5 Days Danakil Depression Tour

5 Days Danakil Depression tour itinerary

Day 1: Ahmed Ela

Morning drive to Barehala where we will have a 2-hour rest under the shade as your guide organizes to have the Afar scout, the Afar local guide and other staff. When ready, we will drive to Ahmed Ela along unmarked sandy tracks, passing Afar settlements along the way. Ahmed Ela is the base for exploring the salt mines and seeing the salt workers and camel caravans. Dinner and overnight at campsite at Ahamd Ela.

Day 2: Dallol

After breakfast, we visit the salt workers and the merchants around Lake Asale to see the locals do the salt cutting, shaping and then loading to the endless Camel Caravans. We proceed to Dallol as we enjoy views of the small hills and colorful hotspring in several places. These hotsprings are composed of different minerals along with sulphur and potash and create spectacular colors. Dallol is renowned as being the hottest inhabited place on earth. Dinner and overnight at Campsite in Dallol

Day 3: Dodom Village (Our base for exploring ERTA ALE)

After breakfast, we drive to Dodom and proceed to Erta Ale Volcano to arrive at Kuswarad. We have lunch in this Afar village and meet our local Afar guides. We proceed through the desert to reach the basalt rock formed by old lava flows. A slow and bumpy drive brings us to the base of Erta Ale Volcano. After loading the camels, we start our 4-5 hour trek to the rim of the volcano at sunset to avoid the day heat. The final leg of the trek is in the dark. The gently climbing hike follows interesting lava formations. The path is not that steep but we recommend use of a torch and walking stick. We camp on the crater rim, a safe distance away from the lava and enjoy watching the Erta Ale, which is an active volcano. Dinner and overnight at campsite on the rim of the crater.

Day 4: Ahmed Ela

In the morning, we break camp and descend to the bottom of the mountain to rejoin our vehicle and drive to Ahmed Ela. The driving is all off road through the desert and we will arrive in the late afternoon at Ahmed Ala. This is a small settlement where the salt caravans meet before their long walk to Mekele. In the afternoon and evening, we watch the endless camel caravans carrying salt blocks. Dinner and overnight in Ahmed Ela

Day 5: Mekele

In the morning, we watch thousands of camels leaving for the salt cutting area forming a long line. Then, we drive to Mekele with lunch enroute at a small and clear waterfall where we bath and clean our vehicles. We proceed to Mekele to arrive late in the late afternoon

Group Size per vehicle (adults) – 2 Pax ,3 Pax  ,4 Pax , 5 Pax ,6 Pax

What is Included on the safari Price:

•  4-night accommodation & meals as per the program,
• All tours as per the itinerary
• Transport as per program
• English speaking guide
• Entrance fees to all sites as per the itinerary
• Bottled water during the tours
• All service charges and taxes

What is Excluded on the safari price:-

•  Flights and taxes
• Entry visa
• personal expenses
• Optional activities not included above
• Airport transfers
• Gratuities
• Tips
• Personal insurance cover
• Deviation from above program