2 Days Danakil Depression Tour
Tour Highlights
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Spectacular trekking along the Simien escarpment
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Close encounters with Gelada baboons and Walia Ibex
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Stunning viewpoints including:
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Imet Gogo
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Kedadit Sunset Point
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Bwahit Peak
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Ethiopia’s iconic Jinbar Waterfall and Gich Abyss
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Dramatic volcanic landscapes and giant lobelia fields
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Cultural experience in Gich Village with a traditional coffee ceremony
Day 1: Mekele - Berhale - Hamed Ela | Sunset at Dallol
Depart from Mekele and drive into the Danakil Depression — one of the hottest, most geologically active, and lowest places on Earth.
En route, stop in Berhale, a lively town where camel caravans traditionally gather before heading into the highlands. You will encounter endless lines of camels transporting salt from the mines — a timeless Afar tradition.
Continue across striking desert landscapes to Hamed Ela, a small Afar settlement of around 500 people. After settling at camp, enjoy a short drive to experience the incredible sunset over Dallol, illuminating colorful salt formations.
Overnight: Camping at Hamed Ela
Drive time: 3–4 hours
Day 2: Lake Assale, Salt Mining & Dallol - Return to Mekele
After an early breakfast, drive to Ragad (Asebo) where traditional salt mining takes place. Witness local workers extracting salt blocks, cutting them into uniform rectangles, and loading them onto camel caravans bound for the highlands.
Continue to the Dallol hydrothermal fields (116 m below sea level), a surreal landscape shaped by volcanic activity — bubbling acid pools, colorful mineral terraces, sulfur formations, and salt canyons unlike anywhere else on Earth.
Visit the shimmering salt flats of Lake Assale and walk alongside camel caravans and Afar salt miners for an unforgettable cultural encounter.
Return to Mekele in the afternoon.
Overnight: N/A
Drive time: Approx. 4–5 hours total
Day 1: Mekele - Aba’ala - Dodom - Trek to Erta Ale / Option 2
Early departure from Mekele toward Dodom, crossing harsh desert terrain — solidified lava fields, rocky plains, and pockets of desert oasis.
Although only 80 km, the drive takes around 6 hours due to rough road conditions.
After an early dinner at the base camp (approx. 17:00), begin the 3-hour trek to Erta Ale volcano under the stars. Camels transport camping supplies and water.
At the crater rim, witness one of the world’s few permanent lava lakes, glowing and bubbling inside the volcano’s caldera — a rare and awe-inspiring natural spectacle.
Overnight: Camp at the rim of Erta Ale volcano (approx. 613 m above sea level)
Day 2: Sunrise at Erta Ale → Dodom → Mekele
Wake early to enjoy sunrise views over the volcanic crater.
Descend back to Dodom by mid-morning (arrival around 09:00), with time to rest and refreshments.
Continue driving through the desert via Eribt/Erebti, observing nomadic Afar settlements along the way, before arriving back in Mekele.
Overnight: N/A
Drive time: 6–7 hours
