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Desert, Salt and Volcanoes
- expedition to Erta Ale volcano and the Danakil depression (Ethiopia) -
 
- 3 full days/nights at the active lava lake of Erta Ale
- Fascinating rock and salt formations at Dallol volcano
- Spectacular and varied landscapes of highlands, volcanoes and deserts
- Century-old salt mining at Lake Assale
- Professionally outfitted expedition and thorough preparation
- Comfortable 4x4 transfers: maximum 3 clients per car, 2 in each seat row
- No "rushing" from place to place
- Interaction with local people - ecotourism principle
- Small group sizes
- Experienced professional staff
- Accompanying professional volcanologist
    
Tour code: ETH_EDA
Tour type: Expedition: active volcanoes - photography - adventure
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 14 days / 13 nights
Dates:
 21 Nov - 3 Dec 10 15-27 Jan 11
Price (p.p.): from 3760 EUR
Included:- Accommodation in double rooms / tents
- Full board from lunch on first day until breeakfast after last hotel night
- Drinking water from D4-10 (8 liters per person per day)
- Full camping equipment
- Private transport in 4WD vehicles
- All fees for transits, entries etc.
- Experienced driver guides and cooks
- Armed Afar guards and guides
- Internal flight from Mekele to Addis Ababa
- Professional English-speaking guide and staff
- Detailed information package
- Professional accompanying volcanologist
After our highly successful pilot tour in Jan / Feb. 2008, we are looking foreward to repeat this expedition to the Danakil depression and revisit Erta Ale and Dallol volcanoes, the desert with its salt lakes and, of course, the wonderful people of Ethiopia.
Itinerary (13 days)
Day 1: |
Addis Ababa - Awash
In the late morning, transfer from Addis Ababa to Awash Natl Park, already in the Rift Valley. Game drive into the savannah and visit of the Awash river canyon and waterfall.
Acc.: Guesthouse in Awash (B, L, D)
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Day 2: |
Drive to Logia
Drive through the Rift Valley to the small town of Logia
Acc.: Basic hotel or camping (B, L, D)
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Day 3: |
Drive into the Danakil - Afrera salt lake
Drive to Afrera, visit the salt lake and the salines.
Acc.: Basic hotel or camping (B, L, D)
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Day 4: |
Drive to Dodom village (base of Erta Ale)
Morning excursion to the working area at the salines. 4x4 drive through the Afar desert to the base of Erta Ale volcano.
Acc.: Night under the stars in camp. (B, L, D)
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Day 5: |
Day-time ascend to Erta Ale volcano with camels
Easy hike up to the volcano (ca. 3 hrs), accompanied by a camel caravan to carry equipment.
Acc.: Improvised camp on Erta Ale (B, L, D)
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Day 6-7: |
Two full days to observe Erta Ale's lava lake and the caldera
Acc.: as before (camp on Erta Ale) (B, L, D)
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Day 8: |
Descend from Erta Ale - camp near Afar village
After a last sunrise at the spectacular lava lake, we break down our camp and using the camels again, we return to the point of departure where the jeeps are waiting.
After lunch, we continue for 1-2 hours back into the desert, where we will set camp near a typical temporary Afar village. Refreshing showers will be available from simple wells in a river bed. For those interested, we can also visit the Afar village and get an impression of the nomadic culture of the Afar.
Acc.: Camp (B, L, D)
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Day 9: |
Transfer to Lake Assale - salt caravans
Drive to Ahmedela along unmarked sandy tracks. Lunch on the way at a palm oasis.
Acc.: Camp (B, L, D)
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Day 10: |
Dallol volcano
Full day to visit Dallol volcano and its ghost town in the salt lake.
Acc.: as before (Ahmed Ela) (B, L, D)
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Day 11: |
Salt caravans - salt cutting and loading - transfer to the highlands
Watch camels leaving, visit the salt cutting and shaping area where. Return to the highlands along a 4x4 road through a river canyon. Lunch stop at a waterfall.
Acc.: Guesthouse or hotel (B, L, D)
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Day 12: |
Highland plateau sandstones - Debre Abraham rock-hewn church - transfer to Mekele
Spare day. If not needed, short side-trip into the spectacular highlands to hike to an old church on top of a sand-stone mountain.
Short transfer to Mekele. Dinner in a stylish restaurant.
Acc.: Hotel in Mekele (B, L, D)
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Day 13: |
Return to Addis (flight from Mekele)
If you don't opt for an individual extension, the tour ends with a domestic flight back to Addis Ababa. If you leave on an international flight in the evening, we provide you with a day-room and suitable airport transfer in Addis.
Acc.: none (optional hotel nights in Addis on request) (B)
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Arrival info:The expedition starts and ends in Addis Ababa, but the international flight to Ethiopia is not included as default.
For European departure airports, we can included a flight ticket for you at additional cost (ca. 900 EUR) if you let us know in advance.
Accommodation:Mixed standards: in the towns, we use hotels of good local standards, but you should not expect any luxury. In the villages, the best options will be basic hotels or using the mattresses / tents. In the desert and on the volcano, we sleep usually under the stars or (if it's not too hot) in tents or under a cover.
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