Ethiopia & East Africa · office in Gondar · Open daily · 8:00 - 18:00 (East Africa Time)
Desert & Expedition
Lava, salt and churches in the sky. Two of Ethiopia's most remarkable landscapes in one expedition-style journey — the volcanic Danakil Depression and the cliff churches of the Gheralta mountains.
From
From USD 600 per person
Indicative expedition price. Camping, escorts and guides are included; your full quote is confirmed on enquiry.
This four-day adventure links two extremes: the surreal Danakil Depression — lava lake, acid springs and salt flats — with the ancient rock churches hidden in the sandstone mesas of Tigray.
You'll camp near Erta Ale's restless lava lake, walk the technicolour pools of Dallol, then switch to the quieter Gheralta mountains to climb to Abuna Yemata Guh, the famed 'church in the sky'.
It's an expedition-flavoured journey for curious travellers who want Ethiopia beyond the classic circuit.
Route difficulty
Regular walking days at altitude at a measured pace.
Fly or drive to the Afar region, meet the expedition crew and travel by 4x4 toward Erta Ale, arriving at the rim camp for sunset over the lava lake.
Visit the lava lake in the early light, then descend across the salt plain to the mineral springs of Dallol and the glinting waters of Lake Asale.
Watch camel caravans load salt on the flats, then make the long scenic drive up into the sandstone mountains of Tigray, overnighting near Hawzen.
Climb to the cliff church of Abuna Yemata Guh in the early morning, then drive on to Lalibela or Axum (or return to Addis) where the tour ends.
A reasonable level of fitness — you'll walk 3–8 hours daily at high altitude.
A focused, immersive escape without a long commitment.
Available privately, so the pace and company are entirely yours.
Not sure it's the right fit? We'll help you choose — see how we plan trips.
Indicative pricing
US$ 1,200
US$ 600 per person × 2
Yes — our trips use the official tourism framework with experienced Afar guides and the necessary escorts, which is the standard, accepted way this region is visited.
Moderately fit is enough. There is limited walking; most travel is by 4x4 across the desert terrain.
The complete Ethiopia
The definitive overland journey — northern castles and churches, the Simien trek, Danakil's volcanoes, Tigray's cliffs and Harar's alleys in one grand loop.
Castles, churches and Lake Tana
Journey the legendary northern circuit — Gondar's castles, the churches of Lalibela, the stelae of Axum and the monasteries of Lake Tana.
One of the hottest, lowest and most surreal places on Earth — lava lakes, acid pools of screaming colour and vast white salt flats.
The dramatic sandstone mesas of Tigray, sheltering some of the world's most extraordinary rock-hewn churches in remote, climbable cliff faces.
Send us an inquiry and we'll confirm availability, answer your questions and finalise every detail for you.
