Danakil 3 days tour
At a glance
Danakil 3 days tour is a 3 days small-group experience in Mek'ele, Ethiopia, operated by Danakil Tour and Travel. Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 10 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor. Prices start from $650 per person. Included: All Fees and Taxes, Scout and police service, Lunch.
Highlights
- Small group of up to 15 people for a more personal experience
- Hotel pickup included
- 3 stops in one well-planned itinerary
Quick facts
- Duration
- 3 days
- Group
- Small group, up to 15 travellers
- Languages
- English
- Pickup
- Hotel pickup included
- Confirmation
- Instant confirmation
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Cancellation
- See cancellation policy
Overview
The Danakil Depression is the northern part of the Afar Triangle or Afar Depression in Ethiopia, a geological depression that has resulted from the divergence of three tectonic plates in the Horn of Africa.
What's included
What's included
- All Fees and Taxes
- Scout and police service
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Bottles of water for the trip
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Breakfast
- Local guide service
Not included
- Any alcoholic beverage
- Services which are not mentioned on inclusion
Itinerary
-
Day 1: Erta Ale · 7h
We start our day by driving to Erta Ale (which means smoky mountain in Afar language). Erta Ale ranks one of the most alluring and physically challenging natural attractions anywhere in Ethiopia. It is a shield volcano with a base diameter of 30 km and 1km square caldera at its summit. Erta Ale contains the world’s only permanent lava lake. It is 613 meters, with a lava lake, one of only five in the world, at the summit. It is notable for being the longest existing lava lake, present since the early years of the twentieth century. (may not be as active as before and activity at flank eruption slows down.)
We start early 9:00 AM, drive to Dodom (at the base of Erta Ale). This is may be one of the roughest roads in the world. The 80 km distance may take about 6 hrs passing through changing the landscape of solidified lava, rock, sand and occasional palm-lined oasis. After passing several small hamlets scattered here and there in this deserted land, you will arrive at Dodom camping site, located about 17km from Erta Ale.
Dinner will be served around 17:00 o’clock. After a short break, 30 minutes trek up to Ertale. Camels will be transporting all the camping materials and some food (sleeping materials like light mattresses and mat and water) to the rim of the volcano, where we spend the night watching the dramatic action of the boiling lava. You will spend the night on top of the mountain, at the rim of the Volcano. -
Day 2: Lake Afrera · 7h
Early Morning sun rise at the northern one corresponds to the main pit crater and walk 5 minutes for the southern and central pits could either corresponds to an ancient pit, or to a simple collapse structure. The main pit-crater, 200 m deep and 350 m across, is sub-circular and three-storied. The smaller southern pit is 65 m wide and about 100 m deep. Descend from Erta Ale around 9 am Dodom – Leave back to Dodom after an early breakfast, if possible at 07:00 o’clock.
You will reach the latest at 10:30 o’clock at the camp, where you will be relaxing. As soon as possible, drive to reach the mythical Lake Giulietti (or Lake Afrera)(optional may not be available during summertime), a saltwater lake located more than100 meters below sea level, in one of the deepest depressions of the planet. Because of the picturesque landscape, it is interesting to visit the salt flats where the Afar people obtain the salt by evaporating the water of the lake., continue to Erbiti and proceed Abaala/ Hamed Ela -
Day 3: Danakil to Mekele · 6h
Morning tour Drive to Ragad (Asebo), the place where the localities are mining salt. Look the activity of workers breaking salts from the ground, cutting in to rectangular pieces and loading on camels. You drive ahead to Dallol and visit the difference landscape formed by volcanic activity, Dallol + Lake Assal + camel caravans. Excursion to Dallol (116 meters below sea level, one of the lowest places in the world) colorful salts mining, visit Lake Assal, follow up camel caravans (No camel caravan on July, August, and early September) and walk with the Afar people. Drive back to Hamedela and proceed to Mekele.
Meeting point
Hotel pickup is offered for this experience.
Good to know
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
Cancellation policy
If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Danakil 3 days tour take?
The experience lasts about 3 days.
How much does it cost?
Prices start from $650 per person. The final price depends on the date, time and number of travellers, and is confirmed on Viator before you pay.
What's included?
All Fees and Taxes; Scout and police service; Lunch; Dinner; Bottles of water for the trip; Air-conditioned vehicle.
Where does it start?
Hotel pickup is offered for this experience.
Can I cancel?
If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
Which languages is it offered in?
It is guided in English.
Is it worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 10 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor, which places it among the top-rated experiences in Mek'ele.
