Desert Expedition 6 days
Overview
The Danakil Depression is the northernmost part of the Afar Depression that is also known as the Afar Triangle. The Afar Triangle is a geological depression that sits on what is known as the Afar Triple Junction which is part of the Great Rift Valley. The Afar Triple Junction is at the crossroads of three nations that include Eritrea to the north, Djibouti to the west and, to the south, the entire Afar Region in northern Ethiopia. Within the Danakil Depression are two active volcanoes. Mount Ayalu is the westernmost and older of the two volcanoes. It sits at the southern end of the Danakil Depression. The other active volcano is known as Erta Ale. It is amongst several crater lakes bubbling molten rock from the earth’s core. Within the Danakil Depression is Dallol, which is today the hottest place on earth that is inhabited by human beings. Average temperatures are as high as 35 degrees Celsius.
Highlights
Itinerary
Price included
Price not included
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Highlights
- Erta Ale, an active volcano.
- Dallol, the unique dramatic and colorful geological formations.
- Lake Asale, where bricks of salt are cut from the lake and loaded onto camel caravans.
- The hottest and lowest place on the earth.
Itinerary
Day 01: Addis Ababa
After checking the hotel and breakfast, on a sightseeing of Addis, drive up north to Mount Entoto to visit a museum, church and Emperor Menelik Palace. Descending down to Addis, proceed to the Ethnographic museum, which displays a very large collection of Ethiopian crafts and items of historical interest. Continue to visit the Trinity Cathedral, the highest ranking Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo cathedral in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This was built in 1941 to commemorate the Ethiopian victory over Italian occupation and is an important place of worship in Ethiopia. After lunch, proceed to the National museum that houses the 3.2 million years old fossils of ‘Lucy’ (perhaps our earliest ancestor) is among other interesting archeological findings.
Overnight Addis Ababa.
Day 02: Addis Ababa – Mekele – Ahmedella (flight)
Drive through a small Tigray and Afar villages with spectacular views and amazing rock formation. Lunch stop at Berhaille, Afterwards continue driving to Ahmedella. Late afternoon walking with the camel caravan on their way back from the salt mining field and take pictures.
Overnight at Ahemedella, camping.
Day 03: Ahmedella – Lake Asale and Dallol
Drive to the Salt Lake Asale, and visit the salt workers and the merchant from the highland and proceed to Dallol and enjoy the spectacular view and small hill which is colorful by hot spring in several places. The hot spring out with the sulfurs, potash, and salt it forms spectacular formation. Drive back to Ahmed Ela.
Overnight stay, camping.
Day 04: Ahmedella – ErtAle
Morning, start driving on a rough road to a small village called Kusrawad, to get permission and militias for an access to Ert Ale. The name Erta Ale means ‘Smoking Mountain’ by the local Afar language, it is one of the oldest lava lake in the world, Erta-Ale range is located to the southeast of the summit and is bounded by curvilinear fault scarps on the southeast side. Fresh-looking basaltic lava flows from these fissures have poured into the caldera and locally overflowed its rim. The major recorded eruption was on 1907, and there were other continuous eruptions. To access the summit 3-4hours walk on to the lava field.
Overnight, camping at the rim of the mountain.
Day 05: Erta Ale – Mekelle
Morning walk back to the base and meet the cars to start 6 hours’ drive to Mekelle.
Overnight Mekelle.
Day 06: Mekelle – Addis Ababa
Fly back to Addis Ababa. In the afternoon, visit the Merkato, the largest open-air market in Africa. Enjoy a farewell dinner with traditional Ethiopian cuisine and cultural performances.
Overnight Addis Ababa hotel or Departure.
Price included
Price not included
- Domestic flight
- Tip
- Meals
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Photo and Videography fee in the villages
- Sleeping bag (it’s recommended to bring your own)
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