Itinerary

1. Day 1 L Mekele - Hamed Ela

   • Drive to Hamed Ela via Berhale, where the camel caravan stops before proceeding to the northern highlands.
   • See the Danakil Depression, one of the most inhospitable regions of the world, but full of eye-catching colours. Camp at Hamed Ela.

2. Day 2 : Hamed Ela - Erta Ale

   • Leave for an early morning drive to the base of Erta Ale- an active basaltic shield volcano, which has an almost persistent lava lake. The road is rough and the 80 km distance takes about 6 hours. Pass through the transforming landscape of solidified lava, rock, sand and palm-lined oasis.

   • Arrive at Askoma village or the parking area. Have dinner at 1700 hours.

   • Trek to Erta Ale at night around 2000 hours. All the camping material and food will be transported by camels. Spend the night near the rim of the volcano.

3. Day 3 : Volcano and Lakes

   • Spend the early morning walking around the pit craters. The main pit crater is 613 m above sea level and 200 m deep. It is sub-circular and 3-storied. Then descend from Erta Ale.
   • Head back to Askoma for breakfast at around 07:00 am. Reach camp at 10:30 am and relax.
   • Drive to reach Lake Afdera (only during wintertime) and the mythical lake Giulietti, which is a salt-water lake in one of the deepest depressions.
   • Visit the salt flats nearby to watch how Afar people obtain salt by evaporating the water of the lake.
   • Continue to Hamed Ela for an overnight stay at a camp.

4. Day 4 : Driving to Ragad (Asebo)

   • Drive to Ragad (Asebo) to see salt mining. 
   • From here, drive to Dallol to visit a landscape that has been formed by volcanic activity. It is the hottest place on Earth and only merchants frequent it to stock up on salt.
   • Visit Lake Assal, which is a saline lake and is the lowest point in Africa.
   • Follow the salt-laden camel caravans and walk with the Afar people. 
   • Drive back to Hamed Ela, which is a small village near Lake Assal.

   Return to Mekele.