11 Day Ethiopia Tour – Danakil Depression and South Omo Valley

Experience a spectacular sunrise at the crater rim before descending back to base camp for breakfast. We then drive through the shifting desert sands to reach the remote Afar settlement of Hamad Ela.

Along the way, you will witness the legendary Afar salt miners harvesting blocks by hand and traditional camel caravans. The day concludes with a stunning sunset over the vast Danakil landscape, overnight will be in camping Ahmedila base camp under the sky!

Drive hours: 5hrs

This morning, we visit the otherworldly Dallol Hydrothermal Field. You will explore a surreal landscape of neon-colored acidic pools and mineral formations, situated at 125m below sea level—one of the hottest inhabited places on Earth.

After a scenic lunch, we depart the lowlands and ascend into the Tigrayan highlands, arriving in Mekele by late afternoon, and overnight will be in Amdna hotel.

Drive hours: 6hrs

The second phase of our journey begins as we drive toward Adigrat. We start a three-hour trek through the high-altitude farmlands and local villages of Tigray, arriving at the Enaf Guesthouse. Here, you will experience the legendary hospitality of the highland people and take in panoramic mountain views, Overnight will be in Enaf community guest house.

Drive hours: 2.30hrs

Today features a full-day trek across the magnificent Gohagot Valley. We stop to explore the ancient Mariam Bahra Church and keep a keen eye out for highland wildlife, including Gelada baboons and soaring eagles. We spend the night at the Shimbreyti Community Guesthouse, high above the valley floor.

We descend through rural villages to meet our vehicle for the drive to Gheralta. The highlight of the day is a climb to Abune Yemata Guh, a church perched precariously on a vertical cliff. Navigating narrow ledges and rock faces leads to an unforgettable spiritual and architectural experience and overnight will be in Vission hotel Hawzein.

Drive hours: 2hrs

We return to Mekele, visiting the 4th-century architectural masterpiece of Abrha We Atsbeha en route. We also explore the historic palace of Emperor Yohannes IV before catching an afternoon flight back to Addis Ababa (ET- 261, departure @17:30p.m) for a comfortable evening in the capital, overnight will be in Aya hotel.

Drive hours: 2hrs

We fly south to Jinka and enter the Omo Valley (ET- 271 departure @12:05p.m). We drive to Turmi, the heartland of the Hamar people, known for their ochre-colored hair twists and intricate beaded leather. If scheduled, we will witness the sacred Bull-Jumping ceremony, a vital rite of passage in Hamar culture and overnight will be in Buska Lodge.

Drive hours: 3hrs

In the morning, we visit the Karo tribe at Korcho village, overlooking the Omo River. They are masters of elaborate body painting and ritual adornment. In the afternoon, we travel to Omorate to cross the Omo River by dugout canoe and visit the Dassanech people to learn about their unique semi-nomadic lifestyles and overnight will be in Buska Lodge.

Drive hours: 4hrs

On our final morning, we visit the Mursi people, famous for the clay lip plates worn by the women. We then catch our return flight from Jinka to Addis Ababa (ET-270, departure @14:00 p.m) and overnight will be in Aya hotel.

Drive hours: 4hrs

This day will be a relax and sightseeing in the vibrant capital of Ethiopia and African like the national museum(skeleton of Lucy), the panoramic view of Addis Ababa, Merchato(the biggest market in East Africa) with a grand farewell dinner featuring traditional music and cultural dance performances, and this will be the end of the tip!