Volcanoes, camels, sulphur lakes, salt deserts, the open night sky. An incredible trip to a remote unique part of Ethiopia.
Day-By-Day itinerary
Day 1 – Hamadella
Starting from Mekele, we drive 260 km via Berhale to reach Hamadella – our “base camp”, located in the desert and only 25 km away from Dallol. We will stop for lunch on the way and to see impressive views and meet camel caravans. In Berhale we join with the policemen who will accompany us on the tour. Dropping 2000m down from the highlands we come to the stone and salt desert and Hamadella, which is below sea-level. For the sunset we will take in the views at Lake Asale, seeing a spectacular reflection on the water and we spend the first night on open-air beds on in a small wooden room.
Day 2 – Dallol
Today we drive to the Dallol Depression. On the way we will visit colourful salt lakes, thermo-active springs, we see the mineral-rich surface (potash, sulphur and more). We will explore the white salt flat and see the Afar people harvesting the salt in the traditional way right under the sun. We will also see where the camel caravans start their trek to towns like Mekele – carrying the salt huge distances. After arriving to the volcano after a drive across the cooled lava field we trek in the evening 3-4 hours up to the rim of the volcano. From here we can explore some of the rim of the volcano before sleeping overnight in a camp made of stones in the open-air.
Day 3/4 – Erte Ale Volcano-Mekele
You have the opportunity to see up close a lava lake, volcanic rock, plumes of smoke – incredible! In the morning we walk back to the car for breakfast, and then drive to Lake Afrera to bathe in the natural springs.
(Reverse order also possible – starting with the Volcano and then on to Dallol, and with a fourth day in the region)
To book or ask questions about this itinerary contact Mitiku here.
Ethiopia Treks 