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| Danakil Depression - Geological Tours |
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Tour to the Danakil depression
The Afar region is an important part of Human history as well as the geological history of Africa. As archaeologist find possible missing links to humanity, geologists are fascinated by the creation of a new ocean, a place where three tectonic plates meet in a beautiful land of volcanoes, salt plains and lakes in the dessert, that are moving away from each other and the Horn of Africa will become an island. The best time to travel to the Danakil is between September and April
This extraordinary tour in northern Ethiopia will takes us through the Ethiopian highlands to the city of Dessie and on to one of the worlds most unique places. The Danakil Depression is one of the most remote geological land formations in the Great Rift Valley system, and a photo paradise.
In this adventure you will explore Erta Alle, an absolutely unique lava lake erupting 24 hours a day for the last 40 years and Dalol, the lowest part of Danakil Depression and of the African Continent, at 200 m below sea level it is said to be the hottest place on earth, day time highs of up to 50 degrees, but with an enjoyable and colorful landscape of reds, browns and yellow, that form fascinating fumaroles, amazing rock formations of crystal and mineral deposits across the land.
We will also visit Lake Asale, famous salt lake that is a joy to drive through and visit the salt miners who have been mining salt for many generations by cutting, shaping and loading them on endless Camel Caravans to transport to Mekele
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Ethiopia tour and travel services: pangeansafari@gmail.com
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 Day 1 Drive north through the highlands,with a stop at Debre Birhan. We will reach the Mezzo escarpment that over looks the beautiful mountain scenes of the Amhara highlands and with luck, you will catch a glimpse of the endemic gelada baboons and many endemic bird life. Overnight in Weldiya Hotel
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 Day 2 Drive to Mekele though scenic mountain roads. Overnight hotel
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 Day 3 Head towards Hamed Ila through Berhale (Bere -ale) where we will pick up police scouts, road guides and permits for the Afar region. From Berehale, proceed driving to Hamed Ila, where we will watch the camel caravans carrying salt from the salt lake to Mekele for sale. Overnight camping
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 Day 4 After breakfast, take a day trip to Dallol, which at 116m below sea level is the lowest point on the African continent. Here the landscape is beautiful, the ground many shades of brown, red and yellow from,of sulfuric acid and minerals that spurt and bubble from the ground.
We will also visit Lake Asal, working salt mine from which the Afar nomads have the laborious task of removing the salt as generations have done, while hundreds of camels await to carry the loads on the long trek back to Mekele. At the end of the day we return to Hamed Ila (Ahmed El) for overnight camping
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 Day 5 From Hamed Ila, continue to Erta Ale via Kusawad 90 km. The Erta Ale volcano has been in a constant state of eruption for over 40 years, definitely one the highlights of the trip! We will camp in the village of El Dom, where it will be an early dinner and start the long trek to the carter which can take a good 4 hours or five at normal pace.
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 Day 6 Rise and shine early and hike back to camp for breakfast and continue driving to Lake Afdera, mineral rich lake .We will stop for a quick lunch and a swim and continue to Semera, Overnight hotel
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 Day 7 Start early for the long drive back to Addis Abeba, With a stop in Awash for lunch. Continue to Addis Abeba overnight hotel
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To customise this trip to five day tour or extend with other parts of the country, contact us at: pangeansafari@gmail.com
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