15-Day Northern Ethiopia & Danakil Depression Safari

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

Fly to Lalibela – Explore the First Group of Rock-Hewn Churches

Your adventure begins with a morning flight from Addis Ababa to Lalibela, Ethiopia's most famous UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel. After lunch, start exploring the magnificent first group of the rock-hewn churches, including Bete Medhane Alem, Bete Maryam, Bete Meskel, and Bete Golgotha. Learn about the incredible engineering, religious history, and spiritual traditions that make Lalibela one of the world's greatest Christian pilgrimage destinations. Overnight at a Lodge in Lalibela.

Main Destination:

Lalibela (Town)

Accommodation:

Hill Top Lodge Lalibela

• Mid-range lodge located in Lalibela (Town)

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Meals & Drinks:

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

Nakutolab or Asheten Mariam & More Lalibela Churches

After breakfast, enjoy an excursion to either Nakutolab Monastery or the spectacular mountaintop monastery of Asheten Mariam. The journey offers beautiful mountain scenery and insight into Ethiopian Orthodox monastic life. Return to Lalibela for lunch before visiting the remaining churches, including the famous Bete Giyorgis (Church of St. George), considered the masterpiece of Lalibela. Overnight at your Lodge.

Main Destination:

Lalibela (Town)

Accommodation:

Hill Top Lodge Lalibela

• Mid-range lodge located in Lalibela (Town)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Drive from Lalibela to Semera

Leave Lalibela early and begin one of Ethiopia's most scenic drives. Cross the dramatic Lasta Mountains before descending into the vast Afar lowlands. Notice the dramatic change in altitude, vegetation, and climate as you travel from the cool Ethiopian Highlands to one of Africa's hottest regions. Arrive in Semera, the capital of the Afar Region, where you will spend the night in a hotel.

Main Destination:

Semera (Town)

Accommodation:

Kuriftu Afar Semera Resort

• Mid-range hotel located in Semera (Town)

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Meals & Drinks:

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

Semera – Hamed Ela – Lake Asale

After breakfast, continue driving into the extraordinary Danakil Depression, one of the lowest and hottest places on Earth. Pass endless volcanic plains before reaching Hamed Ela, the traditional Afar settlement that serves as the base camp. Visit beautiful Lake Asale, where you can float effortlessly in the highly saline water and observe the vast salt pans worked by local Afar communities. Overnight camping under the stars.

Main Destination:

Danakil Depression (Highlight)

Accommodation:

Ahmed Ela Camp

• Budget bush camp located in Danakil Depression (Highlight)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Dallol – Salt Mines – Erta Ale Volcano

Wake early to witness traditional salt mining and the fascinating process of cutting salt blocks by hand. Continue to the colorful hydrothermal fields of Dallol, famous for its bright yellow, green, and orange mineral formations created by volcanic activity. Later drive to Dodom before continuing to Erta Ale. Climb to the volcano's crater rim before sunset to witness one of the world's few continuously active lava lakes. Enjoy unforgettable night photography before camping.

Main Destination:

Erta Ale Volcano (Danakil Depression)

Accommodation:

Ahmed Ela Camp

• Budget bush camp located in Danakil Depression (Highlight)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Sunrise at Erta Ale – Lake Afdera – Mekele

Rise before dawn for another chance to admire the glowing lava at sunrise. Descend the volcano and enjoy breakfast before driving to Lake Afdera, a beautiful salt lake where you can swim and float naturally in the mineral-rich water. Continue across the Afar landscape before reaching Mekele for a comfortable overnight stay at a hotel.

Main Destination:

Mekele (City)

Accommodation:

Homeland Hotel Mekelle

• Mid-range hotel located in Mekele (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

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

Mekele – Hawzien – Gheralta Rock Churches

Drive to Hawzien in the heart of the Gheralta Mountains, home to some of Ethiopia's oldest and most spectacular rock-hewn churches. Visit remarkable churches carved into cliffs and mountainsides while enjoying breathtaking landscapes. Learn about centuries-old religious traditions preserved by local priests and communities. Overnight in Hawzien.

Main Destination:

Hawzen (Town)

Accommodation:

Shimbrety Community Guesthouse

• Budget guest house located less than 1hr drive from Hawzen (Town)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Abune Yemata Guh Adventure

Today's highlight is the unforgettable climb to Abune Yemata Guh, Ethiopia's most spectacular cliff church. Hike, scramble, and climb across dramatic rock faces to reach the church, where ancient frescoes and incredible panoramic views await. In the afternoon, visit additional rock churches in the Gheralta region before returning to your Lodge.

Main Destination:

Gheralta Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Gheralta Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located in Tigray

Meals & Drinks:

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

Drive to Axum

Travel north through the scenic Tigray highlands toward the ancient city of Axum, once the capital of the powerful Axumite Kingdom. Along the way enjoy mountain scenery, traditional villages, and beautiful landscapes before arriving in one of Africa's oldest civilizations. Overnight at a hotel in Axum.

Main Destination:

Axum (City)

Accommodation:

Sabean International Hotel

• Budget hotel located in Axum (City)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Explore the Wonders of Axum

Spend the day discovering the treasures of ancient Axum. Visit the famous Stelae Park, archaeological museum, royal tombs, palace ruins, the legendary St. Mary of Zion Church, and Yeha Temple, Ethiopia's oldest standing structure. Learn about the kingdom that once dominated trade across the Red Sea and is closely connected with the history of the Ark of the Covenant. Overnight in Axum.

Main Destination:

Axum (City)

Accommodation:

Sabean International Hotel

• Budget hotel located in Axum (City)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Fly to Addis Ababa – City Tour

Take a morning flight back to Addis Ababa. After lunch, enjoy a guided city tour including the National Museum, home of the famous fossil Lucy, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Entoto Hills, Merkato, and other important landmarks. Experience Ethiopia's vibrant capital before overnight at your hotel.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

Best Western Plus Pearl Addis

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

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Meals & Drinks:

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

Fly to Bahir Dar – Blue Nile Falls & Lake Tana

Fly to Bahir Dar, one of Ethiopia's most beautiful lakeside cities. Visit the impressive Blue Nile Falls, locally known as Tis Issat, where the mighty river plunges dramatically into a gorge. In the afternoon enjoy a relaxing boat trip on Lake Tana to explore ancient island monasteries rich in religious art and history. Overnight at a hotel.

Main Destination:

Bahir Dar (City)

Accommodation:

Lake Avenue Hotel

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

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Meals & Drinks:

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

Bahir Dar to Gondar

Drive through the spectacular landscapes connecting Bahir Dar and Gondar. Upon arrival, visit the Royal Enclosure (Fasil Ghebbi), a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring castles, palaces, and royal buildings built by Ethiopia's emperors during the 17th century. Overnight at a hotel in Gondar.

Main Destination:

Gondar (City)

Accommodation:

Gondar Hills Resort

• Mid-range resort located in Gondar (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

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

Simien Mountains Excursion & Gondar

After breakfast, drive toward the spectacular viewpoints of Wunania and Kosoye on the edge of the Simien Mountains National Park. Enjoy breathtaking escarpments, dramatic valleys, and opportunities to spot Gelada baboons. Visit the historic Bete Israel (Falasha) community before returning to Gondar to explore the beautifully painted Debre Berhan Selassie Church, famous for its angel-covered ceiling. Overnight at your hotel.

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:

Gondar Hills Resort

• Mid-range resort located in Gondar (City)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Fly to Addis Ababa – Farewell Dinner – Departure

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Addis Ababa. Depending on your international departure time, enjoy some free time for shopping or relaxing. In the evening, celebrate your Ethiopian adventure with a traditional farewell dinner at one of Addis Ababa's best cultural restaurants featuring live music, traditional dances, and authentic Ethiopian cuisine before your transfer to the international airport for your departure home.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

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

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