8-Day Ethiopia Volcano and Harar Tour with Dallol and Erta'ale

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Day 01

Arrival in Addis Ababa and City Highlights

• Arrive at Bole International Airport and transfer to your hotel. Then enjoy a full-day city tour of Addis Ababa, visiting the National Museum of Ethiopia, the Holy Trinity Cathedral Church, and Mount Entoto for a panoramic view of the capital, which was the former capital of Emperor Menelik II. You will also explore Merkato, the largest open-air market in Africa. Overnight at the hotel.

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Day 02

Drive from Addis Ababa to Semera

• After an early breakfast, drive to Semera, the capital city of the Afar Region. Along the way, observe different local markets and the daily life of the local people. Overnight at the hotel.

3

Day 03

Semera, Lake Afdera, and Erta'ale Trek

• After breakfast, drive to Erta'ale, taking in the desert landscapes and views of Lake Afdera. After arranging the ground services and camping gear, begin a sunset hike of about 1 hour to the active volcanic eruption of Erta'ale. Spend the rest of the night at the rim. Overnight camping.

4

Day 04

From Erta'ale to Ahmed Ela

• After breakfast and packing the camping and cooking gear, continue driving to Ahmed Ela. In the late afternoon, enjoy the sunset, swim in the natural salty basin while having beers, and see the interesting camel caravans that transport bars of salt to the Tigray Highlands. Overnight camping.

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Day 05

Dallol and Lake Asale Excursion

• In the morning, drive to Dallol, one of the lowest points on Earth at 125 meters below sea level, to see the wonderful and colorful sulfur and phosphorus formations. You will also visit Lake Asale and discover how people extract salt in traditional ways, then drive back to Semera. Overnight at the hotel.

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Day 06

Journey from Semera to Sacred Harar

• Early in the morning, after breakfast, drive to Harar, which is considered the fourth sacred place of Islam. On the way, visit some local markets and different towns. At night, experience the hyena-feeding spectacle with its famous feeder. Overnight at the hotel.

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Day 07

Harar Old City and Dire Dawa

• In the morning, visit the walled city of Harar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the fourth holy city of Islam, with 82 mosques and 102 houses of prayer. Then drive to Dire Dawa and visit the Dire Dawa railway and the traditional market. Overnight at the hotel.

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Day 08

Awash National Park and Return to Addis Ababa

• After breakfast, drive back to Addis Ababa. On the way, visit Awash, the first gazetted national park, where you can see Beisa Oryx, Soemmerring's gazelles, and other wildlife. Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, enjoy a farewell dinner at one of the city's best traditional restaurants, where you can taste a variety of Ethiopian meals and watch folkloric dances. Then transfer to the airport for your departure.