Itinerary

1. Day 1: Erta ale Trek

   • Start the day with your Ethiopian driver by heading out for Dodom. This road may be one of the roughest roads in the world. The 80 km distance may take about 6 hrs passing through changing the landscape of solidified lava, rock, sand and occasional palm lined oasis. 
   • After passing several small hamlets scattered here and there in this deserted land, arrive at Dodom camping site, located about 17km from Erta Ale. Then, have dinner around 5 pm.
   • Trek up to Erta Ale at 8 pm. Camels will be transporting all the camping materials and some food (sleeping materials like light mattresses and water) to the volcano's rim, where you will spend the night watching the dramatic action of the boiling lava.
   • Spend the night on top of the mountain, at the volcano's rim.

2. Day 2: Descent

   • Take an early morning walk to the three main pits of the crater. 
   • Descend from Erta Ale around 9 am to Dodom. (If possible, 7 am)
   • Reach the base camp by 10:30 am, where you will be relaxing.
   • Drive to reach the mythical Lake Giulietti, a.k.a Lake Afrera. (optional; may not be available during summer).  
   • Continue to Erbiti and proceed to Abaala/ Hamed Ela.

3. Day 3: Danakil - Lake Assal - Camel Caravans

   • Head out on a morning drive to Ragad (Asebo), where the locals mine for salt. Observe the workers breaking salts from the ground, cutting them into rectangular pieces and loading them on camels. 
   • Proceed to Dallol and pass the varied landscapes formed by volcanic activity.
   • Start an excursion to Dallol (116 meters below sea level, one of the lowest places in the world), famous for its colourful salt mine.
   • Visit Lake Assal is followed by camel caravans (No camel caravan in July, August and early September) and a walk with the Afar people.
   • Drive back to Hamedela and proceed to Mekele to end your tour.