Duration
3-Day
Accra, Ethiopia
3-Day All Inclusive Danakil Depression and Tigray Church
Overview
The Northern Ethiopia's most dramatic landscapes. This three day plunges you into the otherworldly Danakil Depression, where you'll witness the bubbling lava lake of Erta Ale volcano and the kaleidoscopic colors of the Dallol sulfur springs. The adventure continues into the highlands of Tigray, where you'll hike to remote, breathtaking churches carved directly into the mountainsides. This tour is a powerful contrast between the planet's most extreme environment and humanity's enduring faith.
Plan snapshot
Quick Facts
Route
Addis Ababa to Addis Ababa
Via Erta Ale Volcano (Danakil Depression), Hamad Ela (Village), Mekele (City)
Country & park
Ethiopia
Style
Shared safari
Group size
1-12 travelers
Starts
Any day if available
Activities
game drives
Accommodation
Budget camping Erta Ale Volcano (Danakil Depression) – Breakfast & Lunch Included - Erta Ale Volcano (Danakil Depression) – Breakfast & Lunch Included
Meals
Breakfast & Lunch Included; All Meals Included
Pickup
Airport transfer included
Booking
Request quote
Currency
USD
Solo travelers
Can join this group tour
Rates
Rates Per Person
USD
Start datesSingle2+ people
Jan 1, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026
$842 USD
$765 USD
Jan 1, 2027 - Dec 31, 2027
$846 USD
$765 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 accepts children of all ages.
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
Erta Ale Volcano (Danakil Depression)
Day 2
Hamad Ela (Village)
Day 3
Mekele (City)
End
Addis Ababa (Day 3)
Tour Features
Budget camping
This is a budget camping tour.
Shared tour
On this shared tour, you will join a group of other travelers. Max 4 people per group.
Can start any day
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
Cannot be customized
The contents of this tour cannot be changed.
Suitable for single travelers
Single travelers can join this group tour.
Suitable for all ages
This tour is suitable for children of all ages.
Activities & Transportation
Activities: game drives
Game drives: normal 4x4 vehicle & minivan
Getting around: normal 4x4 vehicle, hiking/walking & air transfer
This operator can select your international flights, but you'll have to book them yourself
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Accommodation & Meals
Day 1
Budget camping Erta Ale Volcano (Danakil Depression) – Breakfast & Lunch Included
Erta Ale Volcano (Danakil Depression) – Breakfast & Lunch Included
Breakfast & Lunch Included
Day 2
Budget camping Hamad Ela (Village) – All Meals Included
Hamad Ela (Village) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 3
End of tour
(No accommodation)
All Meals 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
Addis Ababa - Semera - Danakil Depression
Pickup from the Hotel/apartment in Addis Ababa and transfer to the Airport and meet your specialized Afar guide and 4x4 vehicles to commence the expedition. The journey is an adventure in itself, driving across a surreal, sun-baked plain. You'll pass the shimmering, mineral-rich waters of Lake Afdera, a vast salt lake where local Afar people harvest salt, set against a dramatic volcanic backdrop. Arriving at the Ertale campsite in the afternoon, you'll prepare for the ascent. As the intense heat wanes, you begin the approximately 40-minute trek across the volcano's blackened basalt shield. Reaching the rim in the late afternoon is a moment of pure awe. Before you lies Erta Ale, one of the planet's few permanent lava lakes. The sight of the churning, incandescent magma in its caldera is an unforgettable, primordial spectacle. You will spend the evening on the summit, witnessing the lake's hypnotic activity intensify under the starry desert sky—a truly unparalleled experience. Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included) Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Erta Ale Volcano (Danakil Depression) Stay: Budget camping Meals: Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included) Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 2
Ertale Volcano - Dalol
After an early breakfast at the campsite, we begin our drive across the otherworldly Danakil Depression. Our first stop is Lake Asebo, the primary salt mining area. Here, you will witness the ancient, back-breaking work of the Afar salt miners as they break the thick salt crust into large rectangular slabs, which are then loaded onto camel caravans for their long journey to the highlands. We then continue to Dallol, a place that feels like another planet. Situated over 130 meters below sea level, it is one of the hottest and lowest places on Earth. An excursion on foot will lead you through an impossible landscape of neon-yellow, green, and orange hydrothermal fields, bizarre sulfur formations, and bubbling acidic ponds—a breathtaking display of geological forces. The day concludes with a visit to the vast, crystalline salt pans of Lake Assal before we set up our basic camping facilities for the night in the heart of this extraordinary desert, under an immense canopy of stars. All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Hamad Ela (Village) Stay: Budget camping Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 3
Dalol - Gheralta - Mekele - Addis Ababa
We begin before dawn, driving across the salt flats to witness a spectacular sunrise over the Dallol hydrothermal field. The low morning light sets the vibrant mineral deposits ablaze with color, creating an unforgettable photographic opportunity and a final farewell to this alien landscape. After returning to camp for breakfast, we commence our long but fascinating drive west, ascending dramatically from the searing lowlands of the Danakil to the cool highlands. En route to our flight to Mekele, we will stop to visit one or more of the renowned Tigray churches. These remarkable sanctuaries, rock hewn directly into the faces of sheer sandstone cliffs, are accessible only by foot—sometimes involving a short, scenic hike or even a climb with rock-hewn steps. They offer a profound sense of peace, ancient history, and breathtaking views over the Gheralta plateau. Transfer to Mekele airport for evening departure back to Addis Ababa. All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Mekele (City) Stay: No accommodation (End of tour) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
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)
Camping equipment
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)
Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Bed linen
Excluded
International flights (From/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Bath towels
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
Getting There
This tour starts and ends in Addis Ababa
This operator can select your international flights, but you'll have to book them yourself
Fly to/from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD - 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
Addis Ethiopia Tours
4.8 operator rating
Established in 2015. At Addis Ethiopia Tours, we believe that travel has the power to create meaningful connections, foster cultural understanding, and leave a positive impact on both travelers and the local communities they visit. We are committed to sustainable and responsible tourism practices, supporting local businesses, and engaging in community development initiatives. We also cooperate with other listing platforms and are represented on the online African tour marketplace SafariBookings.
Office In
Ethiopia
Size
10-20 employees (Founded in 2015)
Tour Types
Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
Destinations
Djibouti, 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 accepts children of all ages.
Can this tour start on my preferred date?
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
Can the itinerary be customized?
The contents of this tour cannot be changed.
Where do travelers stay during this tour?
Budget camping Erta Ale Volcano (Danakil Depression) – Breakfast & Lunch Included - Erta Ale Volcano (Danakil Depression) – Breakfast & Lunch Included. Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Included
Where does this tour start and end?
This tour starts and ends in Addis Ababa
Are airport transfers included?
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Operator policy
Terms and Conditions
Disclaimer
This tour is offered by Addis Ethiopia Tours, not SafariBookings.
This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.
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.
Keep comparing
Similar Tours
Awash National Park
Ethiopia · 14-Day
Nature Escapes
4.8
14-Day All Inclusive Danakil, Northern Ethiopia
Awash National Park, Ethiopia · 14-Day · Addis Ethiopia Tours
Duration14-Day
From$3,582 pp (USD)
ModeQuote
Custom quote route
Verified provider
Cultural notes
From
$3,582 pp (USD)
Simien Mountains National Park
Ethiopia · 11-Day
Safaris & Nature
5.0
11-Day Gondar, Simien, Lalibela, Danakil and Bale Tour
Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia · 11-Day · Ethio Top Land Tours
Duration11-Day
From$2,596 to $2,860 pp (USD)
ModeQuote
Custom quote route
Verified provider
Cultural notes
From
$2,596 to $2,860 pp (USD)
Abijatta-Shalla National Park
Ethiopia · 7-Day
Safaris & Nature
5.0
7-Day Danakil Volcano & Bale Wildlife Safari Tour
Abijatta-Shalla National Park, Ethiopia · 7-Day · Ethio Top Land Tours
Duration7-Day
From$1,584 pp (USD)
ModeQuote
Custom quote route
Verified provider
Cultural notes
From
$1,584 pp (USD)