Ethiopia · Geological Wonders

3-Day Erta Ale and Dallol Volcano Tour from Mekele

3 Days Round trip from Erta Ale Easy pace
Active Lava Lake

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Night hike to the summit of Erta Ale to witness its active lava lake
  • 02 Explore the Danakil Depression, home to some of the world's lowest volcanic vents
  • 03 Visit Ahmed Ela, where Dallol's hydrothermal activity shapes the landscape
  • 04 See colorful brine lakes and extensive salt plains with traditional salt-working areas

Explore Erta Ale, Ahmed Ela and Dallol active volcano on this 3-day guided tour. Visit the Danakil Depression, home to the lava lake and Dallol Volcano, whose craters are the lowest known volcanic vents in the world. Continue to Ahmed Ela, where Dallol hydrothermal action takes place, and discover colorful brine lakes, extensive salt plains with traditional salt-working areas, and other related geological features.

The activity of the lava lake has turned it into a vigorous fountain that comes to life with volcanic river flows.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days
Tour type Shared
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included · Budget
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Not applicable
Cities Addis Ababa, Mekele, Erta Ale, Dallol
Languages English, German

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Erta Ale Lava Lake Adventure

  • Take an early morning flight to Mekele and then drive towards the Erta Ale active lava lake. It is situated about 300 km away, and the drive is mostly on the newly built asphalt road. Hike for 3 hours to the summit of Erta Ale at night.

  • Arrive at Erta Ale and make a reconnaissance visit around the lava lake. The activity of the lava lake has turned it into a vigorous fountain that comes to life with volcanic river flows. Nighttime is the best time to visit the area as you arrive at the summit.

Overnight stay at Erta Ale.

2
Day 02

Drive to Ahmed Ela

  • Descend to the base camp where the cars are parked, then continue the drive to Ahmed Ela, where Dallol hydrothermal action takes place.

Overnight camping stay at Ahmed Ela.

3
Day 03

Dallol Volcano and Return to Mekele

  • Visit Dallol active volcano. See colorful brine lakes, extensive salt plains with traditional salt-working areas, and other related geological areas.

  • Proceed to Mekele, which is only 180 km away.

  • Get transferred to the airport for the evening flight back to Addis.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Erta Ale 4 cities · 3 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Camp accommodation in the Danakil Depression

  • Meals on a full-board basis with water

  • Transportation by Land Cruiser, plus a logistics car for the local crew in the Danakil Depression

  • Entrance fees, local crew fees, militia fees, and other related fees for Erta Ale and Dallol

  • A cook for camping and all camping gear

  • A camel for carrying the one-night materials at Erta Ale

What's Not Included

  • International flight tickets and domestic flight tickets

  • Expenses of a personal nature

  • Tips and related expenses

  • Alcoholic drinks

Know before you go

  • Mode of transportation: surface and flight.

  • Domestic flight cost is not included in the price.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Erta Ale, Ethiopia
Tour start
Erta Ale, Ethiopia
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 3 days finish where they began, in Erta Ale.

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USD 780 /person
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