2 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.

A geological depression caused by the continental drift of three tectonic plates, the Danakil Depression is one of Earth’s most unusual environments. Renowned as the ‘hottest place on the planet and home to salt lakes, lava lakes, volcanoes, and colorful acidic springs – it’s a wonderful, alien environment.

Day 01 : Mekele – Hamede Ela Drive to Hamedela via Berhale

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 caravan stops 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 driving to reach Hamad Ela, a better village with a total population of about 500 people. Sun set at Dallol.
Overnight camping at Hamed Ela.

Day 02: Morning tour Drive to Ragad (Asebo)

The place where the localities are mining salt. Look at the activity of breaking the salt from the ground, cutting it into rectangular pieces, and loading it on camels. You drive ahead to Dallol and visit the different landscapes 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 salt mining, visit Lake Assal, follow up camel caravans, and walk with the Afar people.
Drive back to Hamedela and proceed to Mekele

Day 01: 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 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 4 hrs. 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 volcano mountain chain and 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. Overnight at the rim of the Volcano.

Day 02

Early Morning sun rise at the northern one corresponds to the main pit crater and walk 5 minutes for the southern and central pits could either corresponds to an ancient pit, or to a simple collapse structure. The main pit-crater, 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. 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 driving to 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. reach Eript, a better village with a total population of about 500 people.
Drive to Erbiti and proceed to Mekele.