Fly from Addis to Gondar

Fasil Ghebbi - The journey begins with a flight from Addis to Gondar, where guests will be greeted at Gondar Airport. In the afternoon, enjoy a city tour of Gondar, including a visit to the Royal Compound, home to captivating 17th-century castles.

Debre Berhan Selassie Church - Explore Debre Berhan Selassie Church, meaning Trinity at the Mount of Light. Its exterior is charming with stone walls, arched doors, and a two-tiered thatch roof, but the inner sanctuary, adorned with stunning frescos, is truly remarkable. It narrowly escaped destruction like many of Gondar’s other churches.

Start Trekking Simien Mountains

Simien Mountains National Park - Travel along a well-paved road from Gondar to the park headquarters in Debark. The 100 km journey takes about two hours. At the headquarters, permits for the park will be arranged, and a scout will be picked up. Afterward, drive for another hour to begin the first day’s introductory walk. This initial hike is easy, along the northern edge of the escarpment, offering beautiful views over the foothills and plains of northern Ethiopia. Encounter gelada baboons during this hike. Drive to Simien Mountains National Park.

Simien Mountain Trekking

Simien Mountains National Park - Follow the northern escarpment eastward, then descend slightly into the Kaba Valley. Climb up to reach Gich Abyss and continue over a narrow ridge to a cliff with a breathtaking view of the abyss towards the Simien foothills. Discover a large waterfall where the Jinbar River plunges 500 m into the abyss. Proceed for about two hours and have lunch at the Jinbar River. After lunch, walk through barley fields to the picturesque village of Gich. Enjoy a traditional coffee ceremony in one of the huts and learn about local farm life. From Gich village, it’s a short walk to Gich camp, a great area to spot lammergeyer and thick-billed raven. After a relaxing afternoon, take a short hike up to Kedadit to enjoy the sunset and the stunning shaded landscapes down to the cliffside towards the east, then return to the camp for dinner.

Simien Mountain Trekking and drive to Gondar

Simien Mountains National Park - Follow the northern escarpment eastward, then descend slightly into the Kaba Valley. Climb up to reach Gich Abyss and continue over a narrow ridge to a cliff with a breathtaking view of the abyss towards the Simien foothills. Discover a large waterfall where the Jinbar River plunges 500 m into the abyss. Proceed for about two hours and have lunch at the Jinbar River. After lunch, walk through barley fields to the picturesque village of Gich. Enjoy a traditional coffee ceremony in one of the huts and learn about local farm life. From Gich village, it’s a short walk to Gich camp, a great area to spot lammergeyer and thick-billed raven. After a relaxing afternoon, take a short hike up to Kedadit to enjoy the sunset and the stunning shaded landscapes down to the cliffside towards the east, then return to Gondar.

Fly from Gondar – Lalibela

Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela - Visit the sacred land of New Jerusalem-Lalibela. Guests will be met at the Airport in Lalibela and driven about 23 km to the small town of Lalibela for check-in and refreshment. Then, visit the Northern Group: Bet Medhane Alem, home to the Lalibela Cross and believed to be the largest monolithic church in the world, possibly a replica of St Mary of Zion in Aksum. It is connected to Bete Maryam (possibly the oldest of the churches), Bete Golgotha (known for its art and said to contain the tomb of King Lalibela), the Selassie Chapel, and the Tomb of Adam. After a break, proceed to visit the second group of the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela called the Western Group: Bete Giyorgis, considered the most finely executed and best-preserved church, and the third group called The Eastern Group: Bete Amanuel (possibly the former royal chapel), Bete Merkorios (which may have been a former prison), Bete Abba Libanos, and Bete Gabriel-Rufael (possibly a former royal palace).

Drive to Mekele

Mek’ele - The drive will take approximately 8 hours.

Mekele – Hamede Ela

Erta Ale - Start early at 9:00 AM, driving to Dodom (at the base of Erta Ale). This may be one of the roughest roads in the world. The 80 km distance may take about 6 hours, passing through changing landscapes of solidified lava, rock, sand, and occasional palm-lined oases. After passing several small hamlets scattered in this deserted land, arrive at Dodom camping site, located about 17 km from Erta Ale. Dinner will be served around 5:00 PM. After a short break, embark on a 30-minute trek up to Erta Ale. Camels will transport all camping materials and some food (sleeping materials like light mattresses and mats and water) to the rim of the volcano, where the night will be spent watching the dramatic action of the boiling lava. Spend the night on top of the mountain, at the rim of the Volcano.

Hamd Ela – Dodom

Danakil Depression - Rise early with the sun to explore pits and craters. The main pit-crater, 613 meters above sea level, 200 m deep, and 350 m across, is sub-circular and three-storied. The smaller southern pit is 65 m wide and about 100 m deep. Depart around 7:00 AM to head back to Askoma for breakfast. Arrive at the camp by 10:30 AM at the latest, and after some relaxation, drive to Lake Afdera (optional, may not be available during summertime), the mythical Lake Giulietti (or Lake Afrera), a saltwater lake located more than 100 meters below sea level, in one of the deepest depressions on the planet. Due to the picturesque landscape, it is interesting to visit the salt flats where the Afar people obtain salt by evaporating the lake’s water. Continue to Hamad Ela, a village with a population of about 500 people.

Danakil-Mekele

Danakil Depression - Visit the area where salt is mined. Observe the process of breaking the salt from the ground, cutting it into rectangular pieces, and loading it onto camels. Drive ahead to Dallol (-130 m) and explore the diverse landscape formed by volcanic activity, Dallol + Lake Assal (-130 m) + camel caravans (No camel caravan in July, August, and early September). Excursion to Dallol (116 meters below sea level, one of the lowest places in the world) for colorful salt mining, visit Lake Assal, follow camel caravans, and walk with the Afar people. Drive back to Hamedela and proceed to Mekele.

Tigray churches day trip

Gheralta Rock - Visit Abuna Yemata Guh, walking for about an hour to begin a steep ascent up the side of the Gheralta massif. This steep ascent soon turns into a climb using footholds and handholds chipped into the sandstone rock by the passage of many hands and feet. The climb and the walk along very narrow ledges with sheer drops to the side is not for the faint-hearted. The church itself can be reached by walking out on a ledge one meter wide with a 200m drop to the left-hand side. At the entrance, there is a small cave and a wooden door built into the rock.

Of the three, Maryam Korkor is the most impressive architecturally. A huge, high ceiling is supported by 12 free-standing pillars. Looking at it, one cannot help but wonder how the architect managed to carve so high from the ground.

Drive to Mekele

Morning trek around rock churches of Tigray

Gheralta Rock - Morning trek around rock churches of Tigray. Then drive to Axum.

The Ruins of Aksum - After lunch, visit the Northern Stelae field to see the 4th-century obelisks that lend the region its name. While all of the tombs excavated so far have been robbed centuries ago, more than 90% of the ancient burial sites remain unearthed! Embark on a day of discovery as you explore the ruins of Dungur, better known as the Queen of Sheba’s Palace, as well as the tombs of ancient figures such as King Kaleb, King Gebre Meskel, and more. Proceed to St. Mary’s of Zion Cathedral, fabled home of the Ark of the Covenant. Not only is this 4th-century church said to be home to the Biblical artifact, but it is also where ancient Axum Emperors and Empresses were crowned. A visit to the archaeological museum will further enhance knowledge of the ancient kingdom.

Axum to Addis

Mount Entoto - Catch a morning flight from Mekele. A city walking tour or car with driver/guide is offered, where guests will meet locals and visit all the best sightseeing spots with coffee and lunch breaks along the way, led by a tour guide as an escort.

Start the day looking down on Addis Ababa from Entoto Mountain, the capital of Ethiopia before Addis Ababa. Here, enjoy panoramic views of the city with fresh air from the eucalyptus forests.

National Museum of Ethiopia - After visiting Entoto Hill, proceed down to Addis Ababa via Shiro Meda, the city’s largest market for traditional clothes. Then proceed to the National Museum. A top choice museum in Addis Ababa.

The collection on display at the National Museum is ranked among the most important in sub-Saharan Africa, but unfortunately, many exhibits are poorly labeled, lit, and displayed. The highlight is the paleontological exhibition in the basement, home to the world-famous Lucy. Her 1974 discovery in the Afar region of northwestern Ethiopia changed our understanding of human origins forever. This section is well-labeled in English, so if time is limited, spend most of it here.

National Museum of Ethiopia - Continue with a visit to the National Museum, where Ethiopia’s oldest resident, Lucy, is housed. The collection on display at the National Museum is ranked among the most important in sub-Saharan Africa, but unfortunately, many exhibits are poorly labeled, lit, and displayed. The highlight is the paleontological exhibition in the basement, home to the world-famous Lucy. Her 1974 discovery in the Afar region of northwestern Ethiopia changed our understanding of human origins forever.

Merkato - There will be an opportunity to visit the largest market in Africa.

• Entry fees to sights as per itinerary
• Transfers and sightseeing in tourist vehicle
• Full board in Danakil and Simien Mountains
• Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Three domestic flights with Ethiopian airlines
• Professional English-speaking guide services
• All taxes included
• Accommodation with breakfast outside Simien and Danakil

• All items not shown as included

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.