4 Days Tour to Danakil Depression

Overview

The Danakil Depression is the northern part of the Afar Triangle or Afar Depression in Ethiopia, a geological depression that has resulted from the divergence of three tectonic plates in the Horn of Africa.

Day 01 : Mekele to Hamedela

Drive to Hamedela via Berhale (639 meters above sea level). The Danakil Depression can be said to ‘begin’ here. It is one of the most inhospitable regions of the world, but is nonetheless spectacular, full of eye-catching colors, as in the sulfur springs. The desert has several points lying more than 100 meters (328 ft) below sea level. You pass through the 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 the new Erta Ale. The 80 km distance may take about 6 hrs passing through changing landscapes 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 the 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 ranks as 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 a 1km square caldera at its summit. 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.
The magma flow moved 3.5 km south from old Erta Ale to the New eruption point.

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 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 than100 meters below sea level, in one of the deepest depressions of the planet. Because of the picturesque landscape, it is interesting to visit the salt flats where the Afar people obtain the salt by evaporating the water of the lake.on continue to Hamad Ela, a village with a total population of about 500 people.
Overnight camping at Hamed Ela.

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 it into rectangular pieces, and loading it on camels. You drive ahead to Dallol (-130 m) and visit the different landscapes formed by volcanic activity, Dallol + Lake Assal (-130 m) + camel caravans (No camel caravan in July, August, and early September). Excursion to Dallol (116 meters below sea level, one of the lowest places in the world) colorful salt mining, visit Lake Assal, follow up camel caravans, and walk with the Afar people.
Drive back to Hamedela and proceed to Mekele