Danakil Depression & Tigray Rock-Hewn Churches Tour

Day 1: Fly Addis Ababa – Semera & Drive to Erta Ale Volcano

Catch an early flight from Addis Ababa to Semera and meet your guide upon arrival. Begin your desert journey by driving deep into the Afar region toward Erta Ale, Ethiopia’s most dramatic natural wonder. Known as the “smoking mountain,” this shield volcano boasts one of the world’s few permanent lava lakes—active for over a century. After dinner around sunset, begin your night trek toward the volcano, with camels transporting supplies. Camp at the rim and witness the raw spectacle of molten lava glowing under the stars.

Erta Ale’s lava lake—one of Earth’s rare and mesmerizing molten spectacles.

Day 2: Explore Erta Ale Craters & Drive to Hamed Ela (Danakil Depression)

Wake up to a fiery sunrise over Erta Ale’s northern crater and explore its surreal formations, including collapsed pits and layered calderas. After breakfast, descend and drive toward Hamed Ela through the Danakil Depression—a desert plain unlike any other. In the evening, enjoy a dramatic sunset over the salt lake with a scenic gathering near the campsites.

Overnight: Hamed Ela Camp

Day 3: Dallol Excursion & Drive to Mekelle

Begin with a visit to Ragad (Asebo) to witness traditional Afar salt miners extracting rectangular blocks and loading camel caravans. Then, tour Dallol’s kaleidoscopic mineral landscapes and acidic pools—one of the lowest places on Earth at 116 meters below sea level. After exploring Lake Assal and volcanic formations, drive through the desert back to Mekelle.

Overnight: Hotel, Mekelle

Day 4: Abuna Yemata Guh Church & Drive to Axum

Drive to Hawzien and begin the ascent to Abuna Yemata Guh Church(one of Tigray rock hewn churches), carved into a cliff face at over 2,500 meters elevation. The trek is steep but rewarding, revealing vibrant 5th-century frescoes and panoramic views. Continue west toward Axum, with a stop at Yeha Temple if time allows—a pre-Axumite stone monument dating back 2,800 years.

Overnight: Hotel, Axum

Day 5: Explore Axum’s Archaeological Wonders & Fly to Addis Ababa

Tour Axum’s historic legacy including St. Mary of Zion Church (home of the Ark of the Covenant, according to tradition), the towering stelae field, and royal tombs. Visit Queen of Sheba’s bath and palace ruins, and view Ezana’s inscriptions chronicling early Ethiopian Christianity. Conclude at the Axum Museum before flying back to Addis Ababa.

Axum’s stelae stand like ancient skyscrapers—testaments to empire and eternity.

End of Tour