Upon arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, the expedition team will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel.

Depending on your arrival time, we begin a photography-focused city tour:

• Entoto Hills — panoramic views over Addis Ababa, ideal for late afternoon light
• Holy Trinity Cathedral — architectural and cultural photography
• Local markets (Merkato or neighborhood markets) — street and documentary photography
• Traditional coffee ceremony — intimate cultural shots and storytelling moments

Early morning flight to Mekele. On arrival, meet your Afar guide and expedition team.

Drive approximately 4 hours into the Danakil Depression toward Hamedela, with a stop at Lake Asale (Karum) — salt extraction activities and geometric salt formations — before continuing to the Saba River campsite.

Photography highlights:

• Salt flat patterns and textures
• Human interaction with the landscape
• Sunset shoot over Lake Asale and the salt plains

Early departure before sunrise to reach the Dallol Hydrothermal Field.

Morning photography session:

• Sunrise at Dallol
• Vibrant sulfur pools, acid formations, and mineral terraces
• Alien-like landscapes with strong color contrasts
• Nearby salt mountains and formations
• Drone flight over the hydrothermal field (subject to weather conditions and current permits)

After the shoot, return to camp for breakfast, then drive back to Mekele. Lunch en route or in Mekele.

Drive approximately 2 hours to the Gheralta Mountains (Hawzen area).

Visit the iconic Abune Yemata Guh rock-hewn church: a moderate-to-challenging climb with dramatic cliff exposure and, inside, ancient frescoes and unique light conditions.

Photography highlights:

• Epic mountain landscapes
• Climbers against the sandstone cliffs
• Interior low-light photography of ancient art

Morning drive (~1 hour) to Edaga Arbi, the starting point of the trek. A 2-hour scenic hike to the guesthouse, with stunning escarpment views and rural highland landscapes.

Afternoon photography session:

• Sunset session with the Gelada in their natural habitat
• Golden-light landscape photography
• Village life and authentic interactions

A full day dedicated entirely to photography.

Morning: sunrise session with the Gelada — with the option to extend the morning depending on troop activity — and misty escarpment landscapes.

Daytime: visit local farmers’ houses, daily life, agriculture, and cultural portraits.

Afternoon & sunset: landscape photography along the escarpment and wildlife and environmental storytelling.

Optional early morning shoot (sunrise or Gelada activity).

Hike back to Edaga Arbi and drive to Mekele. Afternoon flight back to Addis Ababa.

Upon arrival: transfer to the airport for your international departure, or an optional day-use room and farewell dinner (on request).