Mekele – Addis Ababa – Departure

  • Morning return to Mekele

  • Flight: Mekele → Addis Ababa

  • Optional free time for last-minute shopping or relaxation

  • Evening international departure