A 12-day loop from the high escarpments of Simien to the boiling pit of Erta Ale, with stops at Lalibela’s rock-hewn wonders and Tigray’s cliff churches. Expect multi-day trekking, long drives, camps and domestic flights.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You stand on the Simien escarpment at first light: wind pressing on your face, a band of gelada baboons breaking the barley fields below, and a cliff that drops like an open page. Over the next twelve days the landscape will push and pull — high plateaus that bite into the sky, salt flats baking under a raw sun, and rock-hewn sanctuaries that seem to grow out of the sandstone itself.
Difficulty
challenging
Duration
12 days
Fitness Level
Good aerobic fitness with prior multi-day trekking experience recommended; ability to handle long drives and some exposed scrambling.
Wildlife
History
Lalibela’s rock-cut churches were carved in the 12th–13th centuries as a symbolic ‘New Jerusalem’; Axum preserves stelae and relics from the ancient Aksumite kingdom.
Conservation
Simien National Park faces grazing pressure and trail erosion; travelers should stick to established paths, pack out waste, and use local guides to support sustainable tourism.
Reserve your spot on the 12 Days SIMIEN MOUNTAIN-LALIBELA-DANAKIL-TIGRAY CHURCHES today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Acclimatize before major treks
Spend a day in Gondar or Addis Ababa to reduce altitude effects before ascending into the Simiens; take it slow on day one.
Carry at least 3L water for Danakil days
Danakil and the salt flats are brutally hot; bring high-capacity bottles and a purifier or tablets for refills.
Sturdy footwear and good grip
Rock-hewn church approaches and Simien ridges require boots with solid tread and ankle support to manage scree and narrow ledges.
Respect local customs at churches
Dress modestly in Lalibela and Tigray sites and follow your guide’s instructions during ceremonies and inside sanctuaries.
Sturdy hiking boots
Support and grip for scree, rocky ridges and narrow church ledges.
3L hydration system + purification
Keeps you hydrated through Danakil heat and long trekking days; purifier for refills.
summer
Warm insulated layer (down or synthetic)
Highland nights in the Simien can drop well below freezing — essential for camps.
winter
Headlamp with spare batteries
Useful for early starts, campsite tasks and exploring dim church interiors.