Embark on a 5-day journey through Lalibela, Axum, Tigray churches, and the geologically active region of Danakil. Explore historic sites, witness stunning landscapes, and experience Ethiopian hospitality.
Embark on a 5-day journey through Lalibela, Axum, Tigray churches, and the geologically active region of Danakil. Explore historic sites, witness stunning landscapes, and experience Ethiopian hospitality.
Addis – Lalibela
Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela - Begin the day with a flight north to Lalibela, followed by a transfer to the hotel. After enjoying lunch, explore the first group of Lalibela Churches, situated north of a small stream called the Jordan River. These churches, carved during King Lalibela’s reign (1181 – 1221), are recognized by…
Addis – Lalibela
Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela - Begin the day with a flight north to Lalibela, followed by a transfer to the hotel. After enjoying lunch, explore the first group of Lalibela Churches, situated north of a small stream called the Jordan River. These churches, carved during King Lalibela’s reign (1181 – 1221), are recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. In Lalibela, there are approximately eleven rock churches, organized into three groups, with an overnight stay at Lalibela Lodge.
Ruins of Axum and Gheralta Plains in Hawzen
The Ruins of Aksum - Take a morning flight from Lalibela to Axum. Spend several hours visiting Axum before driving from Axum to Hawzien (190 km, approximately 2 hours).
Travel from Axum to Hawzein via Adwa, and finally drive to Hawzen for an overnight stay through the Gheralta plains. Use the town as a base to visit the rock-hewn churches at Gheralta. Overnight accommodation is available at Hawzien (Gerealta Lodge or Wukro Lodge).
Hawzien - Mekele – Danakil Ertale
Danakil Depression - Begin the day with a drive to Erta Ale via Mekele (meaning “smoky mountain” in the Afar language). Erta Ale is one of Ethiopia’s most captivating and physically demanding natural attractions. It is a shield volcano with a base diameter of 30 km and a 1 km square caldera at its summit. Erta Ale hosts the world’s only permanent lava lake. Standing at 613 meters, it features a lava lake, one of only five globally, at the summit. It is renowned for being the longest-existing lava lake, present since the early 20th century.
Start early at 9:00 AM, driving to Dodom (at the base of Erta Ale). This may be one of the world’s roughest roads. The 80 km journey may take about 6 hours, passing through landscapes of solidified lava, rock, sand, and occasional palm-lined oases. After passing several small hamlets scattered in this deserted land, arrive at the Dodom camping site, located about 17 km from Erta Ale.
Dinner will be served around 5:00 PM. After a short break, trek up to Ertale at 8:00 PM. Camels will transport all camping materials and some food (sleeping materials like light mattresses and mats, and water) to the volcano’s rim, where the night will be spent watching the dramatic action of the boiling lava. Overnight will be at the mountain’s top, at the volcano’s rim.
Danakil Depression, Afar Region
Danakil Depression - Witness the early morning sunrise at the northern pit crater and take a 5-minute walk to the southern and central pits, which may correspond to an ancient pit or a simple collapse structure. The main pit-crater, 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. Descend from Erta Ale around 9 AM, returning to Dodom after an early breakfast, ideally by 7:00 AM.
Arrive at the camp by 10:30 AM at the latest, where relaxation awaits. As soon as possible, drive to the mythical Lake Giulietti (or Lake Afrera) (optional, may not be available during summer), a saltwater lake located over 100 meters below sea level, in one of the planet’s deepest depressions. The picturesque landscape makes it interesting to visit the salt flats where the Afar people harvest salt by evaporating the lake’s water. Continue to Erbiti and proceed to Abaala/Hamed Ela.
Danakil or Dallol to Mekele
Danakil Depression - Begin the morning tour with a drive to Ragad (Asebo), where locals mine salt. Observe workers breaking salt from the ground, cutting it into rectangular pieces, and loading it onto camels. Continue to Dallol and explore the diverse landscape formed by volcanic activity, including Dallol, Lake Assal, and camel caravans. Excursion to Dallol (116 meters below sea level, one of the world’s lowest places) includes colorful salt mining, visiting Lake Assal, following camel caravans (no camel caravan in July, August, and early September), and walking with the Afar people. Drive back to Hamedela and proceed to Mekele.
End of Danakil tour
Catch a flight back to Addis at 7:50 PM, arriving in Addis at 9:10 PM.
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
- Three domestic flights with Ethiopian Airlines
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
- Three domestic flights with Ethiopian Airlines
- Tip and Laundry
- Tip and Laundry
Danakil is one of the most geologically active regions with three tectonic plates meeting at the Afar Triple Junction. When tectonic plates move apart like at Danakil, it creates lave lakes, hot springs, geysers and fissures in the ground. Our tour is unique as it is well-arranged including “must visit” historic sites of Lalibela and Axum together with…
Danakil is one of the most geologically active regions with three tectonic plates meeting at the Afar Triple Junction. When tectonic plates move apart like at Danakil, it creates lave lakes, hot springs, geysers and fissures in the ground. Our tour is unique as it is well-arranged including “must visit” historic sites of Lalibela and Axum together with the breathtaking landscape in Tigray which we deliver all with Ethiopian hospitality and touch.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
