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Ethiopia Tour Itineraries

Ethiopia Tour
Itineraries

From Nairobi’s hidden gems to rhino sanctuaries and Masai Mara’s golden plains, discover Kenya’s best-kept secrets—styled in luxury and spirit.

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6-Day Erta Ale & Danakil Depression Adventure

Experience one of the world’s most extreme and mesmerizing landscapes, from the lava lake of Erta Ale to the alien landscapes of the Danakil Depression. *This itinerary is designed for adventure travelers interested in Ethiopia’s geological wonders, unique landscapes, and Afar culture.

day 1

Arrival in Addis Ababa & City Exploration

  • Arrive at Bole International Airport, meet your guide, and transfer to your hotel.
  • Check in at Jupiter Hotel, Bole.
  • Briefing about the Danakil expedition and safety precautions.
  • Explore Addis Ababa:
  • National Museum (home of Lucy, the 3.2-million-year-old hominid).
  • Entoto Park for panoramic city views.
  • Visit Merkato, Africa’s largest open-air market.
  • Overnight stay at Jupiter Hotel, Bole.

6-Day Erta Ale & Danakil Depression Adventure

Experience one of the world’s most extreme and mesmerizing landscapes, from the lava lake of Erta Ale to the alien landscapes of the Danakil Depression. *This itinerary is designed for adventure travelers interested in Ethiopia’s geological wonders, unique landscapes, and Afar culture.

Day 1

Arrival in Addis Ababa & City Exploration

  • Arrive at Bole International Airport, meet your guide, and transfer to your hotel.
  • Check in at Jupiter Hotel, Bole.
  • Briefing about the Danakil expedition and safety precautions.
  • Explore Addis Ababa:
  • National Museum (home of Lucy, the 3.2-million-year-old hominid).
  • Entoto Park for panoramic city views.
  • Visit Merkato, Africa’s largest open-air market.
  • Overnight stay at Jupiter Hotel, Bole.

Day 2

Flight to Mekele & Drive to Erta Ale Base Camp

  • Morning flight from Addis Ababa to Mekele (capital of the Tigray region).
  • Meet your 4x4 convoy and start the drive toward Erta Ale.
  • Pass through Afar villages and the dramatic desert landscape.
  • Arrive at the Erta Ale base camp in the evening.
  • Begin the 3–4-hour night trek to the volcano summit (camel support available for luggage).
  • Witness the molten lava lake, one of the few permanent lava lakes in the world.
  • Camp near the crater rim under the stars.
  • Overnight camping at Erta Ale.

day 2

Flight to Mekele & Drive to Erta Ale Base Camp

  • Morning flight from Addis Ababa to Mekele (capital of the Tigray region).
  • Meet your 4x4 convoy and start the drive toward Erta Ale.
  • Pass through Afar villages and the dramatic desert landscape.
  • Arrive at the Erta Ale base camp in the evening.
  • Begin the 3–4-hour night trek to the volcano summit (camel support available for luggage).
  • Witness the molten lava lake, one of the few permanent lava lakes in the world.
  • Camp near the crater rim under the stars.
  • Overnight camping at Erta Ale.

Day 3

Sunrise at Erta Ale & Descent

  • Early morning sunrise views of Erta Ale’s crater and lava activity.
  • Trek back down to the base camp and have breakfast.
  • Drive toward the town of Abaala for lunch and rest.
  • Continue to Hamed Ela, a small Afar village near the salt flats.
  • Overnight camping at Hamed Ela.

day 3

Sunrise at Erta Ale & Descent

  • Early morning sunrise views of Erta Ale’s crater and lava activity.
  • Trek back down to the base camp and have breakfast.
  • Drive toward the town of Abaala for lunch and rest.
  • Continue to Hamed Ela, a small Afar village near the salt flats.
  • Overnight camping at Hamed Ela.

Day 4

Dallol – The Hottest Place on Earth

  • Drive to Dallol, one of the lowest and hottest places on Earth.
  • Explore the colourful sulfur springs, acid lakes, and salt formations that resemble an alien world.
  • Visit Lake Assale, a vast salt flat where traditional Afar salt miners extract salt blocks.
  • Witness camel caravans transporting salt, a centuries-old trade practice.
  • Return to Hamed Ela for an overnight stay.
  • Overnight camping at Hamed Ela.

day 4

Dallol – The Hottest Place on Earth

  • Drive to Dallol, one of the lowest and hottest places on Earth.
  • Explore the colourful sulfur springs, acid lakes, and salt formations that resemble an alien world.
  • Visit Lake Assale, a vast salt flat where traditional Afar salt miners extract salt blocks.
  • Witness camel caravans transporting salt, a centuries-old trade practice.
  • Return to Hamed Ela for an overnight stay.
  • Overnight camping at Hamed Ela.
Optional:

Night Game Drive at Nairobi National Park

Day 5

Drive Back to Mekele & Optional Cultural Visit

  • Early morning departure back to Mekele.
  • Stop at Afar villages to learn about their nomadic lifestyle.
  • Late afternoon arrival in Mekele
  • An optional visit to Wukro Chirkos Rock-Hewn Church, a historic Tigrayan Orthodox church. Fly back to Addis Ababa in the evening.
  • Check in at Jupiter Hotel, Bole.
  • Overnight stay at Jupiter Hotel, Bole.

day 5

Drive Back to Mekele & Optional Cultural Visit

  • Early morning departure back to Mekele.
  • Stop at Afar villages to learn about their nomadic lifestyle.
  • Late afternoon arrival in Mekele
  • An optional visit to Wukro Chirkos Rock-Hewn Church, a historic Tigrayan Orthodox church. Fly back to Addis Ababa in the evening.
  • Check in at Jupiter Hotel, Bole.
  • Overnight stay at Jupiter Hotel, Bole.

Day 6

Flight to Addis Ababa & Departure

  • Free time for last-minute (optional souvenir shopping at Shiro Meda textile market).
  • A traditional Ethiopian farewell dinner will be served with cultural music and a dance show.
  • Transfer to the airport for departure.

day 6

Flight to Addis Ababa & Departure

  • Free time for last-minute (optional souvenir shopping at Shiro Meda textile market).
  • A traditional Ethiopian farewell dinner will be served with cultural music and a dance show.
  • Transfer to the airport for departure.

Tour Highlights

Trekking to Erta Ale’s lava lake under the stars.

Exploring Dallol’s otherworldly landscapes.

Experiencing the traditional Afar salt trade.

Witnessing Lake Assale’s salt flats and camel caravans.

Cultural immersion in Afar and Tigrayan communities.

Safari Highlights

Trekking to Erta Ale’s lava lake under the stars.

Exploring Dallol’s otherworldly landscapes.

Experiencing the traditional Afar salt trade.

Witnessing Lake Assale’s salt flats and camel caravans.

Cultural immersion in Afar and Tigrayan communities.

Included

  • All airport transfers and ground transportation by 4x4 vehicles in the Danakil region
  • Domestic flights (Addis Ababa – Mekele – Addis Ababa)
  • English-speaking professional guide throughout the tour
  • All entrance fees to sites and parks mentioned in the itinerary
  • Accommodation:
  • Day 1: Jupiter Hotel, Bole (Addis Ababa)
  • Day 2: Camping at Erta Ale Crater Rim
  • Days 3 & 4: Camping at Hamed Ela
  • Day 5: Jupiter Hotel, Bole (Addis Ababa)
  • Meals: Full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner) throughout the tour
  • Bottled water during the trip
  • Cook and camping gear (tents, mattresses, sleeping bags)
  • Camel support for transporting camping gear to Erta Ale
  • Local scout and Afar police escort for safety in the Danakil Depression
  • Farewell cultural dinner on Day 6

Not Included

  • International flights to and from Ethiopia
  • Visa fees for Ethiopia
  • Travel insurance (mandatory)
  • Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
  • Tips for drivers, guides, and local staff
  • Personal expenses (laundry, phone calls, internet)
  • Optional visits or activities not listed in the itinerary (e.g., Wukro Chirkos Church entrance if selected

Included

  • All airport transfers and ground transportation by 4x4 vehicles in the Danakil region
  • Domestic flights (Addis Ababa – Mekele – Addis Ababa)
  • English-speaking professional guide throughout the tour
  • All entrance fees to sites and parks mentioned in the itinerary
  • Accommodation:
  • Day 1: Jupiter Hotel, Bole (Addis Ababa)
  • Day 2: Camping at Erta Ale Crater Rim
  • Days 3 & 4: Camping at Hamed Ela
  • Day 5: Jupiter Hotel, Bole (Addis Ababa)
  • Meals: Full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner) throughout the tour
  • Bottled water during the trip
  • Cook and camping gear (tents, mattresses, sleeping bags)
  • Camel support for transporting camping gear to Erta Ale
  • Local scout and Afar police escort for safety in the Danakil Depression
  • Farewell cultural dinner on Day 6

Not Included

  • International flights to and from Ethiopia
  • Visa fees for Ethiopia
  • Travel insurance (mandatory)
  • Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
  • Tips for drivers, guides, and local staff
  • Personal expenses (laundry, phone calls, internet)
  • Optional visits or activities not listed in the itinerary (e.g., Wukro Chirkos Church entrance if selected
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