6 days / 5 nights Tour Code: WET06
This is not a simple tour, but a real expedition into the heart of Ethiopia, a country where nature expresses itself with primordial force and local cultures retain a rare authenticity. We will enter Dancalia, one of the hottest and most inhospitable regions on Earth, a lunar landscape of active volcanoes, salt lakes and geysers.
1st day Monday
ADDIS ABEBA – SEMERA
Excursion: City tour of Addis Ababa
Flight: 1 hour to Semera.
Not to be missed: the National Museum, the Ethnographic Museum, the local gastronomy
Arrival in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, meeting with the local staff. Visit of the city, located at 2400 meters above sea level in a valley surrounded by mountains. Addis Ababa is a cosmopolitan metropolis of over 6.5 million inhabitants, home to the African Union and characterized by the coexistence of different ethnic groups and religious communities (Christian, Jewish and Muslim). The city preserves historical evidence of the imperial period, the Italian occupation, the socialist regime and, at the same time, is constantly evolving with its numerous construction sites. We will explore the most significant places, including the Ethnographic Museum, located in the residence of the last emperor Haile Selassie, which exhibits a rich collection of artifacts offering an extraordinary cultural diversity of the Ethiopian people and the National Museum, known for the finds of the Sabaean civilization and the skeleton of Lucy, a hominid from 3.5 million years ago. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport to board a flight to Semera, the capital of the Afar region. Arrival and accommodation in the hotel. Full board.
Day 2 Tuesday
Semera – Asayta – Galyloma: The Beginning of the Adventure
Transfer: Transfer by 4×4 vehicles to Galyloma (190km)
After breakfast, continue by 4×4 off-road vehicle towards Asayita (60km) to enter the region of the Afar, a proud and independent people who live in this inhospitable land. We will visit the Asayta market, a lively and very colorful place where we can meet the Afar, observe their traditions and buy local products. In the afternoon, we will move to Lake Galyloma, a purple volcanic lake, where we will set up our tented camp. Dinner and overnight in a tent.
Day 3 Wednesday
Galyloma – Erta Ale: The Ascent to the Volcano
Transfer: Transfer by 4×4 to Erta Ale (320km, about 6 hours)
Not to be missed: Erta Ale volcano – the Danakil landscape – the salt pans of Lake Afdera
Excursion: Trekking to Erta Ale: Night ascent to the active volcano.
The journey continues to Afdera, a settlement of about ten thousand inhabitants, which has developed in recent years thanks to the salt pans located on the shores of Lake Afrera, formerly known as Lake Giulietti.
Lake Afrera, located 140 meters below sea level, is a body of brackish water surrounded by basalt formations. The area is characterized by the presence of thermal springs fed by the Erta Ale volcanic system. Along the shores of the lake, water is extracted and left to evaporate in the salt pans, producing high-quality salt.
The route winds along the foothills of the volcanic chain, with Erta Ale rising as the southern landmark. The Dodom plain, during the rainy season, transforms into a stretch of green pastures. From here, the journey continues to the base of Erta Ale volcano. The ascent to the summit takes about 30 minutes, offering the opportunity to make both night and morning visits from the base camp. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.
Day 4
Erta Ale – Assabole
Transfer: Transfer by 4×4 vehicles to Assabolo (120km, approximately 3 hours)
After admiring the sunrise over Erta Ale volcano, we will begin the descent and head towards the village of Ahmed Ela, the only human settlement in this desert area. From here, we will continue to Assabolo, a village located on the banks of the Saba River, where we will set up our camp. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.
Day 5
Dallol: A Lunar Landscape
Hike: Dallol (20km, approx. 30 min)
Not to be missed: Dallol, a lunar landscape with geysers and colorful hot springs – Geothermal activity, natural phenomena such as boiling lakes and salt formations – Landscape contrasts.
Today we reach an extraordinary location, Dallol, “the place of spirits”, an extraordinary and surreal volcanic hill of about 50 meters located in the Danakil Depression, a place characterized by intense geothermal activity. Geysers and hot springs shape the landscape, creating salt and mineral formations with bright colors and unusual shapes. The area is of historical interest for the presence of an Italian mining village from the 1930s, the ruins of which are still visible. Geothermal activity continues to manifest itself in the surroundings of the hill, with hot springs and boiling lakes. To the west, imposing salt stacks mark the border end with Eritrea, while to the south is the Assa Ale mound, a salt formation of magnesium sulphate. The Dallol landscape offers an extraordinary natural spectacle, a place where the strength of the earth manifests itself in all its power. Return to the camp in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight in tents.
Day 6
Assabole – Mekele (via Alaba) – Addis Ababa
Transfer: Transfer by 4×4 vehicles to Mekelè (240km, about 4 hours)
Flight: 1 hour to Addis Ababa
In the morning, walk for about 2 hours in the canyon of the Saba River, return to the camp and we will head towards Mekele, a city located on the Ethiopian plateau. Lunch in Mekele. From here, we will take an Ethiopian Airlines flight that will take us back to Addis Ababa. Free time for shopping or relaxing a bit. Day Use rooms are available (one room for every four people) to give you the opportunity to freshen up before departure.
END OF PROGRAM
Venture into one of the most inhospitable and fascinating places on the planet, the Danakil Depression, a surreal landscape of active volcanoes, salt lakes, sulphur springs and nomadic villages. A unique experience for adventurous travellers, eager to discover a primordial and wild world.
Highlights:
• Erta Ale Volcano: an unforgettable excursion to the active volcano a breathtaking natural spectacle.
• Dallol: a lunar landscape of bright colours, with acidic hot springs, geysers and salt formations, a true “alien landscape”.
• Lake Assale: an expanse of salt as far as the eye can see.
• Lake Galyloma: a crater with a purple lake inside, a source of water for dromedaries and other wild animals.
• Afar People: meet the proud nomadic Afar people, custodians of ancient traditions and skilled survivors in an extreme environment.
Your trip day by day:
• Addis Ababa: Arrival and visit of the capital. Flight to Semera.
• Semera – Asayta – Galyloma: between markets and volcanic lakes, the beginning of the adventure in Dancalia.
• ​​Galyloma – Erta Ale: Transfer by 4×4 to the base camp of the Erta Ale volcano and night trekking to reach the summit and admire the lava caldera.
• Erta Ale – Assabolo: Descent from Erta Ale and transfer to Assabolo, visit of the surreal landscape.
• Dallol: Visit of Lake Assale, ascent to the lunar landscape of Dallol, visit of the gothic crystallized salt formations and the yellow lake.
• Assabolo – Mekelle – Addis Ababa: Transfer to the plateau in Mekelè and return flight to Addis Ababa.