5 Days Danakil Depression Tour

Explore the Otherworldly Landscapes of Dallol and Erta Ale

Home 5 Days Danakil Depression Tour

Danakil Depression Tour

This is a 5 days real adventure package tour to the Danakil Depression. This trip is unlike the others; it will start in Mekele and will end in Mekele. You will explore the most extra ordinary the active volcano explosion in a very near distance in Erita Ala and the attractive color combination of sulfurs and potash in Dallol. Experiencing and watching the processes of salt cutting activities by the locals and the caravans are also among the unforgettable highlights of this trip.

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Experiences

Highlights

Visit the camel caravan lines in Dallol salt mining.
Explore the Dallol Depression- the hottest places in the world.
Witness the beauty of Erita Ala.
Discover the cultures of the Afar peoples.

Route

This 5-day expedition is a true adventure into one of the most extreme and surreal landscapes on Earth: the Danakil Depression. The journey begins and ends in Mekele, serving as the gateway to this otherworldly region. You will travel by 4WD across sandy tracks into the heart of the Depression, establishing a base camp at Hamed Ela.

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Itinerary

Day 1 Mekelle to Hamed Ela

This morning we will drive to Barehala , where we will have two hours rest under the shade and our guide will facilitate to have the Afar scout, the Afar local guide and other tour staffs. After compelling all our logistics here, we will keep driving to Ahmed Ela along unmarked sandy tracks, passing Afar settlements along the way. Ahmed Ela is the base for exploring the salt mines and seeing the salt workers and camel caravans. Overnight camp at Ahamd Ela.

Day 2 Excursion to Dallol

This day, we will visit the salt workers and the merchant at around Lake Asale. Here, we will learn and observe how the locals doing the salt cutting, shaping and then loading to the endless Camel Caravans. Keep driving to Dallol and along the way enjoy views of the small hills and colorful hot spring in several places. These hot springs are composed of different minerals along with sulfurs and potash and create spectacular colors. Dallol is renowned as being the hottest inhabited place on earth; between 1960 and 1966 an average annual temperature of 34°C (94°F) was recorded. Drive back to our camp site in the late afternoon.

Day 3 Drive to Dodom Village (Base of Erta Ale)

This morning, we will head to Dodom, continue to the tarmac and head out over the sands towards Erta Ale Volcano. After several hours we reach Kuswarad, an Afar village where we have lunch and pick up our local Afar guides. We then continue through the desert where we reach the basalt rock formed by old lava flows. A slow and bumpy drive brings us to the base of Erta Ale Volcano. After loading up the camels we will start our trek to the rim of the volcano at around sunset, to avoid walking during the heat of the day. The trek will take about 4 – 5 hours, with the latter part of the walk taking part in the dark. The gently climbing hike itself follows interesting lava formations. The path is not that steep, but it is important everyone has a torch and sticks together. We camp on the crater rim, a safe distance away from the lava and enjoy watching the Erta Ale, which is an active volcano and it has a spectacular sight.

Day 4 Erta Ale – Hamed Ela

This morning we leave camp and descend to the bottom of the mountain and then driving to Ahamd Ala. The driving is all off road, through the desert. In the late afternoon, we will arrive at Ahmed Ala, a small settlement where the salt caravans meet before their long walk to Mekele. In the afternoon and evening, we can watch the endless camel caravans coming and going: arriving empty they are met by the ones leaving packed full with precious salt blocks.

Day 5 Hamed Ela to Mekelle

In the morning, we will watch thousands of camels leaving for the salt cutting area with forming a long line. Then, we drive to Mekelle. At a small, clear waterfall, we stop for lunch, to bath and clean the cars from the salt. In the late afternoon, we should already be back on the highland plateau and in the late afternoon arrive in the town of Mekelle. End of Tour services.

Mekelle to Hamed Ela

Afar

I recently returned from an unforgettable trip to Ethiopia, all thanks to the exceptional service provided by Absolute Ethiopia Tours especially our guide Mr.KIBRU who is well aware of the history and knows each and every corner of the country. From the very beginning, their team demonstrated outstanding professionalism, responsiveness, and genuine care in crafting a perfectly tailored travel experience.

Customer Name

This was one of the most visually and culturally striking destinations we have ever visited. the programme was designed so that we can sample many attractions and really considerate of our needs. every wish we had was realized and although we travelled with two elderly people, every possible problem was thought about and solved in advance. T cannot recommend Absolute Ethiopia tours and our personal guide kibru enough. really an unforgettable journey thanks to them.

5 Days Danakil Depression Tour

Explore the Otherworldly Landscapes of Dallol and Erta Ale

Danakil Depression Tour

Want to know more?

Experiences

Highlights

Route

Itinerary

Day 1 Mekelle to Hamed Ela

Day 2 Excursion to Dallol

Day 3 Drive to Dodom Village (Base of Erta Ale)

Day 4 Erta Ale – Hamed Ela

Day 5 Hamed Ela to Mekelle

Mekelle to Hamed Ela

Excursion to Dallol

Drive to Dodom Village (Base of Erta Ale)

Erta Ale – Hamed Ela

Hamed Ela to Mekelle

Afar

Danakil Depression

Erta Ale

Erta Ale

Mekele

Customer Name

Elif K

FAQs

Answer

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