9-Days Northern Ethiopia & Danakil De...

>> Your guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. After checking in, you will start exploring Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s vibrant capital. The tour begins with a visit to the National Museum, home to Ethiopia’s oldest resident, “Lucy.” Close to the museum is the Holy Trinity Cathedral, one

of the most important churches in Addis Ababa and the final resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie. In the afternoon, you will visit Merkato, the largest open-air market in Africa, where you can experience the lively local trade and shop for souvenirs.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Best Western Plus Pearl Addis Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City)

>> Early in the morning, you will take a flight from Addis Ababa to Mekele, landing around 8:15 AM. Upon arrival, you will join the existing group and begin your drive to Erta Ale, a shield volcano known as the “smoky mountain” in the Afar language. Erta Ale is home to one of the world’s only permanent lava lakes, which has been active for over a century. The drive to the base of the volcano takes around six hours, passing through a dramatic landscape of solidified lava, rocky plains, and desert oases.
Upon reaching Askoma, the base camp of Erta Ale, dinner will be served in the early evening. After a short break, you will begin your trek to the summit of Erta Ale at 8:00 PM. Camels will transport camping materials and food to the rim of the volcano, where you will spend the night. The sight of the boiling lava lake under the night sky is a breathtaking experience.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Budget camping

>> After a morning trek back down from the volcano, the journey continues deeper into the Danakil Depression, one of the most extreme landscapes on Earth. This region is known for its surreal, colorful sulfur springs and vast salt flats. You will pass through Berhale, a small town where camel caravans stop before continuing their journey to the northern highlands. Along the way, you will see countless caravans transporting blocks of salt, known as “white gold,” from the salt mines of the Danakil.

Upon arrival at Hamed Ela, a remote village with around 500 residents, you will have time to rest before heading out to Dallol to witness the stunning sunset over the alien-like landscape. The evening will be spent camping under the stars in this extraordinary desert environment.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Budget camping

>> In the morning, you will drive to Ragad, also known as Asebo, where local miners extract salt from the ground. Here, you will witness the traditional method of cutting salt into rectangular blocks and loading them onto camels for transport. From there, you will continue to Dallol, one of the lowest points on Earth at 116 meters below sea level. This area is famous for its vibrant landscapes created by volcanic activity, including acidic hot springs, colorful salt formations, and bubbling sulfur pools.

After exploring Dallol and Lake Assal, you will drive back to Hamed Ela before continuing towards Hawzien, in the Gheralta region. The journey will take you from the harsh desert landscapes of the Danakil to the mountainous terrain of Tigray.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Gheralta Lodge Mid-range lodge located in Tigray

>> Today, you will explore the famous rock-hewn churches of the Gheralta region, known for their breathtaking locations and centuries-old religious significance. You will start the day by hiking to Abuna Yemata Guh, a church carved into the side of a sheer cliff. The climb to the church is steep and involves scaling rock faces using handholds and footholds carved into the stone. Upon reaching the church, you will be rewarded with stunning views over the surrounding landscape and the beautifully preserved frescoes inside.

In the afternoon, if time allows, you can also visit the churches of Maryam Korkor and Daniel Korkor, which require a more moderate hike but offer equally spectacular views.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Gheralta Lodge Mid-range lodge located in Tigray

>> After breakfast, you will drive for about two and a half hours to reach Axum, one of Ethiopia’s most important historical sites. Axum was the capital of the ancient Axumite Empire, one of Africa’s great civilizations. Here, you will visit the famous obelisks, which date back to the 4th century and are believed to be tomb markers of Axumite kings. You will also explore the Church of St. Mary of Zion, which, according to Ethiopian tradition, is the final resting place of the Ark of the Covenant.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Sabean International Hotel Mid-range hotel located in Axum (City)

>> After breakfast, you will take a flight from Axum to Gondar, the 17th-century capital of Ethiopia. Upon arrival, you will visit the Royal Enclosure, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that houses six medieval castles built by Emperor Fasilides and his successors. Next, you will visit Fasilides’s Pool, which is still used for the annual Timkat (Epiphany) celebrations. The tour also includes a visit to Ras Gimb Palace Museum and the famous Debre Birhan Selassie Church, known for its intricate murals and angelic ceiling paintings.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Haile Resort Gondar Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City)

>> Early in the morning, you will take a flight from Gondar to Lalibela, Ethiopia’s most famous religious site. After arriving, you will begin exploring the incredible rock-hewn churches, often referred to as the “Eighth Wonder of

the World.” You will visit the Northwestern Cluster, which includes Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, Bet Mikael, and Bet Golgotha (entry to the latter is restricted for women). These monolithic churches, carved directly into the rock, are a testament to the architectural and spiritual legacy of Ethiopia’s past.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Lalibela Lodge Mid-range lodge located in Lalibela (Town)

>> In the morning, you will take a flight back to Addis Ababa. Depending on your departure time, you can enjoy some last-minute shopping or sightseeing. In the evening, you will have a farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant, where you can enjoy local cuisine and cultural music and dance performances. After dinner, you will be transferred to the airport for your international flight home, marking the end of your unforgettable Ethiopian adventure.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)