Ethiopia, an old country beyond all imaginations, has culture and traditions dating back over 3000 years. With over 80 different Ethnic groups with their own language, culture and traditions. The strong religious setting, celebrations and festivals play an important part in every ones daily life.
The natural beauty of Ethiopia amazes the first-time visitor. Ethiopia is a land of rugged mountains(25 of which are 12,000 feet high) broad savannah, lakes and rivers. The most famous volcano has been in a state of continuous eruption since 1967. Its small southerly crater is the only permanent lave lake on the planet.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Union church, an autonomous Christian Church headed by a patriarch and closely related to the Coptic Church of Egypt, was the state church of Ethiopia until 1974. About 40 percent of the people of Ethiopia are Christians, and Christianity is predominant in the north.
Ethiopia, an old country beyond all imaginations, has culture and traditions dating back over 3000 years. With over 80 different Ethnic groups with their own language, culture and traditions. The strong religious setting, celebrations and festivals play an important part in every ones daily life.
Drive to Dessie via Kombolcha. After passing Debre Birhan, we will come to the Mezezo escarpment, with very dramatic land and beautiful scenes over the Amhara land.. Overnight in Dessie (hotel).
DAY 2 : Dessie - Mekele
Morning After breakfast driving to Mekele, via Woldia. In the morning, stop by the village of Hayk to visit the lake and watch the fishermen in their boats. Overnight in Mekele (hotel).
DAY 3 : Mekele - Amedela
In the morning direct drive to Hamed Ila via Berehale, where you will pick up police scouts, road guides and permits for the Afar region. From Berehale, proceed driving to Hamed Ila. We will see the camel caravans along the way, carrying salt from the salt lake to Mekele for sale. Overnight camping in Hamed Ila.
DAY 4 : Amedela
After breakfast, take a day trip to Dallol, which at 116m below sea level is the lowest point on the African continent. Here the landscape is beautiful, the ground many shades of red and yellow from the hot water, acids and minerals spurting up from the ground. You will also visit Lake Asale, which is the salt lake from which the Afar nomads extract salt. You will witness (and even try) their laborious task of removing salt from the ground as hundreds of camels relax before the long trek back to Mekele. At the end of the day we return to Hamed Ila for overnight camping.
DAY 5 : Amedela - Erta Ale
From Hamed Ila, continue to Erta Ale via Kusawad. The Erta Ale volcano has been in a constant state of eruption for over 40 years. At night, proceed for a hike up to the crater rim of the Erta Ale volcano. Here you will have a view of the permanent lava lake inside the volcano (the only permanent lava lake in the world). You will camp overnight on the rim of the volcano.
DAY 6 : Erta Ale - Afdera
Today is an early-to-rise start at 2am to start your hike to the crater rim of the Erta Ale volcano. At the top, you will peer down at the permanent lava lake (the only one in the world!) while the sun rises over the horizon. Definitely the highlight of the trip! After the hike back to camp and a bit of breakfast, you’ll continue driving to Lake Afrera for overnight camping.
DAY 7 : Afdera - Awash
After breakfast drive to Awash, through the Yangudi-Rassa National Park (home to the endangered African wild ass), and then to Awash National Park for overnight (lodge).
DAY 8 : Awassh - Addis
In the morning, go for a game drive in Awash National Park, which is one of Ethiopia’s most popular national parks. Here you will enjoy wonderful birdlife and many mammals, such as gazelles, kudus, waterbuck, warthogs, baboons, and colobus monkeys. It might also be possible to see lions, leopards and other cats, if you’re lucky! After the drive, continue driving to Addis Ababa.
