4 Days Danakil Depression Tour

Tour Highlights

Explore one of the lowest, hottest, and most otherworldly places on Earth
Witness Erta Ale’s active lava lake glowing under the night sky
Admire the surreal colors of Dallol’s hydrothermal fields
Walk the endless salt flats of Lake Assale
Observe traditional Afar salt mining and camel caravans
Journey through stunning volcanic landscapes and desert wilderness

Itinerary

Day 1: Mekele - Hamed Ela

Drive through rugged desert scenery as you descend into the Danakil Depression, a land that lies 100+ meters below sea level.

Stop in Berhale, a key market town where camel caravans gather before heading to and from the salt mines. Along the way, enjoy dramatic views of long trains of camels moving across the plains.

Arrive at Hamed Ela for a desert sunset and camp under a spectacular star-filled sky.

Overnight: Camping at Hamed Ela
Drive: 3–4 hrs

Day 2: Hamed Ela - Dodom - Erta Ale Volcano Trek

Depart early after breakfast (around 06:30). Continue along one of the roughest tracks in the world — lava fields, rock, sand and isolated Afar settlements define this remote journey.

Reach Dodom, base of Erta Ale.
After an early dinner (~17:00), begin the night trek to the summit (approx. 3 hrs). Camels will carry equipment and supplies.

At the top, you’ll witness the incredible molten lava, swirling and glowing inside one of the world’s only permanent lava lakes.

Overnight: Camping at the crater rim
Drive: ~6 hrs | Trek: ~3 hrs

Day 3: Erta Ale Sunrise - Dodom - Hamed Ela

Wake at sunrise for time to explore the pit craters — dramatic formations including the main crater (~200 m deep & 350 m wide).

Descend back to Dodom for breakfast and rest. Continue the journey across the desert to Hamed Ela, a small Afar village (population ~500) set beside vast salt plains.

Overnight: Camping at Hamed Ela
Trek: ~2.5–3 hrs | Drive: ~4 hrs