DJIBOUTI and DANAKIL

DAY 1: departure from Italy with an international flight and arrival in Djibouti after a layover.

DAY 2: Djibouti is home to a stunning marine paradise located just 15 km off the coast of the capital. The day will be dedicated to an excursion to Moucha Island, a small island at the entrance to the Gulf of Tadjoura, where the waters of the Indian Ocean meet the Red Sea.

This uninhabited island remains an untouched paradise visited by very few travelers. Here, you can walk through mangroves, relax on pristine white-sand beaches, swim in turquoise waters, and enjoy snorkeling and diving among countless tropical fish and marine species in Moucha’s natural aquarium. Between November and January, participants may also have the opportunity to depart from Arta Beach for an unforgettable snorkeling experience with whale sharks, which migrate through Djibouti’s waters during the winter months.

Dinner and evening in Djibouti City

Morning: early departure towards Lake Assal, often described as the jewel of Djibouti, where the Danakil Depression reaches its lowest point in Africa, 155 meters below sea level. Along the way, stops at the spectacular Dimbya Canyon and panoramic viewpoints overlooking Ghoubet Bay, before descending to the lake itself, renowned for its surreal turquoise waters and dramatic landscapes shaped by lava flows, volcanic craters, and wind-carved salt formations.

Afternoon: approximately a 3-hour transfer along rough desert tracks through western Djibouti towards the town of Dikhil, where a lunch stop is planned. The journey then continues off-road towards Lake Abbe, a vast salt lake straddling the border between Djibouti and Ethiopia at the southern edge of the Danakil Depression. The scenery here is dominated by towering limestone chimneys rising up to 50 meters high and waters frequented by flamingos. Arrival in time to witness the spectacular sunset over the pinnacles of Lake Abbe, followed by camping along its shores.

Evening: dinner and overnight stay at the campsite on the shores of Lake Abbe.

Morning: sunrise among the spectacular limestone pinnacles of Lake Abbe, followed by a visit to the thermal springs and a walk along the lakeshore to observe flamingos amidst a surreal lunar-like landscape.

Afternoon: transfer to Galafi, the border town between Djibouti and Ethiopia. After bidding farewell to our local guides, border crossing and entry into Ethiopia, the largest country in the Horn of Africa, traversed by the Great African Rift Valley.

Evening: dinner and overnight stay in Semera.

Mattina: breakfast and transfer to Asaita for a walk through the streets of the town center, where the traditional market comes alive with vibrant colors, scents, and sounds. Here, it is possible to observe Afar women in their brightly colored traditional attire and browse local handicrafts, including textiles and spices.

Pomeriggio: after lunch, continuation towards Logiya to visit its lively local market, where different cultures and influences converge. The vivid colors, aromatic spices, intense scents, and constant flow of people create a vibrant and authentic atmosphere. Return to the hotel and time to relax.

Sera: cena a Semera e notte in hotel

Morning: transfer towards Erta Ale, one of the iconic volcanoes of the Ethiopian Danakil Depression. This volcanic range stretches from the salt plains south of Lake Assale to Lake Afrera, along the Great Rift Valley, the geological fault line separating the Arabian and African tectonic plates.

Afternoon and evening: arrival at the Erta Ale base camp and beginning of the ascent towards the volcano’s active crater, home to the spectacular Erta Ale lava lake. Evening spent admiring one of the world’s rare permanent lava lakes, followed by descent back to base camp during the night.

Morning: transfer along rough desert tracks towards Dallol, one of the most surreal places on Earth: a breathtaking multicolored landscape shaped by volcanic activity, dotted with geysers, acidic hot springs, sulfurous pinnacles in vivid saffron-yellow hues, and terraces of salt, sulfur, and iron oxide in an extraordinary spectrum of colors. Here, electric-green acidic pools bubble amidst intense hydrothermal activity, creating a natural kaleidoscope unlike anywhere else on the planet!

Continuation towards nearby Lake Assale and arrival in the Afar village of Ahmed Ela, where overnight accommodation is arranged in traditional Afar huts in the heart of the Danakil Depression.

Evening: dinner and overnight stay in Ahmed Ela.

Morning: in-depth exploration of the extraordinary landscapes of Dallol and Lake Assale, whose surreal beauty is revealed in different light conditions after the previous evening’s visit. This is one of the harshest environments on Earth, where temperatures can exceed 60°C and geothermal activity shapes a truly otherworldly scenery. In these remote lands live the nomadic Afar communities, still engaged in the traditional extraction of salt using ancient manual techniques. With a bit of luck, it may also be possible to encounter the iconic camel caravans transporting salt blocks from Lake Assale towards Mekelle.

Afternoon: departure by 4×4 towards Mekelle, the capital of the Tigray Region. Upon arrival, visit to the palace of Empress Taytu Betul and Ras Alula, one of the most prominent historical military leaders of the region, followed by the memorial dedicated to the martyrs of the Tigray Liberation Front and the palace of Emperor Yohannes IV.

Evening: dinner and overnight stay in Mekelle.

(NB: accessibility to the Tigray region must be reconfirmed in the weeks prior to departure according to the current security situation. Alternatively, the Danakil itinerary may operate as a round trip departing from and returning to Semera).

Morning and afternoon: accompanied by a local guide, these days are dedicated to exploring the remarkable rock-hewn churches of Tigray Region, with accommodation based in Wukro.

The itinerary heads north of Mekelle along winding mountain roads crossing the spectacular sandstone landscapes of the Gheralta Mountains, home to more than 150 ancient Orthodox churches carved directly into the rock, some dating back over a thousand years. Among the most remarkable are Abreha we Atsbeha, renowned for its beautiful frescoes and relatively easy access, the church of Mariam Papaseit, and the extraordinary Abuna Yemata Guh, dramatically perched atop a towering monolith overlooking the canyon below. Reaching it requires a thrilling rock scramble along exposed cliff passages and vertical rock faces, an unforgettable experience for adventurous travelers.

Return to Wukiro in the evening.

Morning and afternoon: internal flight from Mekelle to Addis Ababa and hotel check-in.

Guided city tour of Addis Ababa, exploring historic cafés, gardens, and vibrant local markets.

Evening: dinner and overnight stay in the Ethiopian capital.

Morning and afternoon: to conclude the journey in style, the day is dedicated to discovering Addis Ababa’s most iconic landmarks. Highlights include the National Museum, home to priceless artifacts such as the fossilised remains of Lucy; the Holy Trinity Cathedral, renowned for its Orthodox religious art and the mausoleum of Emperor Haile Selassie; and the vibrant Merkato, the largest open-air market in Africa. The itinerary also includes a visit to the Entoto Hills, offering breathtaking panoramic views over Addis Ababa, where ancient churches and former imperial residences can still be found. Alternatively, guests may visit the Red Terror Martyrs’ Memorial Museum, which tells the story of one of the most dramatic chapters in Ethiopia’s recent history.

Evening: transfer to the airport for the return flight with a stopover. Arrival in Italy on Day 13.