Ethiopia 🇪🇹｜Northern Expedition: "Blackened Jiuzhaigou" + Active Vol

Sleep by an active crater, wake to a flowing Milky Way. Hike across lava fields, tread sulfur salt flats—this is Ethiopia’s wildest terrain! 🔥 Core Highlights of the Volcano & Salt Lake Route ▪️ Stand 1 meter from Erta Ale’s boiling lava lake ▪️ Sleep under stars to volcanic rumbles (no tents!) ▪️ Trek petrified lava reefs from cooled eruptions ▪️ Explore the -120m "Black Jiuzhaigou" sulfur lakes ▪️ Hunt marine fossils on salt flats + sunset views ▪️ Float in Africa’s salt lakes (like the Dead Sea!) ▪️ Visit Lucy’s fossil site + traditional Afar villages ⏰ Best Season: December–February (35°C days / cool nights) *Summer = 50°C+ surface heat (hell mode!)* 🚶 3-Day Itinerary (Condensed) D1: Addis → Semera → Swim in Lake Afdere → Sunset hike to Erta Ale → Camp at volcano D2: Volcano sunrise → Sunset at Salt Lake Asale → Riverside camping D3: Salt lake sunrise → Danakil Depression sulfur hike → Return (*7-day groups continue to Mekelle*) *I joined a 7-day tour (volcano + Tigray cliff churches)—see next post for church route!* ⚠️ Blood-and-Tears Tips 1️⃣ Volcano camping = no tents! Just thin mats + blankets. Bring a sleeping bag liner (blocks bugs/damp). Dawn dew soaks everything. 2️⃣ Stay close to guides on the crater! Cooled lava can collapse. Headlamps + grippy shoes mandatory for night hikes. 40-min climb (suitable for all ages). 3️⃣ Zero signal warning! Pack 2 power banks (no charging for 2 days). Download offline maps/entertainment. 4️⃣ Forget showers. Wet wipes are your savior. Day 2: Rinse in salt lake rivers. 💰 Costs 3-day tour: ~$400 (¥2800+) includes domestic flights. My 7-day tour (volcano + Tigray churches): $700 (pay in USD to guides). 🚗 Transport Tips ❶ Start/end in Mekelle (if routes are open). ❷ Avoid Semera return trips (8hr brutal drive). ❸ Loop route (volcano → lakes → churches) saves time. 📸 Photo Hacks ▫️ Full moon = dim lava glow (but clearer Milky Way). ▫️ Sulfur lakes: Shoot before noon (afternoon = inferno). ▫️ Eruptions are unpredictable—ask guides for best timing. #EthiopiaAdventure #ErtaAle #DanakilDepression #ExtremeTravel #VolcanoCamping #SaltLakeMagic