Danakil Depression - Other worlds tour 2011

Dossier

The horn of Africa is a long way from most people's idea of a holiday destination; for us that is part of what makes it so exciting. This tour is an incredible journey of discovery through some of the most remote and isolated places on earth, a voyage through an inhospitable yet breathtaking landscape more akin to another planet than our own. Starting and ending in the tiny country of Djibouti we explore the spectacular Lac Abbe, a vast salt lake with tall limestone chimneys belching gas into the air, and then cross into Ethiopia to Lake Afrera and traverse the dreaded Danakil Depression, home to the formidable Afar people. We hike up the volcano of Erta Ale and marvel at its lava lake, visit the hot springs at Dallol - the hottest place on earth - and look out for camel caravans carting blocks of salt across the desert. Returning to Djibouti we visit Lac Assal and the remarkable Foret du Day National Park before finishing in the cosmopolitan capital, rubbing shoulders with nomads from the countryside and traders from Arabia. There are few places in the world that can compete with this region for real adventure.

Day 1 - Addis Ababa

Arrive in Addis Ababa and transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax. Overnight Ghion Hotel or similar. (D)

Day 2 - Mekelle

Fly to the town of Mekelle. From the 8th to the 15th centuries, in this region hundreds of rock-hewn churches were carved and constructed out of one rock. Many of the churches are carved directly into the cliff walls of the ‘Ambas’ - typical Ethiopian mountains with flat tops and almost vertical sides. Along the way, we visit some of the churches. Overnight Axum Hotel or similar. (BD)

The formidable Danakil Depression is known as one of the most inhospitable places on earth, with searing temperatures and little flora or fauna. It is the lowest place on the planet, created when the earth’s crust collapsed and water flooded in, only to evaporate in the fierce sun leaving enormous salt flats and salt lakes. These are important for the local Afar people, who collect this important commodity to sell at markets. Geologically, it is one of the most active places on the planet, and volcanic cones and lava spewing from the ground in places. To travel here feels like you are travelling to the ends of the earth, a remote, hostile, volcanic desert with spectacular landscapes where few western travellers have been before, and our journey of exploration allows us to do more than just scratch the surface, taking us to areas that define the very essence of ‘off the beaten track’. It has also been home to a number of important fossil discoveries, giving clues to the earliest ancestors of humans. The Danakil today is populated by the nomadic Afar people, a group once renowned for their hostility towards outsiders. In times gone by, Afar men could only be considered adults once they had killed another man, and are reputed to have worn their dead enemies’ testicles around their necks. They are thankfully no longer as fierce as they once were, and to meet them is to meet one of the most isolated ethnic groups on our planet.

Drive to Ahmedela along unmarked sandy tracks, passing Afar settlements along the way. Ahmedela is the base for exploring the salt mines and seeing the salt workers and camel caravans. Overnight camping at Ahmedela. (BLD)

Day 4 – Dallol

Drive to Dallol and along the way enjoy views of the small hills and colourful hot spring in several places. These hot springs are composed of different minerals along with sulphurs and potash and create spectacular colours. Dallol is renowned as being the hottest inhabited place on earth; between 1960 and 1966 an average annual temperature of 34°C (94°F) was recorded. You are likely to see the long 'caravane de sel' – camel trains loaded with salt. Later we drive back to Ahmedela and our camp. Overnight camping. (BLD)

Day 5 – Erta Ale

Drive to Mount Erta Ale through the Afar desert – Erta Ala is the highlight of this expedition, and is one of only 5 permanent lava lakes in the world. We hike 3 hours to the rim, while our gear and water is carried by camels - we wait for sunset and one of the world's most spectacular sights when the red lava in the crater lights up the sky. Overnight camping. (BLD)

Erta Ale hike

The gently climbing hike itself follows interesting lava formations (lava and pahoehoe lava fields, lava tubes, hornitos, sand deposits, rare vegetation) until we stand on the rim of the caldera. An easy descend brings us to the floor of the caldera and after 10 minutes, we stand on the active pit crater containing the boiling lava lake.

Day 6 – Afrera Lake

After an early breakfast, we leave the only road in this part of Ethiopia (connecting Addis with the ports in Djibouti) and start the journey to Afrera Lake. The Afrera salt lake is home to local Afar people harvesting salt flakes using traditional methods, and in the lake is the worlds lowest lying island in the world, Frachetti island (-102 m). Overnight camping. (BLD)

Djibouti

Day 7 – Lac Abbe

Cross the border with Djibouti and drive to Lac Abbe, a salt lake fringed with incredible scenery, where limestone chimneys belch sulphur. This landscape is so other-worldly that the classic science fiction film ‘Planet of the Apes’ was filmed here. Overnight camping. (BLD)

There are few places in the world like Lac Abbe – it is one of the most desolate places on our planet. Bordering Ethiopia and Djibouti, this vast salt lake is surrounded by hundreds of limestone chimneys, some up to 50 metres high which spew sulphurous gas into the air, and its shores are inhabited by the nomadic Afar people who use the lake to gather salt. The lake is also renowned for its birdlife, with flamingoes, pelicans and ibis among other species to be found here. It is difficult to put into words such awe-inspiring scenery, and it is unlikely that you will ever have seen anything like this before.

Day 8 – Lac Assal and surroundings

We head to Lac Assal – a crater lake and the lowest point in Africa (-150 m) as well as the most saline body of water in the world (up to 40%). It is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular natural phenomena on the continent. We spend the night in the picturesque coastal town of Tadjoura, with its whitewashed buildings and good beaches. (BLD)

Lac Assal

Surrounded by dormant volcanoes, Lac Assal is an impressive sight; the salt flats contrast with the blacl lava fields and there are numerous large crystal formations dotted around. The lake is fed by hot saline springs making it unique among salt lakes, as all others are fed by streams and rivers.

Day 9 – Ardoukôba volcano and Foret du Day National Park

Drive to the Ardoukôba volcano with great views of Lac Assal, and further north to visit Foret du Day national park. A remarkable forest in an otherwise desert country – with monkeys, warthogs, leopards and various other animals. Overnight camping. (BLD)

Day 10 – Djibouti Town

Head to Djibouti Town, the capital of this tiny country. We arrive in tthe afternoon and should have time to explore this fascinating city, at the crossroads of Africa and Arabia. Overnight Hotel Plein Ciel or similar. (BLD)

Day 11 – Djibouti Town

We spend the day visiting some of the city’s key sights, including the colourful Marché Central (market), where all manner of good are traded and people from many different ethnic groups mingle. Overnight Hotel Plein Ciel or similar. (BLD)

Day 12 – Djibouti Town

Tour ends. (B)