Overview
Our most comprehensive Ethiopian journey covers the entire Historic Route — Lake Tana, Gondar, Axum and Lalibela — and adds two nights in the Simien Mountains and a three-night expedition to the Danakil Depression.
In the Danakil, see the psychedelic hydrothermal fields of Dallol, the salt caravans of Lake Asale and, conditions permitting, the lava lake of Erta Ale. It is a true adventure through one of the most remarkable countries on Earth.
Route
Highlights
- Complete Historic Route
- Simien Mountains and gelada
- Dallol hydrothermal fields
- Salt caravans and Erta Ale volcano
- Axum, Gondar and Lalibela
Activities
- City tour
- Coffee ceremony
- Cultural dinner
- Boat trip to monasteries
- Blue Nile Falls walk
- Market visit
- Guided historical tour
- Church visits
- Timkat festival
Day-by-day itinerary
-
Day 1:
Welcome to Addis Ababa
Addis AbabaArrive at Bole International Airport and transfer to your hotel. After a rest, visit the National Museum to meet "Lucy", then drive up Entoto Hill for views over the city. In the evening, enjoy a traditional dinner of injera with music and dance.
-
Day 2:
Lake Tana Monasteries
Lake Tana & Bahir DarAfter breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your flight from Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar & Lake Tana. Arrive in Bahir Dar and take a boat across Lake Tana to the Zege Peninsula, walking through coffee forest to Ura Kidane Mehret monastery, whose round church is covered in vivid murals.
-
Day 3:
Blue Nile Falls
Lake Tana & Bahir DarDrive to Tis Abay and walk to the Blue Nile Falls, crossing a 17th-century Portuguese bridge on the way. In the afternoon, visit the Bahir Dar market or watch the sunset over the lake.
-
Day 4:
Castles of Gondar
GondarAfter breakfast, continue by road from Bahir Dar & Lake Tana to Gondar (about 3 hours). Explore the Fasil Ghebbi royal enclosure with its castles and palaces, then visit Debre Berhan Selassie church to see its famous ceiling of painted angels.
-
Day 5:
Into the Simien Mountains
Simien MountainsAfter breakfast, continue by road from Gondar to Simien Mountains (about 2.5 hours). Take your first walk along the escarpment edge near Sankaber, where the land drops away for hundreds of metres and gelada troops graze on the grassy slopes.
-
Day 6:
Trek to Geech
Simien MountainsTrek from Sankaber past the Jinbar waterfall, which plunges into a vast gorge, and climb to the village of Geech, where you can visit a local family. Spend the afternoon among giant lobelias and grazing geladas.
-
Day 7:
Ancient Axum
AxumAfter breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your flight from Simien Mountains to Axum. Explore the Main Stelae Field, the tombs of Kings Kaleb and Gebre Meskel, and the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion beside the chapel said to hold the Ark of the Covenant.
-
Day 8:
Lalibela's Rock-Hewn Churches
LalibelaAfter breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your flight from Axum to Lalibela. After lunch, begin exploring the northern cluster of rock-hewn churches, including Bete Medhane Alem, the largest monolithic church in the world, with its forest of columns.
-
Day 9:
Bete Giyorgis & the Eastern Churches
LalibelaRise early to see pilgrims at prayer, then explore the eastern cluster of churches through tunnels and trenches. In the afternoon, visit Bete Giyorgis, the cross-shaped Church of Saint George, carved 12 metres into the rock — the most photographed site in Ethiopia.
-
Day 10:
Into the Danakil
Danakil DepressionAfter breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your flight from Lalibela to Mekele. Drive by 4x4 down from the highlands into the Danakil Depression, passing Afar villages. Watch the sunset over the salt flats of Lake Asale, where the ground glows pink and white.
-
Day 11:
Dallol & the Salt Caravans
Danakil DepressionExplore Dallol early, before the heat, walking among bubbling springs and formations in brilliant yellow, green and orange. Visit the salt miners and their camel caravans working on the flats.
-
Day 12:
Erta Ale Volcano
Danakil DepressionDrive across lava fields to the base of Erta Ale and hike in the evening to the crater rim to look into the active lava lake (conditions permitting). Sleep in simple huts near the rim.
-
Day 13:
Return to Addis Ababa
Addis AbabaAfter breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your flight from Danakil to Addis Ababa. Enjoy a farewell coffee ceremony and time for shopping before a final evening in the capital.
-
Day 14:
Departure
Addis AbabaEnjoy a relaxed breakfast and, depending on your flight time, a last stroll or some souvenir shopping. Transfer to Bole International Airport for your onward flight. Safe travels — kwaheri until next time!
Meals: B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner.
Accommodation
This itinerary is priced with mid-range accommodation. Every property is chosen for its location, guiding and service; final properties are confirmed at booking and we can upgrade or adjust any night.
- Addis AbabaBoutique hotel in the Bole area1 night
- Lake Tana & Bahir DarLakeside hotel in Bahir Dar2 nights
- GondarHotel near the royal enclosure1 night
- Simien MountainsMountain lodge near Sankaber and supported camping2 nights
- AxumComfortable hotel near the stelae field1 night
- LalibelaHotel with views across the valley2 nights
- Danakil DepressionExpedition camping with cook and support team3 nights
- Addis AbabaBoutique hotel in the Bole area1 night
Meals: Full board on tour days; breakfast and dinner in cities
What's included
Included
- Private vehicle with driver and an expert English-speaking guide
- Accommodation as listed (or similar, subject to availability)
- Meals as listed in the day-by-day itinerary
- Entrance fees to churches, monasteries, museums and parks
- Arrival and departure airport transfers
- Bottled drinking water during the safari
- All government taxes and levies
- 24-hour in-country support from our Nairobi office
- Domestic and light-aircraft flights as described in the itinerary
- Park scouts, local guide and mule support in the Simien Mountains
- Danakil expedition vehicles, cook, support team and required escorts
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Comprehensive travel insurance (required)
- Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff
- Drinks other than drinking water, unless stated
- Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls and souvenirs
- Camera and photography fees at some churches and villages
Travel information
Best time to travel
November to February, when temperatures are lowest (still often 30°C+).
What to pack
- Neutral-coloured, lightweight clothing (khaki, olive, beige)
- A warm fleece or jacket for early mornings and evenings
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sun hat, sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen
- Binoculars and a camera with spare batteries and memory cards
- Insect repellent and personal medication
- Soft-sided duffel bag — light aircraft allow around 15 kg per person
- Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees, and a scarf for women
- Socks for church visits (shoes are removed)
- A small torch for dark church interiors
- Warm layers, hat and gloves for nights at altitude
- Broken-in hiking boots and walking poles
- Light long-sleeved clothing, a scarf against dust and closed shoes for the salt crust
Experiences on this safari
Frequently asked questions
Is this a private safari?
Yes. This itinerary runs privately for your own group, with your own vehicle and guide. It can start on any date, and we can adjust the route, pace and accommodation to suit you.
What does the price include?
The guide price from USD 5,600 per person is based on two people sharing mid-range accommodation in the low season. It includes accommodation, the meals and activities listed, park fees and transfers. Prices vary by season and group size; we confirm an exact quote when you enquire.
Is there a luggage limit on the flights?
Yes. Light aircraft and some domestic flights allow around 15 kg per person including hand luggage, packed in soft-sided bags. We can store extra luggage for you.
Is the Danakil safe to visit?
Access depends on the current security situation. We only operate with established local teams and follow official advice, and will suggest alternatives if conditions change.
Gallery
Open image: Addis Ababa skyline, Ethiopia
Open image: Bete Giyorgis carved into the rock at Lalibela
Open image: Lake Tana near Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
Open image: Blue Nile Falls (Tis Abay), Ethiopia
Open image: Fasilides Palace in the Fasil Ghebbi royal enclosure, Gondar
Open image: Escarpments of the Simien Mountains, Ethiopia
Open image: Male gelada in the Simien Mountains
Open image: The main stelae field at AxumEnquire about this safari
Every date is available on request. Tell us when you would like to travel and we will send a tailored quote — adjustments welcome.
