5 Days Lalibela-Danakil Tour: Explore Tectonic Wonders and Historic Rock-Hewn Churches in Ethiopia
4.6
10 Ratings
Addis Ababa
Embark on a 5-day adventure in Lalibela and Danakil, Ethiopia. Witness the awe-inspiring tectonic wonders of the geologically active Danakil region and explore the historic rock-hewn churches of Lalibela. Experience Ethiopian hospitality at its finest.
Duration: 5 days
Cancellation: 3 days learn more
Highlights

Addis - Lalibela

Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela - In the morning, fly north to Lalibela and be transferred to your hotel. After lunch, visit the first group of Lalibela Churches which are located north of a small stream named Jordan River. These Churches were carved during the time of King Lalibela (1181 – 1221) and are registered by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

In the city of Lalibela you will see about Eleven Rock Churches organized into groups of three.

Biete Medhanealem

Biete Maryam

Biete Golgotha Mikael

Biete Maskal (House of the Cross)

Biete Denagel (House of Virgins)

Biete Giyorgis

Biete Amanuel

Biete Qeddus Merkoreos

Biete Abba Libanos (House of Abba Libanos)

Biete Gabriel-Ruphael

Biete Lehem (Bethlehem Hebrew: בֵּית לֶחֶם, House of Holy Bread).

Lalibela to Mekele (Drive)

Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela - Drive from Lalibela to Mekele (The drive will take from 7 to 8 hours).

Start Danakil tour

Erta Ale - We start our day by driving to Erta Ale (which means smoky mountain in Afar language). Erta Ale ranks one of the most alluring and physically challenging natural attractions anywhere in Ethiopia. It is a shield volcano with a base diameter of 30 km and 1km square caldera at its summit. Erta Ale contains the world’s only permanent lava lake. It is 613 meters, with a lava lake, one of only five in the world, at the summit. It is notable for being the longest existing lava lake, present since the early years of the twentieth century.
We start early 9:00 AM, drive to Dodom (at the base of Erta Ale). This is may be one of the roughest roads in the world. The 80 km distance may take about 6 hrs passing through changing the landscape of solidified lava, rock, sand and occasional palm-lined oasis. After passing several small hamlets scattered here and there in this deserted land, you will arrive at Dodom camping site, located about 17km from Erta Ale.
Dinner will be served around 17:00 o’clock. After a short break, trek up to Ertale at 20:00 hours. Camels will be transporting all the camping materials and some food (sleeping materials like light mattresses and mat and water) to the rim of the volcano, where we spend the night watching the dramatic action of the boiling lava. You will spend the night on top of the mountain, at the rim of the Volcano.

Hamed ela

Danakil to Mekele

Erta Ale - Morning tour Drive to Ragad (Asebo), the place where the localities are mining salt. Look the activity of workers breaking salts from the ground, cutting into rectangular pieces and loading on camels. You drive ahead to Dallol and visit the difference landscape formed by volcanic activity, Dallol + Lake Assal + camel caravans. Excursion to Dallol (116 meters below sea level, one of the lowest places in the world) colorful salts mining, visit Lake Assal, follow up camel caravans (No camel caravan on July, August, and early September) and walk with the Afar people. Drive back to Hamedela and proceed to Mekele.
End of Danakil tour
19.50 Fly to Addis Ababa

What's Included
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • English speaking Guide and Driver
  • Two domestic flights with Ethiopian Air Lines
  • Accommodation throughout the tour
  • All Entrance fees and licenses as per the program
  • Scout and police service in Afar Region
  • Local guide service for the Afar region
  • Camel and camel tires in Afar Region
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Bottles of water for the trip in Danakil
What's Not Included
  • Lunch and dinner in Lalibela
  • International flights
  • Any alcoholic drinks
  • Any videographer or camera fee needed
  • Laundry service
  • Any expense of Personal items like internet, fax, telephone
  • Services which are not mentioned in the above section
Additional Information

The Danakil region is a hotspot of geological activity, where three tectonic plates converge at the Afar Triple Junction. This separation of plates, as seen in Danakil, results in lava lakes, hot springs, geysers, and ground fissures. Our distinctive tour includes essential historic locations such as Lalibela, home to the remarkable rock-hewn churches of Ethiopia – some of the most impressive man-made structures in sub-Saharan Africa. All this - delivered with the warm hospitality and unique touch of Ethiopia.

Location
Addis Ababa
We pickup from anywhere in Addis Ababa
Cancellation Policy

If you cancel at least 4 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

Customer Ratings
4.6
(10 Ratings)
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Gratefultravelerkg
Mar 5, 2024
Breathtaking Views in Ethiopia! - We travelled to Addis Ababa, Lalibela and Danakil in February 2024. We had two day cultural/historical day tours in Addis Ababa... our guide and drivers took such good care of us. Our Danakil tour was UNBELIEVABLE. We took so many pictures and even we can't believe that we had such beautiful views. The time in Lalibela was also life changing as we felt that we stepped back in time to see the fervent Ethiopian Orthodox Church culture and practices. Overall, we had a very positive experience with our tour guides, tour organizers, drivers and all support staff. They ALL took good care of us, responded to our questions, concerns, needs and approached us with confident, kind and open hospitality. I highly recommend going on these tours... while there were uncomfortable moments, the experiences and memories will stay with you forever. Words and pictures cannot capture what we experienced. I will also say that it was humbling to learn about what Ethiopian people in this region have endured throughout their lives. I'm glad we went on this trip with Ethio Tours and Travel.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dianamh1838yv
Mar 11, 2020
Well scheduled trip... - In always wanted to visit these 2 destinations and ETT have arranged these destinations perfectly the schedule was really suited for me well, the number of days to visit each destination was sorted out well, we have traveled to every destinations which ware listed on the itinerary, and took enough time to experience all the attractions.
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Marcelbv9764wp
Jan 3, 2020
Wonderful place and great arrangement. - I have nothing but great things to say about this travel company, the trip planner, and our guide for the whole trip was so wonderful he managed everything perfectly. It really was the best trip ever.
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779litab
Dec 24, 2019
Lalibela-Danakil - I always wanted to travel to the Danakil depression and to visit the salt lake the Erta Ale . And also to travel to Lalibela and to visit the amazing Rock-Hewn Churches and I found this travel package which have both the destinations I wanted to travel to. Ethio Travel and Tours delivered this amazing trip perfectly.
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9yiml
Dec 15, 2019
This Ethiopian travel agency was excellen - This Ethiopian travel agency was excellent. They were very helpful and accommodated our every request. Our honeymoon was great! Every destinations we stayed at was exceptional and people were always very friendly.
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Franc
Nov 9, 2019
Absolutely wonderful 5 days! - This tour company is wonderful! This was the first time my husband and I had used a travel agent in many years and now we can’t imagine planning a trip to Ethiopia without them. Everything they planned went off without a glitch. Our pickups were always on time without any delays. It was just perfect.
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Gift1905
Oct 7, 2019
Travel in Ethiopia - Ethiopia one of the those countries that we all have heard but knew very little. We had wonderful experience.
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Akiko1111
Jan 4, 2020
Lalibela and Mekele, ok but no in Addis. - Lalibela and Mekele was ok. But no one shows up in Addis both International and domestic terminal for pick up. Ene that is including the schdule. Also, when I already talked with the contact about the details of the tour, the ETT office guy asked me again "what do you want to do in Ethiopia?" Since the contact was not on duty, he told me that I have to come back next day even my flight is 7am on the next day. (This means I cannot go to the office next day.) He offered the free Addis Ababa city tour but no one shows up (again). Also, the driver for the next day hotel pick up did not show up either. If you use ETT only on Mekele or Lalibela, it will be ok. But I definitely do not recommend to use in Addis.
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up to 12 guests
1 Adult
June 2024
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