The 17 day tour provides an overview of Ethiopia's most notable natural and historical sites, beginning in Addis Ababa and traveling through the Danakil Depression, Simien Mountains, Lalibela, Gondar, Axum, and Bahir Dar. Key highlights include exploring the lowest and hottest place on Earth in the Danakil Depression, viewing endemic wildlife in the Simien Mountains National Park, and learning about Ethiopia's rich history through visits to rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, castles in Gondar, and archaeological sites in Axum. The tour concludes with scenic drives along the Blue Nile Gorge and a visit to the impressive Blue Nile Falls.

1. 17 days/16 nights Historic & Danakil-
Depression Tour Rout
Danakil Depression
Highlights:
Danakil/Dallol Depression: is the remotest, lowest and hottest place in the Great Rift
Valley system. It is the most astonishing place, nowhere in the World but in Ethiopia – at north –
east (Ethiopian Afar Region.) Tourists and I, Misganaw Alelign – Tour Operator and
professional English and French Guide for Action Tours said together, at our presence
physically there: “ This is the place where the earth breaths as we do!” Danakil Depression is an
extraordinary event – no word, picture or filming equitable to explain about Danakil Depression.
The only means to witness about it is being there physically! Anybody who has physical fitness
to tolerate the unfriendly climate has to be recommended to explore the life time memory of the
Danakil depression’s miraculous event. Staffs of Action Tours have visited the never regrettable
site – Danakil Depression and its surroundings repeatedly! Action Tours – Ethiopia is looking
forward to take you there as your agent in Ethiopia.
Despite high temperature, Danakil Depression can be visited at any time.
Temperature is lower in Danakil Depression during November to March.
Day1:Arrival/ Addis – City Tour

2. Arrive in the morning, to Addis Ababa Bole international airport, meet with us, and transfer to
your hotel for check-in.
Then we drive to the Entoto Mountain (3300m) for a panoramic view of Addis, Entoto
Museum with historical and royal exhibit, The Church of St. Mary, built in 1885 and the old
palace of emperor MenelikII. Take some images at Mount Entoto and we drive back to Addis for
Ethnological Museum that exhibits the culture and handicrafts of various Ethiopian ethnic
groups, the National Museum in which you are visiting different archaeological findings
(including Lucy’s Skeleton). After lunch, visit the Trinity Cathedral, Mausoleum of emperor
MenelikII at Bààta Church and finally Merkato – the largest open market in Africa. Overnight
– Hotel – Addis
Day2: Camel Market in Bati Town
Early drive from Addis to Kombolcha (376km). On the way, overlook the old tunnels made by
Italians during the Occupation period (1936-1941). Check-in at your hotel and drive to Bati
(41km from Kombolcha) for camel market. In the market, people of Amhara, Oromo & Afar are
easily observed. Overnight – Hotel – Kombolcha
Day3: Hayk Istifanos & Lalibela
Drive from Kombolcha to Lalibela (349km on which 40km is Gravel road). This route is
scenic. On the way, visit the monasteries of Lake Hayk for a monastery named
Istifanos. Overnight – Hotel - Lalibela

3. Day4: Asheten Mariam, Nakuto La’abe, first & second groups
Early morning. Climb to Asheten Mariam (about 3hour one way walk) for a panoramic view of
the region and a mountain Church. After Asheten Mariam; descend down for the first group of
Churches. Afternoon, visit the Second groups & Nakuto Leab Cave Church. Overnight –hotel –
Lalibela
Day5: Lalibela - Yimrahine Kirstos -Mekelle.
Drive to the cave church called Yimrahine Kirstos (42 km from Lalibela). This Church has been
constructed by King Yimrahine Kirstos during the13th Century. In the church, there are more
than 5000 (five thousand) dead human skeletons (Bones) lying without any coverage for the past
700 years. They are supposed to be pilgrimages from Syria, Egypt and Ethiopia. The murals on
the walls of the church, and the forest around are very impressive and worthy to be visited. Visit
the church and proceed to Mekelle via Korem. The asphalt road starts at town Korem.Overnight
– Hotel - Mekelle
Day6: Mekelle – Hammed Ela
Drive from Mekelle via Berahile to Hammed/Ahmed Ela. After the small town of Agula; we
descend to the Afar Region. At many spots on the way; you will see camel caravans, transporting
rock salt from Lake Asalé to the town of Mekelle. Entrance tickets will be collected at the small
town of Berahile (110km from Mekelle). Then we proceed towards Hammed Ela; accompanying
with Afar polices and a local guide from Berahile. Overnight – camping (in Afar House) –
Hammed Ela
Day7: Dallol Depression and Lake Asalé
Early morning (possibly at 6am local time); excursion to the Danakil depression. On this day;
surely, you will be overwhelmed with strong feeling of admiration, because of the awesome of
Dallol. Proceed to the traditional salt extraction site from where camels are waiting to be loaded
rock salts - just nearby the Salt Lake of Asalé. Then drive on white salt land to visit Lake
Asalé. Overnight – camping (in Afar House) – Hammed Ela

4. Day8: the Eternal fire of Arte Ale, Active Volcano Lake
Morning; drive from Hammed Ela towards Arte Ale (78km dirt road) via Kursewat. After
arranging camel/s for Arte Ale Mountain, drive to Waydodom and then climb Arta Ale
accompanying with camping gears, being loaded by Afar Camel (3-4hrs walk). After siesta,
explore the extraordinary lava that babbles from its mouth of Arte Ale volcanic fire. During night
time the volcano will be fully seen with its magnificent color of zigzagging fire, produced from
huge rocks. Therefore; in the evening, we will descend from Camping site to the drama of the
volcano. Overnight- camping on the top of Arte Ale.
Day9: Arte Ale – Mekelle
Morning; descend to your cars and drive via the Junction road to Afdera & then to the – small
town of Abala/shiket -Mekelle Airport - Mekelle – (new road being asphalted to connect Mekelle
and Afdera ‘salt mining center’). Overnight – Hotel - Mekelle
Day10: Wukro, Abraha We Atsebeha, Debre Damo, Yeha Te
Drive from Mekelle to Axum. On the way, explore oldest rock churches of Wukro Cherkos,
Abreha-We-Atsbeha, Degum Silassie, Debre Damo (climb aiding by a rope a monk), and the
5th century B.C Pre-Christian Temple of Yeha. Overnight – Hotel -Axum
Day11: the birth Place of Ethiopian History

5. Explore the city of Axum. Axum treasures the ancient Ethiopian history that includes: the
archaeological museum, monolithic steles, the tombs of King Kaleb, and the legendary Bath and
the ruins of ancient palace of the Queen of Sheba, St Mary of Zion and the sanctuary that houses
the original Ark of the Covenant. Note that almost all Ethiopian Orthodox Christians and some
scholars believe firmly on the presence of the original Ark of God for centuries here in Axum, at
the chapel in the middle of St Mary of Zion and Emperor Fassiladas’ Castle of Axum.Overnight
– Hotel -Axum
Day12: Simien Mountains National Park- Chennek
Drive from Axum to Simien Mountains (Chennek Camping Site). On this day, after crossing the
Gorge of River Tekezé, you will appreciate the extremely fabulous Simien Mountains’
escarpments. Arrive to Debark and collect entrance tickets at the Simien Mountains head office
then drive to Chennek (57km from Debark). Explore Gelada Baboons at several spots & Walia
Ibex nearby Chennek Camping Site (both endemic animals). Overnight- tented camp –
Chennek.
Day13: Gondar
Morning, explore the park around Chennek for the walia Ibex and some antelopes, afternoon;
drive to Gondar. On the way near the town of Gondar; short visit of Woleka – a place of the
Felasha or the black Jewish people for their synagogue and black pottery shop. Jews have
amazing history with Ethiopians starting from Biblical (before Christ) up to the Gonderine

6. Civilization (17-19century).The history of the Original Ark of the Covenant, supposed to be in
Axum now often relates with Ethiopian Jews. Overnight – Hotel – Gondar
Day14: Gondar Castles, & Bahir Dar
After breakfast; visit the Castles of emperor Fassiladas and his swimming pool, the 17century
church of Debre Birhan Sillassie (Light of Trinity) & drive to Bahir Dar. (187kms). on the way;
visit Awra Amba Community. Awara Aba people are famous in their unique work ideology in
action and social life. They do not have work division and salary or wage difference. What they
do all together, they do share it evenly. Also visit the Bezawit Hill tops and the palace of
Emperor Haile SelassieI (entering is prohibited) near Bahir Dar. Overnight – Hotel– Bahir
Dar
Day15: The Tis Issat of the Blue Nile and Monasteries on Lake Tana
Morning; take a chartered boat trip on Lake Tana to visit monasteries (constructed during 14 up
to 18 century). You will visit only the most accessible and representative of the monasteries on
the lake, still serving their original function: Ura Kidane Mehret, and Azwa Maryam (in Zeghie
Peninsula), Kibran Church (prohibited for women) & Entos Eyesus. Evening, visit the hill of
Bezawit (roughly 5km after Gojjam – Gondar border Bridge). At this point, you are visit the
Palace of Emperor Haile SelassieI( entering is prohibited), the source of the Blue Nile- leaving
Lake Tana and panoramic view of Bahir Dar and the full sunset

7. Afternoon; drive to the small town of Tiss Abay (32km dirt road). On the way in Bahir Dar,
visit the Woito Basket market (made in ox skin and papyrus tree) then continue to the Blue Nile
to visit the impressive Blue Nile Falls, locally known as Tis Isat means in Amharic: 'Smoke of
Fire'. Much of the water is diverted for Hydro electric Generation plant but it is still worth
visiting for remaining waterfalls, trekking around and to see a Portuguese Bridge (17Century)
and the country side. The area around the waterfall is amazingly fertile and the Amhara people
who live here farm wheat, sorghum and Teff (from which Injera, the national bread, is
made). Overnight – Hotel–Bahir Dar
Day16: Blue Nile Gorge.
After an early breakfast; drive to Addis (563km best Asphalt Road). This route (Gojjam
province) is famous in Teff production. Teff is stable food of Ethiopians. On the way; enjoy with
the fabulous Blue Nile Gorge, 17th Century Portuguese Bridge and the 13th Century monastery
of Debre Libanos. Overnight – Hotel – Addis
Day17: Departure
Based on time of departure, we will transfer you to Bole International Airport for Departure (
end of the trip)
Price quotation for in land Transport only
Group
size/Number
Price per/personin US
$
No. of
Days
Total in US
$
Remark
3 145 17 6120 The Price include all
accommodation
5 120 17 8500 The Price include all
accommodation
7 100 17 10710 The Price include all
accommodation
10 90 17 13600 The Price include all
accommodation
The Above rate encompasses Transport cost, Labour cost such as Driver & Guider, Hotel
Cost as well as Beverage or packed water cost for each visitor 3 times per day.
Price quotation for in land & Air Transport Mixed
Group
size/Number
Price per/personin US
$
No. of
Days
Total in US
$
Remark
3 150 17 6375 The Price include all

8. accommodations
5 130 17 9350 The Price include all
accommodations
7 125 17 11900 The Price include all
accommodations
10 115 17 15300 The Price include all
accommodations
The Above rate encompasses Transport cost, Labour cost such as Driver & Guider, Hotel
Cost as well as Beverage or packed water cost for each visitor 3 times per day.
Price quotation for Air Transport only
Group
size/Number
Price per/personin US
$
No. of
Days
Total in US
$
Remark
3 160 17 6630 The Price include all
accommodations
5 145 17 10200 The Price include all
accommodations
7 130 17 13090 The Price include all
accommodations
10 125 17 17,000 The Price include all
accommodations
The Above rate encompasses fuel cost, Transport cost, Labour cost such as Driver & Guider,
Hotel Cost as well as Beverage or packed water cost for each visitor 3 times per day.