Duration
9-Day
Accra, Ethiopia
9-Day Tigray Highlands & Danakil Volcano Trekking
Overview
Discover Ethiopia's most spectacular landscapes on this 9-day adventure. Hike the sandstone cliffs of Tigray to explore rock-hewn churches like Abuna Yemata Guh and Maryam Korkor. Enjoy village-to-village trekking with stays in local guesthouses, then journey into the Danakil Depression to witness the fiery Erta Ale volcano, surreal salt flats, and vibrant Dallol springs. A perfect blend of hiking, culture, and geology.
Plan snapshot
Quick Facts
Route
Addis Ababa to Mekele (City)
Via Gheralta (Mountain Range), Danakil Depression, Erta Ale Volcano (Danakil Depression)
Country & park
Ethiopia
Style
Safari
Group size
1-12 travelers
Starts
Any day if available
Minimum age
18 years
Activities
Getting around: minivan, normal 4x4 vehicle & air transfer
Accommodation
Gheralta Lodge - Mid-range lodge in Tigray – Breakfast Included
Meals
Breakfast Included
Pickup
Airport transfer included
Booking
Request quote
Currency
USD
Rates
Rates Per Person
USD
Start datesSingle2+ people
Jan 1, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026
$2,695 USD
$2,585 USD
Jan 1, 2027 - Dec 31, 2027
$2,695 USD
$2,585 USD
Jan 1, 2028 - Dec 31, 2028
$2,695 USD
$2,585 USD
Before booking
Important To Know
Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
This tour is offered in US dollars (USD).
This tour is unavailable for children.
Rates include a fixed budget for flights during this tour. Flights may cost more, depending on travel dates. If so, your quote will reflect this.
Quote flow
Request Guidance
We advise requesting quotes from 3 operators ()
Requests are sent directly to the tour operator
If preferred, you can contact the tour operator directly
Route
country
Ethiopia
Start
Addis Ababa (Day 1)
Day 1-5
Gheralta (Mountain Range)
Day 6
Danakil Depression (Highlight)
Day 7
Erta Ale Volcano (Danakil Depression)
Day 8
Danakil Depression (Highlight)
End
Mekele (City) (Day 9)
Tour Features
Budget tour
This budget tour uses lodges and guest houses.
Private tour
This tour will be organized exclusively for you. However, wildlife viewing activities are run by the lodges/camps and will be shared with others.
Can start any day
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
Can be customized
You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.
Suitable for solo travelers
Solo travelers can book this private tour.
18
Minimum age of 18 years
The minimum age for this tour is 18 years.
Activities & Transportation
Getting around: minivan, normal 4x4 vehicle & air transfer
Book your own international flights when using this operator
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Accommodation & Meals
Day 1-2
Gheralta Lodge
Mid-range lodge in Tigray – Breakfast Included
Breakfast Included
Day 3
Gohgot Community Guesthouse Budget guest house in Tigray – Breakfast Included
Budget guest house in Tigray – Breakfast Included
Breakfast Included
Day 4-5
Shimbrety Community Guesthouse Budget guest house less than 1hr drive from Hawzen (Town) – Breakfast Included
Budget guest house less than 1hr drive from Hawzen (Town) – Breakfast Included
Breakfast Included
Day 6-8
Ahmed Ela Camp Budget bush camp in Danakil Depression (Highlight) – Breakfast Included
Budget bush camp in Danakil Depression (Highlight) – Breakfast Included
Breakfast Included
Day 9
End of tour
(No accommodation)
Breakfast Included
Day By Day
Tour step
Arrival
You'll be collected from the airport. Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.
Day 1
Arrival in Mekele – Transfer to Gheralta
Arrive in Mekele and meet your guide before driving about 2.5 hours to the Gheralta region, a dramatic landscape of sandstone cliffs and hidden churches. In the afternoon, enjoy a warm-up hike to Maryam Korkor and Daniel Korkor, two stunning rock-hewn churches perched high above the plains, offering breathtaking views of the valleys below. After soaking in the scenery and exploring the ancient sites, settle into a local community guesthouse for an authentic overnight experience. Mid-range lodge located in Tigray Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Destination: Gheralta Mountains (Mountain Range) Stay: Gheralta Lodge Mid-range lodge located in Tigray Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 2
Trekking Abuna Yemata & Gheralta Escarpments
Begin the day with a challenging yet rewarding climb to Abuna Yemata Guh, the legendary cliff church known for its remarkable frescoes and remote setting on a sheer rock face. After marveling at the ancient artistry, continue trekking along sandstone ridges, surrounded by sweeping panoramas of the Gheralta Mountains. The journey showcases the unique geology and spiritual heritage of the area. Overnight at a community guesthouse, immersed in local hospitality. Mid-range lodge located in Tigray Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Destination: Gheralta Mountains (Mountain Range) Stay: Gheralta Lodge Mid-range lodge located in Tigray Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 3
Trek to Mariam Papaseiti & Yohannes Maiku
Today’s trek follows a village-to-village route with Tesfa guides, offering insight into rural Tigrayan life. Walk through traditional farming communities and interact with locals who maintain centuries-old practices. Along the way, visit little-known churches such as Mariam Papaseiti and Yohannes Maikudi, each holding unique architectural and spiritual significance. The day blends cultural discovery with scenic walking across rolling highlands. Overnight in a community guesthouse. Budget guest house located in Tigray Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Destination: Gheralta Mountains (Mountain Range) Stay: Gohgot Community Guesthouse Budget guest house located in Tigray Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 4
Trek to Shimbreiti Plateau
Continue trekking through high plateaus and winding gorges, a route that reveals the rugged beauty of the Gheralta landscape. Visit Mariam Buzuhan, one of the most atmospheric cliff churches in the region, carved into the sandstone rock. The trail offers a mix of dramatic views, encounters with local shepherds, and moments of solitude in pristine nature. Arrive at the Shimbreiti guesthouse, where you will spend the night in a simple but welcoming setting. Budget guest house located less than 1hr drive from Hawzen (Town) Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Destination: Gheralta Mountains (Mountain Range) Stay: Shimbrety Community Guesthouse Budget guest house located less than 1hr drive from Hawzen (Town) Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 5
Trek to Abune Gebremichael & Nahiso Terara
Embark on a scenic trek that winds through villages and striking escarpments, leading to rock-hewn churches such as Abune Gebremichael. Along the way, meet local families, learn about their daily lives, and enjoy the cultural richness that defines this remote part of Ethiopia. The route toward Nahiso Terara offers beautiful outlooks across valleys and farmlands, creating a rewarding combination of history, culture, and nature. Overnight in a community guesthouse. Budget guest house located less than 1hr drive from Hawzen (Town) Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Destination: Gheralta Mountains (Mountain Range) Stay: Shimbrety Community Guesthouse Budget guest house located less than 1hr drive from Hawzen (Town) Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 6
Trek to End of Trail – Return to Mekele
Your final trekking day features a visit to Debre Tsion Abune Abraham, a dramatic cliffside church reached by an exhilarating climb. Admire the artistry and spiritual atmosphere before completing the trail. Afterward, return by vehicle to Mekele, where you can rest and reflect on your trekking adventure. Tonight’s accommodation is in a comfortable hotel, offering a welcome chance to refresh before continuing the expedition into the Afar region. Budget bush camp located in Danakil Depression (Highlight) Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Destination: Danakil Depression (Highlight) Stay: Ahmed Ela Camp Budget bush camp located in Danakil Depression (Highlight) Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 7
Drive to Erta Ale Volcano Base Camp
Leave Mekele and head north into the stark landscapes of the Afar Desert, an area marked by volcanic formations and lava fields. Reach Dodom, the base of Erta Ale, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. In the evening, begin the three-hour hike up to the crater, guided by Afar scouts. Arrive at the rim after sunset to witness the extraordinary sight of the glowing lava lake. Overnight in a basic desert camp near the volcano’s edge. Budget bush camp located in Danakil Depression (Highlight) Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Destination: Erta Ale Volcano (Danakil Depression) Stay: Ahmed Ela Camp Budget bush camp located in Danakil Depression (Highlight) Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 8
Danakil Depression – Hamed Ela
Wake early to enjoy the surreal sunrise over Erta Ale’s crater, then descend back to Dodom. From here, drive deep into the Danakil Depression, one of the hottest and most otherworldly places on Earth. Cross vast salt flats and volcanic fields on the way to Hamed Ela, an Afar settlement near the salt mines. The remote desert scenery is strikingly beautiful. Spend the night in a rustic Afar camp under the starlit sky. Budget bush camp located in Danakil Depression (Highlight) Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Destination: Danakil Depression (Highlight) Stay: Ahmed Ela Camp Budget bush camp located in Danakil Depression (Highlight) Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 9
Dallol Excursion – Return to Mekele
Today is dedicated to exploring the geological wonders of Dallol, a kaleidoscope of sulfur springs, salt formations, and steaming geothermal fields. Visit Lake Karum, where camel caravans transport salt blocks in a timeless tradition, and walk across shimmering salt plains shaped by centuries of extraction. After soaking in the otherworldly sights, drive back to Mekele, arriving in the late afternoon. End of tour, with memories of Ethiopia’s cultural and natural extremes. Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Destination: Mekele (City) Stay: No accommodation (End of tour) Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Tour step
End of tour
Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost. You'll be dropped off at the airport.
Included
Park fees (For non-residents)
All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
A professional driver/guide
All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
All flights during the tour
All Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Drinking water (On all days)
Excluded
International flights (From/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Getting There
This tour starts in Addis Ababa and ends in Mekele, Ethiopia
Book your own international flights when using this operator
Fly to Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD - Check price)
Fly back from Alula Aba Nega Airport (MQX - Check price)
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
Offered by
Experience Ethiopia Tours
5.0 operator rating
10 reviews
Experience Ethiopia Tours is well experienced travel and tour operator to Ethiopia’s cultural, historical, natural and wildlife attractions is a private fully Ethiopian owned and run by young, flexible, energetic, articulate tourism expertise and highly skilled and qualified personnel who knows and love Ethiopia.
Office In
Ethiopia
Size
1-5 employees (Founded in 2016)
Tour Types
Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
Destinations
Ethiopia
Practical answers
Tour FAQs
Are rates charged per person?
Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
Which currency is this tour priced in?
This tour is offered in US dollars (USD).
Can children join this tour?
This tour is unavailable for children.
Can this tour start on my preferred date?
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
Can the itinerary be customized?
You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.
Where do travelers stay during this tour?
Gheralta Lodge - Mid-range lodge in Tigray – Breakfast Included. Meals: Breakfast Included
Are airport transfers included?
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
How does the quote request work?
We advise requesting quotes from 3 operators () Requests are sent directly to the tour operator If preferred, you can contact the tour operator directly
Operator policy
Terms and Conditions
Disclaimer
This tour is offered by Experience Ethiopia Tours, not SafariBookings.
This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.
If you request changes to this tour, the advertised rates will likely change.
Rates include a fixed budget for flights during this tour. If flights cost more, your quote will reflect this.
The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability.
If an accommodation is fully booked, the operator will suggest a comparable alternative.
This tour is subject to the terms & conditions of Experience Ethiopia Tours.
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