Ethiopia Travel – Danakil Depression & Tigray

This Wild Frontiers adventure tour takes us from the unforgiving Danakil Depression, one of the lowest, hottest places on earth, to the mountains of Tigray. A journey of contrasts, the trip starts with a visit to Bati and its renowned market, a cultural crossroads between the Oromo, Amhara and Afar nomads. From here we drop down into the Danakil Depression. Exploring the Danakil takes us to the shores of Lake Afrera, the alien landscapes of Dallol, and a trek to the top of the active volcano — Erta Ale. From about 120m below sea level, we then follow the route of the Salt Caravans, climbing the mountains that rise steeply from the Rift Valley into Tigray. After some time to relax a little and wash of the salt and sand, we then undertake an incredibly rewarding village walk, spending 3 nights with local communities in conjunction with the charity TESFA (Tourism in Ethiopia for Sustainable Future Alternatives). The trekking is through beautiful mountain scenery, with visits to rarely visited rock churches and a level of interaction with the local communities that is hard to match anywhere else in the country.