The Danakil Depression – “The Hottest Place on Earth”

Yamral Africa’s representative will welcome you at the Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa. You then will drive to your hotel. If your flight arrives in Addis Ababa in the morning, time can be made for sightseeing of in and around Addis Ababa. You will stay the night in Addis Ababa.

You will take the morning flight to Mekele. Up on you arrival at the airport you will be set to drive to Danakil, an area of geological fascination. Danakil is a place ranked among the lowest anywhere in the planet. Later afternoon you will enjoy the sunset and camel caravans; you will then spend the night camping in Hamed Ela.

Early morning you will continue to Dallol , a broad flat-sloped maar that rises above the surrounding salt flats, which are dotted with the world’s lowest-lying volcanic vents. The great warts of twisted sulphur and iron oxide paint a yellow and orange landscape that looks more like a coral reef. It’s phenomenal and undoubtedly a highlight of any expedition to the Danakil Depression. On your way you can stop at Lake Asale and watch the famous camel caravans loading up blocks of Salts. Head back to Hamed Ela for lunch before proceeding to Abala.

This day you will visit Danakil’s most amazing site. In the morning you will drive to Dodom, have an early dinner and start your once in a lifetime trek toward the top of the volcano. Erta Ale is an active shield volcano whose basaltic caldera holds the oldest of the world’s semi-permanent lava lakes. The most spectacular site is at dusk and dawn when the shifting crust of the black magma porridge cracks open to reveal contours of glowing red molten rock. Spend the night atop.

Enjoy the morning sunrise from atop Erta Ale. Descend from Erta Ale at to the base for breakfast and you will head back towards Mekele. On your way you will stop at Lake Afdera. You will spend the night in Mekele.