Embark on a 7-day adventure through Lalibela, Afar, Danakil Depression, and Erta Ale. Explore the rock-hewn churches, witness the active volcano, and discover the natural wonders of Ethiopia.
Embark on a 7-day adventure through Lalibela, Afar, Danakil Depression, and Erta Ale. Explore the rock-hewn churches, witness the active volcano, and discover the natural wonders of Ethiopia.
Fly from Addis Ababa to Lalibela
Lalibela - Begin your journey with a morning flight from Addis to Lalibela. Upon arrival, a driver will pick you up for a scenic 30-minute drive from the airport to the town. Check into your hotel and enjoy lunch before embarking on an exploration of the first group of the enigmatic Lalibela churches. Experience…
Fly from Addis Ababa to Lalibela
Lalibela - Begin your journey with a morning flight from Addis to Lalibela. Upon arrival, a driver will pick you up for a scenic 30-minute drive from the airport to the town. Check into your hotel and enjoy lunch before embarking on an exploration of the first group of the enigmatic Lalibela churches. Experience the charm of the town with a leisurely walk and, if it’s Saturday, immerse yourself in the vibrant local market.
Asheton Maryam And Monastery of Yemrehanna Kristos
Asheton Maryam Monastery - Drive most of the way (35-40 minutes) and then walk the final 20 minutes or opt for a hike to the Asheton Maryam cave church. You can choose to hike or drive from the town. Return to Lalibela for lunch, then travel 42km to the Monastery of Yemrehanna Kristos, a distinctive wood and granite church built in a cavern before King Lalibela’s time. This is the only floating church in the area, carved from marble stone under a massive cave. Explore the backyard to see thousands of skeleton fossils of those who came to die in this sacred place.
Optional: If time permits, take a stroll to experience the town and enjoy the typical Saturday local market.
After visiting the churches, head to the renowned traditional honey wine bar to sample home-brewed wine while enjoying live cultural music and dance performances.
Overnight:
Monastery of Nakutola’ab
Monastery of Na’akuto La’ab - After breakfast, drive to the airport, stopping en route at the Nakutola’ab monastery, located under a vast cave. This stunning semi-monolithic church represents the final stages of the Zagwe dynasty. Continue to the airport for your departure to Addis Ababa.
Overnight: Hotel
Exploring the Danakil Depression and Dallol
Semera - Take a morning flight to Semera. Upon arrival, meet your driver and begin an awe-inspiring tour of Afar. A 180km drive will take you to Afdera and then to Dodom, the base of Ertale. The journey traverses rugged, moon-like landscapes with volcanic rifts, faults, and young black lava flows. In Afdera, collect your local guide, camels, and policemen, and drive 90km to Dodom to set up camp at the volcano’s base. After dinner, climb the volcano, with camels carrying your luggage and camping gear to the caldera’s rim. Enjoy the breathtaking view of the bubbling volcano overnight.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner.
Drive to Dallol
Danakil Depression - Early morning (around 4:00 am), gather your belongings and hike back to Ertale’s base. After breakfast, depart for Hamadela, driving through the otherworldly landscape to the salt mountain. Witness the local people preparing salt bars and loading them onto camels. These salt bars were used as currency in the highlands for centuries. In the evening, enjoy a stunning sunset.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner.
Drive to Erta Ale
Erta Ale - In the morning, relish the sunrise and camel caravan. Then, drive to Dallol to see the vibrant sulfuric pools. Continue to Afdera, where the beautiful emerald-hued Lake Afdera lies at 103 meters below sea level. Observe the salt beds around the lake, where salt is produced by evaporating the water. Take time to swim in the freshwater hot springs before driving to Semera to catch your flight back to Addis.
———End of the tour———–
- Admission to top sights with East Africa Tour Operator
- Domestic flights included
- All meals covered: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Comfortable travel with in-vehicle air conditioning
- All fees and taxes taken care of
- Stay in midrange accommodations
- Admission to top sights with East Africa Tour Operator
- Domestic flights included
- All meals covered: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Comfortable travel with in-vehicle air conditioning
- All fees and taxes taken care of
- Stay in midrange accommodations
- Alcohol
- Alcohol
Get ready for a premier personalized tour to the North and East, featuring the rock-carved churches of Lalibela, Afar, (Danakil Depression, Erta Ale - Ethiopia’s most lively volcano), and Awash National Park.
If you’re keen to witness the wealth and beauty our magnificent country has in abundance, we cater to both individual and group tours across…
Get ready for a premier personalized tour to the North and East, featuring the rock-carved churches of Lalibela, Afar, (Danakil Depression, Erta Ale - Ethiopia’s most lively volcano), and Awash National Park.
If you’re keen to witness the wealth and beauty our magnificent country has in abundance, we cater to both individual and group tours across various Ethiopian locations. Feel free to inform us if you or anyone you know might be interested in exploring any of our country’s natural and cultural marvels.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
