Thursday, October 30, 2014

Ethiopian Airlines has open new scheduled flight from/to Addis Ababa Semera. Flight schedule from Addis to Semera since 14December2013 is on every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, departure local time 8:30am and fly back to Addis at 5:45am.   So Danakil Depression, Arta Ale Volcanic Lake with Afar People can be discover by flying either from Addis to Semera and flying back via Mekelle

Itinerary
Program: Danakil Depression
Tour Code: Afar 09
Duration: 4Nights (5 Days)
Transportation: Air & Land (4WD)
Tour starts: Addis Ababa
Tour ends: Addis Ababa

Day1:   Addis –Semera – Afdera /Afréra) 
Morning (at 8:30 local time); fly from Addis Ababa Bole International Air Port to Semera and drive to Afdera. Visit the salt lake of Afdera and hot springs. Overnight – local hotel/camping – Afdera. 

Day2: Arte Ale Volcano
Morning; drive from Afdera towards Arte Ale via Kursewat. After arranging camels for Arte Ale Mountain, drive to Waydodom and then climb Arta Ale, accompanying with camping and cooking gears, being loaded by Afar Camel (3-4hrs walk). After siesta, explore the extraordinary lava that babbles from its mouth of Arte Ale volcanic fire. During night time the volcano will be fully seen with its magnificent color of zigzagging fire, producing from huge rocks. Therefore; in the evening, we will descend from Camping site to the drama of the oldest active volcanic Lake.  Overnight- camping on the top of Arte Ale. 

Day3:   Arta Ale   – Hammed Ela
Descend where vehicles are camping and drive to Hammed Ela via Kursewat - on desert sand road.  Overnight – camping (in Afar House) – Hammed Ela

Day4:  Dallol Depression and Lake Asalé - Mekelle
Early morning (6:30am); excursion to the Danakil depression. On this day; surely, you will be overwhelmed with strong feeling of admiration, because of the awesome of Dalol. After Dalol; proceed to the traditional salt extraction site from where too many camels are waiting to be loaded rock salts - just nearby the Salt Lake of Asalé. Then approach to Lake Asalé. Afternoon, drive to Mekelle. Overnight – Hotel (3-4*) – Mekelle

Day5: Mekelle – Addis – City Tour & Departure 
morning, fly from Mekelle to Addis Ababa and make city tour of Addis: the Entoto Mountain (3300m) for a panoramic view of Addis, Entoto Museum with historical and royal exhibit, and the old palace of emperor MenelikII. Take some images at Mount Entoto and we drive back to Addis for Ethnological Museum that exhibits Ethiopian ethnic groups, the National Museum in which you are visiting different archaeological findings (including Lucy’s replica Skeleton), and Trinity cathedral Church and the Merkato – the largest open market in Africa. Dinner in one of Ethiopian National dish restaurants (Yod Abyssinia Restaurant or Habesha2000) with live traditional dances then departure in the evening (End of the trip)
Notice: This itinerary can be amended upon request

Request this tour: info@actiontourethiopia.com
Travel Ethiopia, Danakil Depression, Tour to Danakil Depression, visit Danakil Depression, Arta Ale, Erta Ale, Afar People, Experience Unique & Desert region – Ethiopia
Itinerary
Program: Danakil Depression 
Tour Code: Afar 02
Duration: 13nights (14days)
Transportation: Air and Land (4WD)
Tour starts: Addis Ababa
Tour ends: Addis Ababa


Day1: Arrival/ Addis Ababa
Arrive in the evening transfer to your Hotel. Overnight – at 4* hotel – Addis (note that you can be provided from 3* up to luxury hotels in Addis Ababa)
Day2: City Tour
Addis Ababa is centered at the heart of the country. Addis Ababa in Amharic language means “New Flower”.  It was founded by Emperor Menelik in 1886. An estimated population of 4 million people is dwelling in the city. Addis is graced as Africa’s diplomatic capital with the presence of the head quarter for the African Unity, a seat for numerous embassies and is the port of entry for most travelers.

 After Breakfast, we drive to the Entoto Mountain (3300m) for a panoramic view of Addis, Entoto Museum with historical and royal exhibit, The Church of St. Mary, built in 1885 and the old palace of emperor MenelikII. Take some images at Mount Entoto and we drive back to Addis for Ethnological Museum that exhibits the culture and handicrafts of various Ethiopian ethnic groups, the National Museum in which you are visiting different archaeological findings (including Lucy’s replica Skeleton). After lunch, visit the Trinity Cathedral, Mausoleum of emperor MenelikII at Bààta Church and finally Merkatothe largest open market in Africa.  Overnight – at 4* hotel – Addis (note that you can be provided from 3* up to luxury hotels in Addis Ababa)
Day3: Gondar and Semien Mountains
After breakfast; fly from Addis to Gondar and visit all sites in the town of Gondar. After lunch; drive to the Semien Mountains national Park- Overnight –tented camp – Semien Mountains National Park
Day4: Semien Mountains & Jews Village
After breakfast; explore the park and drive back to Gondar in the afternoon. On the way; visit the Felasha/Jewish village. Overnight – at current best hotel – Gondar
Day5: Rock Hewn churches of Lalibela
After breakfast; fly from Gondar Lalbela. Afternoon; visit the first group of the Rock Hewn Churches. Overnight – at current best hotel – Lalibela 
Day6:  full day in Lalibela
 Early morning; Hike to Asheten Mariam Mountain Church (optional) .After lunch and a short siesta, visit Second groups, and Nakuto Làabe. Overnight – at former hotel - Lalibela
Day7: Yimrahine Kirstos -Mekelle
After breakfast; we drive to the cave church called Yimrahine Kirstos (42 km from Lalibela). This Church has been constructed by King Yimrahane Kirstos during the13th Century. In the church, there are more than 5000 thousand dead human skeletons lying without any coverage for the past 700 years. They are supposed to be pilgrimages from Syria, Egypt and Ethiopia. The murals on the dark walls of the church, the year round spring water - descending from the top of the church and the forest around are very impressive and worthy to be visited. Then we drive to Mekelle. Overnight – at current best hotel – Mekelle 
Day8: Mekelle – Hammed Ela
We drive from Mekelle to Hammed Ela. After the small town of Agula; we descend to the Afar Region. You will see too many camel caravans, transporting rock salt from Lake Asalé to the town of Mekelle at many spots on the road. As we penetrate deep down to the region, the temperature becomes hotter and hotter. Lunch and siesta at the small town of Berahile (110km from Mekelle) where entrance tickets will be collected too. The we Proceed towards Hammed Ela with the accompany of polices and a local guide from Berahile. Overnight – camping (at Afar House) – Ahmed Ela
Day9:  Dallol Depression and Lake Asalé
Early morning; excursion to the Danakil depression. On this day; surely, you will be overwhelmed with a strong feeling of admiration, because of the awesome of Dallol. After Dallol; proceed to the traditional salt extraction site from where too many camels are waiting to be loaded rock salts just nearby the Salt Lake of Asalé. Then approach to Lake Asalé. Late afternoon (when temperature cools down), explore the Afar village of Hammed Ela. Overnight – camping (at Afar House) – Ahmed Ela
Day10: Nearby Arte Ale Volcano
Morning; drive from hammed Ela towards Arte Ale (78km dirty road) via Kursewat. Take some rest (lunch) at Kursewat. At about 3pm, after arranging camels for Arte Ale Mountain at Kursewat, drive to Waydodom and then towards Arta Ale (13km from Waydodom).Overnight – Camping – nearby Arte Ale
Day11. The Eternal fire of Arte Ale, Active Volcano Lake
Morning; Trek to Arte Ale with your camping and cooking gears being loaded by Afar Camels (3-4hrs trek). After lunch, explore the extraordinary lava that bounce from its mouth of Arte Ale volcanic fire. During night time the volcano will be fully seen with its magnificent color of zigzagging fire, produced from huge rocks. Therefore; in the evening, descend from your Camping site to the drama of the volcano.  Overnight- camping on the top of Arte Ale.  
Day12 Afdera
Morning; discover all sites around the Arte Ale area and descend down towards where your cars are camped. There; take your lunch and drive to Lake Afdera. In the Afternoon; visit the Salt Lake of Afdera. It is here where you can see people extracting edible salt in large quantity and transport it on trucks to Addis Ababa.   Overnight – at a very basic hotel (Horahor hotel) - Afdera. 
Day13: Awash Sebat
Morning; Drive from Afdera to Awash Sebat. Lunch at Logia and proceed to the town of Awash Sebat over looking the Yangu di Rassa national Park and Awash River; the only river that waters the desert area of the Afar Region.  Over night – at best local hotel - Awash Sebat.
Day14 Awash National Park
Morning; On the way to Addis; discover The Awash national Park. The park is known mainly for Beisa Oryx.  Lesser and Greater Kudu, Dik – Dik, tortoise, and many varied birds can be seen here. The Awash River fall is an additional value to the park. After the park; drive back to Addis. Lunch at DebreZeit then continue to Addis. Late afternoon; check –in at Bole International air port for your departure.
Notice: This itinerary can be amended up on request

Request this tour : info@actiontourethiopia.com

Visit Danakil Depression


Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Danakil Depression

Discover Danakil/Dallol Depression:

Danakil Depression is the remotest, lowest and hottest place in the Great Rift Valley system, home to the Afar tribe of Ethiopia. Dallol (also spelled as Dalol) is still experiencing the Rock salt cutting process, and then transport it on the back of camels for about three days trek to Mekelle. The salt extraction site is next to the Salt lake of Asalé. Viewing the active volcano of Arta Ale, especially during nighttime is an unforgettable experience! It is absolutely worthy to see the bubbling lava.Danakil Depression
The Danakil Depression will exceed all your expectations: marvelous scenery, potash & sulphur springs, colorful mineral deposits and the salt lake areas itself.
Danakil Depression is an extraordinary event – no word, picture or filming equitable to explain about Danakil Depression. The only means to witness about it is being there physically!
Anybody who has physical fitness to tolerate the unfriendly climate has to be recommended to explore the life time memory of the Danakil depression’s drama!
Despite high temperature, Danakil Depression can be visited at any time. Danakil Depression temperature is lower during November to mid March.
Based on time of visit & interest, visitors can visit Danakil Depression with most visited sites: Semien Mountains for fantastic landscape, Gelada Baboons (endemic) & Walia Ibex (endemic) and Lalibela Rock Hewn Churches. You can arrange your own itinerary and contact us on info@actiontours.com.et or info@actiontourethiopia.com or choose itineraries below:
Make in charge of Action Tours – Ethiopia to discover Danakil Depression!