10-Day Lalibela – Danakil Depression – Omo Valley

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

Fly to Lalibela and Visit the Rock-Hewn Churches

Morning flight to Lalibela one of Ethiopia’s most famous historic towns, known for its remarkable medieval religious architecture.
Explore Bet Medhane Alem
Visit one of the largest rock-hewn churches in Lalibela and admire its impressive stone pillars and distinctive architectural design.
Visit Bet Maryam
Discover a church known for its intricate carvings, religious artwork, and historical significance.
Explore Bet Mikael and Bet Golgotha
Visit the remaining churches in the northwestern group and learn about their religious traditions, symbolism, and place in Lalibela’s sacred history.
Walk between the churches, observe the rock-cut pathways and trenches, and appreciate how the structures were carved directly into the volcanic rock
Learn about Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity
Discover the churches’ spiritual significance, their connection to Jerusalem, and their continuing importance as places of worship and pilgrimage.
Photography and architectural sightseeing.

Main Destination:

Lalibela (Town)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Mountain View Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Visit Lalibela – Fly Back to Addis Ababa

Morning: Lalibela Rock-Hewn Churches Tour Visit Bete Amanuel one of Lalibela’s remarkable rock-hewn churches. Explore Bete Merkorios. Visit Bete Abba Libanos. Discover Bete Gabriel-Rafael, possibly a former royal palace. Visit Bete Giyorgis (Church of St. George), famous for its distinctive cross-shaped design and often regarded as Lalibela’s most beautiful church. Flight from Lalibela to Addis Ababa
Take a flight back to Addis Ababa. Transfer to your hotel upon arrival.
Afternoon Addis Ababa City Tour, National Museum of Ethiopia: Discover Ethiopia’s history, archaeological treasures, and the famous fossil remains of Lucy.
Holy Trinity Cathedral: Visit the important religious landmark and the final resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie. Mount Entoto: Drive to the mountain overlooking Addis Ababa. Former Palace of Emperor Menelik II: Explore the historic palace area and learn about Ethiopia’s imperial history.
Panoramic city views: Enjoy scenic views of Addis Ababa from Mount Entoto.

Main Destination:

Lalibela (Town)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Bentark Hotel

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

+2 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Fly to Semera – Drive to Erta Ale (Danakil Depression)

Flight to Semera – Fly to Semera, the starting point for the Danakil Depression journey.
Scenic off-road drive – Travel approximately 80 km across the rugged desert terrain to Erta Ale Volcano, a journey that may take 5–6 hours.
Rest and dinner at base camp – Relax at the base camp and enjoy dinner before the nighttime hike.
Sunset hiking to Erta Ale Volcano – Hike toward the volcano's summit as the sun sets.
Lava lake viewing – Observe the glowing lava lake inside the crater and experience the dramatic volcanic landscape, subject to current volcanic conditions and safety restrictions.
Nighttime descent – Hike back down to the base camp after visiting the crater.
Outdoor camping under the stars – Spend the night at base camp beneath the open sky.

Main Destination:

Erta Ale Volcano (Danakil Depression)

Activities:

• Afternoon nature hike/walk

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Erta Ale – Lake Afrera – Hamed Ela Camp

Scenic drive to Lake Afredra (Lake Giulietti) Travel through the Afar region and experience its dramatic desert landscapes and extreme heat.
Visit Lake Afrera – Explore the hypersaline lake, admire its unique natural scenery, and take photographs of the surrounding landscape and Swimming in Lake Afredra
Observe traditional salt mining Learn how the Afar people harvest salt from the lake and surrounding salt flats using traditional methods.
Watch camel salt caravans Observe salt blocks being transported by camels, an important part of the region’s traditional salt trade.
Experience Afar culture nomadic lifestyle, local traditions, and the resilience of communities living in this harsh environment. Be respectful and ask permission before photographing people.
Continue to Hamed Ela Camp Drive to this remote Afar settlement and experience the simplicity of desert camping.
Overnight camping Spend the night at the camp in basic accommodation and experience the remote desert atmosphere.

Main Destination:

Danakil Depression (Highlight)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Hamed Ela – Dallol – Mekelle - Addis Abeba

Explore Dallol’s colorful geothermal formations
Visit the vibrant hot springs and mineral deposits, featuring striking yellow, green, orange, and white colors created by geothermal activity.
Discover salt formations and mineral crusts, Observe the unusual salt deposits and intricate mineral patterns formed by the region’s extreme heat, evaporation, and geological processes.
Explore the volcanic desert landscape.
Admire the dramatic terrain of the Danakil Depression, with its barren desert scenery, colorful mineral surfaces, and unusual geological features.
Enjoy photography and scenic views
Capture photographs of the surreal landscapes, Vivid mineral colors, and expansive salt-covered terrain. Visit nearby salt flats in the Danakil region.
Travel to Mekelle and Addis Ababa.
Drive from Dallol to Mekelle
Evening flight to Addis Ababa Transfer to the airport and take your scheduled flight back to the capital.
Overnight in Addis Abab Check in to your hotel and rest after the excursion.

Main Destination:

Danakil Depression (Highlight)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Best Western Plus Pearl Addis

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

+4 Photos

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Fly to Jinka – Mursi – Turmi

Morning flight to Jinka – Take a domestic flight to Jinka, the gateway to the Omo Valley.
Visit the Mursi Tribe – Drive to Mago National Park to visit the Mursi people, famous for the large clay lip plates worn by some women and their distinctive cultural traditions. Learn about their lifestyle, customs, and traditional body adornment.
Scenic drive through the Omo Valley – Enjoy the drive through the region's beautiful landscapes, traditional villages, and rural communities.
Visit Dimeka Market (if available) If your visit falls on Tuesday or Saturday, explore the colorful weekly market, where local Hamar and neighboring communities gather to trade livestock, agricultural products, crafts, and other goods.
Drive to Turmi – Continue to Turmi, an important cultural center of the Hamar people.
Overnight in Turmi Check in at your lodge or hotel and relax after the day's activities.
Note: Market visits depend on the day of travel.

Main Destination:

Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Buska Lodge

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

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Turmi – Omorate – Hamar Culture

Drive across the wide savannah, open plains of the Omo Valley toward Omorate. Enjoy views of the rural landscape, local settlements, and surrounding countryside.
Visit the Dassanech Tribe in Omorate, who live near the Omo River. Observe aspects of daily life and the community's relationship with the river and surrounding environment.
Cultural visit to the Hamar Tribe
Discover the Hamar people's distinctive hairstyles, often styled with ochre, butter, and other traditional materials. See their colorful clothing, beadwork, jewelry, and decorative accessories.
Learn about the bull-jumping initiation ceremony
Learn how bull-jumping traditionally marks an important transition into adulthood for young Hamar men.
If a ceremony happens to be scheduled during your visit, you may have the opportunity to witness it. This is not guaranteed, as ceremonies depend on local arrangements.
Drive back to Turmi in the late afternoon.
Check in at your lodge or hotel, relax, and enjoy dinner.

Main Destination:

Omorate (Lower Omo Valley)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Buska Lodge

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

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Karo & Nyangatom Tribes

Morning – Visit the Karo Tribe
Observe traditional body painting using natural pigments. Learn about scarification, a traditional form of body decoration and cultural expression. Photograph traditional hairstyles, ornaments, and clothing, with permission. Learn about Karo customs and their life along the Omo River.
Late Morning – Visit the Nyangatom Tribe Discover the community's traditional way of life near the Omo River.
Learn about hunting traditions, livestock keeping, and other subsistence activities. Observe traditional clothing, beadwork, and cultural practices where available. Interact with community members and learn about their heritage.
Afternoon – Visit a Hamar Village
Explore a traditional Hamar village and its homesteads.
Learn about family life, cattle herding, and agricultural practices.
Discover traditional hairstyles, ochre body decoration, beadwork, and jewelry.
Learn about Hamar ceremonies and social traditions; ceremonies may not take place during your visit.

Main Destination:

Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Buska Lodge

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

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Drive to Arba Minch via Konso

The drive to Arba Minch via the UNESCO-listed Konso Cultural Landscape offers a mix of cultural exploration, traditional village visits, scenic sightseeing, and learning about the Konso people's way of life.
Explore the Konso terraced landscape
Walk or stop at viewpoints overlooking the carefully constructed stone terraces. Learn how the Konso people prevent soil erosion and conserve water. Discover traditional farming practices developed over centuries.
Visit traditional Konso villages
Explore settlements with stone walls and traditional architecture.
Discover the waka wooden statues
See traditional carved wooden memorial statues. Learn about their role in honoring respected ancestors and commemorating important people. Understand their cultural and historical significance. Scenic drive to Arba Minch
Enjoy views of the southern Ethiopian countryside and changing landscapes.
Stop for photographs at suitable viewpoints along the route.
Overnight Arba Minch.

Main Destination:

Konso (Cultural Village)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Haile Resort Arba Minch

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

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Dorze Village – Return to Addis Ababa

Drive to Chencha: Enjoy a scenic drive to Chencha in southern Ethiopia, taking in the beautiful landscapes and local villages.
Visit the Dorze People: Meet the Dorze community and learn about their traditions, culture, and way of life.
Explore Traditional Bamboo Houses: Discover the Dorze people's distinctive, beehive-shaped houses made from bamboo and other natural materials.
Experience Traditional Weaving: Observe local artisans practicing their famous weaving skills and producing traditional cotton textiles.
Return to Addis Ababa: Drive back to the capital city.
Farewell Cultural Dinner: Enjoy a traditional Ethiopian dinner at a cultural restaurant, accompanied by live traditional music and dance performances.
Transfer to the Airport: Transfer to Bole International Airport according to your departure flight schedule.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

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