Extension to Ethiopian Tailor Made Tours
November to March
5 Days / 4 Nights
Accommodation: Lodge and Camping
Danakil Depression
Danakil is a vast depression popularly known for being one of the most inhospitable places on Earth, an arid, unwelcoming land, among the planet’s most tectonically active areas, home to more than 30 dormant volcanoes, and one in particular which is crazily active.
With an average daily maximum temperature of over 41ºC and, in some areas, dropping to 116m below sea level, Danakil is also, officially, the hottest inhabited place in the world because, despite being such a hostile environment and territory, this depression has been continuously occupied by a distinct ethnic group for more than 2000 years.
The scenery here is absolutely otherworldly and a photographer’s dream – with vibrant colours, sulphurous geysers, vast salt lakes and a volcano’s hot red fiery lava. Everyone who visits is in awe, so if visiting Ethiopia it makes sense to add Danakil to your trip.
Highlights
- Volcanic Wonders – Visit the Erta Ale Volcano, known for its boiling lava lake, and spend a night camping on the rim, watching the dramatic volcanic activity.
- Nomadic Afar Tribe – Experience life with the Afar people, an ancient nomadic tribe living in the harsh desert, and observe their traditional salt mining practices.
- Dallol Depression – Explore Dallol, officially one of the hottest places on Earth, known for its bizarre landscapes, including sulphur springs, mineral deposits, and multi-colored formations.
- Salt Mining Traditions – Watch the salt caravans in Asebo, where salt is still mined in ancient ways and transported by camel, continuing a practice that has lasted for millennia.
- Desert Adventures – Drive through the vast, arid expanses of the Danakil Desert, one of the driest and most tectonically active regions on the planet.
- Lake Afdera – Relax and enjoy a unique experience swimming in the saltwater of Lake Afdera, floating effortlessly on the surface of the lake, or unwind in the nearby hot springs.
- Scenic Desert Landscapes – Admire the volcanic rock formations and the rugged desert scenery, with picturesque views as you traverse the salt flats and mountainous terrain.
- Cultural Immersion – Spend time interacting with the locals, experiencing their coffee ceremonies, and learning about the traditions and ways of life that have been shaped by this harsh, stunning environment.
- Stunning Sunsets – Watch the sunset over the Afdera salt lake and the desert, offering a mesmerizing view of the changing light over the arid landscape.
- Wildly Remote & Unspoiled – Explore one of the most remote and least-visited regions of the world, giving you a sense of adventure and discovery in a place largely untouched by modern tourism.
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