Ethiopia Historic Route with Simien Mountains Trekking, Danakil Depression Tours – 18 Days & 17 Nights
Day 1
Arrival Addis Ababa and after check-in to the hotel you will have time to see the sightseeing of Addis Ababa.
Overnight: Stay at Jupiter International Hotel/ other similar hotel
Day 2
After an early morning breakfast transfer to Bole International Airport for your flight to Bahir Dar upon arrival at Bahir Dar airport you will be met and welcomed by our representatives then directly drive to Lake Tana for half day boat cruise in-order to see the monastery of Ura Kidanemihret. After lunch break you will drive to the Blue Nile Falls and walk for about 1 and half hours to see the famous Blue Nile falls.
Overnight: Stay at Jacaranda Hotel / other similar hotel
Day 3
Leave Bahir Dar and drive to Gonder admiring the Amhara people and the scenic beauty of Taragedam; you will arrive at Gonder around lunch time and after check-in to the hotel and lunch break you will time to see the sightseeing of Gonder.
Overnight: Stay at Goha Hotel/ other similar hotel
Day 4
After breakfast leave Gonder and commence driving towards the Simien Mountains National Park admiring the surrounding area. We will stop at Debark where the Simien Mountains National Park headquarters located to collect trekking local guide, game scout and permit paper to visit the park and after lunch break in Debre resume driving towards Sankaber the first campsite in the park. Today before arriving at Sankaber you will have time to walk for about two hours for acclimatization.
Overnight: Stay camping at Sankaber
Day 5
We begin the trek with all the trekking staff: including mules and muleteers to transport camping gears and all foodstuffs. Today we walk from Sankaber to Geech located at 3600 meter above sea level, which will take between 6 – 7 hours.
Overnight: Camping at Geech campsite
Day 6
From Geech we take an optional 2 hour hike up to the summit of Imetgogo, 3926m. From where it is possible to see the lowlands and gain an awesome perspective of this incredible mountain ranges.
Overnight: Camping at Geech campsite
Day 7:
From Geech we trek along the whole escarpment to Chennek 3620m, which is bounded by a semicircular ring of cliffs: it is about 7 – 9 hours of undulating walking, with some steep ups and downs on a very seldom used track.
Overnight camping at Chennek campsite
Day 8
After an early breakfast in the campsite leave Chennek Lodge [picnic lunch] and drive towards Axum overland passing through one of the most scenic road of Ethiopia snaking down through the Italian built Lima – Limo zigzag road and the Tekezze river gorge.
Overnight: Stay at Sabean International Hotel/ other similar hotel.
Day 9
Spend the day visiting the sightseeing of Axum.
Overnight: Stay at Sabean International Hotel
Day 10
After breakfast in the hotel leave Axum and drive to Hawzen via the town of Adwa, visiting the temple of Yeha and one of the rock churches of Tigrai called Medhanialem Adikesho then continue to the lovely Gheralta Lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Overnight: Stay at Gheralta Lodge
Day 11
Today you will visit the famous rock churches of Tigray such as Debre Mariam Korkor which is a rock church situated on one of the high mountains of Gheralta just overlooking the dramatic Gheralta Mountains; and an hour and half climb from the base to the mountain brings you to the church. Before you will visit also Abreha Astebeha [4th century] it is a rock hewn church and its interior is painstakingly decorated then after lunch break at Wukro resume driving towards Mekelle for dinner and overnight stay.
Overnight: Stay at Planet Hotel/ other similar hotel.
Day 12
AM drive to Hamed Ela; PM Excursion to Dallol area.
Overnight: Stay camping at Hemed Ela
Day 13
Explore more of Dallol and Lake Asale.
Overnight: Stay camping at Hemed Ela
Day 14
Day drive to base to Erta Ala and in the evening you will walk to mount Erta Ale to see the active volcanoes and stay overnight camping near to the caldera.
Day 15
Early in the morning you will walk around Erta Ale then walk back to the base and after breakfast commence driving back to Mekelle.
Day 16
After breakfast in the hotel leave Mekelle and head to Lalibela admiring different types of landscapes; we will stop at the town of Weldia for lunch break and resume driving to Lalibela admiring the Amhara people and their village.
Overnight: Stay at Tukul Village Hotel/ other similar hotel
Day 17
Spend the day visiting the rock churches of Lalibela.
Overnight: Stay at Tukul Village Hotel
Day 18
Transfer to Lalibela Airport for your flight back to Addis Ababa upon arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport you will be met and welcomed by our representatives then you will have time for lunch and last minute shopping as well as day use room services then in the evening our company will invite you a farewell dinner party then you will transfer to Bole International Airport for your flight back to home.
