14-Day Northern Ethiopia Route & Danakil Expedition

• 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 representative and transferred to your hotel. Later, begin exploring Ethiopia’s vibrant capital city with visits to the National Museum, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Ethnological Museum, and the panoramic viewpoints of Entoto Hills. Learn about Ethiopia’s rich history, culture, and traditions while enjoying scenic city views. In the afternoon, experience a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony and local cultural atmosphere. In the evening, enjoy a cultural dinner featuring traditional Ethiopian cuisine, music, and dance performances before returning to your hotel for overnight stay.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

Jano Hotel

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

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Meals & Drinks:

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

Lake Tana Boat Excursion & Bahir Dar

After breakfast, take a morning flight from Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar, located on the shores of Lake Tana, Ethiopia’s largest lake and the source of the Blue Nile. Upon arrival, enjoy a scenic boat excursion across the lake, visiting ancient island monasteries known for their unique religious art and historical manuscripts. Experience local fishing communities and observe traditional lake life. The afternoon is free for relaxation at your lakeside hotel or optional cultural exploration in Bahir Dar town. Overnight stay at your hotel or resort near Lake Tana.

Main Destination:

Bahir Dar (City)

Accommodation:

Sky Resort

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

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Meals & Drinks:

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

Blue Nile Falls Excursion

After breakfast, enjoy a scenic excursion to the famous Blue Nile Falls, locally known as “Tis Issat” meaning “Water That Smokes.” Travel through beautiful countryside landscapes and small villages before reaching the viewpoint. Take a short guided walk to admire the powerful waterfall and capture stunning photography of one of Ethiopia’s most iconic natural attractions. Learn about the local environment and the importance of the Blue Nile River. In the afternoon, return to Bahir Dar with time to relax by the lake or explore the town at your own pace. Overnight stay at your hotel in Bahir Dar.

Main Destination:

Bahir Dar (City)

Accommodation:

Sky Resort

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

Meals & Drinks:

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

Gondar Historical City Tour

After breakfast, depart for Gondar, the former imperial capital of Ethiopia, known as the “Camelot of Africa.” Upon arrival, explore the UNESCO-listed Fasil Ghebbi Royal Enclosure, including the castles of Emperor Fasilides and his successors. Continue to the beautifully decorated Debre Berhan Selassie Church, famous for its ceiling of angelic faces and rich religious paintings. Visit the Royal Bath complex, an important site for the Timket festival, and learn about the history of the Ethiopian empire. Enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure and overnight stay in Gondar.

Main Destination:

Gondar (City)

Accommodation:

Goha Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Simien Mountains National Park Trek

After breakfast in Gondar, drive towards Simien Mountains National Park, one of Africa’s most spectacular highland landscapes and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Begin trekking through dramatic escarpments, deep valleys, and scenic viewpoints while observing endemic wildlife such as Gelada baboons. Enjoy breathtaking mountain scenery, fresh high-altitude air, and excellent photography opportunities throughout the day. In the evening, arrive at your campsite and enjoy dinner under the stars surrounded by the Simien Mountains’ dramatic natural beauty. Overnight camping inside the park.

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)

Simien Trekking & Return to Gondar

Wake up to sunrise views over the dramatic landscapes of Simien Mountains National Park and enjoy a morning trek through scenic trails and highland scenery. Continue exploring the park’s unique ecosystem, with opportunities to observe endemic wildlife such as Gelada baboons and admire breathtaking mountain escarpments. After lunch, descend from the mountains and drive back to Gondar. Arrive in the afternoon with time to relax or explore the town at leisure before overnight stay at your hotel.

Main Destination:

Gondar (City)

Accommodation:

Goha Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Lalibela Rock-Hewn Churches Exploration

After a morning flight from Gondar to Lalibela, begin exploring one of the most sacred and remarkable pilgrimage sites in the world. Visit the first group of UNESCO-listed rock-hewn churches, including Bete Medhane Alem, Bete Maryam, Bete Meskel, and Bete Golgotha. Learn about their extraordinary underground construction, deep spiritual significance, and centuries-old history. In the afternoon, continue discovering more churches and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding highlands. Overnight stay in Lalibela at a traditional lodge.

Main Destination:

Lalibela (Town)

Accommodation:

Sora Lodge Lalibela

• Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town)

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Meals & Drinks:

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

Lalibela Cultural Experience & Village Visit

Continue exploring the spiritual and cultural treasures of Lalibela with a deeper visit to its remarkable rock-hewn churches, including Bete Giyorgis, Bete Gabriel-Rufael, and Bete Emanuel. Learn more about the religious traditions and daily life of local communities. In the afternoon, visit a nearby traditional village to experience authentic rural life, participate in a hands-on Ethiopian cooking class, and enjoy a traditional coffee ceremony with local families. This day offers a meaningful cultural immersion into the heritage and hospitality of Ethiopia. Overnight stay in Lalibela.

Main Destination:

Lalibela (Town)

Accommodation:

Sora Lodge Lalibela

• Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Flight to Semera & Danakil Expedition Start

After breakfast in Lalibela, take a morning flight via Addis Ababa to Semera, the gateway to the Danakil Depression. Upon arrival, meet your expedition crew and begin the journey into one of the most extreme and unique landscapes on Earth. Drive through the Afar region toward Erta Ale, witnessing volcanic landscapes, desert plains, and traditional Afar settlements along the way. In the evening, continue trekking to the Erta Ale volcano to observe the active lava lake, one of the world’s rare natural phenomena. Overnight camping near the volcano under the desert sky.

Main Destination:

Erta Ale Volcano (Danakil Depression)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Erta Ale Volcano – Danakil Expedition

Wake up early in the Danakil Depression and begin the descent from Erta Ale Volcano after witnessing the sunrise over the active lava landscape. Continue your journey through one of the hottest and most geologically active regions on Earth, crossing vast lava fields and desert terrain. Drive toward the surreal landscapes of Dallol, known for its colorful sulfur formations, salt flats, and acidic geothermal pools. Explore this otherworldly environment and learn about traditional salt extraction and Afar desert life. Later continue toward Ahmedela, following ancient salt caravan routes. Overnight camping in the desert under the stars.

Main Destination:

Erta Ale Volcano (Danakil Depression)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Danakil to Mekelle via Afdera Salt Lake

After breakfast in the Danakil Depression, begin your journey northward through one of the most extreme landscapes on Earth. Drive across vast desert plains, passing traditional Afar settlements and observing camel caravans transporting salt along ancient trade routes. Stop at Afdera Salt Lake, an important site for local salt extraction and geothermal activity. Continue the scenic drive toward Mekelle, passing volcanic landscapes and rugged terrain. Arrive in the late afternoon and enjoy a relaxing evening in the city before overnight stay at your hotel.

Main Destination:

Mekele (City)

Accommodation:

Libanos Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Mekele (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

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

Tigray Rock-Hewn Churches Exploration

After breakfast in Mekelle, set out for a full-day exploration of the extraordinary rock-hewn churches of the Tigray Region. Visit some of the most impressive cliffside churches, including Wukro Cherkos, Abuna Yemata Guh, and Maryam Korkor. These ancient sanctuaries are renowned for their dramatic mountain settings, well-preserved frescoes, and deep spiritual heritage. Enjoy scenic drives through rugged highland landscapes and short hikes to reach certain churches perched on cliffs. Return to your lodge in the late afternoon for overnight stay in Mekelle or surrounding area.

Main Destination:

Hawzen (Town)

Accommodation:

Vision Hotel

• Budget hotel located in Hawzen (Town)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Axum Ancient Kingdom & Flight to Addis Ababa

After breakfast, drive from Mekelle through the dramatic landscapes of the Tigray Region en route to Axum, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and the heart of the ancient Axumite Kingdom. Upon arrival, explore key historical sites including the famous Axum Obelisks, Stelae Park, the archaeological ruins, and the Church of St. Mary of Zion, believed to house the Ark of the Covenant. In the afternoon, take a domestic flight from Axum to Addis Ababa. In the evening, enjoy a farewell cultural dinner featuring traditional Ethiopian cuisine, music, and dance before overnight stay in Addis Ababa.

Main Destination:

Axumsab

Accommodation:

Sabean International Hotel

• Budget hotel located in Axum (City)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Departure from Addis Ababa

After breakfast in Addis Ababa, enjoy some free time depending on your international flight schedule. You may relax at the hotel or do last-minute souvenir shopping in the city. Later, you will be transferred to Bole International Airport for your departure flight. This marks the end of your unforgettable journey through northern Ethiopia, including historic sites, cultural experiences, dramatic mountain landscapes, and the unique Danakil Depression expedition.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

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