| Tour Code | : | ETE011 |
|---|---|---|
| Tour Type | : | Adventure |
| Duration | : | 2 nights (3 days) |
| Transportation | : | Air and Land (4WD) |
| Tour starts /end | : | Addis Ababa |
With more than 30 active and dormant volcanoes, the Danakil Depression is a geological marvel. This remote area in northern east Ethiopia features extraordinary geological formations. It is one of the warmest and one of the lowest (up to minus 125mM), driest, and most unreal places on earth. The play of colors of the salt lakes and the sulfur mineral springs around Dallol will cast a spell over you.
This inhospitable land has been home to the Afar (Denakil) people for at least two thousand years. Afar men were renowned for their ferocity and xenophobia as recently as the 1930s until which time loping off the testicles of male intruders was customary!
Traditionally the Afar are nomadic pastoralists and, together with the Tigrians, are still involved in mining salt bars from the lake in the Dallol depression and carrying them by camel caravan up to Tigray, along age old routes.
The hike to the volcano Erte Ale, in the crater of which the lava is bubbling red hot and together with sleeping under the dome of the African starry sky in this unreal landscape will remain a unique and unforgettable experience
Highlights
- Erta Alle: A volcanic lake of molten lava.
- Dallol: unique dramatic and colorful geological formations
- Lake Asale: Bricks of salt are cut from the lake bed and loaded on to camel caravans.
- Camel Caravans: Afar people still lead camel caravans to markets around East Africa.
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Day 01
Addis Ababa - Semera – Ahmedela
Overnight Camping
Today you will take the early morning flight to the capital city of the regional state of Afar, Semera. Upon arrival you meet the team with the 4x4 vehicles, who will guide you on this adventures trip. Drive to Ahmedela. Make camp and visit Lake Asale and see camel caravans passing against a backdrop of dramatic sunsets.
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Day 02
Dalol Excursion - Erta Alle
Overnight Camping
Watch the salt workers as they cut bricks of salt from the lakebed. The bricks are then sold on the market and loaded on camel caravans for transport to the highlands. Proceed to Dallol and view the dramatic and colorful geological formations caused by the hot springs rich in sulfur, potash, and salt. We drive to the active volcano, Erta Ale. After a short brake, we will hike about 40 minutes to the crater. As the night sets in the volcano will be fully seen with its magnificent color of zigzagging fire, produced from the magma. After the descend from the volcano crater to the camping site, this magnificent day will end in a “1000 Star Overnight Camp”.
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Day 03
Lake Afdera Hot Springs - Addis Ababa - End of the tour
Enjoy the sunrise over the cater of the active Erta Alle and marvel again at this amazing natural wonder. After the breakfast at the base camp we drive to Semera via Lake Afdera, famous for its hot springs. Transfer to airport for late afternoon flight to Addis Ababa
