Ethiopia Community Based Tour
Danakil Depression Tour
What to bring
On mountains that altitude (around 4000m) it can be windy and rather cold at times, especially in the early morning and at night.
You will need proper walking shoes above ankle height, long trousers, a windbreaker, a fleece jumper, may be gloves and a wooly if you become cold easily.
A headlamp is always a nice idea.
Hiking poles might be of help- please bring them when you like to use them.
It also can be hot when you’re in the full sunshine.
In every case, the sun is very strong and you should really be careful not to get sunburned, so use a hat and good sunscreen; I strongly recommend a 50+.
The walk is sometimes demanding but we take it easy. For the 1 night there is an option for another overnight accomodation, shortening the long hike to Tigu Kebele, reaching it only by next day.
Anyway..local grandmas might outrun you because they are well used to the height.
It is best to stay in Lalibela for at least a day or two, to get used to the height, before you go on the hike to 4000m.
Some trekkers bring pills against altitude sickness- such things are not available in the pharmacies in Lalibela but there are 2 Red Cross stations in the mountains and the possibility to organize a car (which might take some time since they have to reach from the other side of the plateau ,plus this service is an extra cost for you)
But we actually never had any problems with this sickness.
On the way up there are no shops at all.
That means no coke, no ice cream, no cigarettes to buy.
We would also like to remind you that there is no chance for a shower, no proper toilet for the full duration of your hike- you will live the life of the ethiopian highlander.
-if there is anything what you cannot live without- bring it, because we wont be able to get it here-main treatment for you will be a lot of fresh air and great impressions.
You are just out in the pure, simple and beautiful nature and exactly this is what we would like you to enjoy since this very beauty and elementariness is our pride and love.
What the farmers can eat depends on the season, on the weather, on their daily efforts - everything has to be wrenched from Mother Earth and all of that is very precious.
There is no electricity but bonfires and stars, not so many choices what to eat but all organic, not a lot of meat but if there is, it'll be a huge party.
Also reaching the mountain villages is not an exact child's play, the first 1000 meters of height difference from Lalibela (2600 m) to the plateau called Hudad (3600 m), you will overcome in the first 2,5 hours. The rest is almost flat, but still a long walk if you decide to go all the way up to Tigu Kebele. There is the already mentioned option to shorten the first day, having an overnight half way, reaching Tigu Kebele on the second day.
Good to know: when you are in Lalibela, the temperatures are higher than when you are up on the mountain. So, in Lalibela it is nice to have sandals, shorts and shirts for the warm daytimes.
Also recommendable are:
-torches or head lights (for the churches)
- binoculars
-batteries, enough memory space/film
Please check with your local health institute which vaccinations are necessary for you.
-in Lalibela and surroundings there is no Malaria or Yellow Fever
That's quite all since we have everything in our own lodge, inclusive candles, comfortable mattresses, sheets and blankets.
Only if you want to sleep in a tent you should also consider to bring:
- your own sleeping bag (we can provide some but they are NOT up to the newest standards, but we have warm blankets too)