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Home3-Day Tour Of Danakil Depression, Mekele & Erta Ale
Description
Embark on this tour and hike up to the rim of the most active volcano in Ethiopia to witness the solidified lava, rock, sand and occasional palm lined oasis. Visit the mythical Lake Giulietti, a.k.a Lake Afrera and then continue to Lake Assal to enjoy a camel caravan and chat with the people of Afar.
Highlights
- Explore the mythical Lake Giulietti, a.k.a Lake Afrera
- Enjoy a camel caravan at the Lake Assal
- Witness the Solidified lava, rock and occasional palm lined oasis
Itinerary Expand All Collapse All
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Day 1: Erta ale Trek expand_more
- Start the day with your Ethiopian driver by heading out for Dodom. This road may be one of the roughest roads in the world. The 80 km distance may take about 6 hrs passing through changing the landscape of solidified lava, rock, sand and occasional palm lined oasis.
- After passing several small hamlets scattered here and there in this deserted land, arrive at Dodom camping site, located about 17km from Erta Ale. Then, have dinner around 5 pm.
- Trek up to Erta Ale at 8 pm. Camels will be transporting all the camping materials and some food (sleeping materials like light mattresses and water) to the volcano's rim, where you will spend the night watching the dramatic action of the boiling lava.
- Spend the night on top of the mountain, at the volcano's rim.
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Day 2: Descent expand_more
- Take an early morning walk to the three main pits of the crater.
- Descend from Erta Ale around 9 am to Dodom. (If possible, 7 am)
- Reach the base camp by 10:30 am, where you will be relaxing.
- Drive to reach the mythical Lake Giulietti, a.k.a Lake Afrera. (optional; may not be available during summer).
- Continue to Erbiti and proceed to Abaala/ Hamed Ela.
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Day 3: Danakil - Lake Assal - Camel Caravans expand_more
- Head out on a morning drive to Ragad (Asebo), where the locals mine for salt. Observe the workers breaking salts from the ground, cutting them into rectangular pieces and loading them on camels.
- Proceed to Dallol and pass the varied landscapes formed by volcanic activity.
- Start an excursion to Dallol (116 meters below sea level, one of the lowest places in the world), famous for its colourful salt mine.
- Visit Lake Assal is followed by camel caravans (No camel caravan in July, August and early September) and a walk with the Afar people.
- Drive back to Hamedela and proceed to Mekele to end your tour.
What's Included
- Latest Toytota model transport
- Experienced English speaking Ethiopian driver throughout the tour
- All entrance fees and licenses as per the program
- Accommodation and all meals throughout the tour
- Surface transport expense with four-wheel-drive Land Cruiser including fuel expense and drivers allowance
- Cooking, camping equipment
- Non-alcoholic beverages with meals as per the program and plenty of bottles of water 1.5 litres for the trip
- Danakil Depression guide service
- Scout
- Government Taxes-VAT
What's Excluded
- International air/flight tickets
- Alcohol beverages
- Video filming and photography fees
- Tips and items of personal nature like laundry, souvenirs, etc.
- All expenses that are not mentioned in the included part
Know before you go
- The tour's starting time might be flexible for the sake of the clients' safety, budget, and interest.
- Erta Ale ranks one of the most alluring and physically challenging natural attractions anywhere in Ethiopia. It is a shield volcano with a base diameter of 30 km and 1 km square caldera at its summit. Erta Ale contains the world's only permanent lava lake. It is 613 meters, with a lava lake, one of only five in the world, at the summit. It is notable for being the longest existing lava lake, present since the early years of the twentieth century.
- Lake Giulietti is a saltwater lake located more than 100 meters below sea level, in one of the deepest depressions of the planet. Because of the picturesque landscape, it is interesting to visit the salt flats where the Afar people obtain the salt by evaporating the water of the lake.
Cancellation Policy
For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -
Refund of 80% of the tour price.Price Details
| Adult | |
| 1 To 4 | USD 395 Per Person |
| Child | |
| 1 To 4 | USD 100 Per Person |
This is a group tour | |
Starting From
see details
USD 395 / person