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

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Camp near the rim of Erta Ale's active volcano
• 02 Visit Lake Giulietti, a salt-water lake in one of the deepest depressions
• 03 Explore Dallol, a landscape formed by volcanic activity
• 04 See the salt mining in Ragad
• 05 Head to Lake Assal, a saline lake and the lowest point in Africa
• 06 Walk with the Afar people and enjoy camel caravans

Head to the Danakil Depression, one of the driest and lowest regions on earth, and spend a night observing the boiling lava of Erta Ale. Visit the salt-water Lake Giulietti, the saline Lake Assal, and Dallol's landscape shaped by volcanic activity in one of the hottest places on earth. Along the way, see salt mining in Ragad, walk with the Afar people, and enjoy camel caravans.

Head to the Danakil Depression, one of the driest and lowest regions on earth, and spend a night observing the boiling lava of Erta Ale.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Mekele, Danakil Depression, Afdera, Erta Ale, Dallol

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Mekele to Erta Ale Volcano

• Depart from Mekele and drive to the base of Erta Ale, an active basaltic shield volcano with an almost persistent lava lake. Pass through the transforming landscape of solidified lava, rock, sand, and palm-lined oases.
• Arrive at Dodom campsite and have an early dinner at 5 PM.
• Trek to Erta Ale at night, around 2000 hours. The camels will transport all the camping materials and food.
• Spend the night near the rim of the volcano.

2

Day 02

Erta Ale to Lake Giulietti and Hamed Ela

• Spend the early morning walking around the pit craters and then descend from Erta Ale.
• Leave for Dodom after an early breakfast.
• Reach camp and relax.
• Drive to the mythical Lake Giulietti (Lake Afrera), a salt-water lake in one of the deepest depressions. Visit the nearby salt flats to watch how the Afar people obtain salt by evaporating the lake's water.
• Continue to Erbiti and stay overnight at Hamed Ela, a small village near Lake Assal.

3

Day 03

Lake Assal, Dallol and Return to Mekele

• Head to Lake Assal, a saline lake and the lowest point in Africa.
• Drive to Ragad (Asebo) to see the salt mining.
• From here, drive to Dallol to visit a landscape formed by volcanic activity and the hottest place on earth.
• Enjoy camel caravans and walk with the Afar people.
• Drive back to Hamed Ela.
• Return to Mekele. End of the tour services.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• All entrance fees and licenses as per the program
• Accommodation and all meals throughout the tour
• Water bottle
• Surface transport expenses with a four-wheel-drive Land Cruiser
• Fuel expenses and driver's allowance
• Cooking and camping equipment
• English-speaking Ethiopian guide
• Scout and police service in the Afar region
• Camel caravan service in the Afar region

What's Not Included

• Flight expenses

• Anything not mentioned above

• Personal expenses

Know before you go

• No camel caravan in July, August, and early September.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Mekele, Ethiopia

Tour start

Mekele, Ethiopia

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.