Djibouti, Ethiopia · Desert Adventure

3-Day Danakil Depression and Erta Ale Tour from Mekele

3 Days Round trip from Mekele Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Spend a night near Erta Ale and watch boiling lava from just 1 km away
02 Explore the volcanic landscapes of the Danakil Depression, one of the world's lowest places
03 Visit Lake Giulietti and the salt flats where the Afar people harvest salt
04 See Lake Assal and follow traditional camel caravans across the desert

Embark on a 3-day tour from Mekele to the Danakil Depression, one of the driest and lowest regions on Earth, and head to Erta Ale, the "gateway to hell." Spend a night near the active volcano and watch the dramatic boiling lava from just a kilometre away. Visit the saltwater Lake Giulietti, see the salt flats where the Afar people harvest salt, and marvel at Lake Assal. The journey also reveals striking landscapes shaped by volcanic activity across this extraordinary desert region.

Spend a night near the active volcano and watch the dramatic boiling lava from just a kilometre away.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Mekele, Danakil Depression, Lake Assal, Afdera, Erta Ale

Languages Amharic, English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Mekele to Erta Ale via Dodom

Have breakfast, then drive to Erta Ale (the crust of the earth) via Dodom, the base of Erta Ale.
Travel on some of the roughest roads in the world for about 70-80 km. The drive takes around 6 hours, passing through changing landscapes of solidified lava, rock, sand, and occasional palm-lined oases. After passing several small hamlets scattered across the desert, you will see the smoke rising from the earth's crust.
Have an early dinner and proceed to the "gateway to hell." The trek from Dodom to Erta Ale takes approximately 3 hours. Camels will transport all the camping materials and some food, including light mattresses, mats, and water, to the volcano's rim, where you can spend the night watching the dramatic action of the boiling lava just 1 km away.
Overnight stay near the active volcano.

Day 02

Erta Ale to Lake Giulietti and Hamedela

After an early breakfast, head back to Dodom with the Ethiopian tour guide. You will reach the camp by 10:30 at the latest, where you can relax.
Drive to the mythical Lake Giulietti, also known as Lake Afdera, a saltwater lake located more than 100 meters below sea level in one of the deepest depressions on the planet. Because of its picturesque landscape, it is especially interesting to visit the salt flats where the Afar people obtain salt by evaporating the lake's water.
Enjoy seeing camel caravans bringing salt from Asebot. You will pass through the small town of Berhale, where the caravan camels stop before continuing to the northern highlands.
Continue to Erbiti and stay overnight at Abaala/Hamedela.

Day 03

Danakil Depression, Lake Assal and Return to Mekele

Drive to Ragad (Asebot) with the Ethiopian tour guide.
Proceed to the Danakil Depression and visit the different landscapes formed by volcanic activity. Danakil lies 116 meters below sea level and is one of the lowest places in the world, with colourful salt mining.
Visit Lake Assal, follow camel caravans (there are no camel caravans in July, August, and early September), and walk with the Afar people.
Drive back to Hamedela in the late afternoon and then continue to Mekele.

Overnight stay in Mekele.

Where this trip takes you

Erta Ale, Danakil Depression volcanic landscape, Lake Giulietti salt flats, camel caravans of Asebot

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Mekele 5 cities · 3 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Transport in the latest model Toyota with an experienced driver throughout the tour.
Experienced English-speaking Ethiopian tour guide throughout the tour.
All entrance fees and licenses as per the program.
Accommodation and all meals throughout the tour.
Plenty of bottled water and 1.2 litres for the trip.
Surface transport expenses with a four-wheel-drive Land Cruiser, including fuel expenses and driver's allowance.
Local 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.
Experienced cook throughout the tour as per the program.
Government taxes - VAT.
Minimum of 2 cars per trip with local security.
For the duration of the trip, we are responsible for all meals, water, entrance fees, accommodation, security, and transportation.

What's Not Included

All flights.
Alcohol.
Tips are your responsibility. Giving tips is not mandatory but is recommended. However, do not give tips unless you are happy with the services provided by our colleagues.

What to bring

Small umbrella.
Sun blocker.
Sunglasses.
Appropriate trekking shoes.
Torch.
Equipment for a desert tour.
Recommended medicines (get advice from your doctor).

Know before you go

Dodom is situated about 17 km from Erta Ale, and the trek takes approximately 3 hours. At 613 masl, Erta Ale has a lava lake at its summit and is one of only five in the world. It is notable for having one of the longest existing lava lakes, present since the early years of the twentieth century. Erta Ale ranks as one of the most alluring and physically challenging natural attractions in Ethiopia. It is a shield volcano with a base diameter of 30 km and a 1 km square caldera at its summit, and it contains the world's lava lake.
Enjoy the activity of breaking salt from the ground, cutting it into rectangular pieces, and loading it onto camels, while visiting the different landscapes formed by volcanic activity. See the oily lake, colourful salt mining, and follow camel caravans. Walk over a sulfur-caked surface with the hospitable and welcoming Afar people.

Logistics