Danakil Depression, Afar Triangle, Afar people, Dallol, Erta Ale active volcano- one of Africa's most striking geographical features is a giant tear across the earth's surface visible even from space: the Great Rift Valley. Extending from the Middle East to Mozambique, the Rift Valley passes in a north-easterly to South-westerly direction right through Ethiopia, endowing the country with some spectacular sights range from hot, dry and barren places to a string of beautiful lakes. This tremendous collapse of the earth's surface occurred at the same time that the Arabia Peninsula, geologically a part of Africa. The Afar Depression is a plate tectonic triple junction where the spreading ridges that are forming the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden emerge on land and meet the East African Rift. The Afar Depression is one of two places on Earth where a mid-ocean ridge can be studied on land, the other being Iceland. While you visit this stunning nature gift you will experience one of the lowest places on earth 120 meter below sea level at Dallol, the breathtaking mineral colors with salt mountains with bubbling spring, Lake Asala, traditional salt extraction by the Afar and Tigray people, Afdera salt lake with Ertale active volcano and much more adventure.

• International air/flight tickets,
• Alcohol beverages,
• Tourist Insurance,
• Video filming and photography fees,
• Tips and items of personal nature like laundry, souvenirs, etc
• All expense that are not mentioned in the included part

DAY 1- DRIVE ADDIS ABABA- AWASH NATIONAL PARK/ GAME DRIVE

Morning after breakfast meet with SET staff at your preffered place and time then start drive down southeast to Awash National park passing through the rift valley on the way lunch break. Arrival and afternoon game drive in the savanna grassland national park and Awash River fall, overnight/ camping

DAY 2- DRIVE AWASH NATIONAL PARK – SEMERA ON THE WAY AFAR TRIBE

Morning after breakfast drive to Semera on the route admire the rift valley, afternoon arrival and drive to tourism office for permission to the rest of the visit, over night hotel/ camping.

Day 3- MORNING DRIVE SEMERA – AFDERA ENJOY HOT SPRING

Morning after breakfast drive to Afdera on the way stop at Semera to get permit paper and escort local guide then head to Afdera, arrival at Afdear enjoy the hot spring and visit the salt mining work, overnight camping

DAY 4- DRIVE AFDERA DODEM EVENING TREK TO ERTALE ACTIVE VOLCANO

Morning after breakfast drive to the Afar regional tourism office to finishes the necessary permission and police station to escort police and road leader then drive to Dodem/kurwased base camp after lunch break escort additional local militia and arrange camels for carrying the camping gears, luggage’s and water for the volcano. After rest and early dinner start hiking to the Ertaale active volcanic hills (613 meters above sea level) which is 15km one way, and walk to see the volcanic eruption. The eruption is so colorful and spectacular at night camp nearby the eruption, on the crater rim above the active lava lake, overnight camping on to

DAY 5- TREK BACK ERTALE VOLCANO TO DODEM- DRIVE TO HAMEDELLA

Early morning around 5:00 AM start trek back to the base camp Dodem, meet the car and have breakfast then after pack the camping equipment continue driving to Hamedela on the way picnic lunch will be served. Upon arrival rest and shower then late afternoon photograph the caravan that passed through the village, overnight camping

DAY 6- MORNING EXCURSION TO DALLOL SALT MOUNTAINS & LAKE ASALE

Early in the morning after breakfast head to Daloll to visit the amazing mineral colors with bubbling springs, then to Daloll one of the lowest places on earth 120 meter below sea level and Lake Asale with the salt extraction process activity of the Tigray and Afar people. Then drive back to base camp after picnic lunch and rest in the camping area, overnight camping.

Day 7- drive HAMEDELA- geralat

Drive Hammed Ell-Mekelle through Berhaile small towns where you enjoy cold coca cola after some days in the desert then continue to Agula Junction point further drive to Hawzen a spring board to the rock churches of Tigray, overnight hotel.

Day 8- FULL DAY EXPLORES THE ROCK CHURCHES OF TIGRAY

After breakfast Full day Explore the Geralta cluster rock churches of Tigrai with picnic lunch Mariam Korkor, Abune Yemata Gue, Yohanes Mekudi and others. Then drive back to Mekelle, overnight hotel.

Day 9- full day drive MEKELLE- kombelcha

Morning Drive Kombelcha, drive through the spectacular landscape on the way visit the famous Hayk Estifanos monastery on t Hayk lake for the old manuscripts and old religious books (remark the monastery is open only for men) overnight hotel.

Day 10- drive kombelcha- addis ababa- departure

Morning after breakfast Drive back to Addis passing the northeast rift valley escarpment stop at Gemassa Gedel to admire the Great Valley continue drive, afternoon arrival at Addis Ababa. Evening traditional dinner in cultural restaurant with live Ethiopian cultural music after transfer to air port for departure

END OF THE TOUR