Experience the real Ethiopia in North.

7 May, 2024, No comments

A completely different trip to northern Ethiopia to get to know its religion and culture.

03.02. - 14.02.2025.

1 day

Transfer to Lalibela

At night, we have arrived in Addis Ababa, which is one of the higher capitals, i.e. 2500 mvjl.

We rest a bit at the hotel and in the morning after breakfast we go to the airport to fly to Lalibela. (11:50 flight)

We are welcomed at Lalibela airport and go to the hotel. Since the city is far enough away, we have time to enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery. And then, just before Lalibela we have to get off the comfortable bus to go to the monastery in the cave. We are at St. Neakoto Leab Monastery.

We will have a dinner enjoying the sunset in the mountains.

A night in a hotel in Lalibela (Old Abyssinia Lodge)

Day 2

A whole day to get to know the 11 rock-hewn churches of Lalibela.

Overnight at the hotel in Lalibela (Old Abyssinia Lodge)

Day 3

After breakfast, we get into the cars and go outside the city to Yemrehana Krestos Church. It is a peculiar church built in a rock cave. Definitely worth a look. On the way back, we also stop at Bilbala St. George Church.

In the evening, we have free time to get to know the town's street life and visit a restaurant.

A night in a hotel in Lalibela (Old Abyssinia Lodge)

Day 4

We are well rested and can wake up again with the first rays of the Sun to go on the next adventure. We have about 60 km long road ahead of us to Dagmawie Lalibela Rock Hewn Church (second Lalibela). Here we are waiting for a short walk, the purpose of which is to get acquainted with the new rock-hewn churches. Their creation started only in 2010.

On the way back, maybe we will get to see the Geneta Mariam Church.

Overnight at the hotel in Lalibela (Old Abyssinia Lodge)

Day 5

Today we have a long journey to Mekele. However, the whole day we will be able to reflect on what we have experienced and enjoy the mountain scenery.

Overnight at Hotel Mekele.

Day 6

After breakfast we go to Wukro. On the way, we stroll to the Mai Mekden Suspension bridge. Then we visit the Adi Akaweh Archeological Site and it's time to look for accommodation.

Overnight at the Wukro Hotel.

Day 7

In the morning, we visit the Wukro Cherkos church here in the town and drive further to Hawzen. Another easy relaxing day. Just a view from the window, coffee breaks, photo breaks and soon we are at our destination - Hawzen.

Night at the hotel.

Day 8

Let's have a good breakfast today, so that there is strength for heroic deeds. We will climb the rocks to Abuna Yamata and Miriam Korkor churches. I don't promise it will be easy. But extremely interesting and beautiful.

Overnight at the Hawzen Hotel or in tents at the campsite.

Day 9

In the morning we start our way back to Wukro. On the way we will see a couple more churches - Debre Tsion Abune Abreham Church and Abreha and Atsbeha Church.

Overnight at the Wukro Hotel.

Day 10

Wukro - Mekele. A day of rest and reflection. In the evening we go to enjoy local food and music.

Overnight at Hotel Mekele.

11th day

Today we fly back to Addis Ababa. At the hotel we can have a shower, rest and go to enjoy Ethnographic music and dinner.

Night at the hotel

Day 12

We dedicate this day to city sightseeing - city tour, Unity park, market. We buy gifts for the beloves one's and in the evening we go to the airport to fly home.

You have read the route and now you are thinking - churches, churches, churches.... Don't panic, it's not as crazy as you think. Apart from the religion, which is ancient and really worth noting, there will be a lot of nature, people, food and other experiences in this unique African country - Ethiopia.

Trips to Ethiopia 2024/25 with Indra

21 Apr, 2024, 1 comment

There will be two trips:

16.11.24. - 7.12.24
11.01.25 - 1.02.25

Since the total duration of the Adventure Trip is long enough, it is possible to divide it into 2 parts.

1) the first part will be for us to explore the Danakil depression and the Afar region - there will be an active volcano, geothermal fields, hot springs, craters that have fallen silent, but have gained new life, you will see the place where the African continent visibly began to split into 2 parts in 2005. The Dobahu crack and more many interesting things around it. This will be a test for those bodies that doesn't adapt to heat so easily. We will spend a couple of days in a place that is about 125 m below sea level and is the hottest in the world in terms of annual average temperature. But ... there is a tribe that has been living and working there for centuries - the Afar tribe. The most durable tribe in the World. And we will meet them - strong, proud and self-sufficient tribal folks.

We will spend the night in a hotel and camp under the open sky in bamboo cots. If the weather is not so nice, we will go under the roof :)

The total time we will spend in the Afar region will be 6 days. We will fly to and from Semera with an internal flight.

The price for this part will be around 700 - 800 € (the price will be clarified). This price includes meals.

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2) Then the second part follows - and here we will go with 4x4 jeeps to the Southern part of Ethiopia, to the Omo valley to meet tribes. And you definitely want to see them!

However, there is still a long way to go. So that your European Soul doesn't have such a big shock, we will do it gradually. First, let's enjoy nature in the Rift Valley, get acquainted with the history, geography and culture of Ethiopia. We will have national parks along the way, visit family farms in different regions (Sidama, Dirashe) so you can see how rural people live (urbanites are no different from us), see coffee and banana plantations, learn what khat is and how it is used and more many other things.

We will start the review of the tribes with the ones that are more understandable to us - Dorze and Konso, and then the exotics will follow. And here you will have something to wonder about, think about and try to understand and comprehend.

This Omo Valley visit is 14 days in total. We will be with the tribes of the South Omo region for 6 full days. The rest of the time on the way to and from the Omo Valley.

We will spend the night in hotels and one night in tents with the tribes.

I think it will be interesting for you to try to understand tribal traditions, culture, see their daily routines, their joys and not so bright moments.

The total cost of this part is around 2290 €

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I will, of course, be most happy for those who are willing and able to join me for the entire duration of the trip.

This cost is provided that there are 3 other people besides me. If there are 6 of us or more, the costs are lower. So - you are interested in bringing your best mate or dearest friend with you :)

Cost includes:

transport (4x4 jeep, internal air)
entrance fees to attractions,
all permits,
meals in the desert (when we have a cook),
accommodation,
accompanying guide and local guides ( where applicable),
basic photo permissions
water for every day

The price does not include:

international flight (Riga - Addis Ababa),
visa (USD 82),
partial eating (we'll clarify that),
additional photography/video costs,
soft drinks, alcohol,
tips (for guides, drivers, cooks),
personal spending,
excursions/visits not included in the program.