8 Days Southern Omo Valley and Danakil Depression Tours
Day 1:
Addis Ababa-Mekelle-Drive to Dodom-Volcano
This day On arrival at Bole Int Airport we will be going to the domestic flight airport for our flight to Mekelle then on arrival at Atse Yohanes Int Airport Meklle,We drive from to – Dodom. We start early drive to Dodom (at the base of Erta Ale). Leave after an early breakfast, possible at 07:30. This is may be one of the worst roads in the world. The 70 km distance may take about 5 hrs passing through changing landscape of solidified lava, rock, sand and occasional palm lined oasis. After you pass several small hamlets scattered here and there in this desert land, Dodom is about 9.5km from Erta Ale and it takes about 3 hrs trekking. Early dinner around 17:00 and trek up to Ertale at 20:00 hours. Camels transport all the camping materials and some food (sleeping materials like light mattresses and mat and water) to the rim of the volcano, where we spend the night watching the dramatic action of the boiling lava. Erta Ale ranks one of the most alluring and physically challenging natural attractions anywhere in Ethiopia. It is a shield volcano with a base diameter of 30 km and 1km square caldera at its summit. Erta Ale contains the world’s only permanent lava lake. Overnight on the top of the mountain. Erta Ale is 613 meters, with a lava lake, one of only five in the world, at the summit. It is notable for being the longest existing lava lake, present since the early years of the twentieth century. O/n camping on the mountain
Day 2:
Dodem –Hammedele,
Early in the morning Descend from Erta Ale around 9 am Dodom – Hamd Ela. Leave back to Dodom after an early breakfast, if possible at 07:00. You will reach latest at 10:30 am at the camp, time to relax. After drive to reach Hamad Ela, better village with a total population about 500 people. O/n Hamedela( camping)
Day 3:
Hamedela-Mekele-Addis Ababa
This Morning tour Drive to Ragad (Asebo), the place where the localities are mining salt. Look the activity of breaking the salt from the ground, 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 Assal + camel caravans. Excursion to Dallol (116 meter below sea level, one of the lowest places in the world) colorful salts mining, visit Lake Assal, follow up camel caravans and walk with the Afar people. Drive back to Hamedela and proceed to Mekele then transfer to the airport for your flight to Addis Ababa then on arrival we will be transfer to hotel. Overnight Hotel In Addis Ababa
Day 4:
Fly Addis – Lalibela (The Eighth Wonder of the World)
You will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Lalibela. Be met upon arrival and transferred to your hotel. ‘Eighth wonder of world Heritage’ Lalibela is famous for its underground rock-hewn cathedrals. In the afternoon you will visit top attractions of Lalibela that will simply stagger you. These churches include Bete Medhane Alem, Bete Mariam, Bete Meskal, Bete Denaghel, Bete Golgotha, Bete Mikael, and Bete Giorgis.Day Day 5: Fly Lalibela – Addis –-Arba Minch- Chencha Dorze Villages On arrival at Arba Minch,We will be driving to the Dorzy village, this people set high up in the Gughe Mountains where we see the traditional Dorze.
Day 5:
Fly Lalibela – Addis –-Arba
Minch- Chencha Dorze Villages On arrival at Arba Minch,We will be driving to the Dorzy village, this people set high up in the Gughe Mountains where we see the traditional Dorze.
Day 6:
Konso – Turmi
After breakfast you will take a boat trip in Lake Lake Chamo, to visit the crocodile market, it is a local name for a place in Lake chamo that the crocodiles went out of the lake and chill, there is no buying or selling, also you will see hippos and different kinds of birds late drive to Turmi then you will have a chance of seeing the Konso village, one of the UNESCO site in Ethiopia know by their terracing. One of the best types of coffee for the country is also from this village. Proceed to the Bana village. The Bana who are indigenous pastoral and semi-nomadic people living in the harsh environment of lower Omo Valley. The men often have their hair dressed up with a colorful clay cap that is decorated with feathers. Then proceed to the Turmi where the Hamer people lives.
Day 7:
Turmi- Omorate- Jinka
After having your breakfast, you will have an excursion to Omorate to visit the Dassanech people ‘people of the Delta’, who lives on the northern shore of Lake Turkana. Visit and drive back to Turmi for lunch then drive to Jinka then we will be drive to the Ari people, the largest population in the lower omo valley. The women wear skirts from the banana like tree, called Enset are expert in pottery.
Day 8:
Jinka-Mago – Jinka-Addis Ababa
Take a day excursion to Mago National Park to visit the Mursi village. The Mursi are one of the exotic ethnic groups in Ethiopia. They live in very low huts made of straw leaves. The women like to wear terra cotta on their enormously stretched lower lips and ear lobes. Drive back to Jinka for lunch. later you will bex transfered to the Jinka Airport for your flight to Addis Ababa.In the evening attend a folkloric dinner where you will have a chance to taste several national dishes and watch dances of the various ethnic groups of Ethiopia. The traditional coffee ceremony will also be served.