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Exploring the Danakil Depression
10 night trip
$3.5K - $4.4K
/ person
Pricing info
We are the No. 1 Tour Operator in the world 2024!
As voted for in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards
Trip summary
After a night in Addis, you’re headed into one of the most enthralling areas of Ethiopia, the Danakil Depression. You’ll join an intrepid mobile expedition and during the day, spend time with the nomadic Afar salt merchants and photographing the incredible landscape. There may also be a chance to hike to the rim of active volcano, Erta Ale, and gaze down into the lava lake below. It may not be for the faint-hearted, but this is an experience you’ll certainly want to tell the grandkids about! The second part of this route will take you to the northern Tigray region of the country, a treasure trove of history and culture. Culture vultures will get their fix with the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela and the relics of Christianity in Axum, but there’s also a spot of hiking and trekking in the Gheralta Mountains to satisfy those with itchy feet too!
More info
10 nights
$3.5K - $4.4K / person
2 of 6 properties added
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Get advice and suggestions to make this your perfect trip.
or call us on: +1 (646) 542 0667
Our guests rate us excellent
4.9/5 (940 reviews)
Addis Ababa
Start: Addis Ababa International Airport
Road transfer
You will be met on arrival at Addis Ababa International Airport and driven to your next lodge.
30mins
Check in to your Addis Ababa property
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
1 night
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Addis Ababa
Wander the vibrant markets of Addis Ababa
See the relics in the National Museum of Ethiopia
Explore the attractions at Unity Park, Addis Ababa
Ethiopian dinner & folkloric show at Yod Abyssinia
Danakil Mobile Safari
Flight transfer
You will be collected from your lodge and driven to Addis Ababa International Airport for your flight to Mekelle Airport. You will be met on arrival at Mekelle Airport and driven to Danakil Mobile Safari
5hrs 30mins
Check in to Danakil Mobile Safari
Designed for overnight stays en-route and trekking trips, our mobile camps are simple but certainly comfortable! After a long day trekking, the camp is set up and waiting for you to arrive. Accommodation is in walk-in dome tents with comfortable camp cots and shared ablutions.
Danakil Mobile Safari
Danakil Depression, Ethiopia
3 nights
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Danakil Depression
Explore the Danakil Depression on a mobile safari
Explore the bubbling lava lakes and hot springs
Planet Hotel
Road transfer
You will be collected from Danakil Mobile Safari and driven to Planet Hotel.
1hr
Check in to Planet Hotel
Edging the Ethiopia's northeastern border, the Afar region is sometimes referred to as the Cradle of Humanity (it's where Lucy, the famous 3.2-million-year-old hominin, was found). Much more widely known, however, is its status as the hottest place on the planet. With year-round temperatures ranging between 24°C and 40°C, the Danakil Depression in the north wins this inauspicious designation. Obviously, travelling here is not for the faint-hearted. But one needn't suffer while journeying either. The Planet Hotel in Mekele, the region's largest city, has modern facilities with all the amenities needed to gird you for the (admittedly long) road ahead.
Planet Hotel
Danakil Depression, Ethiopia
1 night
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About Danakil Depression
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Danakil Depression
Explore the Danakil Depression on a mobile safari
Explore the bubbling lava lakes and hot springs
Gheralta
Road transfer
You will be collected from Planet Hotel and driven to your next lodge.
6hrs
Check in to your Gheralta property
Gheralta, Ethiopia
2 nights
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Gheralta
Explore the rock carved churches in Gheralta
Take a guided hike through the Gheralta Mountains
Axum
Road transfer
You will be collected from your lodge and driven to your next lodge.
3hrs
Check in to your Axum property
Axum, Ethiopia
1 night
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About Axum
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Axum
Discover Axum's historical sites and obelisks
Lalibela
Flight transfer
You will be collected from your lodge and driven to Axum Airport for your flight to Lalibela Airport. You will be met on arrival at Lalibela Airport and driven to your next lodge
1hr 30mins
Check in to your Lalibela property
Lalibela, Ethiopia
2 nights
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About Lalibela
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Lalibela
Visit the 12th century churches of Lalibela
Flight transfer
You will be collected from your lodge and driven to Lalibela Airport for your flight to Addis Ababa International Airport.
1hr 30mins
End: Addis Ababa International Airport
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Get advice and suggestions to make this your perfect
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More info
10 nights
$3.5K - $4.4K / person
2 of 6 properties added
Add start date
Chat to an expert
Get advice and suggestions to make this your perfect trip.
or call us on: +1 (646) 542 0667
Our guests rate us excellent
4.9/5 (940 reviews)
Inclusions
What's included
Domestic transfers, accommodation, inclusive meals, drinks and activities where specified
What's excluded
International flights, visas, travel insurance, gratuities
Chat to an expert
Refine your trip with our travel experts for advice, availability and access to special offers. Learn more
Travel Expert
What our guests are saying
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Everything went super smoothly and everyone was very helpful along the way!
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Annie was our travel consultant and she was excellent! She answered all questions in a timely manner and provided... Read more
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From her first email, Joana treated us as family. She asked thoughtful questions and offered responsive suggestions.... Read more
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Jenna was great handling the lodging, and Bekim from Exito travel was great handling the flights. I would use... Read more
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I mentioned this on the previous page.
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Annie Irankunda went to all lenghts and further to make my trip to Kenya lovely. She helped with all the things I... Read more
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