The Danakil Desert is located between the Ethiopian plateau and the Red Sea. The salt plain near Dallol is the lowest part at 116 metres below sea level. In prehistoric times, the territory was in the form of a gulf. According to geologists, this is a sea bed that emerged for a brief moment in the history of the planet; the Afar depression will in fact form a future ocean with the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
This geological anomaly means that the entire area is very unstable. There are numerous active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes, together with secondary manifestations such as the stupendous colors of the salt surfaces, caused by the geysers with their various different chlorides. This inhospitable territory is home to nomadic sheep-herding Afar people.
After breakfast at your hotel in Addis Ababa .Transfer with your English Speaking Guide to the airport for your onward flight to Mekele
Mek’ele is the capital city of the Tigray region, in northern Ethiopia. In the center, the grand palace of 19th-century Emperor Yohannes IV is now the Yohannes IV Museum. The tall Martyrs’ Memorial Monument commemorates those who fought the communist Derg regime in the late 20th century. The city’s markets are an important stop for salt merchants arriving from the Danakil Depression in the country’s northeast.
Arrival into Mekele English Speaking Guide and enjoy a city tour, visit the museum and Hawlti ,Check in at your hotel,Rest of the evening at leisure with over night stay
Early morning drive to Homedale via Berehale, which is about 160km from Mekele.
We will drive 100km from Mekele to Berhale, enjoy lunch in Berhale and where we will pick up police scouts, road guides and permits for the Afar region.
Then we will drive another 60km from Berehale to Hamedella. Along the way we will see the camel caravans, whom carrying salt from the Salt Lake to Mekele for sale.
Proceed to Dallol, which at 116m below sea level and l is the lowest point on the African continent.
Admire the stunning landscape, the grounds with many shades of red, yellow and orange from the hot water, acids and minerals spurting up from the ground. where lakes of acid form colorful sulfur formation in the hottest and deepest part of Danakil depression and you will also witness the cutting of salt bricks and salt being loading on to camels for the long caravans (approximately 1500-2000 camels weekly).
Further drive to Mekele airport for the flight back to Addis and end of the trip
Inclusion
Accommodation as specified in itinerary
Transfers as specified in itinerary
English Speaking Driver as specified in itinerary
English Speaking Guide as specified in itinerary
Services of an experienced English-speaking driver-guide
All entrance fees and guided excursions as described in
itinerary
Afar Permit ,Police and entrance
Exclusion
International Flights and Airport Taxes
Visa Fees (if applicable)
Medical & Travel Insurance
Incidental tips to hotel/lodge staff
Gratuity to tour driver/guide
All expenses of personal nature
Any entrance fees and guided excursions not included in
the above itinerary
Early Check In & Late Check Out
Internal & Domestic Flights (priced separately)
Any Meal
Note
Minimum 10 passenger in a group.
Optionals on requests
Hotel
Desta International hotel
