Expedition to Ethiopia’s Erta Ale and the Danakil Depression
The Danakil Depression is one of the most remote spots in the world and is the lowest point of the Great Rift Valley system which stretches the length of the African continent. This area is rarely visited by travelers. Dinknesh Ethiopia Tour’s Expedition to Erta Ale and the Danakil Depression is a true adventure that features stunning landscapes and beautiful, enduring people. For more information on this journey, email Contact@FazendinPortfolio.com.
Erta Ale is one of the few volcanoes in the world that has an almost persistent lava lake; it is an isolated basaltic shield volcano, 50 km wide, rising more than 600 meters. Erta Ale means “smoking mountain” in the language of the local Afar people.
The Afar People of this region are nomadic and their daily lives consist of tending to livestock, including goats, camels, and some cattle. These people have a reputation for being “tough” and “fierce”, and one can understand why when looking at their habitat! They, as are Ethiopians in general, are hospitable to visitors.
Dallol is 100 km from North West of Erta Ale and is the lowest point of the Danakil Depression (116 meters below sea level). This area is extremely hot and quite an inhospitable place, but features a breathtaking and extraordinarily colorful landscape. Today, hundreds of camel caravans can be found on the road daily (with the exception of Fridays and during the hottest months from March- September) transporting salt from this region to the northwestern highlands of Ethiopia.
11 Day Driving and Flying Program
Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa. O/N - Hotel
Day 2: Drive from Addis to Awash National Park for game viewing. O/N - Hotel.
Day 3: Drive from Awash to Semera. Visit the Afar tribal village. O/N - Hotel or Guest House
Day 4: Drive from Semera to Lake Afdera. O/N - Camping.
Day 5: Drive from Afdera to Dodom and start trek to Erta Ale. O/N - Camping
Day 6: Drive from Erta Ale to Waydodo. O/N - camping.
Day 7: Drive from Waydodo to Ahmed Ela. O/N - camping
Day 8: Drive to Lake Asale and to Dallol and back to Ahmed Ela. O/N - Camping.
Day 9: Drive to Mekele through the town of Berhile. O/N - Camping
Day 10: Transfer to the airport and fly back to Addis. O/N -Hotel.
Day 11: Sightseeing tour of Addis, evening farewell dinner party and departure back to home.
