Addis - Lalibela - - Denakil depression - Mekelle- Gondar - Semien mountain National park ( 12 Days

Thanks a lot in advance contacting DAN LALIBELA TOURS

   This is sample itinenary what I proposed for you according to your interests. 

Day 1  Addis Ababa 

Welcome to Ethiopia! Upon landing at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, we'll be waiting to give you a warm welcome to the beautiful country before heading to the Addis Ababa hotel for our first night. Rest up, and see you in the morning!   

          Overnight  ;- Hotel LObelia Addis  OR similar Hotel 

Day 2    Addis Ababa - Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela

We'll start the day off right with a hearty breakfast before taking you back to the airport to catch our flight to Lalibela. As you land in the northern Ethiopian city, we'll meet again at the terminal to head straight for the famous site of rock-hewn churches made of reddish basalt. Upon arrival, you'll understand why this was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978!

Along the way, we'll make a pitstop so you can enjoy lunch at some of the local restaurants nearby. We'll also take advantage and visit several sacred churches like Biete Medhane Alem, Biete Maryam, and Biete Meskel. As we take in the grandeur, we'll gain a deeper understanding of the rich history behind this church complex from the 12th and 13th centuries.

Then, that's a wrap on

We'll drop you off at your hotel in Lalibela for the evening. Until the morning

          Overnight  ;- Harbe Hotel Lalibela  

Day 3   Lalibela - Yemrehana Krestos 

We'll start with the most important meal of the day before we set off toward Yemrehana Krestos. Fun fact: this cave church predates those of Lalibela!

Upon arrival at this sacred churches, one of the most beautiful in Ethiopia, you'll find it crafted from wood and adorned with meticulous detail inside and out. Entering the cave further, we'll also glimpse mummified pilgrims from centuries ago.

Leaving this impressionable site behind, it's time for lunch! With newfound energy and satiated appetites, we'll continue our route, getting to know the southeastern churches in the complex of Lalibela's famous rock-hewn structures. Here, we'll visit Biete Gabriel-Rufael, Biete Merkorios, Biete Amanual, Biete Abba Libanos. Then, saving the best for last, we'll come to the most well-known of all the churches, Biete Giyorgis. An enormous monolith shaped like a cross, this church was built in honor of the country's patron saint, St. George.

Returning back to the hotel in Lalibela, we'll call it a day for a well-deserved rest.

       Overnight;- Harbe Hotel Lalibela 

Day 4     Lalibela - Asheton St. Maryam Monastery - Lalibela

After an energizing breakfast, we'll hit the ground running on a 2-hour hike to arrive at the Asheton St. Maryam Monastery, perched at a whopping 3,200 meters (10,500 feet) above sea level.

Continuing the hike for another 1.5 hours, we'll arrive at Hudad Lalibela Eco-Lodge for a breathtaking 360º panoramic view of the natural landscape. Here, at this picture-perfect spot, we'll give you some free time to enjoy lunch at the local restaurant nearby.

Later on, we'll dedicate the remainder of the afternoon to observing Gelada black baboons, mountain hyraxes, and various endemic birds that call the area home. After a day immersed in Ethiopian biodiversity, we'll begin our return trek via a different path for new sights. Along the way, we'll visit a small village before arriving at the hotel for a restful evening

                Overnight  :- Harbe Hotel Lalibela 

Day 5   Driving from Lalibela to semera 

After breakfast we will drive from Lalibela to semera just within spectacular scenery,  it is 350 km , 7hr drive .     

Overnight  :- kuriftu resort semera

Day - 6     Semera – Hamedela

 After breakfast  you will drive about 5-6 hrs to reach Hamed Ela on the way, you will stop at Lake Afdera for lunch and maybe even swim a bit. In the next camping village this evening we will visit lake Asale with salt flats and have wine or beer drink in the stunning place while you are swimming in the salt lake. 

       Overnight  :-  open air camping at hamedela 

Day -7    : Dalol- Erta ale (volcano)

After breakfast, you will drive to the colorful attractions of Dalol which is located at -125meter  below sea level. Here you will visit the different landscapes formed by volcanic activity, Dallol + Lake Assal + camel caravans. Excursion to Dallol (116 meters below sea level, one of the lowest places in the world) colorful salt mining. After we visit all the attractions, continue driving to Erta Ale, Which ranks as one of the most alluring and physically challenging natural attractions in Ethiopia. It is a shield volcano with a base diameter of 30 km and a 1km square caldera at its Summit. Erta Ale contains the world’s only permanent lava lake. It is 613 meters altitude, with a Lava Lake, The drive may take about 4 hrs passing through a changing landscape of solidified lava Rock and sand after passing several small hamlets scattered here and there in this deserted Land, you will arrive at Erta Ale camping site,. After a short break and early dinner, just before sunset, we will trek for about 1 hour to Ertale, where we spend a few hrs watching the dramatic action of the boiling lava. And you will trek back to the basic camp basement to spend the night, and sleep under the stars).

Day   - 8   Ertale- Mekelle 

Early morning, you visit boiling lava again, and after breakfast drive to Afdera about 2 hrs. From Afdera, drive on asphalt road to  Mekelle 

       Overnight  :  Gnefel hotel Mekelle 

Day -9 

After brekfast  we will  drive to Mekelle Airport for your flight to Addis Abeba  by  connection  flight to  Gondar 

  Then after we will visit city tour of Gondar  that includes  castle of Gondar  and Debre Birhan Selassie Church. 

Our day's journey will lead us to the royal campus known as Fasil Ghebi, revealing the ruins of an ancient city-state from the 17th century. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this historic area boasts 6 castles and the renowned basin where the annual bathing blessing ceremony is held.

Looking out from the royal campus, we'll enjoy a view of the basalt stone palace of Emperor Fasilidas, the oldest structure within this complex. The ruins also encompass other notable structures like the Library of Emperor Yohannes I, the majestic Emperor Bakaffa Salon, and the King's Wife's Palace. Moreover, at this iconic site, we'll also see the Kuskuam Palace, Empress Mentewab's Palace, and Quskuam Mariam Church, built in honor of the Virgin Mary.

It's sure to be a day full of archeological education, but the fun doesn't stop there! We'll also see the elaborate Debre Birhan Selassie Church murals, considered some of the most important in Ethiopia. We'll understand why as we listen to the legends tied to the sacred castle

             Overnight  ;- Gondar hill resort @ Gondar 

Day  -10       Gondar - Simien  mountain National Park  -  Gondar 

 In the morning at about 7 a.m the car picks us up at the hotel in Gondar and takes us 100 km north on the Ethiopian highland to Debark, a small town of about 35,000 inhabitants at the border to the famous Simien National Park. After a quick stop for the formalities at the head quarter offices of the national park and for collecting scouts we drive out on a rough road to the Sankaber area at about 3,100 m sea level from where we take a short walk of 2-3 hours to assist the acclimatization process. We get a first impressive view over the dramatic mountain range and see some typical plants of that area such as big Heather Trees (erica arborea), St.John swort (hypericum revulutm) or the Abissinian Wild Rose (rosa abissinica). This is also the area in which the largest number of Gelada Baboons (theorepticus gelada) can be found.

Driving through the small town of Debark The impressive mountain ranges while driving up the mountains

A male Gelada Baboon eating fresh grass Walking along the edge of the escarpment

The view from there on the 2000m deeper lowlands The Thick-billed Raven (Corvus crassirostris), endemic in East Africa 

 Late afternoon  drive back to Gondar  

        Overnight  :- Gondar hill resort @ Gondar 

Day -11 

After breakfast  we will drive to Gondar Airport for your flight to Addis. 

Then  after  city Tour of Addis Ababa ( capital  city of Ethiopia)

Stop At: Addis Ababa Museum, Meskel Square, Addis Ababa Ethiopia

The National Museum of Ethiopia (NME), also referred to as the Ethiopian National Museum, is a national museum in Ethiopia. It is located in the capital, Addis Ababa, The museum houses Ethiopia's artistic treasures. It contains many precious local archaeological finds such as the fossilized remains of early hominids, the most famous of which is "Lucy," the partial skeleton of a specimen of Australopithecus afarensis. Recently added to the basement gallery is a display on Selam, found between 2000 and 2004. This archaic fossil is estimated to date to 3.3 million years ago. The NME at present has four main exhibition sections. The basement is dedicated to archaeological and paleoanthropological sections. This area show the previously mentioned hominids. The first floor contains objects from ancient and medieval periods, as well as regalia and memorabilia from former rulers, who include Emperor Haile Selassie. The second floor shows art work in a chronological order, from traditional to contemporary works. Afewerk Tekle's massive African Heritage is one of the most notable pieces. Another painting depicts the meeting of Solomon and Sheba.The second floor contains a collection of secular arts and crafts, including traditional weapons, jewellery, utensils, clothing and musical instruments.[1] Finally, the third floor has an ethnographic display. Here, the museum tries to give an overview of the cultural richness and variety of the peoples of Ethiopia. 

Stop At: Holy Trinity Cathedral, Aratkilo area 

Holy Trinity built during the WWII. known in Amharic as Kidist Selassie, is the highest ranking Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo cathedral in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It was built to commemorate Ethiopia's liberation from Italian occupation and is the second most important place of worship in Ethiopia, 

Stop At: Addis Mercato, Kenya St, Addis Ababa null Ethiopia

Mercato  is the largest open air market in Africa, covering several square miles and employing an estimated 13,000 people in 7,100 business entities. The primary merchandise passing through the Merkato is locally-grown agricultural products — most notably coffee and different Agricultural products. 

After lunch, drive to the peak of Mount Entoto (3,200 meters above sea level). Entoto Mountain is the best spot around to enjoy the panoramic view of Addis Ababa. Also visit the oldest church in Addis Ababa which is famous for hand painted colorful wall paintings

     Finally  cultural  Ethiopian  dinner with live Traditional dance  show  expense covered by my company  DAN LALIBELA TOURS  just wel- coming  to Ethiopia. 

             Overnight  ;-  Hotel  LObelia  Addis 

Day -12 

Depending on your international flight ready for your international flight back home OR you will explore Addis Ababa by yourself. 

For This revised itinerary I will charge you 2000  USD per a person for 2 pax  and This  package include 

  - A private  English speaking guide in all places Except  for Day 6 , 7 & 8 

  -  Fee for the churches  and atteractions ( All fees are included)

  -   you will join a group tour for Day 6,7 &8 a maximum size of 8 peoples 

  -  All road transport by a private air-conditioned car including fuel and driver allowance except  for Day 6 , 7 &8 

  -  Airport  transfer  by a private air-conditioned car including fuel and driver allowance 

  -  Accommodation  including breakfast in all places 

  -  Driving to  semera  by a private air-conditioned car including fuel and driver allowance 350 km 

  -  Domestic flight Tickets  from Addis to Lalibela,  from Mekelle to Addis  , from Addis to Gondar  and finally from Gondar to Addis. 

  -  escorted by armed guard in Denakil Depression  and semien mountain National park 

  -  packed water in your journey 

  -  All government taxes

              This package NOT include 

    - Lunch  and dinner except  for Day 6 , 7 & 8

    -  Tips 

    -   Expense not related in this package