Overview
Danakil Depression, Afar Triangle, Afar people, Dallol, Erta Ale active volcano- one of Africa's most striking geographical features is a giant tear across the earth's surface visible even from space: the Great Rift Valley. Extending from the Middle East to Mozambique, the Rift Valley passes in a north-easterly to South-westerly direction right through Ethiopia, endowing the country with some
spectacular sights ranging from hot, dry, and barren places to a string of beautiful lakes. This
tremendous collapse of the earth's surface occurred at the same time that the Arabian Peninsula, geologically a part of Africa. The Afar Depression is a plate tectonic triple junction where the spreading ridges that are forming the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden emerge on land and meet the
East African Rift. The Afar Depression is one of two places on Earth where a mid-ocean ridge can
be studied on land, the other being Iceland. While you visit this stunning nature gift you will
experience one of the lowest places on earth 120 meters below sea level at Dallol, the breathtaking
mineral colors with salt mountains with bubbling springs, Lake Asala, traditional salt extraction by the Afar and Tigray people, Afdera salt lake with Ertale active volcano and much more adventure.
DAY 1- flies Addis ABABA MEKELLE DRIVE AFDERA SALT LAKE
(HOT SPRING)
Early in the morning transfer to the airport to fly to Mekelle, upon arrival at Mekelle meet with SET
adventure team (driver, guide, and cook) then directly drive to Afdera, on the way enjoy the dramatic
the landscape of the Tigray Mountain followed by the Afar lowlands that are part of the Great Rift Valley afternoon arrival at Afdera a town called after the salt lake in the settlement where the Ethiopian salt is extracted both in traditional and modern way, arrival have lunch and rest on the camping ground till the heat reduce and late afternoon enjoy lake Afdera for a view and hot spring bath, overnight camping.
DAY 2 DRIVE AFDERA DODEM- EVENING TREK TO ERTALE
ACTIVE VOLCANO
In the morning after a relaxed breakfast pack the camping materials and head to the Afar regional tourism office to finish the necessary permission then escort the regional police and road leader and head to Dodgem/ Kusrewad a base camp for the active volcano, arrival lunch break and rest, prepare camel late afternoon have an early dinner and start trekking to the top of the rim for the active volcano lake and admire the Ertale active volcano through the beautiful evening and take pictures to spend the night,
overnight camping
DAY 3- TREK BACK ERTALE VOLCANO TO DODEM- DRIVE TO
HAMEDELLA
Early morning around 5:00 AM start trekking back to the base camp Dodem, meet the car, and have
breakfast then after packing the camping equipment continue driving to Hamedela on the way picnic
lunch will be served. Upon arrival rest and shower then late afternoon photograph the caravan that
passed through the village, overnight camping
DAY 4- MORNING EXCURSION TO DALLOL SALT MOUNTAINS
& LAKE ASALE
Early in the morning after breakfast head to Daloll to visit the amazing mineral colors with bubbling
springs, then to Daloll one of the lowest places on earth 120 meters below sea level,l and Lake Asale
with the salt extraction process activity of the Tigray and Afar people. Then drive back to base camp
after a picnic lunch and rest in the camping area, overnight camping.
DAY 5- DRIVE HAMEDELLA- MEKELLE- FLY BACK ADDIS
ABABA- DEPARTURE
Morning after breakfast drive back to Mekelle passing the dramatic landscape of the area and arrival
to Mekelle have a lunch transfer to the airport to fly back to Addis Ababa upon arrival free time evening traditional dinner in the cultural restaurant with live Ethiopian cultural music after transfer to the port for departure.
END OF THE TOUR
