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Planet: Danakil.Location: Galaxy of Ethiopia, close proximity to Sun.
Oxygen in norms, water towards lower limits. Life existent but limited due to temperatures, high population of flies.
Humans, known as Affars, use camels for extracting salt deposits of crystalized salt from the surface of volcanic lake. Salt mining unlimited on the connection of 3 tectonic plates - geological madness explained.
Potassium, salt, Sulphur, coffee, beers - unlimited. Sugar restricted.
Volcanic activity at high alert, fuming enormous, precautions taken.
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Located at the meeting point of 3 tectonic plates, with some of the greatest geological pressures on earth, the Danakil Depression is extremely active and scattered with a large number of volcanoes, including the Erta Ale, while the landscape is covered with lava flows almost everywhere you go.
Danakil, also known as "Afar Depression" is also one of the hottest and the lowest places on the planet, with an average temperature of 34C, day and night. This is the harshest microclimate in Ethiopia, questioning every single life form around for the choice of habitat.
Lake Asale is a former bay that used to be a part of Red Sea. When water evaporated, it now consists of a vast surface salt deposit, which for several thousands of years been a source of wealth for the Ethiopian rulers, as the Afar mined and traded the salt, transporting it on their camels over distances of hundreds and sometimes thousands of kilometers.
You will feel Mother Nature deadliest phenomena at your feet, where you will cross the rim and enter the smoking hot lava lake, at night, just a step away.
Lets go!
Day 0 // Addis
Flight to Addis, immigration procedure, overnight in the hotel.
DAY 1 // ERTA ALE: Hike to lava lake crater
Early morning domestic flight to Semera.
Drive to Kusrewad where we arrange our logistics and the dromedaries to ascend, for those who wish to ride. In early evening, we start simple night hike to Erta Ale. It takes 1.5 hour to trek to Erta Ale volcano rim, where we will stay overnight on the top of the mountain. Erta Ale is 613 meters high, with a lava lake at the summit, one of very few in the world. It is notable for being the longest existing lava lake, present since the early years of the twentieth century.
Overnight at the rim or descent to camp, depending on the volcano activity.
DAY 2 // SUNSET, SALT BARS AND CARAVANS
The desert has several points lying more than 100m below sea level, we will continue our drive through Afar salt flats, where salt is still extracted using ancestral techniques such as salt bars, which once were used as local currency. We will follow up dromedary caravans and walk with the Afar and people from highland. In the afternoon, we reach the shores of salt lake for spectacular sunset over a white mirror surface. Overnight at Hamedela camp.
Day 3 // DALLOL SULFUR SPRINGS
Morning departure to Dallol. Dallol Spring located 116 meters below sea level is one of the lowest places in the world, but what surprises the most, it is actually a cinder cone volcano. On a more or less flat surface we will discover endless sulfuric hot springs, discharging rainbow colored brine or acidic liquid in a bubbling rhythm.
This nature phenomenon is called phreatic eruption and you can learn more about it here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phreatic_eruption
We will continue drive around and visit potassium lakes nearby and few faults in salt surface, proving that salt flat is in fact a massive salt deposit on the top of the lake. Overnight at Afdera camp.
Day 4 // AFDERA LAKE and Departure
Early morning visit to lake Afdera, swim in hot springs and drive for return flight to Semera and further back home.
Bye bye Ethiopia!
Activities: Striking sightseeing, trekking, close encounters of lava fields.
Accommodation & meals: Local camps, incl. overnight at the rim of volcano. Local meals included, except meals on transfers (in Addis).
Cost: AED 7275 all incl. international and domestic flights from Dubai; except visa and insurance.
You can continue your Ethiopia trip to Lalibela during Easter - contact us for details.
Visas:
Most of nationalities are entitled for evisa. It is responsibility of participant to secure admission to the country of destination.
See yah at Lava Lake x
Trekkup Crew
Whatsapp 050 4848238 // [email protected]
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Dubai International, P O Box 2525,Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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