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

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Explore the colorful place of Dallol, with its sulphur lake formed by volcano, salt, and brine water
• 02 Visit the extensive salt plain, the lowest place in Africa at 121 meters below sea level
• 03 Hike to Erta Ale, the ongoing volcano known as the smoking mountain
• 04 See traditional salt mining and caravan camels transporting salt bricks across the plain
• 05 Refresh in the salt lake of Afdera and the natural hot spring beside it

Danakil depression is found in the northeastern part of Ethiopia, and its geological formations were created by the movement apart of the tectonic plates 30 million years ago. This place is also called the Afar Triangle because it is where the three tectonic plates meet. Danakil Depression is home to unique places like Dallol and Erta Ale, the smoking mountain. Visit the colourful landscapes, the massive salt plain, traditional salt mining, caravan camels, Lake Asale, the local Afar communities, and the salt lake of Afdera, where you can refresh in the hot spring beside the lake.

Drive to the salt flat for a sunset program on the beautiful salt plain, which lies at 121 meters below sea level, the lowest place in Africa.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Addis Ababa, Mekele, Afdera, Erta Ale, Dallol

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Drive from Mekele to Hammedela via Berhale

• Drive from Mekele to Berhale.
• En route, see the beautiful landscape while descending into the Rift Valley.
• Enjoy a lunch break in the town of Berhale, one of the Afar towns.
• Take the opportunity to see the lifestyle of the local Afar community.
• After lunch, drive to the small village of Hammedela, situated 7 kilometers from the salt plain and 90 meters below sea level, where you will camp for the night.
• Drive to the salt flat for a sunset program on the beautiful salt plain, which lies at 121 meters below sea level, the lowest place in Africa.
• See the caravan camels carrying salt bricks from the salt mine back from the salt plain to the highlands of Tigray.

2

Day 02

Dallol visit and trek to Erta Ale

• Wake up early in the morning to go to the colorful place of Dallol.
• Visit the salt mountain, the yellow pond mineral spring, and the traditional salt mining of the Arho people and the Afar community.
• Drive straight to Erta Ale, the smoking mountain.
• Take a lunch break in Abala or Iribti.
• Upon reaching the base camp, make the final preparations and have dinner.
• Start trekking to see the volcano.
• Reach the campsite, around 200 meters from the volcano.

3

Day 03

Afdera salt lake and return to Mekele

• Drive to Afdera town, known for its massive salt production.
• Enjoy a swimming program in the salt lake of Afdera, and feel refreshed in the natural hot spring situated beside the lake.
• Have lunch in one of the local hotels.
• After lunch, drive back to Mekele.
• End of program.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Rental car and fuel fee
• Water
• Entrance fee
• Scout fee
• Guide fee
• Food
• Campsite fee
• Driver's allowance
• Government tax

What's Not Included

• Tips for the guide
• Alcoholic drinks

What to bring

• Trekking shoes
• Mask
• Torchlight or headlight
• Medicines in case of altitude sickness
• Sunglasses and sunscreen
• Swimming suit

Know before you go

• The rainy season in the highlands of Ethiopia starts in June, July, and August, and continues up to mid-September.
• The hottest time in the Danakil Depression lowlands is in June, July, and August.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Tour start

Mekele, Ethiopia

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.