6-Day Simien Mountains, Lalibela & Danakil Depression Tour

Summary

Simien Mountains Trekking, Lalibela Churches & Danakil Adventure

You’ll trek dramatic cliffs in Simien Mountains, explore ancient rock churches in Lalibela, and stand at the edge of a live volcano in Danakil—all with local guides who know every shortcut and story worth hearing.

What’s the experience like?

The air felt crisp as we rolled into Debark early, the kind of chill that wakes you up even before your first sip of local buna. Our guide, Dawit, handled the park permits while we wandered through the market—Wednesday mornings are busiest, with women selling bright peppers and kids darting between stalls. From there, the drive to the Simien Mountains gate was bumpy but worth every jolt. Once we hit Buit Ras, the escarpment opened up—sheer drops and valleys that seem to go forever. We trekked for a few hours to Chilkuwanit, pausing when a troop of Gelada baboons crossed our path. Their chatter echoed off the cliffs. If you’re into birds, keep your eyes peeled for lammergeyers gliding overhead or the thick-billed ravens that aren’t shy about stealing snacks.

Lalibela was something else entirely. The rock-hewn churches are tucked just north of a stream called the Jordan River—locals say it’s named after the real one. We explored all eleven churches, carved straight from red volcanic stone during King Lalibela’s reign. You can still see monks in white shawls moving quietly between doorways. The cool stone inside smells faintly of incense and earth, and if you catch it at the right hour, sunlight spills through tiny windows in shafts of gold dust.

The drive from Lalibela to Mekele is long but never boring—patchwork fields and distant hills keep changing with every bend. Once in Mekele, we prepped for the Danakil leg. Heading out to Erta Ale was a real test: six hours over rough tracks, passing clusters of palm trees and Afar huts. At Dodom camp, dinner was simple but filling—injera and spicy lentils under a sky thick with stars. Around 8pm, we started our trek up Erta Ale. Camels carried our gear while we hiked by flashlight, dust swirling around our ankles. Reaching the rim at midnight, you could feel the heat before you saw anything—the lava lake glows red and moves like something alive.

Sunrise over Erta Ale is wild—colors shift from inky blue to orange as steam rises from the crater. After heading back down to Dodom for breakfast (don’t skip the strong coffee), we drove out toward Lake Afrera when possible—a saltwater lake more than 100 meters below sea level. The salt flats are busy with Afar workers chipping blocks of salt and loading them onto camels; it’s loud with hammering and the calls of caravan drivers. Dallol itself is like nowhere else: neon yellow sulfur mounds and bubbling pools that smell sharp and metallic. Walking here feels like being on another planet.

On our last morning, we watched salt miners at Ragad break slabs from the earth and cut them into neat rectangles for camel trains headed north. If you time it right (not July–September), you’ll see whole caravans winding off into the haze. The drive back to Mekele is dusty but there’s something peaceful about watching the landscape slip by after so much action.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Simien Mountain Trekking

• Drive from Gondar to Debark and get park permission
• Trek from Buit Ras to Chilkuwanit viewpoint

Day 2 — Visit Lalibela Churches

• Tour 11 groups of Lalibela rock-hewn churches

Day 3 — Drive to Mekele

• Drive from Lalibela to Mekele

Day 4 — Erta Ale Volcano Trek

• Drive to Dodom camping site near Erta Ale
• Trek to Erta Ale volcano rim at night

Day 5 — Dallol and Salt Flats

• Sunrise at Dallol pits and visit salt flats
• Drive to Lake Giulietti (optional) and Abaala/Hamed ela

Day 6 — Salt Mine and Return

• Visit Ragad salt mine and Dallol landscape
• Drive to Mekele and fly to Addis Ababa

Top questions

How tough is the trekking in Simien Mountains?

The trek involves moderate hiking—expect 3-4 hours on rocky trails with some steep sections. Our guide adjusts pace for everyone’s comfort.

Is it safe to visit Erta Ale and Danakil?

Yes, safety is a priority. Local scouts and guides accompany us throughout Danakil. We follow all regional security updates closely.

What should I pack for this tour?

Bring sturdy shoes for trekking, light layers (it gets chilly at night in Simien), sun protection for Danakil, and a hat or scarf for dust.

Are meals included during camping?

Absolutely—all meals are provided during camping nights: expect hearty Ethiopian dishes prepared fresh by our team.

What’s included

You’ll get bottled water throughout the trip; all meals and accommodation (hotels plus camping gear); local guides in each region; entrance fees; domestic flights; 4WD transport; camel support in Afar; plus all permits and security arrangements handled by us.