9 Days Danakil Depression Gheralta Mountains and Simien Mountains Trekking

From $3,600.00

The price for 4 pax  will be USD 3,600

Sales Manager: Mr. Kiros Z.

Itenerary

Day 1:  Fly from Addis-  Mekele – Erta ale

We start our day by flying early in the morning from Addis- mekele (landing at @8:15 am) After you join the existing group you are going to drive to Erta Ale (which means smoky mountain in Afar language). Erta Ale ranks as one of the most alluring and physically challenging natural attractions anywhere in Ethiopia. It is a shield volcano with a base diameter of 30 km and a 1km square caldera at its summit. Erta Ale contains the world’s only permanent lava lake. It is 613 meters, with a lava lake, one of only five in the world, at the summit. It is notable for being the longest existing lava lake, present since the early years of the twentieth century. We start early 9:00 AM, and drive to Askoma  (at the base of Erta Ale). This may be one of the roughest roads in the world. The 247 km distance may take about 6 hrs passing through a changing landscape of solidified lava, rock, sand, and occasional palm-lined oasis. After passing several small hamlets scattered here and there in this deserted land, you will arrive at the Askoma camping site, located about 9 km from Erta Ale.

Dinner will be served around 17:00. After a short break, trek up to Ertale at 20:00 hours. Camels will be transporting all the camping materials and some food (sleeping materials like light mattresses and mats and water) to the rim of the volcano, where we spend the night watching the dramatic action of the boiling lava. You will spend the night on top of the mountain, at the rim of the Volcano

Day 2:  Ertale- Hamed -Ela 

The Danakil Depression can be said to ‘begin’ here. It is one of the most inhospitable regions of the world but is nonetheless spectacular, full of eye-catching colors, as in the sulfur springs. The desert has several points lying more than 100 meters (328 ft) below sea level; You pass through the small town of Berhale where the camel caravan stops before they proceed to the northern highlands. En route, you see many long camel caravans coming to the salt mine and others going out of the Danakil with their salt-loaded camels. (3-4 hrs drive) Camp Hamedela. After the drive to reach Hamad Ela, a better village with a total population of about 500 people. Sun set at Dallol. Overnight camping at Hamed Ela.

Day 3:  Dalol – Gheralta (hausien)

Morning tour Drive to Ragad (Asebo), the place where the localities are mining salt. Look at the activity of breaking the salt from the ground, cutting it into rectangular pieces, and loading it on camels. You drive ahead to Dallol and visit the different landscapes formed by volcanic activity, Dallol + Lake Assal + camel caravans. Excursion to Dallol (116 meters below sea level, one of the lowest places in the world) colorful salt mining, visit Lake Assal, follow up camel caravans, and walk with the Afar people. Drive back to Hamedela and proceed to Hawsien. Overnight at Gheralta Lodge or Vision Hotel.

Day 4:  Gheralta  churches – shimbreyti

To visit Abuna Yemata Guh, walking for about an hour to commence a steep ascent up the side of the Gheralta massif. This steep ascent soon turns into a climb using foot holds and hand holds chipped into the sandstone rock by the passage of many hands and feet. The climb and the walk along very narrow ledges with sheer drops to the side is not one for the faint-hearted. The church itself can be reached by walking out on a ledge one meter wide and with a 200m drop to the left-hand side. At the entrance, there is a small cave and a wooden door built into the rock. After lunch in Hawzen, you will drive for about 1 hour to Edagaarbi village. From Edaga Arbi you will trek and hike to the top of Table Mountain.

Here you will enjoy a 360-degree view and possibly see Gelada baboon.

Overnight at Shimbreyti community guest house.

Day 5:  Shimbreyti – Mekele- Addiss Ababa,

After breakfast, you will trek for about 2 hrs back to Edaga Arbi and from Edaga Arbi village you will drive for about 3 hrs to Mekele and from Mekele you will fly to Addis. Overnight at Aya Hotel.

Day 6: Addis Ababa – Lalibela,

Depart on an early morning flight to Lalibela (08:00), the most famous of all of the Ethiopian historical sites.  After lunch, start your tour of the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, visiting the Northwestern Cluster of churches – Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, Bet Mikael & Bet Golgotha (entry not permitted for women). Overnight in Lalibela (at top 12 hotel)

Day 7: Lalibela –Gondar

You will fly from Lalibela to Gondar and Gondar, the center of Ethiopian art and culture, is famous for its many medieval castles and the design and decoration of its churches. This land of castles and churches was founded by Emperor Fasilidas in the 1630s and served as the royal capital of Ethiopian Emperors for about 250 years. The foundation of this imperial capital witnessed a period of optimism and renaissance of the golden days of Aksum and Lalibela. Architecture, literature, education, music, painting, and commerce that had perished after the fall of ancient Aksum, rose to prominence. Overnight at Haile Resort.

Day 8:  (3 hrs) drive Gondar to Sankaber (3250 m). Hike Sankaber to Gich (3600 m).

We drive from Gondar to Sankaber with a brief stop at the Simien Mountains National Park headquarters to arrange the permit. Today’s trek covers a distance of approximately 12 km and takes around 5-6 hours. The hike goes through highland grasslands, heather forests, and cultivated fields and follows a spectacular escarpment with dramatic views. We will meet the friendly gelada baboons, foraging in big groups. A stunning viewpoint at the Jinbar Falls is reached after clambering a few rocks. This waterfall plunges several hundred meters down the escarpment into the abyss. At the end of the day, we pass through the welcoming village of Gich where the local people are happy to prepare a well-deserved coffee. The coffee ceremony is an important social event in Ethiopian culture. The camp for the night is not far from the village. Overnight camping.

Day  9: Hike Gich to Ambaras (3620 m). Drive (3.5 hrs) to Gondar.

 

Today is the most spectacular stage of the trekking, offering stunning views all the way. We hike for 5-6 hours, including a short detour to Imet Gogo (3925 m). This summit offers the most exciting views. The giant lobelia is abundant on the Gich plateau. The majestically lammergeyer might soar the skies in front of you and the endemic thick-billed raven will be present. In the afternoon we drive back to Gondar.

Price Includes

  • Domestic flights assuming you Fly Ethiopian Airlines internationally
  • Large Van 4-wheel drive vehicle with an English-speaking driver/guide throughout the trip
  • In Danakil, Erta Ale, and the south, 4X4 vehicles are used
  • Fuel and instructor expenses
  • Entrance fee to all sites
  • Hotels with breakfast
  • Local guides in all locations
  • Airport/Hotel transfers
  • In Danakil where accommodations are outdoors, camping equipment and cook are provided.
  • In Danakil, unlimited bottled water
  • meals and mineral water are provided throughout the tour.

Price Excludes

  • International flights
  • Visa for Ethiopia if required. The visa can be issued online at the following link: https://www.evisa.gov.et/#/home
  • Tips for guides and drivers
  • Laundry
  • Medical and/or personal insurance
  • Personal expenses.
9 Days Danakil Depression Gheralta Mountains and Simien Mountains Trekking
From $3,600.00

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