14-Day Grand Historic Route, Danakil & Lalibela

• 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 professional team and transferred to your hotel. After check-in and a short refresh, begin exploring Ethiopia’s vibrant capital city.
Depending on your arrival time and interests, the city tour may include the National Museum, home to the famous early hominid fossil “Lucy”; the Ethnological Museum, located in the former palace of Emperor Haile Selassie; and the impressive Holy Trinity Cathedral, a key historical and religious landmark. A drive up Entoto Hill offers panoramic views of the city, and if time permits, a visit to the lively Merkato, one of Africa’s largest open-air markets, provides insight into everyday urban life.

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, take a domestic flight to Bahir Dar, a picturesque city on the shores of Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile.
After arrival, drive to visit the Blue Nile Falls (Tis Issat), meaning “Smoking Water,” particularly impressive during the rainy season when the river plunges over basalt cliffs.
Later in the afternoon, enjoy a boat excursion on Lake Tana, visiting historic island monasteries such as Ura Kidane Mehret or Azwa Maryam, famous for their colorful murals, ancient manuscripts, and centuries-old monastic traditions.

Overnight: Bahir Dar.

Main Destination:

Bahir Dar (City)

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 through fertile countryside to Gondar, Ethiopia’s imperial capital during the 17th century.
Visit the Fasil Ghebbi (Royal Enclosure), a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring castles, palaces, and ceremonial buildings constructed by Emperor Fasilides and his successors.
Continue to Debre Birhan Selassie Church, renowned for its beautifully painted ceiling of winged angels and vivid biblical murals, considered masterpieces of Ethiopian religious art.

Overnight: Gondar.

Main Destination:

Gondar (City)

Accommodation:

HaZ 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 highland landscapes to Debark, the gateway to Simien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Along the route, enjoy sweeping views of dramatic escarpments, deep valleys, and traditional villages. In Debark, complete park formalities and learn about the park’s unique ecosystem, 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 drive from Debark to Axum. The journey passes through rugged mountain roads, wide plateaus, and rural settlements, offering insight into traditional life in northern Ethiopia.
Enjoy panoramic views of the Tigray highlands before arriving in Axum in the late afternoon. Check in to your hotel and relax.

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, one of Africa’s most important ancient cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Visit the Axum Stelae Park, where towering granite obelisks dating back nearly 2,000 years stand as evidence of the Axumite Empire’s engineering skills. Explore the Church of St. Mary of Zion, believed by Ethiopian Orthodox Christians to house the Ark of the Covenant, as well as the ruins of the Queen of Sheba’s Palace and royal tombs.

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 significant archaeological sites. Visit the Great Temple of Yeha, over 2,500 years old and considered the oldest standing structure in Ethiopia, reflecting early South Arabian influence.
Continue through the dramatic 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 hottest and lowest places on Earth.
As the landscape shifts from cool highlands to arid desert, observe volcanic formations, salt flats, and Afar settlements. Upon arrival at the desert campsite, relax and prepare for the next day’s exploration.

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 vivid sulfur pools, salt pillars, acidic springs, and mineral terraces—one of the most otherworldly places on the planet.
Later, continue toward Erta Ale Volcano, Ethiopia’s most active volcano. In the late afternoon, trek toward the crater and, after sunset, witness the dramatic glowing lava lake, a rare and 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 take a domestic flight to Addis Ababa.

Overnight: Addis Ababa.

Main Destination:

Danakil Depression (Highlight)

Accommodation:

Sun View Addis Hotel

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

Meals & Drinks:

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

Fly to Lalibela | Explore Rock-Hewn Churches

In the morning, fly to Lalibela, Ethiopia’s holiest city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Spend the day exploring the extraordinary rock-hewn churches, carved entirely from solid rock in the 12th century. Visit key churches such as Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, and Bet Giorgis, each showcasing remarkable architecture and deep spiritual significance.

Overnight: Lalibela.

Main Destination:

Lalibela (Town)

Accommodation:

Tabor Hotel Lalibela

• Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town)

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Meals & Drinks:

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

Trek to Asheton Maryam | Visit Remaining Churches

After breakfast, begin a scenic trek to Asheton Maryam Monastery, located high above Lalibela. The walk passes through rural villages and offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The monastery, dating back to the early Christian period, provides insight into Ethiopia’s ancient monastic traditions.
In the afternoon, return to Lalibela to visit the remaining rock-hewn churches, completing your exploration of this sacred site.

Overnight: Lalibela.

Main Destination:

Lalibela (Town)

Accommodation:

Tabor Hotel Lalibela

• Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Fly Back to Addis Ababa

Fly Back to Addis Ababa

At the morning, if the time allows you, attend early morning church services and After breakfast, fly back to Addis Ababa. The remainder of the day is free for shopping, relaxation, or optional cultural activities.

Overnight: Addis Ababa.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

Sun View Addis Hotel

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

Meals & Drinks:

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

Departure

This us your last time and Have a good breakfast at the hotel and At the appropriate time, you will be transferred to Addis Ababa Bole International Airport for your international departure, marking the end of an unforgettable Ethiopian journey.

End of the Trip.

Main Destination:

No major destination visited

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

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