Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrive at Addis Ababa International Airport

   • After arrival, you will be welcomed by your guide and drive to your hotel.

   • After check-in, go sightseeing in Addis, which includes visiting the National Archeological Museum of Addis Ababa, where the fossil remains of the oldest hominid – Lucy (3.25 mil years old), is sheltered at, Merkato – the largest open-air market in Africa.

   • Finally, drive to Mt. Entoto (3,200 meters) to have a panoramic view of Addis.

2. Day 2: Fly to Mekele & Drive to Hamed Ela

   • After early morning breakfast, drive to the airport for your domestic flight to Mekele town, and on arrival, you will be welcomed by your driver.

   • Proceed to Hamed Ela with your stop at Berahaile for processing your travel permit.

   • After the permit processing, proceed to Hamed Ela.

   • After arrival and pitching tents, walk to the viewpoint to take photos of the camel caravan that will be carrying the salt bar to Mekele town and other places.

3. Day 3: Excursion to Dallol

   • After early morning breakfast, drive to visit Dallol, which is 20 km north of Hamed Ela.

   • Dallol is the x-phosphate escarpment. The main attraction of this place is the multi colour of sulphur hot springs , the strange wavy rock formation covered with yellow, red and orange deposits that look rather like deliberately dyed.

   • On the way back to the camp, stop to visit the lake Assale salt extraction site where the locals are excavating salt bars.

4. Day 4: Drive to Erta Ale - the oldest active volcano lava

   • After early breakfast, drive to Erta Ale which is one of the oldest active volcanoes in the world, with a 30 km base diameter and a 1km2 caldera at its summit. It contains the world's only permanent lava lake that measures 100m X 60m. Scientists think the lava lake has a continuous link with a shallow magma chamber that flows that supplies it with magma. 

   • After arriving by the base camp, the rest will be trekked or ride on camelback. The trekking will take between 3:00 - 4:00hours.

   • After arrival, you will be staying the whole night.

   • After seeing the morning activities of the magma, you will be descending to the base camp, and after arrival, you will serve food.

   • Drive back to the village of El-dodom or Hamed Ela, depending on the time of arrival to the base camp.

5. Day 5: Drive to Mekele & Fly to Addis Ababa

   • After breakfast, drive back to Mekele and then proceed for your flight to Addis Ababa.

   • In the evening, you will be served as a guest at one of the best traditional restaurants of Addis to see the folkloric dancers of the Ethiopian people and to taste the variety of meals of Ethiopian people.