10-Day Ethiopia Sightseeing and Volcano Tour with Danakil and Erta Ale

• Get welcomed by your Ethiopia tour guide on arrival at the airport and transfer to your hotel.

Overnight in a 4-star hotel.

• Catch a flight to Aksum and enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city, including visits to the Archaeological Museum of Aksum and the Cathedral of St. Mary of Zion, which is believed to be the final resting place of the original Ark of the Covenant.

• In the afternoon, visit the famous Stelae Field (4th century AD), a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Explore the ruined palace and tombs of King Kaleb and King Gebre Meskel (5th and 6th century AD), as well as the residence of the legendary Queen of Sheba (9th century BC).

Overnight at Yeha or Remhai Hotel (3-star hotel).

• Visit the ancient Temple of Yeha (5th century BC) and the rock-hewn church of Tigray, Michael Milhazhengi, on the way as you drive to Hawzen.

• Along the route, enjoy the scenic and historical range of the Adowa Mountains.

• From your lodge, enjoy the sunset behind the picturesque Gerhalta Mountains.

Overnight at Gerhalta Lodge.

• Visit the rock-hewn churches of Mariam Korkor, Abune Yemata, and Wukro Cherkos, then drive 150 km to Mekele, the regional capital of Tigray.

Overnight at Aksum Hotel.

• With an early start, drive to Ahmed Ela, visiting the people of Tigre and the nomadic people of Afar.

• At Ahmed Ela, visit the deep-water wells used by the nomadic people of Afar and see the interesting camel caravans that transport bars of salt to the Tigray Highlands.

Overnight at a camp.

• In the morning, drive to one of the lowest points on Earth, Dallol (116 meters below sea level), to see the wonderful and colourful formations of sulfur and phosphorus.

• After lunch, visit Lake Asale and discover how people make salt in traditional ways.

Overnight at a camp.

• Drive to Dodom and arrange mules to transport luggage and camping gear.

• Around sunset, start hiking to the active volcano of Erta Ale, which takes about 5-6 hours.

Spend the rest of the night at the rim.

Overnight at a camp.

• Trek back to the place where you left your cars and drive to the salt lake of Afdera.

Overnight at a camp.

• Visit Lake Afdera in the morning and drive across the desert landscape to Semera. On the way, stop to visit hot springs.

Overnight at a camp or local hotel.

• Drive back to Addis. Have a farewell dinner at one of the best traditional restaurants in Addis, where you can taste a variety of Ethiopian meals and see Ethiopian folkloric dances.

• Then transfer to the airport for your departure.