5 DAYS Axum, Lalibela, Tigray churches and Danakil

Name: 5 DAYS Axum, Lalibela, Tigray churches and Danakil
Price: 1000 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.57 (23 reviews)

Overview

Available languages

English

120 hours

Mobile ticket

Danakil is one of the most geologically active regions with three tectonic plates meeting at the Afar Triple Junction. When tectonic plates move apart like at Danakil, it creates lave lakes, hot springs, geysers and fissures in the ground. Our tour is unique as it is well-arranged including "must visit" historic sites of Lalibela and Axum together with the breathtaking landscape in Tigray which we deliver all with Ethiopian hospitality and touch.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Specialized infant seats are available

Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

What To Expect

Day 1

Addis - Lalibela

Accommodations

Overnight Lalibela Lodge

Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela

In the morning, fly north to Lalibela and be transferred to your hotel. After lunch, visit the first group of Lalibela Churches which are located north of a small stream named Jordan River. These Churches were carved during the time of King Lalibela (1181 – 1221) and are registered by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. In the city of Lalibela you will see about Eleven Rock Churches organized into groups of three.

4 hours • Admission Included

Day 2

Lalibela - Axum

Accommodations

Overnight at Hawzien (Vision Hotel)

Food and Drinks

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

The Ruins of Aksum

Catch a flight from Lalibela to Axum in the morning. Visit 1 hour in Axum and drive from Axum – Hawzien (190 kms, 2 hours) Drive from Axum to Hawzein via Adwa Finally drive to Hawzen for overnight via Gheralta plains. You can use the town as the base from which to visit the rock-hewn churches at Gheralta.

4 hours • Admission Included

Day 3

Hawzien - Mekele – Danakil

Accommodations

Camping Overnight

Food and Drinks

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

LUNCH

Lunch

DINNER

Dinner

Erta Ale

We start our day by driving to Erta Ale via Mekele (which means smoky mountain in Afar language). Erta Ale ranks one of the most alluring and physically challenging natural attractions anywhere in Ethiopia. It is a shield volcano with a base diameter of 30 km and 1km square caldera at its summit. Erta Ale contains the world’s only permanent lava lake. It is 613 meters, with a lava lake, one of only five in the world, at the summit. It is notable for being the longest existing lava lake, present since the early years of the twentieth century. We start early 9:00 AM, drive to Dodom (at the base of Erta Ale). This is may be one of the roughest roads in the world. The 80 km distance may take about 6 hrs passing through changing landscape of solidified lava, rock, sand and occasional palm lined oasis. After passing several small hamlets scattered here and there in this deserted land, you will arrive to Dodom camping site, located about 17km from Erta Ale. Dinner will be served around 17:00 o’clock. After a short break, trek up to Ertale at 20:00 hours. Camels will be transporting all the camping materials and some food (sleeping materials like light mattresses and mat and water) to the rim of the volcano, where we spend the night watching the dramatic action of the boiling lava. You will spend the night on top of the mountain, at the rim of the Volcano.

4 hours • Admission Included

Day 4

Erta Ale

Accommodations

Camping Overnight

Food and Drinks

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

LUNCH

Lunch

DINNER

Dinner

Erta Ale

Early Morning sunrise at the northern one corresponds to the main pit crater and walk 5 minutes for the southern and central pits could either corresponds to an ancient pit, or to a simple collapse structure. The main pit-crater, 200 m deep and 350 m across, is sub-circular and three-storied. The smaller southern pit is 65 m wide and about 100 m deep. Descend from Erta Ale around 9 am Dodom – Leave back to Dodom after an early breakfast, if possible at 07:00 o’clock. You will reach the latest at 10:30 o’clock at the camp, where you will be relaxing. As soon as possible, drive to reach the mythical Lake Giulietti (or Lake Afrera)(optional may not be available during summer time), a saltwater lake located more than100 meters below sea level, in one of the deepest depressions of the planet. Because of the picturesque landscape, it is interesting to visit the salt flats where the Afar people obtain the salt by evaporating the water of the lake., continue to Erbiti and proceed Abaala/ Hamed Ela

8 hours • Admission Included

Day 5

Danakil/Dallol - Mekele

Food and Drinks

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

LUNCH

Lunch

Erta Ale

Morning tour Drive to Ragad (Asebo), the place where the localities are mining salt. Look the activity of workers breaking salts from the ground, cutting into rectangular pieces and loading on camels. You drive ahead to Dallol and visit the difference landscape formed by volcanic activity, Dallol + Lake Assal + camel caravans. Excursion to Dallol (116 meters below sea level, one of the lowest places in the world) colorful salts mining, visit Lake Assal, follow up camel caravans (No camel caravan on July, August, and early September) and walk with the Afar people. Drive back to Hamedela and proceed to Mekele. End of Danakil tour Catch a flight back to Addis at 7:50 pm, arriving in Addis at 9:10 pm

8 hours • Admission Included

What‘s Included

Domestic Flight

All fuel expenses and Lubricants Expense

An experienced driver, driver allowance

Ground transportation by 4 WD Toyota Land Cruiser

International flights

Any alcoholic drinks

Any videographer or camera fee needed

Laundry service

Any expense of Personal items like internet, fax, telephone

Services which are not mentioned in the above section

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Options

5 DAYS Axum, Lalibela, Tigray churches and Danakil

Pickup included

Reviews

4.57

23 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Neither the ETT agency nor Ethiopian Airlines will be held responsible.
Volina2023,,Dec 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00
On the excursion to Gheralta (Rock-Hewn Churches), Daniel Korkok, the guide nicknamed Lion, and I went on a two-day trip. I added this excursion to the previous Danakil trip. The climb up the towering rocks was very strenuous. I understood why there were so few tourists. The guide, Lion, was excellent; everything went smoothly. At the end of the excursion, my return flight was included in the package with Ethiopian Airlines, from Mekele Airport to Addis Ababa. Upon arriving at the airport, I was informed that the flight had been canceled. The information was received by the travel agency ETT; I was never notified. I called Demekel, my contact in Addis Ababa, and he offered no explanation or solution. I had to pay for a new ticket from Mekele to Addis Ababa, €143. My return flight to Barcelona was scheduled for that same night. The agency never took responsibility for this cancellation. Ethiopian Airlines does not accept complaints. Please note that if there are flight cancellations, neither the ETT agency nor Ethiopian Airlines will be held responsible. Demeke disappointed me greatly. I spent 23 days in Ethiopia. I understand why the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against visiting Ethiopia. In short, Ethiopia is not tourist-friendly.
Danakil and Tigray
537samrk,,Apr 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
A trip combining the Danakil Depression and Tigray churches will give you an unforgettable insight into both Ethiopia’s natural beauty and deep religious history. The contrast between the desolate, otherworldly landscapes of the Danakil and the spiritual, historical significance of the Tigray rock-hewn churches offers a truly unique adventure. We paid only $300 pp for both Danakil Depression and Tigray churches.
They don`t know how to run a business!
Nia8134,,Oct 16, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00
I didnt even end up going on a tour with them cause they tried to scam me from the beginning! I asked them for payment method and they told me its cash or card. So I choose card payment! All of a sudden card payment was not available anymore. They tried to force me to pay cash! Well knowing that I had booked all of my flights already and everything! So do yourself a favour and stay away from this company If you want to enjoy your holidays in Ethiopia!
A GREAT COMPANY AND TOUR WITH ONE EXCEPTION -- A LACK OF A DETAILED ITINERARY LISTING PHSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF TOUR.
F2181QXdaniels,,Jun 16, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
This is an extraordinary tour company. I cannot thank them enough. While travelling with them, I became ill. They provided care and service beyond and above any expectations. The hotels they proved for the tour are excellent as are the vehicles. They did everything and anything to accommodate my illness. One criticism: You must have significant physical stamina to take this tour. I recommend that they provide a DETAILED itinerary which includes hours spent driving and the fact that you are expected to sleep outside in 120-degree weather in Danakil and waling. There are trips requiring hours (some as long as seven hours) of driving over rock beds that are bone jarring despite the excellent condition of the transportation. Please note that due to my illness they provided air transportation in leu of the road transportation at THEIR EXPENSE.
A great trip to Danakil and Tigray
863jurec,,Jun 12, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It was great to travel with Ett. Definitely not easy to organise this big trip to one of the most extreme parts of our planet but they've done pretty good job.
ETT a wonderful team to discover ethiopia
Z5235VVnicolasp,,Dec 7, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
A unique experience surrounded by a professional team! That is what ETT is! Amazing time in all the wonderful sightseeing that this country has to offer. All the company from reception until the CEO will make sure that your experience in ethiopia will be exceptional. Memories for life!!! All the planing went as expected, following the schedule very well during my 6 days of tour. Will attach some images of my time here!!! Thanks ETT!!!!!!!!!!!!
An amazing tour with fully support!
HOIKEI W,,Jan 13, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00
I joined the tour in the last December and they helped me to process the Ethiopian Visa and I just got it three hours before my flight. This is their extra work to make my trip successful! Of course, the tour arranged my itinerary in details and I enjoyed it. Many thanks to the tour to bring me an impressive journey with lots of care along my itinerary. Thank you!
We loved working with this travel company
brantc1221,,Mar 11, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We loved working with this travel company. We clicked with our first communication with the company and their attention to our style of travel and that attention continued throughout the trip
It was a magical trip with first rate service
johnmM4414IP,,Mar 7, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It was a magical trip with first rate service. My guides were responsive and communicated the entire time even when they weren’t with me.The historical knowledge of my guides and their willingness to share their personal stories was amazing. Also, the food was amazing. They took us to all of their local favorite places that they loved and helped us order. I feel like we had a true insider’s view of the cities we visited.
I couldn’t be happier after this wonderful tour.
sethetraveller2020,,Jan 10, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I couldn’t be happier after this wonderful tour me and girlfriend had decided to book on to.We were greeted very pleasantly by the fabulous tour guide & colleagues plus we instantly got to know other people on the tour! The tour had many brilliant excursions. The tour is very accommodating for all people, including couples! I highly recommend this tour, I gained so much fun, knowledge & inspiration!!