Expedition to Danakil Depression
Tour Summary
A geological depression caused by the continental drift of three tectonic plates, the Danakil Depression is one of Earth’s most unusual environments. Renowned as the ‘hottest place on the planet’ and home to salt lakes, lava lakes, volcanoes, and colorful acidic springs – it’s a wonderful, alien environment. Bubbling volcanoes light up the night sky, sulphurous mounds of yellow contort into other-worldly shapes, and mirages of camels cross lakes of salt. Lying 100m and more below sea level, the Danakil Depression is about the hottest and most inhospitable place on earth. In fact it’s so surreal that it doesn’t feel like part of earth at all. If you want genuine, raw adventure, few corners of the globe can match this overwhelming wilderness. But come prepared because with temperatures frequently saying hello to 50°C and appalling ‘roads’, visiting this region is more an expedition than a tour.
Itinerary
Day 1: Mekele to Danakil
At Mekele, you’ll meet the rest of your tour group and pile into the Toyota Land cruisers that will take you into the Danakil in convoy. You’ll begin the drive into the Danakil at around 9AM. The roads leading out of Mekele are smooth and asphalted, and you drive further out of town there are some wonderful views of the Tigrayan landscape. As you drive further towards the Afar region, the roads get rougher until you reach the Danakil desert. Here, the roads are a maze of solidified lava, rock and sand with an occasional palm lined oasis.
Drive towards the small hamlet of Hamed Ela via Berhale. The Danakil Depression is said to ‘begin’ here. En route, you’ll likely see long camel caravans going in and out of the Danakil as they are loaded with salt, the main export of this region.
Note: The Journey into the Danakil Depression tour starts and ends in Mekele. The region is easily accessible via domestic flight from Addis Ababa, or along the historic circuit. Depending on your wider travel plans, we can make the necessary arrangements to get you to and from Mekele.
Activities: Drive Mekele to Hamed Ela, see camel caravans and visit Lake Karum (time permitting)
Accommodation: Camping at Hamed Ela
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Danakil to Mekele
After breakfast at Hamed Ela, you’ll drive to Ragad (Asebo) and watch the local Afar people mining the salt from the ground and loading on to the camel caravans.
Drive to Dallol, one of the most stunning geological phenomena on the planet. The kaleidoscopic landscape of greens, reds, and yellows formed by acidic springs and salt mounds create an alien landscape.
Visit Lake Karum, one of the two hyper-saline lakes of the Danakil Depression and one of the most visually striking lakes anywhere in the world. The sun set over Lake Karum is extraordinary.
Begin the drive back to Mekele to line up with a return flight to Addis Ababa or continue your onwards journey with us.
Activities: watch the salt miners, visit the Dallol cinder cone volcano, swim in Lake Afrera and the hot springs
Request An Offer
Price and Inclusions :
$500 – Prices are per person based on 4 or more people travelling together or join a group. Prices guideline only, actual price will depend on final itinerary, accommodation choices, and time of year.
Includes
- All Entrance fees and licenses as per the program.
- Accommodation and all meals throughout the tour.
- Bottles of water for the trip.
- Surface Transport expense with four wheel drive Land-cruiser including fuel expense and drivers allowance.
- Local guide service for the afar region as per the program.
- Cooking, camping equipment.
- Scout and police service in Afar Region as per the program.
Excludes:
- Domestic flights and visa fees.
- Transport to and from Mekele.
- Any activities not mentioned as included.
- Other personal expenses, souvenirs, tips and gratuities, etc.