6-Day Lalibela Churches and Danakil Depression

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

Fly to Lalibela and Visit the Rock Hewn Churches

You'll fly to Lalibela on Ethiopian Airlines. You'll meet your guide and driver at the airport and transfer to your hotel, and have lunch at the hotel. You'll tour the magnificent rock-hewn churches of Lalibela in the afternoon, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This group of ten monolithic and semi-monolithic structures was carved directly into the stone of the mountainside at least 900 years ago. This complex boasts the largest monolithic church in the world, a maze of passageways and tunnels, intricately carved reliefs, and fabulous examples of icon paintings. You'll explore the churches of Lalibela, the first group of churches called Bete Medehanialem, Bete Maryam, Bete Meskel, Bete Denagil, and Debre Sina, we Golegotha and the second group of churches, which includes Bete Emanuel, Bete Gabriel, Bete Merkorious, and Aba Libanos. Finally, you'll visit the famous St'George church.

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)

Drive to Semera

The Danakil Depression is a land of extremes—intense heat, striking mineral formations, and raw geological power. This 3-day tour is designed for intrepid travelers who want to explore Erta Ale’s glowing lava lake, witness traditional Afar salt mining, and walk among the kaleidoscopic acid pools of Dallol. Starting from Semera, you’ll traverse solidified lava fields, sleep under desert skies, and encounter one of Earth’s most alien and dramatic environments.

Main Destination:

Semera (Town)

Accommodation:

Kuriftu Afar Semera Resort

• Mid-range hotel located in Semera (Town)

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Meals & Drinks:

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

Semera- Ert-Ale Volcano

Your adventure begins after breakfast departure from Semera driving across an unforgiving yet fascinating terrain towards Dodom—the gateway to Erta Ale volcano. The journey covers 70 km of some of the roughest roads in Ethiopia, taking about 5 hours as you pass through an ever-changing desert landscape of black lava flows, sandy expanses, and scattered oases. Upon arrival in Dodom, located 9.5 km from the volcano, enjoy an early dinner and prepare for the trek. At around 8:00 PM, begin the 3-hour hike to the rim of Erta Ale, accompanied by camels carrying camping supplies, mattresses, water, and light food. At the summit, witness the world’s only permanent lava lake—an awe-inspiring natural phenomenon. Spend the night camping near the crater, watching the dramatic, fiery spectacle unfold beneath a blanket of stars.

Main Destination:

Erta Ale Volcano (Danakil Depression)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Ert-Ale- Dallol

Rise early to soak in the last views of Erta Ale before descending back to Dodom, arriving by around 8:00 AM. After a well-earned breakfast and time to rest, begin your journey to Hamed Ela, approximately 100 km away. Enjoy a picnic lunch en route beneath the shade of desert palm trees. Arrive in Hamed Ela by late afternoon, a small desert village with around 500 inhabitants. This area is home to striking salt formations and camel caravans transporting salt across the desert. Cap off the day by watching the sun set over Lake Assale, one of the shallowest and saltiest lakes on Earth.

Main Destination:

Danakil Depression (Highlight)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Sunrise and Drive to Mekele

Early in the morning, before sunrise, you'll drive to the lunar landscape of the Dallol geothermal site for an amazing wonder seen nowhere else on the planet. A chemical reaction happening right in front of you lives face to face with raw nature. You will revise your knowledge of colors from that moment on. After this, you'll drive to the salt and mud-formed mountain cave right underneath the Dallol crater. Another 10-minute drive and a completely different world. You will have a picnic breakfast in nearby the cave with wonder. After this visit, you'll drive to the vast salt plains, Lake Karum, swim in the saltwater pool in that scorching sun, before returning to Hamedela for some rest. After lunch, you'll drive to Mekele. This drive will take 3-4 hours.

Main Destination:

Mekele (City)

Accommodation:

Planet Hotel

• Budget hotel located in Mekele (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

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

Mekele-Addis Ababa

Today is the last day of the tour. After breakfast, we will accompany you to the airport for your flight to Addis Ababa or any other tour destinations. If you need any assistance, we are here to help.

Main Destination:

No major destination visited

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.