Day 1  Mekele - Hamede Ela

Drive to Hamedela via Berhale (639 meters above sea level). The desert has several points lying more than 100 meters (328 ft) below sea level. You pass through a small town of Berhale where the camel caravans stop before they proceed to the northern highlands. En route you see many long caravans going to the salt mines and others coming out of the Danakil with their salt loaded camels. (3-4 hrs drive) Camp at Hamedela.

 

Day 2  Hamd Ela – Dodom (150 meters)

We start early, shortly after a 06:30 breakfast, and drive to Askoma (150 meters) at the base of new Erta Ale. The 80 km distance may take about 6 hrs passing through changing the landscape of solidified lava, rock, sand and the occasional palm-lined oasis. You pass several small hamlets scattered here and there in this desert land, before reaching Askoma village or parking area.  You will trek from Askoma to the new Erta Ale which takes about 3 hrs. It is a 9 km trek from Askoma to Erta Ale. Early dinner around 17:00 and trek up to the new Erta Ale reach around 20:00. 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. New Erta Ale is part of the world’s only permanent lava lake and you will spend an unforgettable night on the top of the mountain. 

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Day 3 Sunrise at the volcano and Lake Afdera (102 meters)

Early morning you will rise with the sun with time to walk around pits and craters. The main pit-crater 613 meters above sea level/, 200 m deep and 350 m across, is sub-circular and three-storied. The smaller southern pit is 65 m wide and about 100 m deep. You will leave around 7:00 to head back to Askoma for breakfast. You will reach the latest at 10:30 am at the camp and after some time to relax you will drive to Lake Afdera (optional may not be available during summer time) the mythical Lake Giulietti (or lake Afrera), a saltwater lake located more than 100 meters below sea level, in one of the deepest depressions of the planet. Continue to Hamad Ela, a village with a total population of about 500 people. Overnight camping at Hamed Ela.

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Day 4 

Morning driving tour 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 (-130 m) and visit the difference landscape formed by volcanic activity, Dallol + Lake Assal (-130 m) + camel caravans (No camel caravan on July, August, and early September). Excursion to Dallol (116 meters below sea level, one of the lowest places in the world) colorful salts mining, visit Lake Assal, follow up camel caravans and walk with the Afar people. Drive back to Hamedela and proceed to Mekele

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2D/1N

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OPTION – 1st  route

Day 1 - Mekele to Askoma Via Abaala/New Ertale volcano

We start early via Abala to the New Erta Ale volcano, shortly after a 06:30 breakfast, and drive to Askoma at the base of new Erta Ale. The 180 km distance may take about 6 to 7 hrs passing through changing the landscape of solidified lava, rock, sand and the occasional palm-lined oasis. You pass several small hamlets scattered here and there in this desert land, before reaching Askoma village or parking area.  Early dinner around 17:00 and trek up to the new Erta Ale reach around 20:00. You will trek from Askoma to the new Erta Ale which takes about 4 hrs. 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. New Erta Ale is part of the world’s only permanent lava lake and you will spend an unforgettable night on the top of the mountain. 

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Day2

Early Morning sunrise. Descend from Erta Ale around 9 am Dodom – Leave back to Dodom after an early breakfast, if possible at 07:00.

You will reach the latest at 10:30 am at the camp, time to relax. After a drive to the mythical Lake Giulietti (or lake Afrera), a saltwater lake located more than 100 meters below sea level, in one of the deepest depressions of the planet. Drive to Erbiti and proceed to Mekele.

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(Ertale may not be as active as before and its activity at flank eruption slows down) 

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OPTION – 2nd  route

Day 1 Mekele – Hamede Ela Drive to Hamedela via Berhale

The Danakil Depression can be said to ‘begin’ here. You pass through a small town of Berhale where the camel caravan stop before they proceed to the northern highlands. En route you see many long camel caravans coming to the salt mine and others going out of the Danakil with their salt loaded camels. (3-4 hrs drive) Camp Hamedela. After a drive to reach Hamad Ela, better village with a total population of about 500 people. Sunset at Dallol. Overnight camping at Hamed Ela.

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Day 2

Morning tour Drive to Ragad (Asebo), the place where the localities are mining salt. Look the activity of breaking 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 meters below sea level, one of the lowest places in the world) colorful salts mining, visit Lake Assal, follow up camel caravans and walk with the Afar people. Drive back to Hamedela and proceed to Mekelle.