Ethiopia · Desert Adventure

2-Day Erta Ale and Danakil Depression Tour with Lake Giulietti

2 Days Round trip from Mekele Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Witness Erta Ale's almost permanent lava lake from near the volcano's rim
02 Pass through the transforming landscape of solidified lava, rock, sand, and palm-lined oases
03 Trek to Erta Ale at night with camels carrying the camping equipment and food
04 Visit the mythical Lake Giulietti in one of the deepest depressions
05 See the salt flats where Afar people obtain salt by evaporating lake water

Travel to Erta Ale, the only active volcanic depression on Earth, and witness its almost permanent lava lake and striking fields of orange and yellow sulphuric rocks. This 2-day tour takes you through the Danakil Depression's transforming landscape of solidified lava, rock, sand, and palm-lined oases, with an overnight stay near the volcano's rim. Explore one of the lowest and hottest places on Earth, and continue to Lake Afdera and the mythical Lake Giulietti before returning to Mekele.

Erta Ale has an almost persistent lava lake.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 2 Days

Tour type Shared

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

Day 01

Mekele to Askoma and Night Trek to Erta Ale

Drive to the base of Erta Ale, an active basaltic shield volcano, via Abala. Erta Ale has 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 oases.
Arrive at Askoma village or the parking area.
Have dinner at 1700 hours.
Trek to Erta Ale at night around 08:00 p.m. The camels will transport all the camping material and food.
Spend the night near the rim of the volcano.

Trek duration from Askoma to the new Erta Ale: 4 hours.

Day 02

Pit Craters, Lake Afdera, and Return to Mekele

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 Dodom after an early 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 salt flats nearby to watch how Afar people obtain salt by evaporating the lake's water.
Drive to Erbiti and proceed to Mekele.

End of the tour.

Where this trip takes you

Erta Ale lava lake, Danakil Depression salt flats, Lake Afdera, Lake Giulietti

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Mekele 5 cities · 2 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

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
English-speaking Ethiopian local guide
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