9 Days Danakil Depression, Omo Valley and Lalibela Tours

Day 01 Fly Addis Ababa to Semera and Drive to Ahmed Ella – Explore the Danakil Depression: 9-Day Ethiopia Tour

You will meet upon arrival at Semera airport. After that, drive to Ahmed Ella, visiting beautiful landscapes of solidified lava, rock, sand, and occasional palm-lined oasis. After passing several small hamlets, start visiting Ahmad Ella village, which has a total population of more than 500 people. Here, you can see the lifestyle of the local Afar people. Finally, proceed to Salt Lake Asale, a huge salty lake where you will swim in a natural pool while enjoying sunset reflections of the salty ground.

Join us to Explore the Danakil Depression: 9-Day Ethiopia Tour and witness the beauty of Ahmed Ella village.

Overnight Camping at Ahmed Ella

Day 02 Visit Dallol, Then Drive to Erta Ale

In the morning, drive to Ragad (Asebo), where traditional salt mining is practiced. Watch locals break salt from the ground, shape it into rectangular blocks, and load it onto camels for transport.

During your journey, you will truly experience what it means to Explore the Danakil Depression: 9-Day Ethiopia Tour.

Overnight Camping at Erta Ale

Day 03 Drive Erta Ale – Lake Afdera – Semera and Fly to Addis

After breakfast, we will drive to Afdera, which is used for salt extraction. It is named after the saline Lake Afdera, located in the southern part of the Afar Depression. It is a major source of salt extraction in Ethiopia, where the lake water is pumped to salt pans for solar evaporation.

As part of the Explore the Danakil Depression: 9-Day Ethiopia Tour, you will visit the unique Lake Afdera.

Overnight Aya Addis Hotel Addis Ababa

Day 04 Fly Addis Ababa to Lalibela

After breakfast, you will be taken to the airport for your flight to Lalibela. You will be met upon arrival and taken to your hotel.

Your adventure continues as you Explore the Danakil Depression: 9-Day Ethiopia Tour from Lalibela.

Bete Golgotha‑Mika’el: a twin‑church complex marking the most sacred area, featuring the Selassie Chapel within Bete Golgotha said to house the tomb of King Lalibela and striking carved reliefs of saints inside Bete Mika’el

Next, you will Explore the Danakil Depression: 9-Day Ethiopia Tour and visit the sacred Bete Golgotha‑Mika’el.

Bete Maryam: possibly the oldest church in the site, with an intricately painted ceiling depicting biblical scenes and windows symbolizing the Trinity and crucifixion

Bete Meskel: a small chapel carved into the courtyard of Bete Maryam, the “House of the Cross”

Bete Denagel (House of the Virgins): an intimate, grotto‑like chapel adjacent to Bete Maryam, reputed to commemorate fifty Christian nuns martyred in late antiquity

Bete Medhane Alem: the largest free‑standing monolithic church in the world, shaped like a Greek temple. Inside, dozens of columns support the vaulted ceiling, and the polished stone floor reflects shafts of light from high‑aperture windows. In one corner stand three symbolic empty graves for the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Later in the afternoon, you’ll visit the western group’s standalone masterpiece:

Bete Giyorgis (Church of Saint George): isolated on a sloping rock terrace to the southwest of the village, this church is carved in the shape of a perfect cross and often considered the most elegant of all 11. It stands in a sunken pit and is reached via tunnels and trenches

Overnight Maribela Hotel Lalibela

Day 05 Drive Lalibela to Asheten Maryam and Na’akuto La’ab

After breakfast, you’ll journey to

Na’akuto La’ab Monastery founded by Na’akuto La’ab, the successor of King Lalibela. Inside, you’ll discover a fascinating collection of sacred artifacts believed to have belonged to Na’akuto La’ab himself: crowns, gold-painted drums, ornate crosses, a large painted canvas featuring ancient monarchs, and an illuminated Bible of remarkable beauty. Of particular interest are the ancient stone basins that collect water dripping from the cave’s roof widely regarded as holy.

Afterwards, you’ll drive on to

Asheton Maryam Church, another longstanding sanctuary packed with sacred treasures. Here, the priest graciously displays a collection of intricate crosses and a richly illustrated Bible, showcasing colorful and elaborate artworks that date back centuries.

Overnight Maribela Hotel Lalibela

Day 06 Fly Lalibela to Addis Ababa

After breakfast, you’ll spend the morning exploring the remaining rock hewn churches of Lalibela like:-

• • Bete Gabriel‑Rufael (House of Archangels Gabriel and Raphael)
  • Bete Marqorios (St. Mercurius/Mark the Evangelist)
  • Bete Emmanuel (House of Emmanuel)
  • Bete Abba Libanos (House of Abbot Libanos)

After enjoying the churches, we will continue to Explore the Danakil Depression: 9-Day Ethiopia Tour.

These southeastern cluster churches, carved into volcanic rock, showcase exceptional Aksumite architectural features and intricate decorative motifs unique to Lalibela, After visiting these sacred sites, you’ll be transferred to Lalibela Airport to catch your flight back to Addis Ababa.

Overnight Aya Addis hotel Addis Ababa

Day 07 Fly Addis Ababa to Jinka Drive to Turmi

This day after breakfast you will be taken to the airport for your flight to Jinka. You will be met upon arrival and drive to Key Afer to visit

Your journey through the Omo Valley is part of the Explore the Danakil Depression: 9-Day Ethiopia Tour. You will visit Mursi village, where the Mursi women, like their Surma cousins, live on the other bank of the Omo River. They are famous for their large round lip plates.

Your journey through the Omo Valley is part of the Explore the Danakil Depression: 9-Day Ethiopia Tour.

The Banna tribe is the closest relatives of the famous Hamer but are less visited by tourists. They are one of the most beautiful and distinctive tribes of the Omo Valley, with a settlement territory north of Turmi. Banna speak Omotic languages.

Overnight Paradise Lodge in Turmi

Day 08 Drive Turmi -Kangaten (Nyangatom tribe) — Karo tribe – Turmi

This morning, we continue through the savannah with shrubs and umbrella acacia trees.

Kangaten (Nyangatom tribe) To adore their long and lean bodies, the Nyangatom women wear numerous necklaces and long Skirts from goatskins that are richly decorated They are indeed fierce warriors which is supposedly demonstrated by their custom to scar their chest; one scar for each killed enemy. Herds of cows are their most valuable property. Later drive to Kolcho, the village of

After visiting the Karo tribe, you will have more opportunities to Explore the Danakil Depression: 9-Day Ethiopia Tour.

Karo people at the eastern bank of Omo River with beautiful views, Karo are famous for their intricate face and body painting practices, which they apply on their heads and torso before major events and on the weekly markets. Karo is the smallest tribes of the Omo Valley and Karo men also sculpts and shave their hair into extravagant shapes, with special ochre “caps” of hair usually containing several ostrich feathers. Then back to turmi for lunch and proceed to the

Hamer people, distinguished by the fact that their women wear leather skirts decorated with shells, wear several copper bracelets on their hands and heavy iron necklaces around their necks, symbolizing their social status, and their hair is colored with ocher and animal fat. Men, in case of victory over the enemy or a dangerous beast, fix the hairstyle with clay and decorate with ostrich feathers. This hairstyle is carefully guarded the Hamar sleep with a special borkotos chair under their neck. they are also known for their unique custom of “bull jumping,” which initiates a boy into manhood, practice of body adornment and wearing a multitude of colorful beads.

The cultural experiences will enhance your understanding as you Explore the Danakil Depression: 9-Day Ethiopia Tour. Each tribe possesses unique customs and traditions that contribute to the rich tapestry of Ethiopian culture.

Overnight Paradise Lodge in Turmi

Day 09  Drive Turmi to Jinka -Fly to Addis Ababa

After breakfast you will drive Jinka to visit

Conclude your exciting experiences as you Explore the Danakil Depression: 9-Day Ethiopia Tour before heading back.

After breakfast, you will drive from Jinka to visit the Ari people, who make up the largest population in the lower Omo Valley. The women wear skirts made from the banana-like Enset tree and are experts in pottery, blacksmithing, and the distillation of traditional liquor.