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Explore The Unique Danakil Depression In 4 Days From Mkele
  • Tour Category

    Private Tour

  • Tour Types

    Bizarre Encounters, Desert, Volcano

  • Duration

    4 Days

  • Activity Level

    Easy

  • Language

    English, French, Spanish

Description

Visit Danakil depression, one of the world's hottest places and camp at Erta Ale, where you can see the active lava lake. Head to Hamed Ela village via Berhale, spotting several camel caravans. Trek to Erta Ale and watch the magical action of boiling lava. Post descending, end your tour by visiting the different landscapes formed by volcanic activity while interacting with the natives.

Highlights
  • Spot the camel caravans in Berhale
  • Camp in Erta Ale, which has an active lave lake
  • Walk around the pits and craters of the volcano
  • Visit Ragad, the place where locals mine the salt
  • Interact with the local Afar people
  • Day 1: Mekele to Hamed Ela expand_more
    • Drive to Hamed Ela via Berhale. The Danakil Depression, which starts here, is one of the most inhospitable regions of the world but is nonetheless spectacular, full of eye-catching colors, as in the sulphur springs. You pass through a small town of Berhale where the camel caravans stop before they proceed to the northern highlands. (3-4 hrs drive)

    Overnight camp at Hamed Ela.

  • Day 2: Hamed Ela to Erta Ale expand_more
    • We start early, at 06:30 AM after breakfast, and drive to Dodom, which is at the base of Erta Ale. The 80 km distance may take about 6 hours to pass through changing landscapes of solidified lava, rock, sand and the occasional palm lined oasis. You pass through several small hamlets scattered here and there in this desert land before reaching Dodom.

    • You will trek from Dodom to Erta Ale, the world's only permanent lava lake, which takes about 3 hrs. Have early dinner at 5 PM.

    • Upon reaching the volcano's rim, spend the night watching the dramatic action of the boiling lava.

  • Day 3: Walk around pits and craters expand_more
    • Early morning walk around the pits and craters. The main pit-crater, 200 m deep and 350 m across, is sub-circular and three-storied. The smaller southern pit is 65 m wide and about 100 m deep. 

    • By 7 AM, head back to Dodom for breakfast.  After reaching, relax for some time before driving to Hamad Ela.

    Overnight camp at Hamed Ela.

  • Day 4: Hamed Ela to Mekele expand_more
    • In the morning, drive to Ragad (Asebo), the place where locals mine salt. 

    • Drive ahead to Dallol and visit the different landscapes formed by volcanic activity. 

    • Visit Lake Assal, followed by camel caravans and walk with the Afar people. 

    • Drive back to Hamed Ela and proceed to Mekele. End of the tour.

What's Included
  • All entrance fees and licenses 

  • Accommodation and all meals throughout the tour, including waterbottle

  • Ethiopian local guide 

  • Cooking, camping equipment

  • All transfers

What's Excluded
  • Any other personal expenses
Meeting Point

Mekele, Ethiopia

Cancellation Policy

For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -

Refund of 80% of the tour price.
Price Details
Adult
1 To 8 USD 600 Per Person

This is a private tour

Starting From

Fromss

see details
USD 600 / person