Ethiopia

Day 1: Danakil & Erta Ale Volcano

• Our expedition starts early in the morning with a flight to Semera/Mekele. We recommend arriving in Addis Ababa the day before. From here, we will drive towards Erta Ale Volcano, stopping at Lake Afdera, a salt lake in the Danakil Depression. Then, we will continue to the Dodom campsite at the foot of Erta Ale (Smoking Mountain) Volcano.
• Overnight: Open-air camping.

Day 2: Erta Ale Volcano & Dallol

• We start the day with a sunrise hike to the lava lake, followed by a visit to the Dallol Depression, a surreal landscape of vibrant mineral formations and salt flats. Later, we will head to Lake Karum to witness a stunning sunset over the salt flats.
• Overnight: Open-air camping at Ahmedela.

Day 3: Dallol & Mekele

• We’ll have an early start today as we descend to one of the lowest points on the planet, Dallol. We will explore the colourful salt formations and geothermal landscapes, then visit a traditional salt mining site, where the Afar people extract salt slabs by hand. There might also be a chance to see the Afar camel caravans that navigate this inhospitable place. Afterward, we will drive to Mekele, the capital of the Tigray region.
• Overnight: Hotel in Mekele.

Day 4: Hawzen – Rock-Hewn Churches

• Today, we will travel to Gheralta, a region renowned for its rock-hewn churches and breathtaking landscapes. We will visit Abrha We Atsbha Church, an ancient architectural masterpiece. In the afternoon, we will take a short hike to Abune Yemata Church, which involves climbing roughly 500 m in altitude. The interior of the church, reached via a narrow rock crevice, is known for its extensive and perfectly preserved wall and ceiling murals.
• Overnight: Hotel/Lodge in Gheralta.

Day 5: Axum

• Early in the morning, we will depart for Axum, traveling through scenic countryside to Yeha, Ethiopia’s first city, which dates back more than 2,800 years. We will visit the remains of the temple dedicated to Ilmuqeh, the Moon God. Then, we will arrive in Axum, believed to be the birthplace of the Queen of Sheba. This 3,000-year-old city once served as the capital of a powerful empire that stretched from Sudan’s Nile region across the Red Sea to Yemen. We will explore the Axum stelae field, ancient palaces, and the Ark of the Covenant Chapel.
• Overnight: Hotel in Axum.

Day 6: Axum & Addis Ababa

• In the morning, we will visit Axum’s key sites, including the Queen of Sheba’s Palace. Then, we will take a flight to Addis Ababa and enjoy a short city tour in the afternoon and evening.
• Overnight: Hotel in Addis Ababa.

Day 7: The Rock Churches of Lalibela

• Today, we will fly to Lalibela, Ethiopia’s spiritual heart, and visit one of the highlights of this expedition: the first group of rock-hewn churches, including Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, and Bet Giyorgis, known for their intricate carvings and historical significance.
• Overnight: Hotel in Lalibela.

Day 8: Lalibela & Fly Out

• We will start early in the morning to visit the second group of Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches, such as Bete Emanuel and Bete Abba Libanos. In the afternoon, we will return to Addis Ababa before the saddest part of any expedition: flying out of Ethiopia and heading back home!
• Departure.