Duration
5-Day
Accra, Ethiopia
You'll experience an unforgettable journey through Ethiopia, starting with the breathtaking rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You'll marvel at the stunning architecture and intricate interiors of these 12th-century monolithic structures. You'll continue your adventure with a scenic drive to Semera, where charming villages and picturesque landscapes await. You will explore the surreal beauty of Dallol, witnessing vibrant salt formations and traditional salt mining.
Plan snapshot
Duration
5-Day
Route
Addis Ababa to Addis Ababa
Via Lalibela (Town), Semera (Town), Danakil Depression
Country & park
Ethiopia
Style
Shared safari
Group size
1-12 travelers
Starts
Any day if available
Activities
game drives, walking safaris (with an armed guide) & nature hikes/walks
Accommodation
Sora Lodge Lalibela - Mid-range hotel in Lalibela (Town) – All Meals Included
Meals
All Meals Included
Pickup
Airport transfer included
Booking
Request quote
Currency
USD
Solo travelers
Can join this group tour
Rates
USD
Before booking
Quote flow
This budget tour includes camping and hotels.
On this shared tour, you will join a group of other travelers. Max 20 people per vehicle.
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
The accommodations and destinations of this tour cannot be changed.
Single travelers can join this group tour, but it requires a minimum of 2 people to run.
This tour is suitable for children of all ages.
Day 1
Mid-range hotel in Lalibela (Town) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 2
Budget hotel in Semera (Town) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 3-4
Danakil Depression (Highlight) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 5
(No accommodation)
All Meals Included
Tour step
You'll be collected from the airport. Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.
Day 1
After breakfast, you'll take a flight to Lalibela. Upon checking into your hotel, you will embark on a guided exploration of the remarkable rock-hewn Ethiopian Orthodox Churches, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You'll discover the architectural marvels of the 12th-century monolithic churches, including the Northwestern cluster, which features Bet Medhane Alem, the largest church, alongside five additional sacred structures. You'll marvel at the beautifully painted interiors and the fascinating internal channels connecting the churches. Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 2
You'll begin your day with a visit to the Southeastern cluster churches of Lalibela. If you completed your exploration on the first day, you'll start your scenic drive to Semera. You'll enjoy the picturesque landscapes as you traverse through charming villages and small towns. You'll arrive in Semera for an overnight stay, immersing yourself in the local culture. Budget hotel located in Semera (Town) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 3
Following breakfast, you will depart for Dallol. First, you'll stop at Ragad (Asebo) to witness traditional salt mining practices. You will observe local artisans skillfully extracting salt, cutting it into rectangular blocks, and loading it onto camels. You'll continue to Dallol, where you will encounter stunning volcanic landscapes, vibrant salt formations, and the striking Lake Assal. You'll experience the local culture by interacting with the Afar people and witnessing camel caravans. After a fulfilling day, you will drive to Hamed Ela for an overnight stay at Hamadella. All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 4
Your adventure continues with a drive to Erta Ale, known as the "smoky mountain" in the Afar language. This remarkable shield volcano boasts the world’s only permanent lava lake, situated at an elevation of 613 meters. You'll depart early at 9:00 AM, navigating one of the roughest roads in the world over an 80 km route, which takes approximately six hours. You'll enjoy breathtaking views of solidified lava, unique rock formations, and occasional palm-fringed oases. Upon reaching Dodom, the base camp for Erta Ale, you'll enjoy dinner around 5:00 pm. After a brief rest, you'll trek to the summit at 8:00 pm, where you will camp on the volcano's rim, witnessing the mesmerizing spectacle of bubbling lava throughout the night. All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 5
You'll wake up early to witness a stunning sunrise over the main pit crater, an impressive 200 meters deep and 350 meters wide. After a hearty breakfast, you will begin your descent from Erta Ale around 9:00 am, aiming to return to Dodom by approximately 10:30 am. If time permits, you'll visit the enchanting Lake Giulietti (or Lake Afrera), a picturesque saltwater lake located over 100 meters below sea level. You'll observe the Afar people harvesting salt through evaporation amidst stunning landscapes. After your visit, you'll return to Semera for your flight back to Addis Ababa. Depending on your departure schedule, a farewell dinner at one of the finest traditional Ethiopian restaurants can be arranged, marking the end of your unforgettable journey. All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Tour step
Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost. You'll be dropped off at the airport.
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 Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Sleeping bag
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
Offered by
Discover Simien Tour is one of the premier tour companies in Ethiopia, founded by a dynamic team of young and energetic tourism professionals. Led by Sahlie Beza, a seasoned tour guide with years of experience, our company is dedicated to providing exceptional travel experiences that showcase the rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality of Ethiopia.
Office In
Ethiopia
Size
5-10 employees (Founded in 2019)
Tour Types
Luxury tours that, when possible, use accommodations owned and operated by them
Destinations
Djibouti, Ethiopia
Traveler feedback
Overall
5.0/5Communication
5.0/5Accuracy
5.0/5Value
5.0/5Safety clarity
5.0/5Cultural value
5.0/5Sensational. Breathtaking views. The staff is one of the highlights of the tour.
Raphael · Brazil
Fantastic day with an absolutely knowledgeable guide - Gondar is full of magic!
Janoa · Hungary
We just completed a 12 day Ultimative Ethiopian Wildlife Adventure with Discover Simien Tour and it was truly unforgettable from start to finish. From the very first day, our guide Sahile impressed us with his broad and deep knowledge, calm professionalism and genuine passion for Ethiopia. He made everything feel safe, easygoing, and yet so enriching – whether explaining the geology of the Simien mountains, pointing out gelada monkeys, or helping us understand local customs. Our driver Daniel, was equally fantastic; punctual, skilled, and navigating challenging terrain with ease, which even made long drives feel part of the adventure. The scenery across the trip was breath taking, whereas Simien mountains was the absolute highlight with its dramatic cliffs and astonishing flora and fauna. We stayed in a mix of comfortable lodges and hotels and the logistics were handled smoothly; transport, park fees, food and guides – everything as promised. Culturally, we visited traditional communities, explored the spiritual side of Ethiopian heritage, and felt welcomed everywhere. Sahile skilfully bridged us into these moments, making them feel authentic. In short; 5 stars for the excellent guides, the authentic cultural immersion, the stunning landscapes and the very professional and warm service. We felt like we did not just visited Ethiopia but also experienced it.
Daniela and Sina · Switzerland
I don’t even know where to start… Our 3-day trip to the Danakil Depression with Discover Simien Mountains was an absolutely unforgettable experience – not only because of the surreal landscapes but also thanks to the incredible people we got to meet and travel with. We chose a private tour, and during our journey, we were joined by Bahran (guide), Addis (driver), and Habtu (cook) – each of them was such a kind, warm, and genuine person. If you’re planning a trip to Danakil or any other part of Ethiopia with Discover Simien Mountains, I truly recommend asking for Addis – he’s an amazing person and an excellent driver. Our guide (Bahran) explained everything clearly and with great passion. We learned so much about Dallol, the salt lakes, and the volcanoes. The food was another highlight! Habtu somehow managed to cook fresh, tasty meals right in the middle of the desert. We always had enough water and soft drinks, and even got to enjoy some Ethiopian beer or wine while watching the sunset on the salt lake an unforgettable experience. We also really appreciated the small but thoughtful details, like the portable shower provided during the tour – in such hot conditions, it was a true blessing! What made this trip even more special was the planning: while most operators follow a similar route, the Discover Simien Mountains team made sure we could arrive early to the main sights and enjoy them in peace before other groups arrived. That sense of privacy and exclusivity was priceless. We cannot recommend Discover Simien Mountains highly enough – if you’re planning a trip to Danakil or any other region in Ethiopia, this is the team you want to travel with. We felt safe, well taken care of, and genuinely welcomed throughout the journey. We left with the most beautiful memories the kind that stay with you long after the trip ends. It’s hard to put it all into words… you simply have to experience it yourself!
Monika · Poland
Practical answers
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. Children under 2 are free.
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
The accommodations and destinations of this tour cannot be changed.
Sora Lodge Lalibela - Mid-range hotel in Lalibela (Town) – All Meals Included. Meals: All Meals Included
This tour starts and ends in Addis Ababa
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Operator policy
This tour is offered by Discover Simien Tour, not SafariBookings.
This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.
This group tour requires a minimum of 2 people to run.
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.
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