7 DAYS OF AWASH NATIONAL PARK AND AFAR VILLAGES

Day 01: Arrive Addis. Afternoon city tour

Upon arrival at Addis Abeba Bole International Airport you will be met and assisted by Moments Tour and Travel representative. Freshen up, and after noon city tour of Addis Abeba including the National Museum, Entoto Park and streets as well as landmarks of the city. 

Overnight: Best Western Pearl Addis or similar

Day 02: Fly to Mekele and drive to Ahmed Ela.

In the morning transfer to the airport to fly to Mekele. Freshen up and depart Mekele for Ahmed Ela. The road drive between Mekele and Ahmed Ela is very scenic as you descend from the highlands into the lowlands. We will get to Ahmed Ela in good time to get prepared for a late afternoon drive to a swimming pool in the middle of the desert followed by a terrific sun set and salt extraction at Lake Asale.

Overnight: Camping at Ahmed Ela

Day 03: Ahmed Ela-Dallol-Ahmed Ela-Erta Ale

Early morning leave Ahmed Ela for Dallol on a 30 minute drive followed by a 20 minutes’ walk to enjoy the strange mineral formations, bubbling sulfur followed by breakfast and visit to salt mountains. Late morning leave Dallol for Erta Ale. Early evening at around 06:30 leave on a short hike (about 30 minutes) to the rim of the volcano. Enjoy the lava lake for about 3 hrs before retracing to the base camp for dinner and overnight stay. 

Overnight: camping at Erta Ale

Day 04: Ascend to the rim of Ertale. Mid-Morning drive to Lake Afdera.

Wake up early morning (around 5:00Am) to ascend to the volcano for a beautiful sunrise. Return to the campsite for breakfast followed by a drive to Lake Afdera around 10:30AM. Late afternoon, enjoy the salt extraction and stunning sunset. 

Overnight: Camping at Afdera

Day 05: Lake Afdera-Semera-Doho Lodge

Rise early to enjoy sunrise- a great time for photography. After breakfast, leave Afdera for Doho Lodge to get treated at the beautiful thermal spring and pool overlooking the palm trees. 

Overnight: Doho Lodge

Day 06: Morning visit to Alli deghe plains. Afternoon, visit Afar village

After breakfast, excursion to the Allideghe-Assebot National Park ,  an ideal habitat for a wide range of plain animals including Grevy’s zebras, Oryx, Gazelles, Gerenuk, Ostriches, Arabian Bastards and many other species of birds. Return to the lodge followed by lunch and a late afternoon visit to one of the traditional village of the graceful Afar People to experience life in such remote countryside. 

Overnight: Doho Lodge

Day 07: Morning visit to Awash National Park. Afternoon, drive to Addis Abeba.

You are coming to the end of your Ethiopian adventure. After breakfast leave DohoLodge for Awash National Park, home to dozens of wildlife including Beisa Oryx and Soemmering’s Gazelles , dik-dik , Anubis and Hamadryas baboons, lesser and greater kudus, the giant tortoise, Colobus and Grivet monkeys, Black-Backed  Jackals and African Golden Wolf. It is also one of the prime birding destinations in Ethiopia with over 460 bird species. The beautiful Awash Falls is also home to Giant Crocodiles. Then, drive to Addis Abeba with lunch stop en route. Evening you will have traditional dinner with folkloristic dances as a Farwell night party followed by transfer out service to the airport.