2 Nights / 3 Days
EPT08 Lalibela in Deep
Day 1: Fly to Lalibela
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Lalibela. On arrival, meet your guide at the airport and transfer to the town of Lalibela. In the monring, visit the first group of churches of Lalibela. There are no less than 200 churches in the Lasta Region of Lalibela, some hidden in enormous caves, but it's exceptional to find 11 churches of such master craftsmanship in one locale. These brilliant feats of engineering and architecture are often referred to as the "Eighth wonder of the world". The churches are said to have been constructed during King Lalibela’s reign during the 12th and 13th centuries when Lalibela (then known as Roha) was the capital of the Zagwe dynasty.
In the afternoon, we will make an excursion trip to Yimrehane Christos church located 42km from the town of Lalibela on the foothill of the highest mountain in Lasta Massif. Here you will see the magnificent church of Yimrehane Christos who is credited for the construction of a stone church built in the Axumite style, which bears his name. The church's interior decorations make Yimrehane Krestos the most elaborate of all known ancient Ethiopian churches. Mural paintings high on the nave walls are considered the oldest surviving mural paintings in Ethiopia. Drive back to the town of Lalibela
Overnight Maribela Hotel or similar
Meals included (L, D)
Day 2: Lalibela
After breakfast, enjoy an excursion out of town to Asheten Mariam. We visit Asheten Mariam, atop a mountain overlooking Lalibela, by mule back. The mountain views are impressive and panoramic and it’s easy to understand why the priests at this church believe they are the “closest to God.”
In the afternoon, visit the Second group of the churches representing the heavenly Jerusalem. In this group are the Bete Gabriel & Raphael, Bete Merquorios, Bete Emmanuel, and Bete Abba Libanos. Finally, visit the most interesting cross-shaped church of Bete Giorgis (St. George), which is said to be the symbolization of Noah’s arc. The cruciform-shaped Bete Giorgis is the most perfect and beautiful church here; its interior is dominated by depictions of Saint George killing the dragon.
Overnight Maribela Hotel or similar
Meals included (B,L,D)
Day 3: Fly back to Addis Ababa
Transfer to the airport for your flight back to Addis Ababa. On arrival in Addis Ababa, transfer to your place.
Meals included (B)
EPT09 Two nights in Simien Mountains
Day 1: Fly to Gondar and drive to Simien Mountains NP
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Gondar. On arrival, meet your guide at the airport and transfer to Simien Mountains NP. Spend the rest of the day exploring the pinnacles, valleys, vistas, and wildlife of this stunning region. The beauty of the ranges can be discovered by following century old footpaths, and don't forget to look out for the Gelada Baboons that reside here amidst the local pasture lands.
Overnight Simien lodge or Limalimo lodge
Meals included (L, D)
Day 2: Simien Mountains
After breakfast, depart the lodge with picnic lunch for Chenek where it’s possible to spot another endemic mammal- the Walia Ibex. The landscape in the area is remarkably picturesque with panoramic vistas overlooking the deep gorges of the escarpment. We will also be able to spot troops of Gelada baboons. If lucky, we will also be able to spot the endemic Ethiopian Wolf.
Overnight Simien lodge or Limalimo lodge
Meals included (B, L, D)
Day 3: Drive to Gondar and fly to Addis Ababa
Drive back to Gondar and make short visit to the Royal enclosure. This fortress, which is surrounded by a 300-foot-long wall, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The oldest and most impressive structure in the compound is the two-story palace of Emperor Fasilidas, built of solid basalt stones.
After late lunch, transfer to the airport and take late afternoon flight back to Addis Ababa.
Meals included (B, L)
EPT10 Short Trekking in the Simien Mountains
Day 1: Fly to Gondar trek to Geech (3,200m)
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Gondar. On arrival in Gondar, meet your guide and drive 136 km north to Sanka Ber via Debark, the headquarters of Simien Mountains National Park. Then trek from SankaBer to Geech visiting the Jinbar Falls, which falls about 500 meters to the bottom of the gorge. In this trek we see troops of Gelada baboon and red-hot poker plants en route. The gelada baboon is endemic to Ethiopia and has adapted to living on the nearly vertical cliff faces.
Overnight camping at Geech campsite
Meals included (L,D)
Day 2: GEECH-CHENEK (3,600m)
Trek from Geech to Chenek passing through Imetgogo to have one of the best views of in the Simien Mountains National Park. There are outstanding views of the gorge and mountain range and it is easy to understand why the striking formations have been described as 'the chess pieces of the Gods'. This exciting walk traverses the Jinbar river and provides us with fantastic views. The dramatic views continue all the way down to our camp at Chenek, where we will have a chance to visit the other endemic not only to Ethiopia but also to the Simien Mountains – the Walia Ibex.
Overnight: Camping at Chenek Camp site
Meals included (B,L,D)
Day 3: Drive to Gondar and fly to Addis Ababa
After breakfast, drive back to Gondar. Then transfer to the airport and take late afternoon flight back to Addis Ababa.
Meals included (B, L)
EPT11 Climbing Mount Ras Dashen
Day 1: Fly to Gondar and drive to Ambiqo
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Gondar. On arrival in Gondar, meet your guide and drive to Ambiqo. We will have short trekking around Ambiqo.
Overnight: Camping at Ambiqo Camp site
Meals included (L,D)
Day 2: Climb to Ras Dashen
This day we start an early climbing to Ras Dashen, the highest mountain in Ethiopia. On the way you, will pass through villages and beautiful landscape covered by Giant Lobelia trees. Climb up to the summit and have lunch in this highest mountain- 4600m above sea level. Return back to Ambiqo for overnight.
Overnight: Camping at Ambiqo Camp site
Meals included (B,L,D)
Day 3: Drive to Gondar and fly to Addis
After breakfast, drive back to Gondar and take late afternoon flight back to Addis Ababa.
Meals included (B,L)
EPT12 Bale Mountains and Rift Valley Lakes
Day 1: Drive to Bale Mountains
Start early in the morning and drive to Bale Mountains national park visiting the rift valley region. We will have stop at Dinsho – the head quarter of Bale Mountains National Park. Here, you will have the best opportunity to easily spot the Mountain Nyala, Menelik Bush buck warthogs, and different birds like Abyssinian cat bird, Abyssinian long eard owl, white backed black tit etc. Crossing the senette plateau, where we will have the chance to see the endemic Ethiopian wolf, and further drive to Harena forest for overnight at Bale Mountains lodge.
Overnight Bale Mountain lodge
Meal (L,D)
Day 2: Bale Mountains
Today will be a day of great contrasts with amazing scenery and birding. We will depart early, and ascend the Bale massif onto the Sanetti Plateau, which is between 3800m and 4377m above sea level. This site is an Important Bird Area of immense importance, supporting seven globally threatened species and nearly all of Ethiopia’s Highland biome species. Our main target today is to see the plateau’s most celebrated resident, the Ethiopian or Simien Wolf, crowned with the unenviable title of “the world’s rarest canid.” Watching these vibrantly colored animals, most closely related to the European Timber Wolf, exhibiting their hunting prowess while pouncing on Giant Mole-rats (another endemic to the Sanetti Plateau), is surely amongst Africa’s greatest wildlife experiences. We should enjoy excellent photographic opportunities in this unique mountain wonderland.
Overnight Bale Mountain lodge
Meals included (B,L,D)
Day 3: Drive back to Addis Ababa
After breakfast, make short walk in Harena forest and drive to Addis Ababa via Nazreth (Adama). On arrival in Addis Ababa, transfer to your place.
Meals included (B,L)
EPT13 Dallol depression and Ertale Volcano
This tour operates only in Jan- Mar; and Oct-Dec
Day 1: Fly to Mekele and drive to Erta Ale
In the morning, transfer to the airport and take morning flight to Mekele. On arrival meet Dinknesh Ethiopia Tour driver and drive to Dodom via Abala. We will visit the Tigire and Afar villages en route. On arrival at Dodom, continue walking to the Erta Ale Volcanic hills (613 meters above sea level) and visit the most spectacular lava lakes on earth. Erta Ale, meaning the smoking Mountain, is famous for being the longest existing lava lake.
Overnight Camping at Erta Ale (full camping gear will be provided)
Meals included (L, D)
Day 2: Drive to Hamed Ella
After early breakfast, descend to Dodom and further drive to Hamed Ella crossing the sandy land of the Afar people. We will spend time around Hamed Ella visiting the camel caravans and also the local Afar people.
Overnight Camping at Erta Ale (full camping gear will be provided)
Meals included (B, L, D)
Day 3: Excursion to Dallol and fly to Addis Ababa
In the morning, drive to one of the lowest points on earth, Dallol (116 meters below sea level) to see the wonderful and colorful formation of sulfur and phosphorus. Dallol has exceptionally magnificent landscape including the sulfur bed and Lake Asale, which is the lowest point in Africa (less than 126 m below sea level).
After lunch, drive to Mekele and fly out to Addis Ababa. On arrival in Addis Ababa, transfer to your place.
Meals included (B, L)
EPT14 Meeting the Mursi tribe in the Omo valley
Day 1: Transfer to the airport and fly to Arbaminch
Transfer to the airport and fly to Arbaminch. On arrival meet your driver and head to Chencha to visit the Dorze people who are known for their weaving culture which is reflected in their beautiful cotton clothes, fences, and beehive shaped bamboo huts.
Overnight Paradise lodge
Meals included (D)
Day 2: Drive to Jinka
After breakfast, drive to Mago National Park and visit the Mursi tribe. They are renowned for the strange custom followed by their women who on reaching maturity, have their lower lips slit and circular disks inserted.
In the afternoon, if time allows, we will make excursion to interesting Ari village to experience their culture and way of life demonstrated by members of the village.
Overnight Eco Omo lodge or Jinka Resort
Meals included (B,L,D)
Day 3: Drive to Arbaminch and fly back to Addis Ababa
After early breakfast, we will head to Arbaminch to take the flight back to Addis Ababa. On arrival in Addis Ababa, make your way to your place.
Meals included (B,L)
