Ethiopia · Trekking

4-Day Erta Ale Trek from Mekele through the Danakil Depression

4 Days Round trip from Mek'ele Challenging pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Night trek to Erta Ale and camp near the rim of its active crater
02 Cross the colourful and extreme landscapes of the Danakil Depression
03 Visit Dallol's volcanic terrain and nearby salt flats
04 See how Afar people harvest salt and follow camel caravans
05 Explore Lake Afdera and the mythical salt-water Lake Giulietti

Set off on an exciting 4-day journey from Mekele to Erta Ale, one of Ethiopia's most remarkable active volcanoes in the Danakil Depression. Travel through dramatic desert landscapes, salt flats, and volcanic terrain, then trek at night to the crater rim to sleep under the starry sky near the pit craters. Along the way, discover Lake Afdera, the mythical Lake Giulietti, Dallol's volcanic formations, and the salt-mining traditions of the Afar people.

Set off on an exciting 4-day journey from Mekele to Erta Ale, one of Ethiopia's most remarkable active volcanoes in the Danakil Depression.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Challenging

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Mekele, Danakil Depression, Afdera, Erta Ale, Dallol

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Mekele to Hamed Ela through the Danakil Depression

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.

Day 02

Drive to Erta Ale and night trek to the crater rim

Leave early in the morning for the 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 a 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 at around 2000 hours. All camping material and food will be transported by camels. Spend the night near the rim of the volcano.

Day 03

Erta Ale crater walk, Lake Afdera, and salt flats

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 at around 07:00 am. Reach camp at 10:30 am 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 the Afar people obtain salt by evaporating the water of the lake.
Continue to Hamed Ela for an overnight stay at camp.

Day 04

Ragad salt mining, Dallol, and return to Mekele

Drive to Ragad (Asebo) to see 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.