Overview

Discover one of the most hottest, lowest and geologically active areas on the planet and some of the most breathtaking landscapes on earth: the Danakil Depression, Ert Ale Lava Lake, one of the most permanent lava lake on earth,   active volcanoes with boiling lava lakes, lava fields, extraordinary landscapes with different colors of minerals,  salt fields, sulfur fields, hot springs and more. 

On this expedition, you will have a lava trek to visit one of few most permanent lava lakes on the planet, Erta Ale. You will also have the chance to witness an ancient tradition of extracting salt from the salt fields and transporting the salt bars  with endless lines of  camel caravan for days from the depression to the highland towns. This adventure tour is truly a trip of a life time!

Itinerary

Day 01: Addis Ababa-Arrival

Arrive in Addis Ababa (ADD),Ethiopia. Welcome to Ethiopia! Upon arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, you will be welcomed and assisted by your tour guide and driver for the transfer to Jupiter Hotel (4*). There will be a short drive to your hotel. If you arrive in the morning we can arrange an optional city tour.

O/N: Jupiter Hotel-Addis Ababa.

Day 02: Addis Ababa-Awash National Park (B-L-D)

After breakfast, start driving south of Addis Ababa to AwashNational Park through the Great Rift Valley.

In the afternoon, game drive around Awash Park and drive to Blien.

O/N: Buffet de La gare Awash

Day 03: Awash-Semera (B-L-D)

In the morning, drive to Semera town which is the center of the Afar regional state. While driving from Awash to Afar you will visit different Afar villages.

We will pick up our permission and local guide at Semera.

O/N: Ertale Hotel - Semera.

Day 04: Semera-Lake Afdera( 103 meters below sea level) (B-L-D)

Today we will drive North East to Afrdera and the  landscape keep on changing  dramatically as we continue driving North Easta and so does the climat.

We will set our camp around Lake Afrera and will explore the salt extraction area and enjoy the stunning view of the desert with the sun set.

O/N: Camping at Lake Afdera

Day 05: Afdera - Dodom (Kurseywad)-Ertale (B-L-D)

After enjoying the lovely sunrise on Lake Afrera while having breakfast, we will drive to Kursuawd then to Ertale.

Once we get at the base of the creator, we will take rest and pack for the trek to the Lava Lake on the Lava Fields.  At nigh, nothing prepares you for the amazing view that awaits down the creator where the fire comes out gushing the surface. It is simply spectacular!

O/N: Camping at Ertale.

Day 06: Ertale-Dodom - HamedEla (B-L-D)

Early morning, we will trek back down to the Kursuad camp site, before it starts to be too hot. Up on arrival at the camp, we will have breakfast and get ready for the drive downhill and on the sand and salt fields

In the evening, we will walk for a few minute following the camel caravan carrying salt bars from the depression to the highland.

O/N: camping at HamedEla.

Day 07: HamedEla - Dallol-HamedEla (B-L-D)

Full day exploration of the Dallol area, including the salt extraction area and the sulfer field, and other mineral fields.

After visiting the springs, drive back to campsite at HamedEla.

O/N: Camping atHamedEla.

Day 08: HamedEla– Berahile – Hawzien (B-L-D)

Today we will leave the Danakil depression, drive 48 km south west to reach Berahile.While driving from Berhale to Hauzien, you will see the landscape changing gradually from a desert and salt field to rocky  mountain chains. 

On this route, you will have the chance to visit some of the rock-hewn churches of Tigray.

O/N: Gheralta Lodge-Hawzien.

Day 09: Hawzien- Mekele (B-L-D)

In the morning, walk around the lodge enjoy the stunning view with the morning sun and  spot different species of beautiful birds. You can also visit a Tigre Village near the lodge.

Later on we will also visit some more of the rock hewn churches  from the Teka Tesfai cluster in this area.

O/N: Axum Hotel-Mekele.

Day 10: Mekele-Kombolcha (B-L-D)

In the morning, we start driving from Mekele to Kombolcha. On the way you will still see some camel caravans and we will also stop at different places for short visit.

O/N: Sunny side hotel in Kombolcha

Day 11: Kembolcha - Addis Ababa - Departure (B)

In the morning, drive to Addis Ababa, from Kombolcha, through Kemise, Ataye, Shewarobit and Debresina. At Kemise we will have the chance to see multi-tribal local market.

In the evening, there will be Grand Holidays’ complimentary farewell dinner party (flight schedule permitting). There will not be a better way of ending a trip.  At the end of the farewell dinner, transfer to Addis Ababa airport for the flight back. End of tour.

B = breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Images from Dallol Desert and Ertale Lava Lake Expedition

Note: Click on thumbnail to enlarge

Itinerary

Itinerary

Day 01: Addis Ababa-Arrival

Arrive in Addis Ababa (ADD),Ethiopia. Welcome to Ethiopia! Upon arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, you will be welcomed and assisted by your tour guide and driver for the transfer to Jupiter Hotel (4*). There will be a short drive to your hotel. If you arrive in the morning we can arrange an optional city tour.

O/N: Jupiter Hotel-Addis Ababa.

Day 02: Addis Ababa-Awash National Park (B-L-D)

After breakfast, start driving south of Addis Ababa to AwashNational Park through the Great Rift Valley.

In the afternoon, game drive around Awash Park and drive to Blien.

O/N: Buffet de La gare Awash

Day 03: Awash-Semera (B-L-D)

In the morning, drive to Semera town which is the center of the Afar regional state. While driving from Awash to Afar you will visit different Afar villages.

We will pick up our permission and local guide at Semera.

O/N: Ertale Hotel - Semera.

Day 04: Semera-Lake Afdera( 103 meters below sea level) (B-L-D)

Today we will drive North East to Afrdera and the  landscape keep on changing  dramatically as we continue driving North Easta and so does the climat.

We will set our camp around Lake Afrera and will explore the salt extraction area and enjoy the stunning view of the desert with the sun set.

O/N: Camping at Lake Afdera

Day 05: Afdera - Dodom (Kurseywad)-Ertale (B-L-D)

After enjoying the lovely sunrise on Lake Afrera while having breakfast, we will drive to Kursuawd then to Ertale.

Once we get at the base of the creator, we will take rest and pack for the trek to the Lava Lake on the Lava Fields.  At nigh, nothing prepares you for the amazing view that awaits down the creator where the fire comes out gushing the surface. It is simply spectacular!

O/N: Camping at Ertale.

Day 06: Ertale-Dodom - HamedEla (B-L-D)

Early morning, we will trek back down to the Kursuad camp site, before it starts to be too hot. Up on arrival at the camp, we will have breakfast and get ready for the drive downhill and on the sand and salt fields

In the evening, we will walk for a few minute following the camel caravan carrying salt bars from the depression to the highland.

O/N: camping at HamedEla.

Day 07: HamedEla - Dallol-HamedEla (B-L-D)

Full day exploration of the Dallol area, including the salt extraction area and the sulfer field, and other mineral fields.

After visiting the springs, drive back to campsite at HamedEla.

O/N: Camping atHamedEla.

Day 08: HamedEla– Berahile – Hawzien (B-L-D)

Today we will leave the Danakil depression, drive 48 km south west to reach Berahile.While driving from Berhale to Hauzien, you will see the landscape changing gradually from a desert and salt field to rocky  mountain chains. 

On this route, you will have the chance to visit some of the rock-hewn churches of Tigray.

O/N: Gheralta Lodge-Hawzien.

Day 09: Hawzien- Mekele (B-L-D)

In the morning, walk around the lodge enjoy the stunning view with the morning sun and  spot different species of beautiful birds. You can also visit a Tigre Village near the lodge.

Later on we will also visit some more of the rock hewn churches  from the Teka Tesfai cluster in this area.

O/N: Axum Hotel-Mekele.

Day 10: Mekele-Kombolcha (B-L-D)

In the morning, we start driving from Mekele to Kombolcha. On the way you will still see some camel caravans and we will also stop at different places for short visit.

O/N: Sunny side hotel in Kombolcha

Day 11: Kembolcha - Addis Ababa - Departure (B)

In the morning, drive to Addis Ababa, from Kombolcha, through Kemise, Ataye, Shewarobit and Debresina. At Kemise we will have the chance to see multi-tribal local market.

In the evening, there will be Grand Holidays’ complimentary farewell dinner party (flight schedule permitting). There will not be a better way of ending a trip.  At the end of the farewell dinner, transfer to Addis Ababa airport for the flight back. End of tour.

B = breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Images

Note: Click on thumbnail to enlarge

Dates & availability & rates

Program: Dallol Depression Expedition with Tigray rock-hewn churches
Duration: 11days
Transport: Surface (4X4)
Activities: adventure tours, desert expedition, lava lake, ancient history, age-old culture, breathtaking highland scenery, castles, rock churches and so much moreh

Rates are per person in US$ (1 US$ = ca. 0,75 €)

Confirmed = this tour is guaranteed to operate    Available - This date is available and open for bookings. Go for it!

Minimum participants per trip 4 persons
Due to security reasons (e.g. car breakdown) we only operate the trip to the dessert with 2 cars. That is why we require a minium 4 pax.

Rate includes:

•    roundtrip as per program
•    all necessary transfers
•    transport in modern vehicles with air-condition
•    10 nights accomodation in good hotels (4-star in Addis Abeba) in double rooms
•    all meals as stated in the program
•    all entrance fees
•    English speaking, qualified tourguide
•    farewell-dinner (flight schedule permitting)

Not included:

•    visafees
•    tips
•    meals not stated in the progam
•    all expenses of personal nature (drinks, laudry, phonecalls etc.)
•    sleeping bag on trekking tours

Tour duration

The tour duration shown above is in the idea of the tour begning and ending in Addis Ababa. Please be aware that the flight inclusive duration of the holiday may be longer.

This tour can also be booked at any date on an individual basis. Rates on request.

Available - This date is available and open for bookings. Go for it!

please call: +0251-116-183163 or e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it