Simien Mountain Trekking and Tours – 4 days

The Danakil Depression, in the northeastern corner of Ethiopia, has the distinction of being the hottest place on earth, with recorded temperatures of 51 degrees Celsius. It’s sometimes called “the gateway to Hell.” The area is a geological depression, near the Horn of Africa and is also a part of the Great Rift Valley. In this region, you will find the lava lake in the Erta Ale volcano, which is one of only 4 living lava lakes in the world. Moreover, this region is well known as one of the cradles of hominids and contains the site of Hadar, where Lucy, the fossilized specimen of Australopithecus afarensis was found. If you are looking for a unique experience, search no further. This trek will take you to one of the most incredible places on earth.

Day 1: Mekele and drive to Hamdela, Beginning the tour to the Danakil Desert

In the morning we drive 260 km via Berhale we reach Hamadella, which is called “base camp” located in the desert and only 25km away from Dallol. We have lunch on the way and stop at some places where you can enjoy a very impressive view and meet the first camel caravans. In Berhale we stop to finalize the paper process with administering. On arrival in Hamadella, we proceed to Lake Asale to see the spectacular view of the sunset reflection. We spend the 1st night on local afar-beds, open air under the stars, or in a wooden cottage. On the way, you will also admire some local Tigrean and Afar tribes’ villages and camel caravans carrying salt bars to transport them to the nearest local town.

Day 2: Hamed Ela – Dodome – Erta Ale

In the morning drive to Dodoma. Here we will arrange camels to transport your luggage and water, and then you will start hiking to the Erta Ale Volcanic hills (613 meters above sea level) which is 15km one way and walk to see the volcanic eruption. The eruption is so colorful and spectacular. At night, we will camp nearby the eruption, on the crater rim above the active lava lake.

Day 3: Erta Ale- Dodom-Hamed Ela

From here we descend around early morning in the direction of Dodom, which we will reach after 2hours. Here breakfast will be served and you have some time to relax. We start our drive to HAMED ALE, our next destination= 100 km/7 hours Lunch is served en route, and we reach Hamed Ale around 4:30 pm, a bigger village with a total population of about 500. LAKE ASALE (lake ‘Red Mountain’) a huge salt lake is within walking distance, where we take a deep breath and a wine or beer for sunset, taking in the many reflections. Our tonight camp is in Hamed Ale.

Day 4: Ahmed Ella to Dallol to Lake Asale to Mekele

Morning driving tour to Ragad (Acebo), the place where the salts are mined. Observe the breaking of the salt from the ground, cutting it into rectangular pieces, and loading it on camels. We walk down to the camp at the bottom of the volcano and we drive to Afdera to swim in lake Afrera and take bath in natural hot spring water nearby the lake. After lunch drives back to Mekelle.