Explore Ethiopia & Danakil Depression December Tour

Monday 30th November – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

• Arrive at own convenience into Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia which is well connected with flights from Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia.
• Meet our drive and transfer to our hotel
• Pre-tour meeting will be held at the lobby of our hotel at 6:00pm to discuss the tour itinerary and to meet your fellow travellers and YPT guide.
• We’ll head out for drinks and dinner for your first taste of the local cuisine. We recommend trying Injera served with wot (stews). Injera is a spongy, sourdough like flat bread made from teff, a grain unique to Ethiopia, which serves as both a plate and utensil. The wot, or stews, can be made with meat (beef, lamb, chicken) or vegetables, and are often seasoned with berbere, a blend of spices.
• Overnight in Addis Ababa.

Tuesday 1st  December – Addis Ababa – Bahir Dar

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a transfer to the airport to board our 1 hour flight to Bahir Dar.
• Situated on the outskirts of the famous Lake Tana, 600km north of Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar is the third largest and arguably the most beautiful city in Ethiopia. As the capital for the regional state of Amhara, the city is home to historic monasteries, stunning lakes, and of course the famous Blue Nile Falls.
• We’ll drop off our bags at the hotel, and then head to Lake Tana for a scenic boat ride to explore the Zeghie Peninsula – home to some of Ethiopia’s most iconic monastic treasures.
• Our first stop is Azwa Mariam Monastery – nestled within a peaceful forest and known for its vibrant religious murals and traditional Ethiopian church architecture.
• Our second stop is Betre Maryam Monastery (AKA “House of Mary”) – one of the oldest and most striking churches on the peninsula. The monastery is a round wooden structure with mud and straw walls.

Afternoon

• We’ll return to Bahir Dar for lunch and then take a round-trip drive (about 70 km) to Tississat – home of the Blue Nile River, the lifeblood for the Sudanese and Egyptians. The Blue Nile Falls are a testimony to Ethiopia’s natural beauty and the most dramatic falls anywhere on the Nile River system. A short 30-minute walk brings us close to the powerful waterfalls.
• Return to town and enjoy dinner and drinks. The must try local famous dish is Tibs – a flavourful and popular Ethiopian meal consisting of grilled meat (often beef or lamb) served with injera.
• Overnight in Bahir Dar.

Wednesday 2nd December – Bahir Dar – Gonder 

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Begin making our way to Gonder and stopping on the way at Guzara Castle – built on a once strategic hill, where we can admire the beautiful landscape and views. This 16th-century fortress served as an important stronghold and showcases the early development of Ethiopia’s royal architecture.
• Check into our hotel to refresh before heading out for lunch

Afternoon

• We’ll continue our journey to the beautiful Royal Enclosure – an ancient home of kings and queens.  We’ll visit the medieval castles of King Fasilidas, King Yohannes, King Eyasu, King Dawit, King Bakafa, and Queen Mentewab.
• Explore the Debre Birhan Selassie Church – renowned for its stunning wall paintings and the Bath of King Fasilidas – an important cultural and historic monument that plays an important role during the Ethiopian festival of Timket.
• In the evening, we’ll gather for dinner and drinks. This is a perfect opportunity to try Tej – Ethiopia’s traditional honey wine which is among the world’s oldest beverages. Once reserved for the noble class, it has now become the country’s national drink.
• Overnight in Gonder

Thursday 3rd December – Gonder – Simien Mountains – Gonder

Morning

• After breakfast, we’ll hit the road toward Simien Mountains National Park, one of Africa’s most dramatic landscapes, often called the “Roof of Africa”. The Simien Mountains are a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for their jagged peaks, deep valleys, and unique wildlife.
• We’ll stop by a village once home to the Ethiopian Jews originating in the Amhara and Tigray regions of northern Ethiopia. They were historically spread out across more than 500 villages. We’ll walk around the village to learn about their culture, traditions, and way of life, gaining a deeper understanding of this community’s history.

Afternoon

• We’ll have lunch and then spend our afternoon hiking around Sankaber Camp to enjoy the views of the cliffs and the Jimbar Waterfalls – one of the highest in Ethiopia.
• Along the way we may encounter Gelada Baboons grazing on the highland plateaus, and with some luck, catch a glimpse of the rare Walia ibex.
• After our mountain adventure, we’ll return to Gonder.
• Dinner at a local restaurant. We suggest you try Shiro – a thick stew made from ground chickpeas or broad beans, onions, and spices, a good option for vegetarians.
• Overnight in Gonder

Friday 4th December – Gonder – Lalibela

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport in Gonder
• We’ll board our flight to Lalibela, a town famous for its incredible rock-hewn churches carved directly into the mountainside. Often called the “New Jerusalem”, Lalibela is a major pilgrimage site for Ethiopian Orthodox Christians.
• On arrival, transfer to our centrally located hotel to check in and enjoy a local lunch.

Afternoon

• We begin our exploration of Lalibela with a visit to the first group of rock-hewn churches. Our tour starts at Bieta Medhane Alem (Chapel of Holy Savior), the largest of all churches. We then continue to Bieta Maryam (Chapel of Mary), a beautifully designed, three-aisled church featuring mural paintings and a mysterious, covered pillar believed to contain inscriptions foretelling the end of the world.
• Next, we’ll visit Bieta Danagel (Chapel of the Virgins) and Bieta Meskel (Chapel of the Cross), both smaller but rich in spiritual and historical significance. We conclude with the impressive double church of Debre Sina and Bieta Golgotha. Please note that Bieta Golgotha is not accessible to women, as it is believed to house the remains of King Lalibela and contains the Tabernacle of the Holy Trinity.
• We’ll round off the day with a traditional dinner and drinks.
• Overnight in Lalibela.

Saturday 5th December – Lalibela

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• We’ll start our day hiking up to Asheton Mariam Monastery, perched high in the mountains above Lalibela. The trail itself is a scenic climb through rugged terrain and traditional villages, providing both a cultural and natural experience. At the summit, you’ll be rewarded with incredible  views and a visit to one of Ethiopia’s oldest monasteries.
• We’ll return for a well-earned lunch in town.

Afternoon

• We’ll spend the afternoon exploring the second group of Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches. We begin with Bieta Gabriel and Raphael, then continue to Bieta Mercurios, Bieta Emmanuel, renowned for its striking Axumite architecture style, and Bieta Abba Libanos, believed to have been built by King Lalibela’s wife, Queen Meskel Kebra.
• We’ll conclude today with the most iconic of all – Bieta Ghiorghis (House of St. George). This stunning cruciform church is carved entirely from solid rock.
• Dinner and drinks downtown
• Overnight in Lalibela.

Sunday 6th December – Lalibela – Addis Ababa

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Transfer to Lalibela Airport to board our 1 hour flight back to Addis
• Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, we head straight to the Ethnological Museum – a public institution dedicated to ethnology and culture. The museum houses anthropological, musicological and cultural objects that can take you across time and visualize the life of Ethiopian people.

Afternoon

• Lunch at a local restaurant and we’ll then head out for a relaxing afternoon to walk and to explore nearby stores.
• We’ll come together for a dinner at one of Addis Ababa’s vibrant traditional restaurants. We’ll enjoy a variety of flavourful local dishes, accompanied by live traditional music and cultural dance performances. It’s a memorable way to celebrate the journey we’ve shared and to experience the warmth and rhythm of Ethiopian hospitality one last time.
• Overnight in Addis Ababa.

Monday 7th December – Addis Ababa

Morning

• After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll begin exploring Addis Ababa – a city where coffee, culture and history come together.
• We kick things off with a scenic drive up to the highest peak of Mount Entoto – here you’ll be able to overlook the city with its panoramic views. Beyond its scenic charm, Mount Entoto remains a peaceful retreat and a deeply spiritual place for many Ethiopians,
• We’ll visit the National Museum and meet Lucy – the world famous 3.2-million-year-old ancestor who offers a fascinating glimpse into human evolution.

Afternoon

• Lunch at a local spot and continue to the Holy Trinity Cathedral – the official seat of the Orthodox Archdiocese of Addis Ababa. A significant landmark to one of the most important religious sites in Ethiopia. The cathedral reflects the deep roots of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, one of the oldest Christian communities in the world. It is the final resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie and Empress Menes Asfaw.
• A visit of Addis Ababa wouldn’t be complete without a stop at the bustling Merkato – the largest open-air market in Africa, where we can get a taste of coffee, spice and local snacks.
• As we move through the city, we’ll pass by key monuments such as Meskel Square, the Lion of Judah, and the Yekatit 12 Memorial, each offering insight into Ethiopia’s resilience, independence, and national identity.
• We’ll then head out for a local dinner and drinks.
• Overnight in Addis Ababa.

Tuesday 8th December – Addis Ababa – Semera – Erta Ale

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Group A members: tour concludes with airport drop-off arranged according to your flight details. YPT is also able to arrange post-tour accommodation or advice for ongoing flights.
• Group B and full tour members: pre-tour meeting will be held at the lobby of our hotel at 8:00am to discuss the tour itinerary and to meet your fellow travellers and YPT guide. Then continue onwards to the Danakil Depression as we depart on our next flight to Semera
• Our adventure begins the moment we land at Semera Airport, where our driver will be waiting to take us deep into one of the most unique and inhospitable places on Earth.
• Our first stop is Lake Afdera – a Salt Lake tucked deep within the desert. It’s surrounded by natural hot springs and centuries-old salt mining operations.
• If you’re up for it, and we highly recommend, you can take a dip in the lake’s salty waters or relax in the hot springs before continuing our adventure.

Afternoon

• After lunch, we drive toward Dodam, the small settlement at the base of Erta Ale, Ethiopia’s most active volcano. Along the way, we pass scattered desert villages and camel caravans, giving us a glimpse into Afar life.
• We have an early dinner before starting our trek to the summit of Erta Ale.
• At the top, we’ll spend the night at the crater’s edge, watching the dramatic lava lake, one of only a few permanent lava lakes in the world. It’s been continuously active for over a century and is truly one of nature’s most spectacular sights.

Wednesday 9th December – Erta Ale – Hamad Ela

Morning

• We’ll descend from the volcano just after sunrise and enjoy breakfast back in Dodom.
• Then we continue our journey across the desert to Hamad Ela, our next base camp.
• On the way, we’ll likely see camel caravans carrying salt slabs, part of a centuries-old trading route still in use today.
• We’ll also stop at Lake Assale – a shallow, salt-covered lake where the reflection of the sky creates incredible photo opportunities.

Afternoon

• We’ll drive to Ragad (Asebo), where we watch local salt miners at work, cutting blocks of salt from the earth and loading them onto camels.
• From there, we continue to the vibrant and bizarre landscapes of Dallol, where sulfur pools, salt canyons, and acid lakes create a scene that feels almost extraterrestrial.
• After exploring, we return to Hamad Ela for the night and set up camp under the desert stars.

Thursday 10th December – Semera – Addis Ababa

Morning

• We wake up early to catch one final sunrise over the salt flats.
• After breakfast, we drive back to Semera, taking in the last stark and beautiful scenery along the way.

Afternoon

• Lunch before we depart back to Addis Ababa arriving at the airport at 7:00pm
• Tour concludes. Whether you’re catching an international flight or staying longer in Ethiopia, YPT can help you with your onward arrangements.
• Continue your African adventure with us on a direct flight with Ethiopian Airlines to the world’s youngest country – South Sudan. Flight not included in tour cost.