3-Day Hiking in Danakil Depression

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Mekele to Erta Ale Volcano

We start the drive early from Mekelle to Dodom at the base of Erta Ale Volcano. Leave after an early breakfast, possibly at 7:30am. This may be one of the worst roads in the world! The 70km distance can take about 5 hours, passing through a changing landscape of solidified lava, rock, sand and occasional palm-lined oasis. After you pass several small hamlets scattered here and there in this desert land, Dodom is about 9.5km from Erta Ale, and it takes about 3 hours to trek. Have an early dinner around 5:00pm and trek to Erta Ale at 8:00pm. Camels transport all the camping materials and some food (sleeping materials like light mattresses and mats and water) to the volcano's rim, where we spend the night watching the dramatic action of the boiling lava. Erta Ale ranks as one of Ethiopia's most alluring and physically challenging natural attractions. It is a shield volcano with a base diameter of 30km and a 1km² caldera at its summit.

Main Destination:

Erta Ale Volcano (Danakil Depression)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Erta Ale (Danakil Depression)

Meals & Drinks:

• Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Erta Ale Volcano to Hamed Ela

Wake up early and return to Dodom, where you will arrive at the latest at 8:00am. After breakfast, you have time to relax. Then, drive 100km to Hamed Ela with a picnic lunch on the way in the shade of palm trees. Reach Hamed Ela at 4:30pm, a village with a total population of about 500 people. You will see many camel caravans and the sunset from the shallow salt Lake Asale.

Main Destination:

Hamad Ela (Village)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Near Hamad Ela (Village)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Hamed Ela to Dallol and Mekele

Start with a morning drive to Ragad (Asebo), where the locals mine salt. 1,200km² (460mi²). The Afar Depression is covered with salt, and you will see the locals breaking the salt from the ground, cutting it into rectangular pieces and loading it on camels. You drive ahead to Dallol and will see the different landscapes formed by volcanic activity. Finally, return to Hamed Ela for lunch and proceed to Mekele.

Main Destination:

Mekele (City)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.