Viamigo

Expedition to Danakil Depression active Volcano

Duration: 04 Nights / 05 Days

Transportation: Flight (ADD-MQX) and Surface

Accommodation: best accommodation in Addis and Well Equipped Camping Gear

Meal: Full board on trekking times.

N.B:- Minimum number of participants = 04 pax /group

Highlight Introduction:

The Danakil Depression (Erta Ale)

The Danakil Depression in the northern part of the Afar Triangle or Afar Depression is one of the most important places in the world where one can have a chance do his once-in-a lifetime adventure tour. The Danakil Depression is located in the Afar Region. The Afar Region is referred to as the cradle of hominids after archeologists found the famous Lucy fossils dated 3.2 millions back in 1974.

The Danakil Depression is most famous for being the hottest place on earth in terms of year round average temperatures. It is also one of the lowest places on the planet and there is no rain for most of the year. Here, the Awash River dries up in a chain of salt lakes never reaching the Indian Ocean.

The Afar people living in the region are pastoralists and engaged in salt mining. In ad-dition to the Dallol sulfur springs, tourists come to see the active volcano Erta Ale one of several magma crater lakes bubbling from the earth’s core.

Itinerary:

Day 01. Arrival in Addis Ababa.

On arrival you will be mate at Bole international air port by our company representa-tive and get transfer to your hotel where you will start your expedition to Danakil in the moring.

O/n in Caravan Hotel. Meal (BB,--,--)

Day 02. Fly Addis Ababa to Mekelle then drive to Hamede Ela

Early Moring you at 05:30: PM you will be transferred to Bole International air port for your ET domestic flight to Mekelle. Your flight time is at 7:00 AM and you will arrive at Mekelle Air port after 45 minutes on air. You will have a little time until your expedition drive to Hamed Ella Started.

Drive to Hamedela via Berhale. 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, as in the sulphur springs. The desert has several points lying more than 100 meters (328 ft) below sea level. You pass through a small town of Berhale where the camel caravans stop before they proceed to the northern highlands. En route you see many long caravans going to the salt mines and others coming out of the Dana-kil with their salt loaded camels. (3-4 hrs drive).

O/n in Camping at Hamedela.

Meal (BB, LL, DD)

Day 03 Hiking Hamd Ela to Dodom-Erta Ale

We start early, shortly after a 06:30 breakfast, and drive to Dodom at the base of Erta Ale. This may be one of the worst road in the world. The 80 km distance may take about 6 hrs passing through changing landscape of solidified lava, rock, sand and the occasional palm lined oasis.

You pass several small hamlets scattered here and there in this desert land, before reaching Dodom. You will trek from Dodom to Erta Ale which takes about 3 hrs. Early dinner around 17:00 and trek up to Ert Ale at 20:00.

Camels transport all the camping materials and some food, sleeping materials, mat-tresses and water, to the rim of the volcano, where we spend the night watching the dramatic action of the boiling lava. Erta Ale ranks 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 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 at Erta Ale.

Meal (BB, LL, DD)

Day 04 –Back Dodom to Hamed Ella

Early morning you will rise with the sun with time to walk around pits and craters. The main pit-crater, 200 m deep and 350 m across, is sub-circular and three storied. The smaller southern pit is 65 m wide and about 100 m deep. You will leave around 7:00 to head back to Dodom for breakfast. You will reach latest at 10:30 am at the camp and af-ter some time to relax you will drive on to Hamad Ela, a village with a total population about 500 people. Overnight camping at Hamed Ela.

Meal (BB, LL, DD)

Day 05: Excursion to Dallol -Drive back to Mekelle –Flight back to Addis Ababa.

Morning driving tour to Ragad (Asebo), the place where the salts are mined. Observe the breaking of the salt from the ground, cutting into rectangular pieces and loading on camels. You drive ahead to Dallol and visit the difference landscape formed by volcanic activity, Dallol + Lake Assal + camel caravans. Excursion to Dallol (116 meter below sea level, one of the lowest places in the world) colorful salts mining, visit Lake Assal, follow up camel caravans and walk with the Afar people. Drive back to Hamedela and proceed to Mekelle. You will take an evening flight back from Mekelle to Addis at 07:50 PM.

On Arrival in Addis you will have a connection flight to your home country.

DEPARTURE

--------End of the tour arrangement ----------

THE DOMESTIC FLIGHT PRICE WILL BE

Domestic airfare ADD-MQX-ADD (subject to change)

USD 165 per person if flying with Ethiopian airlines in the International flight

USD 398 per person if flying with other carrier in the International flight

The Price quotation INCLUDES the following services:-

• Transport latest model Toyota with Experienced English speaking driver guide throughout the Tour.

• All Associated Transfers

• All Entrance fees and licenses as per the program.

• All meals throughout the tour.

• Plenty bottles of water 1.5 litters for the trip.

• Surface Transport expense with four wheel drive Land-cruiser including fuel ex-pense and drivers allowance

• Local guide service for the afar region as per the program.

• Cooking, camping equipment,

• Scout and police service in Afar Region as per the program.

• Camel and camel tires in Afar Region as per the program.

• Experienced cook throughout of the tour as per the program.

• Government Taxes VAT.

The Price quotation EXCLUDES the following services:-

 International Flight &

 Domestic flight (ADD-MQX-ADD)

 All meal in Addis Ababa.

 Any alcoholic drinks

 Personal expense like souvenirs, laundry, etc

 Tips

 Any services which are not listed on the Included list above.