Two extremes: the Danakil Depression and the Simien Mountains
A multifaceted journey that starts in the busy city life of Addis Ababa, where you can visit the national museum with its many relics and archaeological finds, such as the three million year old skeleton of Lucy, 'a young girl'. Then you're preparing for the trek to the Danakil Depression. You may not realize it immediately, but you are 120 meters below sea level. The warmth you feel when you are here for some time is because the earth's crust here is so thin that fresh lava is constantly pushed up. This heat has also led to the formation of huge salt flats which are difficult to access. Also a source of heat is the Erta Ale, Ethiopia's most active volcano. Your first hike this trip will take you to this volcano, at the top you will be surprised: you will see here the oldest lava lake in the world.
From Axum to Lalibela
The town of Axum in northern Ethiopia is the oldest city in the country and is also considered a 'Holy City'. Axum has an illustrious past, so the Ark of the Covenant would have come here from Jerusalem. This impressive city is full of ruins of ancient palaces, tombstones and giant granite obelisks. After a visit to Axum, head for another hike into the Simien Mountains, home to special animals such as the Gelada baboons, Walia ibex and Ethiopian wolves. Your trip ends in Lalibela where you will attend the Timkat Festival. The Timkat Festival (every January) is one of the most important festivals in Ethiopia, commemorating the baptism of Christ by John the Baptist. Lalibela, with its eleven world-famous rock churches, is one of ethiopia's biggest tourist attractions. You'll end this wonderful, multifaceted trip with dinner at Addis Ababa.
Tips & Tops Tour Danakil & Timkat festival:
- The bath of King Fasiledes and the Debre Birhan Selassie church are just a few highlights in Gondar
- The roofs of the rock churches of Lalibela are at the same height as the ground where you walk, if you then look into the depth you will see 15 meters lower the entrances
- From Mount Entoto you have panoramic views of Addis Ababa
- At Axum you can enjoy the many archaeological treasures, including the bath of the Queen of Sheba, Stele Square and Tsion Mariam
- At the Tis Isat Falls, the Blue Nile plunges from a height of 45 metres over a rock face, an impressive spectacle over a width of no less than four hundred metres
- The largest open-air market in Africa, the Merkato in Addis Ababa, is the best place to buy souvenirs
