---------------------------------
Address
Phone: +251 988 111 222
Need help or have a question?
Contact us at: info@driveethiopia.com
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
12 Days Northern Ethiopia and Danakil
Castles, mountains, rock churches and the volcanoes of the Danakil
About The Tour
12 Days Northern Ethiopia and Danakil Tour: The Historic Route and the Danakil Depression
Castles, mountains, rock churches and the volcanoes of the Danakil
Overview
This 12 day tour combines the best of the northern historic route with the Danakil Depression. You see the island monasteries of Lake Tana and the Blue Nile Falls, the castles of Gondar, the cliffs and geladas of the Simien Mountains and the rock churches of Lalibela, then finish with the lava lake of Erta Ale, the salt flats of Lake Asale and the colours of Dallol.
Because there are no direct flights between regional cities in Ethiopia, every flight on this tour goes through Addis Ababa. We drive where the roads are good (Bahir Dar to Gondar and the Simien Mountains) and fly the longer legs: Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar, Gondar to Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa to Lalibela and back, Addis Ababa to Semera, and Mekele to Addis Ababa at the end. The Danakil nights are in simple shelters and a guesthouse with mattresses and bedding, with no camping.
Duration
12 Days (11 Nights)
Suggested Accommodations
- Addis Ababa: Hyatt Regency or Skylight Hotel
- Bahir Dar: Kuriftu Resort or Grand Resort and Spa
- Gondar: Goha Hotel or Haile Resort Gondar
- Simien Mountains: Limalimo Lodge or Simien Lodge
- Lalibela: Mountain View Hotel or Tukul Village Hotel
- Erta Ale: basic stone shelters near the crater (mattress and bedding provided)
- Hamed Ela: basic local guesthouse (mattress and bedding provided)
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Addis Ababa
Meet and greet at Bole International Airport and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, visit the National Museum to see Lucy, Holy Trinity Cathedral and the view over the city from Entoto. Welcome dinner with traditional music and dance. Overnight in Addis Ababa.
Day 2: Fly to Bahir Dar, Lake Tana Monasteries
Morning flight to Bahir Dar. Take a boat across Lake Tana to the Zege peninsula to visit Ura Kidane Mehret and Azwa Maryam, round churches full of old paintings, and see the outlet of the Blue Nile. Sunset from Bezawit hill. Overnight in Bahir Dar.
Day 3: Blue Nile Falls, Drive to Gondar
Morning visit to the Blue Nile Falls (Tis Abay), with a short walk past the old Portuguese bridge to the viewpoint. Drive north along the shore of Lake Tana to Gondar, about 3 hours. Overnight in Gondar.
Day 4: Gondar Castles, Drive to the Simien Mountains
Visit the Royal Enclosure of Fasil Ghebbi, the bath of King Fasilides and Debre Birhan Selassie church, with its ceiling of painted angels. In the afternoon drive to Debark to collect your park scout, then on into the Simien Mountains. Overnight in the park area.
Day 5: Simien Mountains National Park
A full day on the escarpment. Walk from Sankaber towards Geech, with views over the lowlands and close encounters with herds of gelada monkeys. Drive on to Chenek, the best area for walia ibex and lammergeier vultures. Overnight in the park area.
Day 6: Drive to Gondar, Fly to Addis Ababa
Early morning walk on the escarpment edge, then drive back to Gondar, about 3 hours. Afternoon flight to Addis Ababa. Overnight in Addis Ababa.
Day 7: Fly to Lalibela, Northern Group of Churches
Morning flight to Lalibela, about an hour. In the afternoon visit the northern group of churches, including Bete Medhane Alem, the largest monolithic church in the world, Bete Maryam and the twin churches of Bete Golgotha and Bete Mikael. Overnight in Lalibela.
Day 8: Yemrehanna Kristos and the Eastern Churches
Morning drive to Yemrehanna Kristos, a church of wood and stone built inside a cave. In the afternoon visit the eastern group of churches, linked by tunnels and trenches, and end the day at Bete Giyorgis. Overnight in Lalibela.
Day 9: Fly Lalibela to Addis Ababa
Morning flight to Addis Ababa. Afternoon at leisure, or visit Merkato, one of the largest open air markets in Africa, and enjoy a coffee ceremony. Overnight in Addis Ababa.
Day 10: Fly to Semera, Drive to Erta Ale
Morning flight to Semera, the capital of the Afar region. Drive across the Afar lowlands to the Erta Ale area, arriving in the late afternoon. The walk from the vehicles to the crater is short, about 20 minutes at most. Watch the glowing lava lake after dark. Dinner and overnight at the simple shelters near the crater.
Day 11: Erta Ale to Hamed Ela and Lake Asale
Sunrise at the crater, then drive north to Hamed Ela, the Afar village at the edge of the salt plain. Late afternoon at Lake Asale to watch the sunset over the salt flats. Dinner and overnight at Hamed Ela.
Day 12: Dallol, Drive to Mekele, Fly to Addis Ababa
Early visit to the sulphur springs and salt formations of Dallol and the salt mining area, where camel caravans are loaded by hand. Drive up the escarpment to Mekele for the afternoon flight to Addis Ababa and your onward journey.
Travel Advice
Current travel advice (October 2026): the US government currently advises avoiding the Afar, Tigray and Amhara regions. The UK advises against all travel to Tigray and to the Amhara region (which includes Lalibela, Gondar, Bahir Dar and the Simien Mountains), and against all but essential travel to Afar, which includes the Danakil. Check your own government’s latest advice and make sure your travel insurance covers you before you book. We follow the situation on the ground every day, run this route only when we judge it safe, and will talk to you about other dates or another itinerary if conditions change.
Price and Booking
Price: on request. This tour runs as a private trip on any date you choose. The price depends on group size, hotel level and season, so we quote each trip individually. Tell us your dates and number of travellers and we reply within 2 hours, with a full itinerary and quote within 24 hours.
Tip on domestic flights: if you fly into Ethiopia on Ethiopian Airlines, you can usually get large discounts on domestic flights. Book them on the same booking reference or send us your ticket and we book them for you.
Get a free quote or message us on WhatsApp +251 988 111 222.
What Is Included
- Private air conditioned vehicle (4×4 where needed) with fuel and an experienced driver
- English speaking tour guide throughout (other languages on request)
- Hotels as listed, twin or double room with breakfast
- All entrance fees and local guide fees at the sites in the itinerary
- Airport and hotel transfers
- Bottled water in the vehicle
- Lake Tana boat trip
- Simien Mountains park entrance, scout and park guide
- Licensed Lalibela church guide
- Afar local guides, scouts and Danakil permit fees
- Full board meals in the Danakil
Not Included
- International flights and Ethiopian visa fees
- Travel insurance
- All domestic flights (Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar, Gondar to Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa to Lalibela and back, Addis Ababa to Semera, Mekele to Addis Ababa)
- Lunch and dinner outside the Danakil
- Drinks, tips and personal expenses
Best Time to Go
October to February is the best time: the highlands are green after the rains and the Danakil is at its least hot from November to February. Timkat on 19 January is spectacular in Gondar and Lalibela, but book 6 to 12 months ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do we fly through Addis Ababa so often?
There are no direct flights between regional cities in Ethiopia. All domestic flights connect through Addis Ababa, and planning the nights there avoids very long travel days.
Is there camping in the Danakil?
No. You sleep in simple stone shelters near Erta Ale and a basic guesthouse at Hamed Ela, with mattresses and bedding provided.
Can I add Axum or Gheralta?
Yes. Axum and the cliff churches of Gheralta can be added after the Danakil, as the tour already ends in Mekele. Ask us for a tailored version.
Is there a minimum age?
Yes. The minimum age for the Danakil is 15 years.
Tour Languages
Amharic, English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. Please inform us of your preferred language when booking.
Note: The itinerary can be customized based on your preferences and time availability.
Booking Form
Did you find it interesting? For getting quotes and additional information, please use the below form.