DANAKIL AND ERTALE

TRIP HIGHLIGHT OF THE DANAKIL AND THE ERTALE VOLCANO

Danakil Depression in Northern Ethiopia falls away to Eritrea and the coast of the red sea. This arid area, where rocky wilderness is interspersed with small oases and occasional saltpans is some of the cruelest land in Ethiopia. Water is scarce and midday temperatures can reach 40 degree Celsius, while falling to near freezing at night. Hardy afar camel herders and trader’s crisscross the land just as their fathers did before them, and visitors with a local guide and a reliable 4WD vehicle can visit the salt flats to see some of the wildlife, including zebra and wild ass that has adapted to the harsh conditions. The Danakil Depression is one of the lowest points on the earth not covered by water. One of the most forbidding and inhospitable landscapes in the world, it is starkly dramatic yet with a beauty and appeal all of its own. And Ertale is one of the most active volcanic eruptions since120 years.

DAY 1-DEPARTURE FROM YOUR HOME

DAY 2- CITY TOUR OF ADDIS ABABA

Morning arrival at Bole International airport where you will be met and transferred to the city of Addis Ababa to have a short coffee stop before you are transferred to your hotel for check in and have some rest. Start your city tour with a visit to the National archeological museum with Lucy and other archeological collections. Have lunch at the Lucy restaurant before we head to the Ethnographic museum, also known as the ‘Institute of Ethiopian studies’, have a taste of the Ethiopian coffee at the Tomoca coffee shop and drive back to your hotel through Churchill Avenue and passing through the Rail way station and Meskel square where the Ethiopians celebrate Meskel festival, the finding of the True Cross every year in September 27.

Overnight Nexus Hotel or similar

DAY 3-FLY MEKELLE

Early morning transfer to the airport for your direct flight to Mekelle. Upon arrival, you will be met by your guide and transfer to the Axum Hotel or similar for check in, and then begin your day with a visit to the market place where people sell salt bars they get from the Danakil and the open market at Adihaki is spectacular. Morning visit the palace of Yohannes IV. It is Mekelle’s oldest royal house and built during the emperor’s reign (1872-1889). The palace, situated behind a double rounded wall compound, is actually two buildings facing each other. The museum has among its collection the incredible throne of the emperor from 1874, the royal bed, ceremonial dress, rifles and many other valuable items of Ethiopian heritage.

 You may also visit the modern Martyr’s monument of the TPLF where you will get yourself more in to the socio-economic and bloody struggle of the people of Tigrai in order to eradicate the military dictatorship regime of Mengistu. Have dinner in one of the restaurants in town and then return to your hotel for overnight. (B,L,D)

Overnight Planet Hotel or similar

DAY 4-DRIVE TO HAMED ELA

Early morning drive to the Danakil depression through the highlands at Desiea forest where you will be on the top of the escarpment of the Great Rift Valley overlooking the Danakil depression. Your drive will also take you through the villages of the Tigrian people on the highlands and villages of the Afar people down below the escarpment. In the afternoon, arrive at Hamed Ela, nearest village to the Dallol to settle with your camping and take a rest before we drive to Lake Asale, the salt lake from which salt caravans or Arhos shape and transport the salt bars on their camels and donkeys.

Overnight camping

DAY 5-DRIVE TO MAOUNT ERTA ALE (124KM)

Drive to Kursewad, a small village of the Afars from where we will collect camels and porters for our trip to the active volcanoes at Era Ale. Have a short drive to the foot of Mt. Erta Ale, where we will leave the cars as the temperature drops and ride the camels or walk to the top of Erta Ale (45min to 1 hour walk). Arrival at Erta Ale will be in the evening and we will have a great view of the active volcanoes in the dark. Then back to your camp site where you left your cook and drivers and have early breakfast before it gets too hot.

Overnight camping

DAY 6- DRIVE TO LAKE AFDERA (90KM)

Lake Afrera (also transliterated as Lake Afdera) is a hyper saline lake in northern Ethiopia. Located in of the Afar Region, it is one of the lakes of the Danakil Depression. According to its entry in Lake net, it has a surface area of 100 km2 (39 sq mi),[1] although another source states the area is 12,500 hectares. An unconfirmed report gives its depth as 160 m (525 ft); the lake is fed by underground streams and it is the source of salt for the local and the entire country too.

Overnight camping

DAY 7-DRIVE TO SEMERA (190KM) FOR YOUR FLIGHT BACK TO ADDIS

Early morning walk back to the cars where we will have your late breakfast before we drive to Semera passing through the escarpments of small and scattered Afar villages. Have flight to Addis Ababa and transfer to Hotel Celeste for your DUR. Depending on the time availability you can go around Merkato for shopping and back to Tomocca Coffee in the Old Piazza.

After having some break in your hotel drive to one of the best traditional restaurant for dinner with live music of different tribes of Ethiopia and then fly back home.