Deutsch:
Spezialreise für Vulkanenthusiasten und Lavafotografen
Für den Januar 2019 biete ich wieder die Gelegenheit an, mich auf meiner Reise in die Danakilsenke zu begleiten, um die äthiopischen Vulkane Erta Ale und Dallol ausgiebig zu studieren und vulkanische Landschaften und Aktivität zu fotografieren. Hierbei trete ich nicht als Reiseveranstalter auf, sondern biete nur eine Mitreisemöglichkeit an. Daher tritt zwischen mir und dem Mitreisenden kein geschäftliches Verhältnis in Kraft. Ich verdiene dabei nichts, durch eine größere Gruppe reduziert sich jedoch der Reisepreis für den Einzelnen und damit für mich. Die Organisation wird von mir in Verbindung mit einem äthiopischen Veranstalter übernommen, mit dem ich dort schon 2x unterwegs war. Die Reisedurchführung liegt in der Verantwortung ders lokalen Veranstalters.
English:
A special trip for volcano enthusiasts and lava photographers
For January 2019 I will offer again the opportunity to join me on my trip to the Danakil depression to study the ethiopian volcanoes Erta Ale and Dallol and take photos of hot lava and volcanic landscapes and activity. Here I do not act as a tour operator, but offer only a opportunity to join this very special tour. Therefore, no business relationship between me and the fellow traveler comes into force. I do not earn anything, but a larger group reduces the travel price for the individual and therefore for me. The organization is taken over by me in connection with an Ethiopian organizer, with whom I was traveling there twice before. The tour itself lies in the responsibility of the local tour operator.
Erta Ale Volcano Special 2019 Program:
The following program is just a rough plan for now. At the moment my guide is trying to find a way to visit the active lava flows in the desert to Eritrea and maybe also to visit Catherine Crater. In this case we will change the program and take one day off at Dallol to have more time in the Erta Ale region.
Day 1 (06.01.): Arrival in Mekele
Arrival in Mekele, pickup at airport and transfer to hotel, group meeting and welcome dinner
Acc.: hotel in Mekele (D)
Day 2 (07.01.): Transfer Mekele – Erta Ale
Morning start of the (whole day) 4X4 drive into the Danakil depression to the base camp of Erta Ale, first on asphalted road but last part off road over old lava flows.
Acc.: camp at Erta Ale basecamp (B, L, D)
Day 3 (08.01.): Early morning ascend – daytime exploring of Erta Ale´s caldera
At about 5 a.m. hike to Erta Ale´s summit (ca. 3 h, 10 km, 500 m height), breakfast on the rim and morning group tour around Erta Ale´s caldera. After lunch, free to relax and explore.
Acc.: camping on the caldera rim of Erta Ale (B, L, D)
Day 4 (09.01.): Full day / night on Erta Ale
We have 3 full days and nights on the shield volcano´s summit area to explore its caldera and observe/photograph the ongoing and ever changing volcanic activity. Depending on the volcanic activity and weather conditions we will do a hike to the new fissure eruption lava lake, where almost noone has been before.
Acc.: camp on Erta Ale (B, L, D)
Day 5 (10.01.): Full day / night on Erta Ale
Exploring Erta Ale summit area or walk to fissure eruption area
Acc.: camp on Erta Ale (B, L, D)
Day 6 (11.01.): Full day / half night on Erta Ale
Exploring Erta Ale summit area or walk to fissure eruption area
Acc.: camp on Erta Ale (B, L, D)
Day 7 (12.01.): Descend from Erta Ale to basecamp, drive to Hamed Ela
Early morning descend from Erta Ale back down to basecamp, breakfast, 4X4 drive to return to the main road and continue our journey to the Afar village of Hamed Ela. With some luck on the weather and security conditions we can take the shorter and more adventureous track through the desert. Possibility to have a simple shower.
Acc.: camping in the Afar village of Hamed Ela (B, L, D)
Day 8 (13.01.): Full day to explore Dallol and surroundings
From our base in Hamed Ela we undertake a number of morning and afternoon expeditions to explore the colourful hydrothermal system of Dallol, the vast salt deposits and saline Lake Assale, optional the traditional way of salt cutting and transport by camel caravans.
Acc.: Camping in the Afar village of Hamed Ela (B, L, D)
Day 9 (14.01.): Full day to explore Dallol and surroundings
From our base in Hamed Ela we undertake a number of morning and afternoon expeditions to explore the colourful hydrothermal system of Dallol, the vast salt deposits and saline Lake Assale, optional the traditional way of salt cutting and transport by camel caravans.
Acc.: Camping in the Afar village of Hamed Ela (B, L, D)
Day 10 (15.01.): Half day in the Dallol area / Transfer to Mekele
After lunch we break up our camp in Hamed Ela and make our way back to Mekele. Time to take a shower and reorganise the luggage.
Acc.: hotel in Mekele (D)
Day 11 (16.01.): Fly back to Addis
After breakfast transfer to Mekele Airport. End of tour / international flight home or own extension.
Acc.: none (B)
Price Indication:
Price for 6 people 2,250.00 USD/person
Price for 5 people 2,480.00 USD/person
Single room supplement will be 130.00 USD.
The price includes the following best services;
1/ Hotel accommodation on single room basis at Mekele and with simple huts/shades in the camping.
2/ Meals on full board basis with water and soft drinks. In the hotels and during camping with our cooks in Afar triangle.
3/ Transportation with 4WD Land cruisers in Afar region including experienced driver and comprehensive insurance coverage.
4/ All entrance fee to Danakil Depression.
5/ Professional Guide service (Enku) accompanying all the way.
6/ Cook for campaigns with the necessary camping gears which includes kitchen utensils, tents , mattress and other accessories in Afar.
7/ Scouts, policemen, road guides and local guides in Afar triangle.
8/ Camel’s rent at Erta Ale.
9/ Tax
The price does not include
1/ International and domestic flight tickets
2/ Expenses of personal nature
3/ Tips, porter fees and other related expenses
4/ Photography and video fees (normally not necessary)