Motorcycle Tours in Ethiopia: Africa Riding Adventures calendar bike tours, The Ultimate ride

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The Ultimate Ride - Danakil Depression

This motorcycle tour is not for the faint of heart - this is the ultimate adventure! If you want to test your stamina and riding skills, there is no better place on earth than Ethiopia and no better destination than Danakil! Ride through stunning scenery, extreme temperatures and challenging road surfaces whilst discovering the magnificent landscape of Ethiopia. Be one of the few to ride in the hottest place on Earth. We cannot promise you an easy ride - but we can promise you the ride of a lifetime!

	Day 1:	Arrival in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Cultural evening in one of the best restaurants of Addis. Overnight in Addis Ababa
	Day 2:	Departure to Kombolcha. Eat the best fetira in Ethiopia (traditional food eaten for breakfast) in one of the local Cafes (380 Km of which 75 Km asphalt). Overnight in Kombolcha
	Day 3:	Departure to Mekele through Bati. Mekele is the starting point for the ride to the Danakil Depression (+/- 433 Km off-road, 80 km asphalt). Overnight in Mekele
	Day 4:	Departure to Dalol. This is a tough ride made worst by the very high temperatures reached. For the next few days riding will be done only at defined hours of the day (194 km off-road). Overnight in Amed Ila
	Day 5:	Visit the surreal fields of sulphurous hot springs and salt formations. Return to Amed Ila via Lake Asale where you can see the salt mining activity where literally hundreds of Afar camelers chip at the salty crust to extract the 30x40 cm rectangular salt tablets. Overnight in Amed Ila
	Day 6:	Early in the morning we will leave to the 500 metre high active Volcano of “Erta Ale”. It will take us approximately 4/5 hours to make the 82 km to the first post. Two hours and 25 km later we will be at the base of the volcano where we will set up camping. The ride through sand and sharp stones is very difficult. There are no tracks and GPS will be our only guide (107 km off-road). Overnight in Erta Ale
	Day 7:	The 2 to 3 hour hike into the summit of the volcano will start very early. The Danakil Depression has several Volcanoes but “Erta Ale” is the most accessible and spectacular. Admire the volcano during the best hours of the day (dusk, night and dawn) and have a deserved rest. Overnight in Erta Ale
	Day 8:	Departure to Lake Afdera which lies at an altitude of 103 metres below sea level populated by the lowest lying island in the world. As with Lake Asale this is also an important source of coarse salt (118 km off-road). Overnight in Afdera
	Day 9:	Departure to Semera (180 km off-road). Overnight in Semera
	Day 10:	Departure to Kombolcha through Mile and Bati (143 km off-road, 130 asphalt). Overnight in Kombolcha
	Day 11:	Departure to Addis. In the evening we will have a farewell dinner in one of the best restaurants of Addis. There are many good Restaurants, Bars, Discos, Jazz Live Music and Cultural Dance venues to offer if you want to extend your stay (385 km asphalt). Overnight in Addis
	Day 12:	Flight Home

	Route map Prices and Information

	Road to Mekele


	Salt hornitos


	Terraced salt ponds, photo by JPichler


	Erta Ale volcano, view from the top


	Danakil canyon, photo by JPichler More photos

Tour: The Ultimate Ride - Danakil Depression
Dates of the tour:	23 January - 2 February 2011
Duration of the tour:	12 days / 11 nights
Riding days:	10 days
Total distance:	Approx. 1,945 Km/ 1,209 miles
Skill level:	4/5
Lodging type:	Hotels and camping
Prices/rider (based on a minimum group of 4 riders)¹:	Riders: Own bike: Passenger on support car²: Single room surcharge³:	€ 4,625 € 2,500 € 2,270 € 180
What is included:	• Airport collection and drop-off. • Motorbike (KTM 640 and 690 LC4 Enduro or 525XC Desert Racing - no fuel), bike insurance against third parties and theft • Support car for luggage and passengers • Expert multi-lingual tour leader and mechanical support • Double occupancy accommodation (note: single occupancy incurs an extra-charge) • Camping fees, camping equipment, preparation of campsite • Restoration (dinner on the arrival day and lunch on the departure day; every other day breakfast, lunch and dinner). Beverages and snacks not included • Armed guard escort (police and military) fees, accommodation, restoration and drinking costs; extra vehicle to transport the escort and the extra equipment/food supplies; camel costs and cook. • Entry fees to parks and other sites • Local guides and local fees/taxes • Satellite phone for use in case of emergency, GPS and medical kit. • Luggage storage • CD with photos of the trip
What is not included:	• Bike fuel • Beverages and snacks • Personal items • Passport and visa fees • Laundry • Telephone calls • Room service • Travel insurance • Personal and Accident insurance and medical expenses • Emergency evacuation/Hospitalization • Flight tickets • Protective riding gear: helmet, riding suit, gloves, kidney belt and boots are mandatory; back protector and/or armour, earplugs and sunglasses strongly advised. • Tips, souvenirs, photo and video fees and spending money

	¹	• It is possible to do this trip on a bike rental tour package if all clients booked for the trip agree to it; all expenses an logistic arrangements are at the clients responsibility.
		• There are no discounts available for this trip.
		• At request Africa Riding Adventures can refund the full amount of deposit paid if there isn't a minimum number of 4 riders attending the tour. Pls read our terms and conditions for the full text of our policy.
		• Africa Riding Adventures reserves the right to cancel this calendar tour if no bookings are made 45 days before the tour commencement.

	²	• Prices for passengers on support car may change if an additional car is needed to transport all passengers.

	³	• The single room surcharge will apply to the last rider booking for the tour when double occupancy is not possible.

If you've booked this trip with us bellow is some general information on Ethiopia and on your motorcycle trip. There also some some forms you will need to sign before the start of the trip. Save time by bringing them signed when you arrive.

Client information form | Declaration of responsibility | Tips for safe riding | General Information on your trip

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