10 Days Northern Ethiopia & Danakil Depression Adventure

Overview

Explore the otherworldly landscapes of the Danakil Depression
• Witness the glowing lava lake of Erta Ale volcano
• Visit the colorful mineral formations of Dallol
• Experience traditional Afar salt mining and camel caravans
• Discover the ancient Obelisks of Axum
• Explore the spectacular rock-hewn churches of Lalibela
• Visit the medieval castles of Gondar
• Discover Ethiopia’s history at the National Museum in Addis Ababa

Included / Excluded

Airport transfers
• All transport by private vehicle
• Professional trekking guide and local support team
• Mule transport for camping equipment and luggage
• Full camping equipment (tents
mattresses
cooking equipment)
• Sleeping bags and camping gear (recommended to bring personal sleeping bag)
• All meals during trekking (full board)
• Park entrance fees and government taxes
• Local scout/security personnel as required by the park

International flights
• Domestic flights (unless stated)
• Personal expenses
• Alcoholic drinks and additional beverages
• Travel insurance
• Tips for guides and support staff
• Souvenirs and personal purchases

Gallery

Gallery for 10 Days Northern Ethiopia & Danakil Depression Adventure

Travel itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Addis Ababa

Upon arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your guide and transferred to your hotel.
After some time to relax, begin exploring the capital city. Visit the famous National Museum of Ethiopia, where the 3.2-million-year-old fossil “Lucy” is displayed. Continue to the Ethnological Museum, located within the former palace of Emperor Haile Selassie.
Later visit Holy Trinity Cathedral, one of the most important religious sites in Ethiopia. End the day with a scenic drive up Mount Entoto for panoramic views over the capital.

Overnight: Harmony Hotel

Day 2 - Fly to Mekelle – Drive to HamedEla

Take a morning flight to Mekelle. After arrival, begin the journey into the Danakil Depression, one of the hottest places on Earth.
Drive via the small town of Berhale where travel permits are arranged and Afar guides join the expedition. Continue across the desert landscape to HamedEla, a remote Afar settlement near the salt flats.
Along the route you may witness the iconic camel caravans transporting salt blocks across the desert.

Overnight: Camping at HamedEla

Day 3 - Excursion to Dallol and Lake Asale

Today you explore one of the most extraordinary geological sites on Earth — Dallol.
Located about 116 meters below sea level, Dallol is famous for its colorful mineral formations created by sulfur springs, salt deposits, and geothermal activity.
Continue to Lake Asale where Afar workers extract salt using traditional techniques passed down for centuries. Large slabs of salt are cut by hand and loaded onto camels for transport across the desert.
Return to HamedEla in the afternoon.

Overnight: Camping at HamedEla

Day 4 - HamedEla – Erta Ale Volcano

Drive through the desert toward Dodom, the base camp for the Erta Ale volcano trek.
After resting during the hottest hours of the day, begin a late afternoon trek to the summit of Erta Ale. Camels carry water and camping equipment.
At the crater rim you will witness the mesmerizing lava lake, one of the very few active lava lakes in the world.

Overnight: Overnight near the crater rim under the stars.

Day 5 - Erta Ale – Drive to Gheralta

After breakfast, explore some of the remarkable rock churches of the Gheralta region, including the spectacular Mariam Korkor and Dugum Selassie, both perched high on dramatic cliffs.
Continue driving to Axum with a stop at Yeha, home to Ethiopia’s oldest standing structure, the Temple of the Moon, dating back more than 2,500 years.

Overnight: Gheralta Lodge

Day 6 - Gheralta – Axum via Yeha

After breakfast, explore some of the remarkable rock churches of the Gheralta region, including the spectacular Mariam Korkor and Dugum Selassie, both perched high on dramatic cliffs.
Continue driving to Axum with a stop at Yeha, home to Ethiopia’s oldest standing structure — the Temple of the Moon, dating back more than 2,500 years.

Overnight: Hotel, Axum

Day 7 - Full Day in Axum (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Spend the day exploring the legendary city of Axum, once the center of the powerful Aksumite Empire.
Visit the famous Axum Obelisks, the ruins of the Queen of Sheba’s Palace, and the tombs of ancient kings.
You will also visit Church of St. Mary of Zion, believed by many Ethiopians to house the Ark of the Covenant.

Overnight: Hotel Axum

Day 8 - Fly to Lalibela

Take a morning flight to Lalibela. Lalibela is famous for its extraordinary 11 medieval rock-hewn churches, carved directly into the rock during the 12th century. These remarkable structures remain active places of worship and are among Ethiopia’s most iconic religious sites.

Overnight: Mountain View Hotel

Day 9 - Fly to Gondar

Morning flight to Gondar, the former royal capital of Ethiopia.
Visit the famous Royal Enclosure (Fasil Ghebbi), a UNESCO World Heritage Site containing several castles and palaces built during the 17th century.
Continue to Debre Berhan Selassie Church, famous for its ceiling decorated with hundreds of painted angels.

Overnight: Goha Hotel

Day 10 - Return to Addis Ababa – Departure

Fly back to Addis Ababa. Before departure, visit Merkato, one of the largest open-air markets in Africa.
In the evening enjoy a traditional Ethiopian farewell dinner with live cultural music, dance performances, and a traditional coffee ceremony.
Later transfer to the airport for your international departure.

Overnight: Skylight hotel