Tour Name: Erta Ale 4 days and 3 Nights
Tour Code: AD 017
Transport: Flight and surface
Accommodation: camping
Erta Ale volcano is a large basaltic shield volcano in the Erta Ale volcanic range in the central northern Danakil depression in Ethiopia. It is famed for its persistent lava lake which has been active during most of the past decades since it was first discovered. In the local Afar language, Erta Ale means “Smoking Mountain” and its southernmost pit received an apocalyptic name, “the gateway to hell”.
Fly to Mekelle Drive to Hamed Ela via Berhale. The Danakil Depression can be said to ‘begin’ here but is nonetheless spectacular, full of eye-catching colors, The desert has several points lying more than 100 meters (328 ft) below sea level; You will pass through a small town of Berhale where the camel caravan stops before they proceed to the northern highlands. In route you see many long camel caravans coming to the salt mine and others going out of the Danakil with their salt loaded camels.
Overnight Camp at Hamed Ela
We possible start early after an early breakfast, drive to Dodom (at the base of Erta Ale). The 80 km distance passing through changing the landscape of solidified lava, rock, sand and occasional palm lined oasis. After passing several small hamlets scattered here and there in this desert land, Dodom is about 17km from Erta Ale and it takes about 3 -4 hrs trekking. Early dinner and trek up to Erta Ale. There will be camels transport for all the camping materials and some food (sleeping materials like light mattresses and mat and water) to the rim of the volcano, where we spend the night watching the dramatic action of the boiling lava. Erta Ale ranks one of the most alluring and physically challenging natural attractions anywhere in Ethiopia. Erta Ale contains the world’s only permanent lava lake. Erta Ale is 613 meters, one of only five in the world, at the summit.
Overnight Camping on the top of the mountain
Leave back to Dodom after an early breakfast to reach before lunchtime, time to relax. After lunch drive to Hamed Ela a better village with a total population of about 500 people.
Overnight camping at Hamed Ela
Morning tour Drive to Ragad (Asebo), the place where the localities are mining salt. Have a look at the activity of breaking the salt from the ground, cutting in to rectangular pieces and loading on camels. Drive ahead to Dallol and visit the difference landscape formed by volcanic activity, Dallol + Lake Assal + camel caravans. 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 Hamed Ela and proceed to Mekelle then fly back to Addis Ababa.
