Itinerary

1. Day 1: Mekele to Erta Ale

   • Start early to drive from Mekele to Dodom (at the base of Erta Ale).
   • Leave after an early breakfast, if possible, at 7:30 am. The 70km distance may take about 5 hrs passing through changing landscape of solidified lava, rock, sand and occasional palm lined oasis.
   • Pass several small hamlets scattered here and there in this desertland. Dodom is about 9.5 km from Erta Ale, and it takes about 3 hrs trekking.
   • Have an early dinner at around 5 pm and trek up to Erta Ale at 8 pm. Camels transport all the camping materials and some food to the rim of the volcano, where you spend the night watching the dramatic action of the boiling lava.

   Overnight camping on the top of the mountain.

2. Day 2: Erta Ale to Hamed Ela

   • Have an early breakfast at around 7 am.
   • Descend from Erta Ale at around 9 am. Reach latest at 10:30 am at the camp and relax. 
   • After a drive, reach Hamed Ela, a village with a total population of about 500 people.

   Overnight camping at Hamed Ela.

3. Day 3: Hamed Ela to Mekele

   • In the morning, drive to Ragad (Acebo), the place where the locals mine salt.

   • Observe the activities of breaking the salt from the ground, cutting it into blocks and loading them onto camels.

   • Drive ahead from Dallol and see the landscape formed by volcanic activity.

   • Go on an excursion to Dallol (116 meters below sea level, one of the lowest places in the world).

   • See colourful salt mining, visit Lake Assal, follow camel caravans and walk with the Afar people.

   • Drive back to Hamed Ela and proceed to Mekele.