ETHIOPIA: Cradle of the World

After breakfast we left for our destination, Yirga Alem. Along the way we explore the Great Rift Valley, one of the geological wonders of the world. From Eritrea to Tanzania, the Great Rift Valley divides Ethiopia in half. To the north, it has the lowest point in Africa, with 125m below sea level, and to the south, the highest point in Africa, with 5895m of altitude, rises Kilimanjaro. The movement of tectonic plates is noticeable and unravels some of the great mysteries of the Earth. Surrounded by mountain ranges, it forms lakes of peculiar particularities in its basin, all different from each other.

Accommodation: lodge in Yirga Alem
Meals: breakfast

Yirga Alem is a small town in the Sidama region, known for the production of the famous Ethiopian coffee. Our lodge is located in the heart of the wild forest, inhabited by dozens of birds and mammals, in perfect communion with nature. Our day will be spent exploring the coffee forest. At the end of the day we will go to the village of Dorze, where we will camp with the local tribes.

Accommodation: lodge in Yirga Alem
Meals: breakfast

At the height of its 2400m, the villages of Dorze are known for their houses made of bamboo with domes up to 6m high. The colorful clothes of geometric patterns replicate the abundance of color of the region: its humid climate is perfect for the tropical fruits and cotton, which the natives use to weave and dye their clothes.
Then we continue our journey to Arba Minch, where we will take a walk through Lake Chamo, in an area known as “Crocodile Market”, which is not a market but a point of observation of the dozens of crocodiles and hippos that live here.

Accommodation: hotel in Arba Minch
Meals: breakfast

After breakfast we start the journey to the North of Ethiopia, more precisely Bahir Dar, capital of the Amhara region, with connection in Addis Ababa.

Accommodation: hotel in Bahir Dar
Meals: breakfast

In the morning we set off on a boat trip that will take us to explore several of the monasteries on Lake Tana, including Tana Cherqos, the oldest temple in Ethiopia, referred to in the Hebrew scriptures of the Old Testament. It is said that the Virgin Mary stopped here to rest, on her journey to Egypt, and it is also said that it was here that they left the Ark of God with the Tablets of the Law of the 10 Commandments, at the request of Moses. Due to the weight of history, the island is inhabited only by monks of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. After a coffee break, we visit the imposing Blue Nile Waterfalls, whose source was discovered by a Portuguese missionary, Father Paez, in 1620.

Accommodation: hotel in Bahir Dar
Meals: breakfast

Gondar is a town with fairytale castles. Surrounded by mountains, the Emperors of Ethiopia chose Gondar as the ideal place to establish their capital. Its architecture is peculiar, a mixture of Portuguese and Indian influence, with the Debre Berhan Selassie Church displaying some of the country’s most spectacular murals.

Accommodation: lodge in Gondar
Meals: breakfast

The Simien Mountains have the highest point in Ethiopia, Ras Dashan, at 4550m in altitude. The dramatic landscape is mostly made up of volcanic rock that has deteriorated over time. Often used as a postcard from Ethiopia, they are known for the blood-hearted monkey and the sacred baboon, two peculiar species of robust, long-haired primates.

Accommodation: lodge in Gondar
Meals: breakfast

Today we will have a long but scenic road trip ahead of us. From Gondar to Lalibela it’s about 350kms, but the unforgiving mountain roads extend the journey to a few hours with well-deserved picturesque stops to fill the views and coffee to savor the breaks.

Accommodation: lodge in Lalibela
Meals: breakfast

After a long drive to Lalibela, we finally arrived at one of the highlights of this trip. Even today, many faithful continue to make this pilgrimage to the “New Jerusalem”, with 11 monolithic churches. We will have time to contemplate the site, not only for its aesthetic beauty but also for its important historical importance.

Accommodation: lodge in Lalibela
Meals: breakfast

Today we have another long road trip ahead of us. Behind us is the awe-inspiring History, and by car we see the landscape change, until we reach what Lonely Planet’s guides used to describe as “an active petrol station (complete with fridge and all) in a setting with modern offices and soulless tall apartment blocks in various states of construction – all in insane isolation from any existing settlement. Semera, the capital of the Afar region, is the epitome of the middle of nowhere.

Accommodation: hotel in Semera
Meals: breakfast

With average temperatures of around 35°C, day and night, all year round, the Danakil Depression wins the award for “hottest place in the world”. But National Geographic found a more appropriate label, defining this area as “the cruelest on our planet.” Contrary to what we have observed, the local people here are the nomadic tribes of Afar, they are Muslims and come from Eritrea, Djibouti and Ethiopia. They (survive) from the mining industry, and the transport/sale of salt using camel caravans.
Our journey crosses this bizarre landscape, coloured by its numerous mineral deposits, sulphuric reserves and geysers, until we reach Hammed Ale, where we spend the night.

Accommodation: basecamp in Hammed Ale
Meals: breakfast

Today we spent the day exploring this landscape, with its salt gorges. After observing the peculiar salt deposits with their colors, we head towards the Erta Ale volcano, an active lava volcano. As of this writing, the volcano is erupting, providing us with a unique temporal opportunity to see nature in its action plan. The journey is slow and tumultuous, but it takes us to the base of the volcano, where we will take a short walk at sunset to avoid the excessive heat of the day. Bring your headlights because the end of this walk will be done at night.

Accommodation: basecamp in Erta Ale
Meals: breakfast

We wake up early to watch the sun rise in this inhospitable landscape, and make the return trip to Semera, where we will take the return flight to Addis Ababa.

Accommodation: hotel in Addis Ababa
Meals: breakfast

Is the last day spent in the capital, with the opportunity for the last visits to points of interest, souvenirs and farewell dinner, punctuated perhaps with a jazz session in one of the local bars?
See you on the next adventure!

Accommodation: –
Meals: breakfast