10-Day Cultural & Natural Expedition of Ethiopia

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Drive from Addis Ababa to Awash National Park (211 km via Adama/Nazret)

Our driver and guide will pick you up from your hotel at 7:30 AM. You will then set off to join the expressway, reaching Adama (formerly Nazret) in about an hour.

You will stop en route at Beseka Lake, home to many water birds, including Striated (or Green-backed) Herons, Black-headed Herons, Red-billed Teal, White-backed and Maccoa Ducks, and Common Cranes.

Depending on how long you stop for birding en route, the 211 km drive will take about 4-5 hours. For accommodation, you'll have the following choices: a hotel in Awash Town with air conditioning available, camping, or Doho Lodge, a hot spring resort located about 20 km from Awash Town. This resort features a lake and hot water pools.

As you drive from the park gate toward the Awash River, you can expect to see various mammals, including Beisa Oryx, Klipspringers, Hamadryas and Anubis Baboons, Salt’s Dik-dik, Grivet Monkeys, and more.

In the late afternoon, as the temperature cools, you will go on a game drive.

Main Destination:

Awash National Park

Best Time To Visit October to February (Little rain and less hot)

High Season September to April (The park is never busy)

Best Weather October to February

Wildlife in Awash NP

Olive Baboon Abundant

Beisa Oryx Common

Soemmerring's
Gazelle Common

Hamadryas
Baboon Common

Salt's Dik-dik Common

Show more

Lesser Kudu Occasional

Desert Warthog Occasional

Defassa Waterbuck Occasional

Nile Crocodile Occasional

Spotted Hyena Occasional

Guereza Monkey Rare

Ethiopian Wolf None

Gelada Monkey None

Walia Ibex None

Accommodation:

Doho Lodge & Hot Springs

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Awash NP

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Early Morning Game Drive, then Visit Filwuha( Hot Springs)

After an early morning game drive, you will exit the park and drive east, crossing the main road to Filwuha Hot Springs. This oasis features luxuriant vegetation amidst a lava desert and is home to the rare, restricted-range Sombre Rock Chat, which prefers old lava flows, along with other birdlife. The cliffs behind the springs are inhabited by colonies of Hamadryas Baboons. The hot springs are crystal clear and extremely hot, making it best to visit in the early morning or late afternoon.

After your activities, you will drive back, and have lunch in Adama or Nazret. ovenight Addis.

Main Destination:

Awash National Park

Accommodation:

Hotel Lobelia

• Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Addis Abeba to Semera & drive to Dallol

Addis Abeba to Semera & drive to Dallol

Following breakfast, you will depart for Dallol. First, you'll stop at Ragad (Asebo) to witness traditional salt mining practices. You will observe local artisans skillfully extracting salt, cutting it into rectangular blocks, and loading it onto camels. You'll continue to Dallol, where you will encounter stunning volcanic landscapes, vibrant salt formations, and the striking Lake Assal. You'll experience the local culture by interacting with the Afar people and witnessing camel caravans. After a fulfilling day, you will drive to Hamed Ela for an overnight stay at Hamadella.

Main Destination:

Danakil Depression (Highlight)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Hamedella to ErtaAle

Your adventure continues with a drive to Erta Ale, known as the "smoky mountain" in the Afar language. This remarkable shield volcano boasts the world’s only permanent lava lake, situated at an elevation of 613 meters. You'll depart early at 9:00 AM, navigating one of the roughest roads in the world over an 80 km route, which takes approximately six hours. You'll enjoy breathtaking views of solidified lava, unique rock formations, and occasional palm-fringed oases. Upon reaching Dodom, the base camp for Erta Ale, you'll enjoy dinner around 5:00 pm. After a brief rest, you'll trek to the summit at 8:00 pm, where you will camp on the volcano's rim, witnessing the mesmerizing spectacle of bubbling lava throughout the night and stay overnight Ertale.

Main Destination:

Danakil Depression (Highlight)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Erta Ale to Afdera, Mekelle, and Departure

Erta Ale to Afdera, Mekelle, and Departure

You'll wake up early to witness a stunning sunrise over the main pit crater, an impressive 200 meters deep and 350 meters wide. After a hearty breakfast, you will begin your descent from Erta Ale around 9:00 am, aiming to return to Dodom by approximately 10:30 am. If time permits, you'll visit the enchanting Lake Giulietti (or Lake Afrera), a picturesque saltwater lake located over 100 meters below sea level. You'll observe the Afar people harvesting salt through evaporation amidst stunning landscapes. After your visit, you'll return to Mekelle for your overnight.

Main Destination:

Danakil Depression (Highlight)

Accommodation:

Libanos Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Mekele (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Abreha Atsbeha Church & Scenic Gheralta Landscapes

Begin with a drive to Mekele, followed by a scenic drive through the rugged beauty of the Gheralta Mountains. Arrive at Abreha Atsbeha Church, a truly impressive example of rock-hewn architecture. This magnificent church is carved directly into the mountainside, offering breathtaking views and a serene atmosphere. Spend time exploring the church's interior, learning about its rich history and cultural significance from your expert guide. Enjoy the stunning scenery during the journey and marvel at the incredible architecture up close abune yemata guh and return back to Mekelle for your flight back to Addis in the evening.

Main Destination:

Gheralta Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Hotel Lobelia

• Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Fly from Addis Ababa to Arba Minch

Fly from Addis Ababa to Arba Minch.

Upon arrival, drive to Dorze Village, nestled high in the Gughe Mountains, where you can experience the vibrant culture and traditional lifestyle of the Dorze people. In the evening, enjoy an overnight stay in Arba Minch.

Main Destination:

Arba Minch (City)

Accommodation:

Arbaminch Tourist Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Arba Minch (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Arbaminch To turmi Via konso

After breakfast, embark on a scenic boat trip on Lake Chamo, visiting the crocodile market
where you can observe hippos and a variety of birds. Next, visit the UNESCO-listed Konso village, renowned for its terracing and high-quality coffee. In the afternoon, explore the Bana village, home to semi-nomadic pastoralists known for their distinctive clay-capped hairstyles. Finally, continue tno Turmi, the heartland of the Hamer tribes, and enjoy an overnight stay in Turmi.

Main Destination:

Lower Omo Valley (Cultural Village)

Accommodation:

Emerald Lodge Turmi

• Mid-range lodge located in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Turmi, Omorate &karo

Following breakfast, head to Omorate to meet the Dassanech people, known as the "people of the Delta," residing on the northern shore of Lake Turkana. After lunch back in Turmi, drive to Jinka. In the afternoon, visit the Ari people, the largest ethnic group in the lower Omo Valley, known for their beautiful pottery and women who wear skirts made from the Enset plant. Explore the Karo and Dassanech tribes, experiencing their unique cultures and traditions. Overnight in Turmi.

Main Destination:

Omorate (Lower Omo Valley)

Accommodation:

Emerald Lodge Turmi

• Mid-range lodge located in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Turmi to jinka then fly back to addis

On your final day, after breakfast, drive to Jinka, stopping at Keyafer village to visit the Mursi tribes, famous for their lip plates and unique customs. Continue to Demeka and fly back to Addis Abeba.

Main Destination:

Lower Omo Valley (Cultural Village)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.