Explore the Danakil Depression, the hottest place in the world
Description
Danakil and Erta Ale: Where the Earth Breathes Fire
Prepare yourself for one of the most extreme adventures on the planet. We venture into the Danakil Desert, one of the most inhospitable and fascinating places on Earth—a geological depression where the Earth's crust opens and the landscape sinks to nearly 100 meters below sea level.
From Mekele we will travel by 4x4 deep into Afar territory, where there are no hotels or tourist infrastructure. We will sleep under the stars in Ahmed Ela and explore some of the most surreal landscapes on Earth: the petrified salt lake of Assa Ale, the extraordinary geothermal field of Dallol— with its impossible colors and sulfurous fumaroles—and the endless camel caravans transporting salt just as they have done for centuries.
The adventure culminates with a night ascent to the Erta Ale volcano, one of the few volcanoes in the world with a permanent lava lake. Beneath the desert sky, standing before the glowing roar of the crater, we will experience one of those moments that stays with you for a lifetime.
Technical Specifications
Duration: 3 days
Trip start: Mekele
Trip end: Mekele
Price: 390 € pp (1-4 pers) / 370 € pp (5-8 pers) / 350 € pp (9-12 pers)
Transport: A convoy of several 4x4 vehicles
Hotels: Wild camping under the stars
Intensity: High difficulty. This is a demanding trip with very basic accommodations
Child-friendly: Only suitable for children aged 12 and older.
Full board: All lunches and dinners included during the Danakil expedition
Payment terms: Deposit of 20% via bank transfer. Remaining 80% in cash (€ or $) upon arrival
Itinerary with Map
DAY 1 – Mekele - Ahmed Ela
Departure from Mekele – Camel caravans - Sunset at Lake Assale – Camping at Ahmed Ela.
DAY 2 – Ahmed Ela – Erta Ale volcano
Dallol sulfuric plains – Salt caves – Drive to Dodum – Night trekking to the crater – Overnight in the open at the volcano.
DAY 3 – Erta Ale volcano - Mekele – End of the trip
Descend to base camp after contemplating the sunrise - Lake Afdera – Return to Mekele and domestic flight back to Addis Ababa.
NOTE: This is not a trip for everyone. It is a true expedition that demands resilience, endurance, and the ability to face extreme heat, harsh landscapes, and several nights of wild camping. We recommend adding this extension at the end of your journey, as it requires a high level of physical stamina — but the reward is one of the most extraordinary landscapes on Earth
Prices
Price per person:
Group of 1 to 4: 390 €
Group of 5 to 8: 370 €
Group of 9 to 12: 350 €
Domestic flights, tips and alcoholic drinks.
Transport
Access to the Danakil Desert is only possible by 4x4 vehicles. For safety and logistical reasons, travelers move in convoy, joining other expedition groups and sharing guides, scouts, and support teams. Traveling together across this remote and extreme landscape is part of the authentic Danakil experience.
Accommodation
Accommodation during the Danakil expedition is in very basic camps, with no infrastructure at all, deep in the heart of the desert. We will sleep on raised beds or simple mattresses under one of the most spectacular star-filled skies in Africa.
During the camping nights, full board meals prepared by our team are included, along with plenty of drinking water per person—essential for coping with the intense heat of this extreme region.