Ethiopia · Geological Wonders

3-Day Danakil Depression Tour from Mekele with Erta Ale and Dallol

3 Days Round trip from Mekele Moderate pace

Volcanic Eruptions at Danakil Depression

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Watch the dramatic action of the boiling lava at Erta Ale
02 Spend a night at the rim of the volcano
03 Discover landscapes shaped by volcanic activity in the Danakil Depression
04 Observe salt mining at Ragad and see camel caravans in action

Tour the Danakil Depression and experience lava lakes, colourful landscapes, salt mining, and camel caravans on this 3-day journey from Mekele. Admire the stunning, eye-catching colours of the sulfur springs, visit landscapes shaped by volcanic activity, and trek to Erta Ale to watch the dramatic action of the boiling lava. This tour takes you through one of the hottest places on Earth, with overnight camping at Erta Ale and Hamed Ela.

Camels transport all the camping materials and some food to the rim of the volcano, where you spend the night watching the dramatic action of the boiling lava.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Mekele, Erta Ale, Dallol

Languages Amharic, English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Mekele to Erta Ale Volcano

Start early and drive from Mekele to Dodom, at the base of Erta Ale.
Leave after an early breakfast, if possible at 7:30 am. The 70 km journey may take about 5 hours, passing through changing landscapes of solidified lava, rock, sand, and occasional palm-lined oases.
Pass several small hamlets scattered here and there in this desert land. Dodom is about 9.5 km from Erta Ale, and the trek takes about 3 hours.
Have an early dinner at around 5 pm and trek up to Erta Ale at 8 pm. Camels transport all the camping materials and some food to the rim of the volcano, where you spend the night watching the dramatic action of the boiling lava.

Overnight camping on the top of the mountain.

Day 02

Erta Ale to Hamed Ela

Have an early breakfast at around 7 am.
Descend from Erta Ale at around 9 am and reach the camp by 10:30 am at the latest to relax.
After the drive, reach Hamed Ela, a village with a total population of about 500 people.

Overnight camping at Hamed Ela.

Day 03

Hamed Ela, Dallol and Return to Mekele

In the morning, drive to Ragad (Acebo), the place where the locals mine salt.
Observe the activities of breaking the salt from the ground, cutting it into blocks, and loading them onto camels.
Drive ahead to Dallol and see the landscape formed by volcanic activity.
Go on an excursion to Dallol, 116 meters below sea level and one of the lowest places in the world.
See colourful salt mining, visit Lake Assal, follow camel caravans, and walk with the Afar people.
Drive back to Hamed Ela and proceed to Mekele.