4Days tour to the the crust of the earth - Danakil Depression

4Days tour to the the crust of the earth - Danakil Depression

Start and end Mekele! Head to the "gateway to hell" at the Danakil Depression - one of the driest and lowest regions on earth and spend a night observing the boiling lava, just a km away. Also see the salt water lake of Giulietti, the crater lake of Assal and pass by the Berhale

town during this tour. 4 days tour to Danakil depression includes transport by 4*4 land cruiser, meals, Entrance fees and more.

Itinerary

Day 1: Day 1 Mekele (2080 masl) – Hamede Ela

Stop At: Danakil Depression, 0125 Ethiopia
Drive to Hamedela via Berhale (639 meters above sea level). The Danakil Depression can be said to ‘begin’ here. It is one of the most inhospitable regions of the world, but is nonetheless spectacular, full of eye-catching colors, as in the sulfur springs. The desert has several points lying more than 100 meters (328 ft) below sea level. You pass through a small town of Berhale where the camel caravans stop before they proceed to the northern highlands. En route you see many long caravans going to the salt mines and others coming out of the Danakil with their salt loaded camels. (3-4 hrs drive) Camp at Hamedela.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Cottage/Under stars

Day 2: Day 2 Hamd Ela – Dodom (150 meters)

Stop At: Danakil Depression, 0125 Ethiopia
We start early, shortly after a 06:30 breakfast, and drive to Askoma (150 meters) at the base of new Erta Ale. The 80 km distance may take about 6 hrs passing through changing the landscape of solidified lava, rock, sand and the occasional palm-lined oasis. You pass several small hamlets scattered here and there in this desert land, before reaching Askoma village or parking area. You will trek from Askoma to the new Erta Ale which takes about 3 hrs. New Erta Ale is part of the world’s only permanent lava lake and you will spend an unforgettable night on the top of the mountain. The magma flow moved 3.5 km south from old Erta Ale to the New eruption point.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Cottage/Under stars

Day 3: Day 3: Lake Afdera

Stop At: Danakil Depression, 0125 Ethiopia
Sunrise at the volcano and Lake Afdera (102 meters) Early morning you will rise with the sun with time to walk around pits and craters. The main pit-crater 613 meters above sea level/, 200 m deep and 350 m across, is sub-circular and three-storied. You will leave around 7:00 to head back to Askoma for breakfast. you will drive to Lake Afdera (optional may not be available during summer time) the mythical Lake Giulietti (or lake Afrera), a saltwater lake located more than 100 meters below sea level, in one of the deepest depressions of the planet. Because of the picturesque landscape, it is interesting to visit the salt flats where the Afar people obtain the salt by evaporating the water of the lake.on continue to Hamad Ela, a village with a total population of about 500 people. Overnight camping at Hamed Ela.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Cottage/Hostel/guest house/camping/under stars

Day 4: Day 4: Drive to Ragad (Asebo),

Stop At: Danakil Depression, 0125 Ethiopia
Morning driving tour to Ragad (Asebo), the place where the salts are mined. Observe the breaking of the salt from the ground, cutting into rectangular pieces and loading on camels. You drive ahead to Dallol (-130 m) and visit the difference landscape formed by volcanic activity, Dallol + Lake Assal (-130 m) + camel caravans (No camel caravan on July, August, and early September). Excursion to Dallol (116 meters below sea level, one of the lowest places in the world) colorful salts mining, visit Lake Assal, follow up camel caravans and walk with the Afar people. Drive back to Hamedela and proceed to Mekele.

Duration: 10 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
No accommodation included on this day.