5-Days Lalibela-Danakil Tour

Danakil is one of the most geologically active regions with three tectonic plates meeting at the Afar Triple Junction. When tectonic plates move apart like at Danakil, it creates lave lakes, hot springs, geysers, and fissures in the ground. Our tour is unique as it is well-arranged including “must visit” historic sites of Lalibela, the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela in Ethiopia are the most extraordinary man-made sites in sub-Saharan Africa which we deliver all with Ethiopian hospitality and touch.

Departure & Return
Departure Point
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
We pick up from anywhere in Addis Ababa

Departure Time
6:00 AM
Return Details
Returns to the original departure point
What is included in this tour?
Items that are included in the cost of tour price.
All Entrance fees and licenses as per the program.
Accommodation throughout the tour.
Bottles of water for the trip in Danakil
Air-conditioned vehicle Local guide service for the afar region as per the program.
Scout and police service in Afar Region as per the program.
Camel and camel tires in Afar Region as per the program.
English speaking Guide and Driver
Two domestic flights with Ethiopian Air Lines
Lunch (3)
Dinner (2)
Breakfast (4)
What is not included in this tour?
Items that are not included in the cost of tour price.
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, and telephone
Services that are not mentioned in the above

Day 1
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).

Duration: 5 hours
Admission Ticket Included
Accommodation: Overnight Lalibela Lodge
Meals: Not Included

Day 2
Lalibela to Mekele (Drive)
Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela

Drive from Lalibela to Mekele (The drive will take from 7 to 8 hours).
Admission Ticket Free
Accommodation: Overnight in Atse Yohannes Hotel, Mekele.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3
Start Danakil tour

Erta Ale, We start our day by driving to Erta Ale (which means smoky mountain in the Afar language). Erta Ale ranks as 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 a 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, driving to Dodom (at the base of Erta Ale). This is maybe 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 the 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 mats 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.

Duration: 7 hours
Admission Ticket Included
Accommodation: Overnight Camping
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 4
Hamed Ela
Afdera

Early Morning sunrise at the northern one corresponds to the main pit crater and walking 5 minutes for the southern and central pits could either correspond to an ancient pit, or to a simple collapse structure. The main pit crater, 200 m deep and 350 m across, is sub-circular and three-storied. The smaller southern pit is 65 m wide and about 100 m deep. Descend from Erta Ale around 9 am Dodom – Leave back to Dodom after an early breakfast, if possible at 07:00 o’clock. You will reach the the latest at 10:30 o’clock at the camp, where you will be relaxing. As soon as possible, drive to reach the mythical Lake Giulietti (or Lake Afrera)(optional may not be available during summertime), a saltwater lake located more than 100 meters below sea level, in one of the deepest depressions of the planet. Because of the picturesque landscape, it is interesting to visit the salt flats where the Afar people obtain the salt by evaporating the water of the lake, continuing to Erbiti, and proceeding to Abaala/ Hamed Ela.

Duration: 7 hours
Admission Ticket Included
Accommodation: Overnight Camping
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 5
Danakil to Mekele
Erta Ale

Morning tour Drive to Ragad (Asebo), the place where the localities are mining salt. Look at the activity of workers breaking salts from the ground, cutting them into rectangular pieces, and loading them on camels. You drive ahead to Dallol and visit the different landscapes 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 with camel caravans (No camel caravans in 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.

Duration: 7 hours
Admission Ticket Included
Accommodation: Not Included
Meals: Breakfast Lunch