Adventure: The Danakil Depression, Dallole & Erta Ale (4 Nights)

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 - City tour of Addis Ababa

We visit the National Museum, which houses some of the country’s historic treasures. The collection of fossils and bones of early hominids discovered in Ethiopia include the 3.5m-year-old remains of Lucy, the oldest hominid every found. We also visit the Holy Trinity Church, Ethiopia’s main cathedral and home to the remains of the last emperor, Haile Selassie.Visit the vibrant Merkato, the largest open-air market in Africa.

Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 2 - Semera – Ertale

In the morning catch your flight to Semera and drive to Kuswad, an Afar village where we pick up our scouts. You then continue through the desert where you reach the basalt rock formed by old lava flows. After getting off your vehicle, you trek to the rim of the volcano at around sunset, to avoid walking during the heat of the day. The trek will take about 45-60 minutes, with the latter part of the walk taking part in the dark. We spend the night watching the dramatic action of the boiling lava. Erta Ale ranks as one of the most alluring and physically challenging natural attractions anywhere in Ethiopia. It is a shield volcano with a base diameter of 30 km and a 1km square caldera at its summit. Erta Ale contains the world’s only permanent lava lake and you will spend an unforgettable night on the top of the mountain.

Overnight Camping (B, L, D)

Day 3 - Erta Ale – Ahmed Ela – Lake Asale

Rise early in the morning to catch another sight of the volcano before walking back down to basecamp. Here you will meet your vehicle again and set off on a drive to Ahmed Ela. Drive to Hamed. You pass through the small town of Berhale where the camel caravans stop before they proceed to the northern highlands and see many long caravans going to the salt mines and others coming out of the Danakil with their salt loaded camels. Visit to Lake Assal following the camel caravans and enjoy sunset with the Afar people.

Overnight Camping (B, L, D)

Day 4 - Ahmed Ela – Dallol – Semera

This morning you will visit Dallol, the lowest part of the Danakil Depression at 125metres below sea level, The Danakil Depression can be said to ‘begin’ here. It is one of the most inhospitable regions of the world, but is nonetheless spectacular, full of eye catching colors in the sulfur springs. The acidic hot springs of sulphur, salt, iron oxide, and other minerals facilitate small gas geysers and pools of acid creating an unearthly, desolate and colourful landscape. Continuing on you can visit the salt mining area of Lake Asale. This precious stone salt or Amole was once used as a currency in Ethiopia. Today, hundreds of camel caravans can be found on the road daily transporting salt to the north western highlands of Ethiopia. Return to camp for some lunch before setting off for semera this afternoon. Sightseeing along the way.

Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 5 - Semera – Addis ababa

After breakfast, fly to Addis Ababa on Ethiopian Airlines.
*Optional shopping in the evening you will attend a folkloric dinner where you will have a chance to taste several national dishes and watch dances of the various ethnic groups of Ethiopia. The traditional coffee ceremony will also be served. Then according to your departure schedule, you will be transferred to the airport.)

(B, L, D)