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Ethiopia · Desert Adventure
The journey
Journey into the Danakil Depression on a 4-day adventure from Mekele to Erta Ale, Dallol, Lake Afdera, and the salt flats of Ragad. Spend a night near the rim of the active volcano under starry skies, admire the eye-catching colours of sulfur springs and volcanic landscapes, and witness how Afar merchants produce salt and transport it by camel caravan. This tour combines one of the world's most inhospitable regions with remarkable geological wonders and enduring local traditions.
Spend a night near the rim of the active volcano under starry skies, admire the eye-catching colours of sulfur springs and volcanic landscapes, and witness how Afar merchants produce salt and transport it by camel caravan.
From the itinerary
At a glance
Day by day
Drive to Hamed Ela via Berhale, where the camel caravan stops before proceeding to the northern highlands.
See the Danakil Depression, one of the most inhospitable regions in the world, yet full of eye-catching colours.
Camp at Hamed Ela.
Drive to the base of Erta Ale - an active basaltic shield volcano with an almost persistent lava lake. The road is rough, and the 80 km distance takes about 6 hours.
Pass through the transforming landscape of solidified lava, rock, sand, and palm-lined oasis.
Arrive at Askoma village or the parking area.
Have dinner at 5:00 pm.
Trek to Erta Ale at night at around 8:00 pm. All the camping materials and food will be transported by camels.
Spend the night near the rim of the volcano.
Trek distance and duration from Askoma to Erta Ale: 9 km, 6 hours.
Spend the early morning walking around the pit craters. The main pit crater is 613 m above sea level and 200 m deep. It is sub-circular and 3-storied. Then descend from Erta Ale.
Head back to Askoma for breakfast.
Reach camp and relax.
Drive to Lake Afdera (only during wintertime) and the mythical Lake Giulietti, a salt-water lake in one of the deepest depressions.
Visit the nearby salt flats to watch how Afar people obtain salt by evaporating the water of the lake.
Continue to Hamed Ela for an overnight stay at camp.
Drive to Ragad (Asebo) to see the salt mining.
From here, drive to Dallol to visit a landscape formed by volcanic activity. It is the hottest place on Earth, and only merchants frequent it to stock up on salt.
Visit Lake Assal, a saline lake and the lowest point in Africa.
Follow the salt-laden camel caravans and walk with the Afar people.
Drive back to Hamed Ela, a small village near Lake Assal.
Return to Mekele.
Where this trip takes you
Erta Ale lava lake, Dallol volcanic landscape, Ragad salt mining, Lake Afdera salt flats
The route
The fine print
All entrance fees and licenses as per the program.
Accommodation and all meals throughout the tour.
Bottled water for the trip.
Surface transport by four-wheel-drive Land Cruiser, including fuel expenses and driver's allowance.
Local English-speaking guide service for the Afar region as per the program.
Cooking and camping equipment.
Scout and police service in the Afar region as per the program.
Camel and camel tires in the Afar region as per the program.
One-way domestic flight.
No camel caravan in July, August, and early September.
Logistics
Your 4 days finish where they began, in Mekele.
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