7 Day North and South Itinerary

• 1

  Mekelle - Volcano

  On day one we drive from Mekelle to the Danakil depression Erta Ale volcano. Leave after an early breakfast possible at 09:00am drive to Erta Ale. This is may be one of the roughest roads in the world. The 247 km distance may take about 5 hours passing through changing landscape of solidified lava rock and sand After passing several small hamlets scattered here and there in this deserted land, you will arrive to Erta Ale camping site, after a short break and, just before the sunset we will trek for about 20 minutes to Erta Ale, where we spend few hours watching the dramatic action of the boiling lava. Erta Ale contains the world’s only permanent lava lake with 613 meters above sea level, one of only five in the world; it is notable for being the longest existing lava lake present since the early years of the twentieth century. And you will trek back to basic camp basement to spend the night, have a dinner and sleeping under stars.

• 2

  Erta Ale - Hamad Ela

  Early Morning sun rise at the main pit crater and a second chance to watch boiling lava. Erta Ale is, 65 m wide and about 100 m deep. Descend from Erta Ale around 7:30 am and walk down to camp site for about 20 minutes. Where you will have breakfast and as soon as possible, drive about 6-7 hours to reach Hamed Ela picnic lunch on the way on shed of palm tree, reach Hamad Ela around 04:30, better village with a total population about 500 people. If time permits You will see lots of camel caravans and you will have the sun set look from the very shallow salt LAKE ASALE (lake ‘Red Mountain’) a huge salt lake-is in walking distance, where we take a deep breath and a wine or beer for sunset taking in the many reflections. Our tonight camp is in Hamed Ale.

• 3

  Hamad Ela - Dallol - Mekelle 

  Morning tour Drive to Ragad (Asebo), the place where the localities are mining salt. 1,200 km2 (460 square kilometer) the Afar Depression is covered by salt, and you will Look the activity of breaking the salt from the ground, local people are cutting in to rectangular pieces and loading on camels. You drive ahead to Dallol and visit the difference landscape formed by volcanic activity; Dallol + Lake Assale + salt canon, camel caravans, follow up camel caravans and　Drive back to Hamad Ela for lunch and proceed to Mekelle. Overnight in Mekelle.

• 4

  Mekelle - Gheralta

  You will visit three churches which are Churches of Abuna Yemata Guh; Maryam Korkor and Daniel Korkor. All of which are very different in style but stunningly beautiful in their own way.

  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.

  ​Maryam Korkor is the most impressive architecturally. A huge, high ceiling is supported by 12 free standing pillars. Looking at it you could not help but wonder how the architect managed to carve so high from the ground. Drive back to Mekelle and fly Mekelle – Addis Ababa.

• 5

  Addis Ababa - Jinka

  On the first day of the Omo valley tour, we will have flight from Addis Ababa to Jinka.  then you will drive to Turmi through Key Afer to attend the colorful local markets, Key Afer on Thursday, Alduba (Demeka) on Tuesday, and Monday market in Turmi. Then proceed to Hamer village to attend the most unique but seasonal traditional ceremony of bull jumping. At night, the bull-jumping day is called off after a colorful party with Evangadi’s dance (night dance). Meanwhile if there will not be bull jumping, you will visit Hamer village in the afternoon. Overnight in Turmi.

• 6

  Turmi - Jinka

  In the morning, we will go for a day trip to Omorate to visit Dassenech, one of the indigenous ethnic groups of the valley.  Here you will cross the Omo River by local boat and enter a Dassenach village.  Afterwards, return to Turmi (Monday is market day) for a visit to a local Hamer village. In the afternoon If you don’t see on day one, we will try this day to see the bull Jumping of the Bulls traditional Hamer coming-of-age ceremony, that will be visited.  Afternoon drive to Jinka. Overnight in Jinka.

• 7

  Jinka – Mursi – Addis Ababa

  In the morning, drive through the Mago National Park to a local village of Mursi. Mursi’s are known for their lower lip and earlobe plates. At mid-day we will drive back to Jinka for lunch. Finally head over to the airport to return to Addis Ababa. End of tour.

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