5-Day Lalibela & Danakil Depression Tour: Churches, Volcanoes, Salt Flats

Summary

Lalibela to Danakil: Ethiopia’s Ancient Wonders & Volcanic Adventure

If you want to see Ethiopia beyond postcards—ancient churches carved by hand, glowing volcanoes at night, salt flats alive with camel caravans—this tour brings it all together. You’ll meet local guides who know every shortcut and story, eat real Ethiopian food, and experience landscapes that feel straight out of another planet.

What’s the experience like?

Stepping off the plane in Lalibela, the air felt cooler than I’d expected—almost crisp for Ethiopia. Our driver was waiting with a quick smile and we zipped through town, passing kids in bright shirts and women balancing baskets. After lunch (injera with spicy lentils—surprisingly filling), our guide led us down narrow stone paths toward the first group of rock-hewn churches. The way the light hit Biete Medhanealem made it glow gold against the dark volcanic rock. You can smell incense drifting from inside, and if you listen closely, there’s always a soft hum of prayers echoing through the halls. We wandered between eleven churches, each one tucked into its own nook or carved deep into the ground. I never realized how much detail you could find in centuries-old stone until I saw Biete Giyorgis up close—the cross-shaped roof is even more striking in person.

The drive from Lalibela to Mekele is long—seven hours at least—but there’s something hypnotic about watching the landscape shift from green hills to dry plains. We stopped at a roadside stall for sweet coffee served in tiny cups; the owner’s daughter giggled at my attempt to say “ameseghinalehu” (thank you). By late afternoon, Mekele’s busy streets felt almost loud after Lalibela’s quiet alleys.

The real adventure kicked off early next morning: Danakil Depression. Our guide, Tesfaye, warned us about the heat and handed out extra water bottles before we set off toward Erta Ale volcano. The road is rough—honestly, it’s more like driving over old lava than any road I’ve known—but watching camels plod alongside us made it feel like we’d stepped into another world. Dodom camp is basic but friendly; dinner was simple stew and flatbread eaten under a sky thick with stars. Around 8pm, we started the trek up Erta Ale. It’s not easy—dusty switchbacks and your boots crunching over black rock—but reaching the rim and seeing that lava lake bubbling below is something I’ll never forget. The heat on your face, the faint sulfur smell, and that orange-red glow—it’s wild.

Sunrise at Erta Ale is worth every lost hour of sleep. The colors shift from deep purple to pink as you look out over the craters—there’s a weird silence except for an occasional crackle from the lava below. After breakfast back at camp (bread and strong coffee), we drove toward Lake Afrera. Sometimes you can’t visit if it’s too hot or water levels are up, but when we went, salt workers were out early scraping crystals under the sun. Their camels waited nearby, chewing lazily while men loaded up big white slabs of salt.

On our last day in Danakil, we visited Ragad where salt mining happens right in front of you—men break up salt with axes and cut them into neat rectangles before loading them onto camel caravans heading north. Dallol is like nowhere else: yellow-green mineral pools bubble next to rust-red rocks, and you can taste salt on your lips just from the wind. Walking with Afar locals through these alien landscapes makes you realize how tough life here can be—and how welcoming people are despite it all. By evening we were back in Mekele, tired but buzzing from everything we’d seen.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Fly to Lalibela and Visit Churches

• Fly to Lalibela and transfer to hotel
• Visit first group of Lalibela Rock-Hewn Churches

Day 2 — Drive from Lalibela to Mekele

• Drive from Lalibela to Mekele (7-8 hours)

Day 3 — Erta Ale Volcano Trek

• Drive to Dodom base camp near Erta Ale
• Trek to Erta Ale volcano rim at night

Day 4 — Sunrise and Lake Giulietti Visit

• Sunrise at Erta Ale and descend to Dodom
• Drive to Lake Giulietti salt flats and visit Abaala/Hamed ela

Day 5 — Salt Mining and Dallol Tour

• Visit salt mining at Ragad and Dallol landscape
• Visit Lake Assal and camel caravans
• Drive back to Mekele and fly to Addis Ababa

Top questions

How difficult is the trek up Erta Ale?

The hike is challenging but doable if you’re moderately fit. It takes about 3-4 hours over rocky ground at night. Guides go at a steady pace and there are breaks along the way.

Is it safe to visit Danakil Depression?

Yes—we travel with experienced local guides plus scout/police escorts as required in Afar region. Safety is taken seriously throughout the trip.

What should I pack for this tour?

Bring light clothes for heat, sturdy shoes for hiking, sun protection (hat/sunscreen), a flashlight or headlamp for Erta Ale trek, and something warm for nights at altitude.

Are meals included? What kind of food will be served?

Meals are provided throughout: expect Ethiopian staples like injera with lentils or stew in towns; simple but hearty dishes at campsites (bread, eggs, vegetables).

Can I join solo or do I need a group?

You’re welcome to join solo—many travelers do! Groups are small so it’s easy to meet others along the way.

What’s included

Your trip covers all domestic flights within Ethiopia; private vehicle transport; English-speaking guides; all entrance fees; camping gear and camels in Danakil; bottled water during desert days; accommodation each night; plus local scout/police support where needed for safety.