5-Day Dallol & Erta Ale Danakil Depression Adventure

• 5 Days/4 Nights
• Danakil Depression

Overview

The Danakil Depression, located in northeastern Ethiopia near the border with Eritrea, is one of the hottest, driest, and lowest places on Earth. This otherworldly landscape is part of the Afar Triangle and lies more than 100 meters below sea level. The Danakil Depression is known for its extreme environment, with active volcanoes, vast salt flats, sulfur springs, and colorful mineral deposits. The most famous site in the Danakil Depression is the Erta Ale volcano, one of the few continuously active lava lakes in the world. The area is also home to the Afar people, who have traditionally harvested salt from the salt flats for centuries. Visiting the Danakil Depression offers a unique and adventurous experience, with its surreal landscapes and harsh conditions.

Highlights:
– Explore one of the hottest and most inhospitable places on Earth.
– Visit the salt flats, active volcanoes, and sulfur springs.

Itinerary

This 5-day itinerary is a true adventure, offering a deep dive into the unique and extreme landscapes of the Danakil Depression. It requires a resilient spirit and a sense of adventure

Day 1: Arrive in Mekelle / Drive to Hamed Ela

Morning/Early Afternoon: Arrive at Mekelle Airport (MQX). Your tour operator will meet you.
Late Afternoon: Begin your journey by 4×4 vehicle towards the Danakil Depression. The drive to Hamed Ela takes approximately 4-6 hours, passing through diverse landscapes. You’ll stop at Berhale to process necessary permits and pick up your local Afar guides and security escorts.
Late Afternoon/Sunset: Arrive at Hamed Ela, a small Afar settlement that serves as a base camp for the northern part of the Danakil.
Evening: Witness the vast salt flats of Lake Asale as the sun sets, and observe the camel caravans that trek for days carrying salt bars to highland markets.
Accommodation: Basic camping under the stars in Hamed Ela (sleeping mats provided, bring your own sleeping bag if preferred). Dinner is prepared by your tour team.

Day 2: Dallol Excursion & Salt Flats

Morning (Early Start): After a very early breakfast, drive to Dallol (approx. 1 hour).
Dallol Exploration: Spend the morning exploring the surreal and colorful landscapes of Dallol, which is one of the lowest points on Earth (around 125 meters below sea level). Marvel at the vibrant sulfur and mineral formations, acid pools, and salt pillars that create an otherworldly, alien landscape.
Salt Mines & Camel Caravans: Visit the traditional salt mining sites where Afar people painstakingly cut salt blocks from the vast salt flats. Observe the incredible sight of hundreds, sometimes thousands, of camels being loaded with salt bricks, forming impressive camel caravans.
Afternoon: Visit Lake Assale (or Lake Karum), another hypersaline salt lake, and possibly a nearby hot spring.
Late Afternoon: Drive back to Hamed Ela.
Evening: Dinner and overnight camping at Hamed Ela.

Day 3: Drive to Erta Ale Base Camp & Volcano Trek

Morning: After breakfast, begin the long drive (approx. 4-6 hours) south towards Erta Ale, an active basaltic shield volcano. The journey takes you through ever-changing landscapes of solidified lava flows, vast desert plains, and occasional palm oases.
Lunch: Picnic lunch en route.
Late Afternoon: Arrive at Dodom (Erta Ale Base Camp). This is a rest stop before the evening trek. You’ll have an early dinner here.
Night Trek: As sunset approaches, begin your approximately 3-4 hour trek (or camel ride for those who prefer) up to the rim of Erta Ale volcano. The trek is usually done in the cooler night hours.
Erta Ale Crater: Witness the mesmerizing spectacle of the world’s only permanent lava lake. Stare down into the glowing, bubbling, and occasionally spattering lava, a truly unforgettable experience.
Accommodation: Basic camping near the crater rim of Erta Ale, sleeping under the stars with the glow of the volcano.

Day 4: Erta Ale Sunrise & Drive to Lake Afdera / Semera

Morning (Early): Wake up before dawn to witness the lava lake in a different light, often more active. Capture stunning photos as the sun rises over the stark volcanic landscape.
Descent: Trek back down to Dodom (Erta Ale Base Camp).
Breakfast: Have breakfast at the base camp.
Late Morning: Begin your drive out of the Danakil Depression. Your destination could be Lake Afdera (a large salt lake, where you might have a chance for a refreshing, buoyant swim) or directly to Semera, depending on the tour logistics and road conditions.
Evening: If heading to Semera, you’ll reach it in the late afternoon/early evening.
Accommodation: Basic hotel/lodge in Semera (e.g., Kuriftu Afar Semera Resort or similar). If stopping at Afdera, it will be basic camping.

Day 5: Semera to Addis Ababa & Departure
Morning: Enjoy breakfast at your hotel in Semera.
Late Morning: Transfer to Semera Airport (SZE) for your domestic flight back to Addis Ababa (ADD).
Afternoon: Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, you’ll be transferred to Bole International Airport for your international departure flight, or to a hotel if you plan to stay longer in Addis Ababa.

Total Cost: $1000 pp

Inclusions
The tour cost of $1000 per person typically includes the following:
⦁ Tour Logistics & Transport
⦁ Airport pick-up from Mekelle and drop-off at Semera Airport
⦁ Domestic flight ticket from Semera to Addis Ababa
⦁ All ground transportation in a 4WD vehicle with fuel, driver, and an experienced English-speaking guide
⦁ Local Afar guides and armed security escorts as required by the regional regulations
⦁ Meals & Water
⦁ All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) during the tour
⦁ Bottled mineral water throughout the trip
⦁ Accommodation
⦁ Basic camping accommodations at Hamed Ela and near Erta Ale crater (including sleeping mats)
⦁ Hotel/lodge accommodation in Semera (e.g., Kuriftu Afar Semera Resort or similar, depending on availability)
⦁ Permits & Fees
⦁ Danakil entry permits
⦁ Village and community fees
⦁ Camping and park fees
⦁ Erta Ale volcano access fees
⦁ Tour Equipment
⦁ Cooking and camping gear (tents, mattresses)
⦁ Cooking staff and support team
⦁ Camels/mules for transporting gear during the Erta Ale trek

Exclusions
The following are not included in the tour price:
✈️ International Travel
⦁ International flights to/from Addis Ababa
⦁ Visa fees for entry into Ethiopia
🛏️ Sleeping Equipment
⦁ Sleeping bags (you must bring your own for hygiene and comfort)
🧼 Personal Essentials
⦁ Personal travel insurance (highly recommended due to remote location and extreme conditions)
⦁ Tips for guides, drivers, and cooks
⦁ Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
⦁ Any optional activities not listed in the itinerary
🧳 Other Personal Expenses
⦁ Snacks, souvenirs, laundry, and other items of a personal nature
⦁ Hotel accommodation in Addis Ababa, if you plan to stay after the tour ends