The UK team is negotiating with the Ethiopian authorities, who have sealed off the kidnap zone.
Another team of officials is in discussions with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.
UK embassy staff and their relatives were sightseeing with 13 Ethiopian guides when they went missing.
Eritrea has denied claims its forces took them over the disputed border, which is close to where the party disappeared.
Officials 'working hard'
A team of UK officials is in the remote town of Berahle, about 37 miles (60km) from the abduction site.
The BBC's Adam Mynott, also in the town, said the diplomats were attempting to gain clearance to visit the site, which is a four-hour drive away.
The state-run Ethiopian News Agency said five of the Ethiopians who were with the kidnapped group were found near the Eritrean border late on Saturday.
It was not clear whether they had escaped or were released.
I would not rule out that this is some kind of staged drama cooked up by the regime in Addis Ababa 
Eritrean information minister
Foreign Office Minister Geoff Hoon told ITV1's The Sunday Edition that the department was "working as hard as we possibly can" to resolve the situation.
"It is a matter of grave importance... as it would be with any British tourist," he said.
"But obviously staff in the Foreign Office feel particularly strongly because it is their people."
Head of the Afar region Ismael Ali Sero said cars used by the sightseers were set on fire in the early-morning raid on their camp, about 800km (500 miles) north-east of Addis Ababa.
Kidnapping denied
He said about 25 Eritreans in military uniform marched the group 12-18 miles (20-30 km) to Waime in Eritrea, and a local herder reportedly saw them at the Ara-ta military camp in Eritrea.
Yemane Gebremeskel, of Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki's office, said Mr Ismael's claim was "crazy".
"No-one is involved in any business of kidnapping," he told the AFP news agency.
Eritrea's Information Minister Ali Abdul also denied allegations that his government was responsible for the kidnappings.
"They have that kind of habit, to blame Eritrea for whatever things that happen. I would not rule out that this is some kind of staged drama cooked up by the regime in Addis Ababa," he told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme.
The BBC World Service's Africa Editor, David Bamford, said the claims of Eritrean involvement were being met with scepticism.
"It doesn't seem to be in the Eritrean government's interest at all to be engaged in anything like this."
He said the allegations were coming from local party officials in Ethiopia, who could be seen as having an "axe to grind".
It was more likely a local rebel group had abducted the Britons.
Tourists visit the area mainly to see the Danakil Depression, one of the lowest and hottest places on Earth known for its salt mines and active volcanoes.
But bandits and rebel groups operate there and travellers are advised to travel with an armed guard.
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