Lake Assale, also known as Lake Karum, is located in the heart of the Danakil Desert, next to the Danakil Depression. It evaporates under the sun during the dry season and turns into a salt pit, to where camel caravans travel.

Africa

Ethiopia

Lac Assale

Situated in the heart of the Danakil desert at the border of Eritrea, this active volcano is famous for its spectacular lava lake.

Erta’ale

This volcanic furnace located at 136.8 metres above sea level, on the border with Eritrea, is a multicoloured plateau with an unearthly appearance surrounded by salt mountains. You can also visit the salt caravans and salt mine.

Dalol

One of the most famous towns in Ethiopia, known for its incredible rock cut churches.

Lalibela

Hawzen is a Tigrayan village situated between Mekele and Aksoum) that, along with Wukro, has the best selection of accommodation. It's conveniently close to Tigray's most spectacular churches, including Mariam Korkor, Abouna Yemata and Debre Damo.

Hawzēn

Europe

Central America

North America

South America

Asia

Middle East

Oceania

Visiting Tigray's churches was a highlight of my trip to Ethiopia. I stayed in a superb ecolodge in Hawzen, before scaling the rocky outcrops that lead to the various churches. According to local priests, some date back to the 5th Century, although historians claim they were built between the 9th and 15th Centuries. 
Accompanied by the obligatory scout, guide and priest, the Abouna Yemata Church was the most impressive of them all. I ended up going barefoot in order to scramble up the cliff, with only the scout to support me. This was followed by a hair-raising, narrow path set in the rocks, which ran along the length of the cliff.
The paintings inside these orthodox churches are amazing and depict the religion's most famous saints. Abouna Yemata and its paintings are dedicated to the nine Syrian saints who were at the helm of Ethiopia's evangelisation. I was also extremely impressed by the Mariam Korkor, Abuna Daniel, Medhane Alem and Petros and Paulos churches.

Hawzen is a Tigrayan village situated between <a href="/ethiopia/">Mekele</a> and <a href="/ethiopia/">Aksoum</a>) that, along with Wukro, has the best selection of accommodation. It's conveniently close to Tigray's most spectacular churches, including Mariam Korkor, Abouna Yemata and Debre Damo.

Hawzēn Vacations

Hawzēn: How to get there?

Hawzēn: When to go?

Hawzēn: For how long?

Hawzēn: What to see in the surroundings?