Lalibela,Denakil,Gherlta, 6 days

Fly to Lalibela visit Rock Hewn Churches of Lalibela

Fly to Lalibela and take the airport shuttle transfer to the Town (40minute) and visit the rock hewn churches of Lalibela.Lalibela is most famous for its churches. Visit the 12-13th century Rock hewn churches called the Eighth wonder of the world which are still active places of worship and host many major religious Ceremonies. The churches are carved out of solid rock, and each has unique architectural features. Take a wander through the tunnels and stairways linking the churches together.

drive to the site where we find a concentration of some of Ethiopians most famous Rock Hewn churches, mostly referred by many as the living wonders of the world, this churches are, they have been here for at list 900 years, an active christen shrine, the spiritual center of the counters religious life. The monolithic churches where carved out of 2600-sq natural rock terrace in the twelve century AD by king lalibela.

Bete Medhanialem, the largest monolithic Rock hewn churches of the world, Magers 37.7 ft in Height, covers an area of almost 2625 Square ft and has walls that are up to 6 feet thick. A plain building supported by 36 pillars on the inside and anther 38 pillars around the outside. Bjte Medhanialem modeled on the original st.Merryzion church build by king Ezana in 4th century at axum.

The Rock hewn churchs that we will visit today before lunch will be the first group of churches included: Bete Medhanialem, Bete Mariam, BeteMeskel, BeteDenagl and BeteGolo gota Michal

After lunch  we will continue our journey in  To Ethiopians long and marvellous past with a visit to other king Lalibela  Remarkable churches. There architecture and artistry must be seen to be believed.

The Rock Hewn Churches that we will visit this afternoon the second group of churches and St, Gorge it included: BeteGebral, BeteMerquros, BeteEmanule, Betelehiam ,Bete Aba Libanos and BeteGhiorgis .

Once we finished visiting the second group of churches and we will walk to the village so the complex bewildering labyrinth of underground Tunnels to the monastery where the monks and nuns live.

Accommodation: Honey Land

  Drive from Lalibela to Gheralta

Early in the morning, embark on a long  day of driving to Mekele.  Here you will pass through several small villages, with typical sandstone homes of the Tigray people.

Proceed through this rural area for the stunning approach to the home of Ethiopia’s most prized destination and pass through the dramatic Landscapes – Gheralta

Accommodation at: Gheralta Lodge

Excursion to Gheralta, Abune Yemata, Mariam Korkor & Daniel Korkor

In one day you will visit three churches; AbunaYemataGuh; Maryam Korkor and Daniel Korkor. All of which are very different in style but stunningly beautiful in their own way.

To visit AbunaYemataGuh, walking for about an hour to commence a steep ascent up the side of the Gheralta massif. This steep ascent soon turn into a climb using foot holds and hand holds chipped into the sandstone rock by the passage of many hands and feet. The climb and the walk along very narrow ledges with sheer drops to the side is not one for the faint hearted. The church itself can be reached by walking out on a ledge one meter wide and with a 200m drop to the left hand side.

At the entrance there is a small cave and a wooden door built into the rock.Of the three, Maryam Korkor is the most impressive architecturally.

A huge, high ceiling is supported by 12 free standing pillars. Looking at it you could not help but wonder how the architect managed to carve so high from the ground.

After will continue the trek to Mariam korkor monastery and you will have a 3 hur (both way) trek to Mariam Korkor, it has unique view till you reach the monastery.  The first church clinging to the rock face- Mariam Kokore. Built in approximately 600AD Mariam is one of the largest and most complex rock cave churches in Ethiopia. Then process to the next destination Mekele.

Accommodation at: Genfel Hotel

Mekele –  Erta Ale (Volcano)

Drive to Dodom at the base of Erta Ale. This may be one of the worst road in the world. The 80 km distance may take about 6 hours passing through changing landscape of solidified lava, rock, sand and the occasional palm lined oasis.  You pass via several small hamlets scattered here and there in this desert land, before reaching Dodom.  You will trek from Dodom to Erta Ale which takes about 3 hrs. Early dinner around 17:00 and trek up to Ert Ale at 20:00.

Camels transport all the camping materials and some food, sleeping materials, mattresses and water, to the rim of the volcano, where we spend the night watching the dramatic action of the boiling lava.

Erta Ale ranks one of the most alluring and physically challenging Accommodation at:  Camping At Erta Ale

Erta Ale – Hamed Ela

Waking up early for sunset and visit north crater, Descend from Erta Alearound 7:00am artale-dedom Leave back to Dodom you will reach latest at09:30 am at the camp , after breakfast time to relax. at 10:30 drive tohamad ela 100km,picnic lunch on the way on shed of palm tree,reach Hamad Ela 04:30, better village with a total population about 500people.

Accommodation at: camping at Hamed Ela.

Hamedela – Mekele, Fly back To Addis Abeba

Morning tour Drive to Ragad (Asebo), the place where the localities are mining salt. 1,200 km2 (460 sq mi) the Afar Depression iscovered by salt, and salt Look the activity of breaking the salt from theground, local people are cutting in to rectangular pieces and loading oncamels.

You drive ahead to Dallol and visit the difference landscape formedby volcanic activity, Dallol + Lake Assal + salt canon, camel caravans,follow up camel caravans and Drive back to Hamedela and proceed to Mekele.

You can take the night flight from Mekele To addis