10-Day Northern Ethiopia & Danakil Adventure

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Arrival in Addis Ababa | City Tour

Upon arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our team and transferred to your hotel. After check-in and a short refresh, begin exploring Ethiopia’s vibrant capital.
Depending on time and interest, the city tour may include visits to the National Museum (home of the famous hominid “Lucy”), the Ethnological Museum, Holy Trinity Cathedral, and a drive up Entoto Hill for panoramic views of the city. You may also experience a stroll through the bustling Merkato, one of Africa’s largest open-air markets.

Overnight: Addis Ababa.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

Sun View Addis Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar | Blue Nile Falls & Lake Tana Monasteries

In the morning, fly to Bahir Dar, a beautiful lakeside city on the shores of Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile.
After arrival, drive to visit the Blue Nile Falls (Tis Issat), especially impressive during the rainy season when the water cascades powerfully over basalt cliffs.
Later, enjoy a boat excursion on Lake Tana, visiting one or two of its historic island monasteries, such as Ura Kidane Mehret or Azwa Maryam, known for their vivid religious murals and ancient manuscripts.

Overnight: Bahir Dar.

Main Destination:

Blue Nile Falls (Highlight)

Accommodation:

Lake Avenue Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Bahir Dar (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Drive to Gondar | Fasil Ghebbi & Debre Birhan Selassie

After breakfast, drive north to Gondar, once the imperial capital of Ethiopia in the 17th century.
Visit the Fasil Ghebbi (Royal Enclosure), a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring castles and palaces built by Emperor Fasilides and his successors.
Continue to Debre Birhan Selassie Church, famous for its beautifully painted ceiling adorned with rows of winged angels and vibrant biblical scenes.

Overnight: Gondar.

Main Destination:

Gondar (City)

Accommodation:

AG Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Drive to Simien Mountains | Debark

Depart Gondar and drive through scenic highlands to Debark, the gateway to the Simien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Along the way, enjoy stunning landscapes of escarpments, valleys, and rural villages. In Debark, complete park formalities and learn about the park’s unique ecology, home to endemic wildlife such as the Gelada baboon, Walia ibex, and Ethiopian wolf.

Overnight: Debark.

Main Destination:

Simien Mountains National Park

Best Time To Visit September to December (Beautiful scenery)

High Season October to April (Lodges are busy)

Best Weather October to April

Wildlife in Simien Mountains NP

Gelada Monkey Abundant

Walia Ibex Occasional

Ethiopian Wolf Rare

Klipspringer Rare

Bushbuck Rare

Show more

Golden Jackal Rare

Hyena Rare

Accommodation:

Ras Dejen Hotel

• Budget hotel located less than 1hr drive from Simien Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Debark to Axum

After breakfast, begin the long but scenic journey from Debark to Axum, passing through dramatic mountain roads, plateaus, and rural settlements of northern Ethiopia.
The route offers impressive views of the Tigray highlands and insight into traditional village life. Arrive in Axum in the late afternoon and settle into your hotel.

Overnight: Axum.

Main Destination:

Axum (City)

Accommodation:

Sabean International Hotel

• Budget hotel located in Axum (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Exploration of Axum

Today is dedicated to exploring Axum, the cradle of one of Africa’s greatest ancient civilizations and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Visit the Axum Stelae Park, featuring towering granite obelisks carved nearly 2,000 years ago. Explore the Church of St. Mary of Zion, believed to house the Ark of the Covenant, as well as the ruins of Queen of Sheba’s Palace and ancient tombs of Axumite kings.

Overnight: Axum.

Main Destination:

Axum (City)

Accommodation:

Sabean International Hotel

• Budget hotel located in Axum (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Axum to Yeha | Drive to Mekelle

After breakfast, drive to Yeha, one of Ethiopia’s most important archaeological sites. Visit the Great Temple of Yeha, dating back over 2,500 years and considered the oldest standing structure in Ethiopia.
Continue the drive through the rugged landscapes of Tigray to Mekelle, the regional capital, arriving in the evening.

Overnight: Mekelle.

Main Destination:

Mekele (City)

Accommodation:

Homeland Hotel Mekelle

• Mid-range hotel located in Mekele (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Mekelle to Danakil Depression

Early in the morning, depart Mekelle and descend into the Danakil Depression, one of the lowest and hottest places on Earth.
As the landscape changes from highlands to arid desert, observe volcanic formations, salt flats, and Afar settlements. Upon arrival at the desert campsite, rest and prepare for the next day’s exploration of this extraordinary geological region.

Overnight: Camping in the Danakil Depression.

Main Destination:

Danakil Depression (Highlight)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Explore Dallol & Erta Ale Volcano

Today explore the surreal landscapes of Dallol, famous for its colorful sulfur springs, salt pillars, acidic pools, and mineral formations.
Later, continue toward Erta Ale Volcano, Ethiopia’s most active volcano. In the late afternoon, trek toward the crater and, after sunset, witness the glowing lava lake—an unforgettable natural phenomenon.

Overnight: Camping near Erta Ale.

Main Destination:

Danakil Depression (Highlight)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Visit Salt Mountains | Drive to Mekelle | Fly to Addis Ababa

In the morning, visit the salt mountains and flats, where Afar people extract salt blocks using traditional methods and transport them by camel caravans—a practice dating back centuries.
Afterward, drive back to Mekelle and board a domestic flight to Addis Ababa, marking the end of your remarkable journey through Ethiopia’s history, culture, and natural wonders.
End of the Trip.

Main Destination:

No major destination visited

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.