In the northeastern part of Ethiopia and western part of Djibouti at the juncture of the red sea and the Gulf of Eden lies a region known as the Afar triangle. It is a wild and rugged place featured by below sea level deserts, towering escarpments, fissures, volcanoes, salt lakes and craters. This Triangle in Ethiopia keeps one of the lowest points in Africa, the Danakil depression. The Awash River is the main water flow into the region. It runs dry during the annual dry season, and ends as a chain of saline lakes.
Itinerary
Day 1 :
Day 01: Mekelle – Erta Ale (Volcano)
On day one of the packages, we set off early in the morning on 4WD to the abandoned Danakil depression departing from Mekelle – Erta Ale volcano. The 247 km distance takes 5 hours to drive passing through different landscapes of solidified lava rocks and sand dunes. Passing several small hamlets scattered here and there in this deserted land, you will arrive at the Erta Ale camping site. Then, at dusk start hiking to the top of Erta Ale volcano where we spend a few hours watching the flowing lava gifs or actions of the boiling lava.
Erta Ale contains one of the world’s active lava lakes at 613 meters above sea level. Besides, it is notable for being the longest existing lava lake present since the early years of the Twentieth century. Then after, you will descend back to basic camp to have dinner and spend the night under the stars or in the shack.
Overnight camping.
Day 2 :
Day 02: Erta Ale – Hamad Ela
On this day in the early morning, return back the top of the crater to visit the volcanic activities for the second time during sunrise. After that, descend once again from the top of the crater starting 7:00 am down to the campsite for breakfast. Subsequently, after breakfast start driving to Hamad Ela for about 5 hours and have your picnic lunch on the way under a shed of a palm tree.
Then after, start visiting Hamad Ela village known for its total population of about 500 people to see the lifestyle of the local Afar people. Finally, proceed to Salt Lake Asale a huge salty lake where you will swim in a natural pool Salt Lake. Meanwhile, have a wine/beer while enjoying sunset reflections of the salty ground.
Overnight camping in Hamed Ale.
Day 3 :
Day 03: Hamad Ela – Dallol – Mekelle
Waking up early morning, set off to dallol which is known for its various acidic colors with fumaroles, small spitting acid springs, and lakes. At the same time, dallol is also considered the hottest place on Earth. Due to its incredible colors, you feel like you are on Mars.
Visiting different terrestrial places formed by volcanic activity like a salt mountain and the bubbling oily Lake creates a different experience for your trip. Finally, drive back to Hamad Ela for lunch and proceed to Mekelle for overnight.
Overnight Mekelle (Hotel)
Day 4 :
Day 04: Mekelle – Gheralta – Axum
Morning drives Mekelle to Gheralta and trek to Abune Yemata. Abune Yemata is a 4 km drive from Megab and a further 30 minutes’ walk will bring you to the foot of the perpendicular rock mountains of Guh. The scenery is breathtaking and the mountains resemble pillars reaching to the sky. The challenging and the only way to the church is footholds and handgrips in the rock face. Just before the entrance to the church, there is a narrow ledge carved into the cliff from which one can view a sheer drop of approximately 250m to 300m.
In the afternoon we will visit Mariam Korkoer and Daniel Koror churches and proceed to Axum for overnight. Mariam Korkor is located in a cave and is known for its intricate carvings and beautiful paintings. It’s also one of the most accessible rock-hewn churches in Tigray, making it a popular destination for visitors.
Overnight in Axum (Hotel).
Day 5 :
Day 05: Axum – Gonder (flight)
We will pick you up from the airport then we will drive from Gondar to Sankaber about 136km away. We will go via the park head office in Debark to register and pick up trek staff such as scout, guide, and cook if required. After trekking for about 3 or 4 hours, we return to the Sankabar base camp.
Overnight open-air camping.
Day 6 :
Day 06: Snakaber – Geech.
After breakfast, we start hiking from Sankaber to Geech which takes about 5 to 6 hours passing through ever more spectacular scenery and varying flowers and trees. There is the possibility to see a Klipspringer and Minlik bushbuck as well as a leopard. The entertaining gelada baboons are always around. Along the way, we pass the 500m high Jinbar waterfall and stop for lunch on the banks of the Jinbar River. We pass through Geech village where we can have coffee with a local family in their traditional tukul hut which they share with their animals. This is a great way to glimpse the day-to-day life of the mountain people.
Overnight at Geech camping.
Day 7 :
Day 07: Geech – Gonder – Addis Ababa
We will wake up early morning and start our hike to Ambaras for about 5 to 6 hours. On the way, we visit Imet Gogo, the most spectacular spot in the whole of the Simien mountains. Imet Gogo, at 3926m above sea level has 3600 views of canyons, cliffs, and valleys that look as if they go on forever. In the afternoon, we will drive back to Gondar.
Late afternoon fly to Addis. End of the tour!