06 Days Danakil Depression Special Trip

"Into the Afar Triangle..."

Morning Flight to Mekele, where you will be met by our guide, who will be waiting to meet you, will lead you to the waiting vehicles. It is quite a long and spectacular drive up to Hamad Ella, passing along the spectacular landscape. Arrive at Hamad Ella, a small village of the Afar people, in the late afternoon. You will spend the night under the stars on wooden beds.

"Preparing for the ascent..."

Drive to Dodom at the base of Erta Ale. Leave after having very early breakfast at 06:30. This may be one of the worst roads in the world. The 80 km distance may take about 6 hrs passing through changing landscape of solidified lava, rock, sand and occasional palm lined oasis. You pass several small hamlets scattered here and there in this desert land, before reaching Dodom. You will camp at Dodom, surrounded by a strange landscape.

"The smoking mountain..."

Early dinner around 17:00 and trek up to Erta Ale at 20:00 hours. Camels transport all the camping materials and some food, sleeping materials, mattresses and water, to the rim of the volcano, where we spend the night watching the dramatic action of the boiling lava. Erta Ale ranks one of the most alluring and physically challenging natural attractions anywhere in Ethiopia. It is a shield volcano with a base diameter of 30 km and 1km square caldera at its summit. Erta Ale contains the world`s only permanent lava lake and you will spend an unforgettable night on the top of the mountain.

"Sunrise over the crater..."

Wake up early for the sunrise, visit the north crater, and descend to Dodom. We will reach the camp at Dodom by 08:30 to have breakfast and some time to relax. Afterwards drive to Hamed Ella, where we will have our lunch.

"The lowest place on earth..."

Morning tour Drive to Ragad (Asebo), the place where the salts are mined. Observe the breaking of the salt from the ground, cutting into rectangular pieces and loading on camels. You drive ahead to Dallol and visit the difference landscape formed by volcanic activity, Dallol + Lake Assal + camel caravans. Excursion to Dallol (116 meter below sea level, one of the lowest places in the world). Proceed to Mekele for overnight in a Hotel.

"Return to the capital..."

Depending on your time fly back to Addis and End of trip.