Northern Ethiopia Trip: Lalibela, Axum & Danakil Review

So, you’re pondering a trip to Northern Ethiopia? Thinking about packing your bags and seeing Lalibela, Axum, and the Danakil Depression? It’s almost a pretty neat idea to experience this slice of East Africa, very different from your typical getaway, you know? This review is basically here to give you the lowdown on a 10-day jaunt that hits these spots. I will try and paint a vivid picture to help you decide if it is your cup of tea or not.

Lalibela: The New Jerusalem

Lalibela, very often pegged as the “New Jerusalem,” is something of an astonishing spot, really. Carved straight from solid rock in the 12th and 13th centuries, the churches, they’re more or less an amazing sight, you know? I mean, imagining these ancient artisans, chiseling away, creating these sacred places—it’s pretty mind-blowing, you know? I spent about three days here, which felt like enough to soak up the atmosphere, take in the details, that kind of thing.

Church of St. George, Bet Giyorgis as it’s called, it could be the most iconic, alright? It’s shaped like a perfect cross, and that’s very much sunk into the ground. Climbing down into it is something like stepping back in time. Then there is Bet Medhane Alem, very possibly the largest monolithic rock-cut church anywhere, which definitely shows you how they went big with this place. It is something to see people worshipping there too, and it makes this very unique location worth visiting, right?

Accommodation: A little lodging hint is to check out Ben Abeba restaurant, right? That, it offers some pretty cool views and quirky architecture. For someplace fancier, perhaps, the Mountain View Hotel’s alright.

Axum: Ancient Capital and the Ark

Next up was Axum, a bit of a contrast to Lalibela. You see, that was once the heart of a pretty grand empire, dating back thousands of years, you know? Axum feels steeped in history and legend, arguably the most exciting thing to find is about the Ark of the Covenant itself, they say it’s stored here in the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion, you know? Although, let’s be clear, only one person is allowed to actually see it, as the story is told, which can be something of a letdown. You know?

Now, the obelisks, it’s also the main attraction of the show here, as they’re more or less impressive feats of engineering. That is the biggest one, however, it has fallen a long time ago, still gives you something like an idea of the grandeur. Plus, checking out the tombs of King Kaleb and King Gebre Meskel sort of brings the history alive. I probably only needed two days here, but a bit more of a dive for true history enthusiasts is alright, just.

Where to Sleep: The Yared Zema Hotel, for example, offers solid comfort. As a matter of fact, the Consular Hotel’s another respectable choice.

Danakil Depression: Hottest Place on Earth

Now, this, this is where things get extreme, so to say. The Danakil Depression isn’t very often referred to as one of the hottest places on earth, more or less. I can honestly say it earns that title, right? Expect temperatures way past 100°F (around 40°C) and pretty surreal landscapes that you would imagine on another planet. It can be pretty harsh, still pretty memorable.

It is quite fascinating to see Dallol’s colorful hot springs, yellow and green from all that sulfur, you know? Lake Assale’s salt formations almost make you feel like you’re walking on another planet, as a matter of fact, but just take something to protect against the sun. The Erta Ale volcano offers, that, another experience, alright? You hike up in the evening, perhaps, to witness the lava lake bubbling away at night. Sleeping out there under the stars, maybe, with the volcano rumbling, it gives something like an adventurous feeling.

Danakil Essentials: Here, you need a tour group, so to speak. Safety’s a pretty big issue because of the heat and the remoteness, just to mention it. Be sure to take plenty of water, sunscreen, a hat, actually all you can think of. Sleeping in tents can be pretty challenging, but sort of adds to the adventure.

Planning Your Trip

So, to plan this particular adventure, there are things you might think about. Going between October and March would make more sense, it might be better in terms of the weather being bearable, I guess. Getting a visa might also be needed, that could differ depending on where you are, you see. For flights, maybe Ethiopian Airlines is your most likely option for going between cities.

I’ll throw some local tour companies to find out if they work. For Lalibela and Axum, so it can be helpful to find local guides, actually. That’s something to keep in mind because they have insight to make your trip that much memorable and know quite much better some little corners. To pack, light clothing’s something I think it is most vital for the Danakil, and something to cover for the churches in Lalibela and Axum, you see.

Is it Worth the Trip?

Now, the question is, right, is this 10-day historical tour something worth taking? If you are pretty adventurous and curious, that, it’s certainly something rewarding. From the rock-hewn churches in Lalibela to the ancient obelisks in Axum and the brutal landscapes of the Danakil, there is pretty much no shortage of impressive stuff. I’ll also remind you that this country is safe and a trip here is really awesome, basically, if you plan it well.

Costs and Budget

Talking about your budget and expected expenses here can provide you with a reliable travel framework that might assist in achieving efficiency. If you consider such details, I am fully sure it will not hurt your financial stability while exploring amazing places. As a result, you must have it in the schedule list as very significant component for your personal gratification during that travel time.

For accommodation, something that could cost about $30-$70 every night, is hotels, really. Internal flights range, might be $50-$100 for one way. Guided tours and entrance fees are other factors and need about $100 daily, maybe? Eating local cuisine, more or less, can be something like affordable. Souvenirs and other activities require an amount of about $50-$100 in all the trips combined in this case. If you go with all, it might come from $1500 to $3000, so I suggest for you to budget your travels effectively. As much as it offers new experience, please prioritize being secure and avoid lavish travels!

Key Insights from My Trip

• Lalibela’s rock churches offer something incredibly beautiful and historical.
• Axum’s historical value, that’s something steeped in legend, especially with the Ark story.
• The Danakil is very demanding, you can’t not prepare a safety preparation list there, basically.
• Scheduling your trip is better around October-March in the more colder periods.
• Keep your budget very practical to get amazing travels.

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