Quick Summary
10-Day Danakil Depression, Tigray Churches and Omo Valley is a 10 days tour in Ethiopia via the Danakil Depression, Tigray Churches and Omo Valley route, starting from USD 4320. Below you'll find the latest itinerary, inclusions & exclusions, and how to book.
10 days
Danakil Depression, Tigray Churches and Omo Valley
USD 4320
Kitano Tours & Safaris
ABOUT 10-Day Danakil Depression, Tigray Churches and Omo Valley
Discover Ethiopia’s cultural and natural wonders on this 10-day adventure. You'll trek to the cliff-carved Tigray churches, explore the otherworldly Danakil Depression with its salt flats and colorful sulfur springs, and journey south to the Omo Valley to engage with diverse tribal communities like the Mursi, Hamer, and Karo. This immersive tour offers a unique blend of history, geology, and living culture, ideal for travelers seeking an authentic and unforgettable Ethiopian experience.
- Duration: 10 days
- Route: Danakil Depression, Tigray Churches and Omo Valley
- Starts at: USD 4320
Highlights for 10-Day Danakil Depression, Tigray Churches and Omo Valley
Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa – City Tour
Day 2: Addis Ababa to Semera
Day 3: Dallol – Salt Caravans – Erta Ale Volcano
Day 4: Afdera – Semera – Drive to Mekele visat Abune Yemta – Gerhalta church
Day 5: Drive Hawzen – Mekele – Addis Ababa
Day 6: Addis Ababa - Jinka
Day 7: Drive Turmi - Karo
Day 8: Jinka – Mursi- Dassanech
Day 9: Drive Jinka to Arba Minch
Day 10: Arba Minch to Addis Ababa
Itinerary Overview
| Day | Title |
|---|---|
| Day 01 | Arrival in Addis Ababa – City Tour |
| Day 02 | Addis Ababa to Semera |
| Day 03 | Dallol – Salt Caravans – Erta Ale Volcano |
| Day 04 | Afdera – Semera – Drive to Mekele visat Abune Yemta – Gerhalta church |
| Day 05 | Drive Hawzen – Mekele – Addis Ababa |
| Day 06 | Addis Ababa - Jinka |
| Day 07 | Drive Turmi - Karo |
| Day 08 | Jinka – Mursi- Dassanech |
| Day 09 | Drive Jinka to Arba Minch |
| Day 10 | Arba Minch to Addis Ababa |
Day 01: Arrival in Addis Ababa – City Tour
>> You'll arrive at Bole International Airport and be met and greeted by a local guide.
Morning
You'll start your journey at the National Museum of Ethiopia, home to the world-famous Lucy fossil, one of the oldest human ancestors. Then, you'll visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral, a masterpiece of Ethiopian architecture and one of the country’s most revered religious sites.
Midday
Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of Merkato, Africa’s largest open-air market, where you can shop for spices, coffee, and handmade crafts while witnessing the bustling daily life of locals. Recharge with a flavorful traditional Ethiopian lunch at a renowned local restaurant.
Afternoon
You'll head to the Entoto Hills for breathtaking views of the city and visit the historic Entoto Maryam Church, along with Emperor Menelik II’s former palace. This marks the end of your tour.
- Time: 8-10hrs
- Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
- Accommodation: Da'amat Hotel Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City)
Day 02: Addis Ababa to Semera
>> Begin your adventure with a drive from Addis Ababa to Semera. Upon arrival, set off on a scenic drive through the Afar region toward Hamed Ela. Along the way, stop at Lake Afdera, a shimmering salt lake with warm, inviting waters perfect for a revitalizing swim. Enjoy lunch amid the stunning, surreal scenery.
Continue to the remote village of Hamed Ela, your base for exploring the Danakil Depression. In the evening, visit the vast salt flats of Lake Asale. Watch the sun dip below the horizon as its golden light reflects off the crystalline ground an ideal setting to unwind with a drink and take in the breathtaking surroundings. Overnight stay Camping.
- Time: 8-10hrs
- Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
- Accommodation: Budget camping
Day 03: Dallol – Salt Caravans – Erta Ale Volcano
>> After breakfast, journey to the otherworldly land scapes of Dallol, one of the lowest and hottest places on Earth. Explore its vivid sulfur springs, colorful mineral deposits, and bubbling hydrothermal fields. Visit nearby Lake Assal and observe camel caravans carrying salt art of an ancient Afar tradition still practiced today.
In the afternoon, drive across lava fields and desert terrain to reach the base of Erta Ale volcano. After an early dinner at the campsite, begin a one-hour trek under the stars to the summit. At the crater‟s edge, witness the unforgettable spectacle of molten lava glowing in the night a raw and powerful natural phenomenon. Overnight stay Camping.
- Time: 8-10hrs
- Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
- Accommodation: Budget camping
Day 04: Afdera – Semera – Drive to Mekele visat Abune Yemta – Gerhalta church
>> Following your breakfast, you will drive to the base of Geraltha to explore the 6th century monastery of Debre Mariam Korkor. Following a short stroll from Mariam korkor, you can reach the petite rock church called Abba Daniel‟s Prayer room. Afterwards, return to Hawzien by car. Stay the night in Hawzen. Overnight stay Vision Hotel.
- Time: 8-10hrs
- Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
- Accommodation: Vision Hotel Budget hotel located in Hawzen (Town)
Day 05: Drive Hawzen – Mekele – Addis Ababa
>> Having eaten breakfast in the early morning, fly back to Addis Ababa which enables us to be there at the midday. and afternoon you have time to explores some parts of Addis Ababa and, at evening you have dinner program at Ethiopian Traditional Restaurant.
- Time: 8-10hrs
- Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 06: Addis Ababa - Jinka
>> Ethiopian Airline then drive to Turmi and visit the Hamer tribe who are well known for the scarring of their bodies, using clay to shape their hairstyles, and the unique practice of "bull-jumping" which every young man must accomplish prior to marriage, ( If their is any, en route visit the Banna tribe. Overnight – Emerald Lodge.
- Time: 8-10hrs
- Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 07: Drive Turmi - Karo
>> Drive to Murele and visit the Karo people, known for their elaborate body-painting. Also visit a village of Nyangatom People who leave south of the Karo Tribe by the banks of the Omo Valley, return for lunch to Turmi and continue thr drive to Jinka enroute visit the Banna tribe, and the Ari Tribe.
Overnight Jinka Resort.
- Time: 8-10hrs
- Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 08: Jinka – Mursi- Dassanech
>> Early morning drive to mursi visit the Mursi people. The Mursi women are known for the clay plates they insert into their lower lips. And Drive to Omorate, near the Omo River, to visit the Dassanech tribe.
Cross the river by local canoe (wooden boat).
Experience the Dassanech people's way of life, their huts, and cultural traditions. Then back to Jinka. Overnight stay Emerald Lodge.
- Time: 8-10hrs
- Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 09: Drive Jinka to Arba Minch
>> • Drive to Arba Minch on the way will vsist many wild animals
• Drive to Konso, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its terraced farming and unique
culture.
• Visit a Konso village and see their famous "waka" (wooden grave markers).
• Arrive in Arba Minch and relax at a lodge and after take rest some hours continues visiting Dorze
Villages
• The Dorze village, known for its beehive-shaped huts and weaving culture.
• Traditional coffee ceremony with the Dorze people.
• Overnight: Mora Heights Hotel.
- Time: 8-10hrs
- Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
- Accommodation: Mora Heights Hotel Budget hotel located in Arba Minch (City)
Day 10: Arba Minch to Addis Ababa
>> Morning drive to Lake Chamo to see crocodiles and hippos. Afternoon, return to Arba Minch Airport airport back to Addis Ababa. Enjoy dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant with live music before transferring to Bole International Airport for your back to your home.
- Time: 8-10hrs
- Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
- Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)
Inclusions
- Park fees (For non-residents)
- All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
- Camping equipment
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Sleeping bag
Exclusions
- International flights (From/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Bath towels
- Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
- Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinks