9-Day Simien Mountains & Danakil Depression 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 are warmly welcomed by your guide and transferred to your hotel. After some rest, begin a guided city tour of Ethiopia’s vibrant capital.

Visits may include:

National Museum of Ethiopia, home to the famous hominid fossil Lucy

Holy Trinity Cathedral, an important historical and religious landmark

Mount Entoto, offering panoramic views of the city

A walk through Merkato, Africa’s largest open-air market (optional)

In the evening, enjoy a traditional Ethiopian dinner with cultural ambiance.
Overnight: Addis Ababa.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

Sun View Addis Hotel

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

+10 Photos

+9 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

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

Fly Addis Ababa – Gondar | Drive to Simien Mountains

Early morning transfer to the airport for a flight to Gondar. Upon arrival, meet your trekking crew and begin a scenic drive to Simien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The drive passes through dramatic highland scenery before reaching the park entrance. After arrival, set up camp and enjoy short walks around the campsite, often with chances to see Gelada baboons, klipspringers, and a variety of birdlife.

Overnight: Mountain camping under the stars.

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:

Budget camping

• Inside Simien Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

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

Full-Day Exploration of Simien Mountains

Spend the day exploring the breathtaking landscapes of the Simien Mountains, known for their jagged peaks, deep valleys, and sweeping escarpments.

Activities include:

Guided hikes along scenic trails

Wildlife viewing, including Gelada baboons and endemic species

Spectacular viewpoints overlooking deep gorges and cliffs

The day is paced according to fitness levels, allowing time for photography and relaxation amid one of Africa’s most impressive mountain environments.

Overnight: Camping in the park.

Main Destination:

Simien Mountains National Park

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Simien Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

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

Morning Visit in Simien – Drive Back to Gondar

After breakfast, enjoy a final morning walk or viewpoint visit in the Simien Mountains. Then begin the return drive to Gondar.

In the afternoon, explore Gondar’s historic highlights:

Fasil Ghebbi (Royal Enclosure), a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Debre Berhan Selassie Church, famous for its angel-painted ceiling

Evening at leisure.

Overnight: Gondar.

Main Destination:

Simien Mountains National Park

Accommodation:

Haile Resort Gondar

• Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City)

+4 Photos

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Fly Gondar – Addis Ababa – Semera

Early morning flight back to Addis Ababa, followed by a connecting flight to Semera, the gateway to the Afar Region and the Danakil Depression.

Upon arrival, meet your desert expedition team. After briefing and preparations, relax at the hotel and prepare for the upcoming desert adventure.

Overnight: Semera.

Main Destination:

Semera (Town)

Accommodation:

Dini Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Semera (Town)

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

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

Semera – Drive to the Danakil Depression

Begin the overland journey into the Danakil Depression, one of the hottest and lowest places on Earth. Travel by 4x4 vehicles across vast desert plains and lava fields.

Along the way, encounter:

Afar pastoralist communities

Salt caravans and camel trains

Volcanic and mineral landscapes

Arrive at the campsite in the afternoon and enjoy a simple dinner under the desert sky.

Overnight: Camping.

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 is a highlight of the expedition. Begin with a visit to Dallol, famous for its vivid mineral formations, sulfur springs, and salt canyons—one of the most surreal landscapes on Earth.

Continue to the Erta Ale volcanic area, home to one of the world’s few continuously active lava lakes. In the evening or late night, hike to the crater to observe the glowing lava (conditions permitting).

Overnight: Camping near Erta Ale.

Main Destination:

Danakil Depression (Highlight)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Salt Mountains – Drive to Mekelle – Fly to Addis Ababa

After breakfast, visit the salt mountains and flats, where Afar workers extract salt blocks using traditional methods—a practice unchanged for centuries.

Then drive toward Mekelle, passing through changing landscapes as you leave the desert behind. Upon arrival, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Addis Ababa.

Enjoy a farewell dinner in the city.

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)

Departure

Departure
In the morning After breakfast, transfer to Bole International Airport for your international departure, marking the end of an unforgettable journey through Ethiopia’s most spectacular regions. Optional, you can extend your trip and explore other destinations.

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.