8 days expedition to Erta Ale, Dallol, salt lakes (Danakil depression, Ethiopia) and Wukro
"...Few holidays will be more memorable than a week like this in Ethiopia..." (Simeon B, UK - June 2018)
Strong nighttime glow of the active lava lake as seen from the caldera rim (bluish lights to the right are observers at Erta Ale camp site) (Dec 2010; image: Tom Pfeiffer)
Photographing the abundant green acid ponds amidst the white-yellow-orange salt deposits (Dec 2010; image: Tom Pfeiffer)
Aerial view of the north and south active craters in Erta Ale's summit caldera (Jan 2018; image: Stefan Tommasini)
A large lava bubble explodes at the surface of the full lava lake (Dec 2010; image: Tom Pfeiffer)
The Dallol salt dome with a foreground of dark green acid ponds with yellow ´salt cakes´ (Dec 2010; image: Tom Pfeiffer)
Long camel caravans transporting the salt from lake Assale pass through the village of Hamed Elah around sunset (Dec 2010; image: Tom Pfeiffer)
Bubbling yellow water in a hydrothermal acid pond near Dallol (Jan 2018; image: Stefan Tommasini)
Nighttime impression of lava flow and spattering from the overflowing lava lake (Dec 2010; image: Tom Pfeiffer)
Bizarre miniature geysers or salt springs at Dallol (dec 2010; image: Tom Pfeiffer)
The thin crust of the lava lake at the new fissure eruption site is being overflown and consumed by red hot liquid lava (Jan 2018; image: Stefan Tommasini)
Dallol´s hydrothermal system creates an ever changeing alien landscape of colourful salt deposits, acid ponds and miniatyre geysirs (dec 2010; image: Tom Pfeiffer)
8 days expedition, starting and ending in Mekele, going straight to the heart of the Danakil desert to explore the Erta Ale shield volcano and Dallol hydrothermal fields! After climbing to the volcanoes summit in the morning you meet a beautiful sunrise at the rim of the crater. Spending 2 days allo you to study the volcanoes craters and the new fissure eruption site on the volcano's flank. After descending the volcano you travel onward to the Danakil Depression, where you spend about 2 days exploring the colorful hydrothermal deposits of Dallol, acid lakes, salt formations and camel caravans. At the end you will stay in the city of Wukro and visit ancient churches with beautiful paintings.
- Visit famous craters of Erta Ale volcano
- Exploration of fascinating Dallol,
- Sunset at Assale salt lake
- Watching camel caravans
- Visit ancient churches in Wukro
- Experienced Ethiopian volcanologist as main guide
- Small international group
- Dedicated supply vehicle with excellent camping cook
- Competent and friendly team and drivers
- Interaction with Afar people, introduction into local customs
8 days itinerary
Note:
8 days expedition to the heart of the Danakil desert to explore the volcano Erta Ale and the fascinating alien landscape of the hydrothermal deposits at Dallol, Assale salt lake and the camel caravans, the city of Wukro with its ancient churches.
Day 1: Arrival in Mekele
Arrival in Mekele, pickup at airport and transfer to hotel, group meeting at welcome dinner.
Day 2: Mekele - Erta Ale
Morning start of the 4X4 drive into the Danakil to the base camp of Erta Ale, first on asphalted road but last part off road over old lava flows.
Day 3: Ascent to Erta Ale's summit
Early morning ascend to Erta Ale´s summit (ca. 1,5-2 h, 10 km, 500 m height), breakfast on the rim and morning group tour around Erta Ale´s caldera. After lunch, free to relax and explore the summit caldera.
Day 4: Descend from Erta Ale to basecamp, drive to Hamed Ela
Early morning descend from Erta Ale back down to basecamp, breakfast, 4X4 drive to return to the main road and continue our journey to the Afar village of Hamed Ela.
Day 5: Full day to explore Dallol and surroundings
From our base in Hamed Ela we undertake a number of morning and afternoon expeditions to explore the colourful hydrothermal system of Dallol, the vast salt deposits and saline Lake Assale, the traditional way of salt cutting and transport by camel caravans.
Day 6: Trasfer from Dallol to Wukro
After breakfast break up the camp in Hamed Ela, drive to Wukro and visit a Wukro Archaelogical Museum and church in Wukro. Night in the Wukro Lodge.
Day 7: Return to Mekele
Visit Abreha and Atsbeha church in Wukro and drive to Mekele. Night in Mekele.
Day 8: Morning flight Mekele - Addis Ababa
Our service ends with your transfer to the airport of Mekele from where you fly back to Addis Ababa.
Tour type: Volcano expedition: active volcanoes - photography - adventure
Difficulty: Moderate
Group size:4-10
Duration: 6 - 8 days
Dates:
Custom and group dates
27 Dec 20 - 3 Jan 202117-24 Jan 202114-21 Feb 202110-17 Oct 2021
26 Dec 21 - 2 Jan 2022
Price (per person): $ 2650
Included:
- Accommodation in double rooms / tents
- Full board from dinner on the first day until breakfast after last hotel night
- Drinking water, up to 8 liters per person per day from day 2 to 6
- Professional Ethiopian guide who is an English-speaking geologist
- Private transport in 4WD vehicles
- Guaranteed window seat in 4WD jeeps
- Experienced 4WD drivers and cook
- Full camping equipment
- Camels, camel drivers and porters to and from Erta Ale´s summit
- Armed Afar guards and guides on Erta Ale and in Dallol
- All fees for transits, entries etc.
- Tips for local staff (porters, camel drivers, guards, local guides, ...)
Tour guide:
Enku is the main guide on all our Danakil volcano expeditions. After obtaining a Diploma in Travel Organising and completing his BSc in Geology at the University of Addis Ababa, he spend
10 years traveling through Ethiopia whilst working both as
free-lance travel guide and a contracted mining geologist for different oil and gold mining companies.
Since 2006 he
specialised in
geological travel guidance for the
Danakil depression and hence has lots of
experience and competence in organizing
expeditions to Erta Ale and Dallol. He likes to share his vast knowledge on the geology of the Danakil but will also gladly answer any questions you might have regarding Ethiopia´s fauna and flora, culture, history, food or traditions!
Our excellent Ethiopian main guide and geologist Enku!
8 days itinerary
Note:
8 days expedition to the heart of the Danakil desert to explore the volcano Erta Ale and the fascinating alien landscape of the hydrothermal deposits at Dallol, Assale salt lake and the camel caravans, the city of Wukro with its ancient churches.
Day 1: Arrival in Mekele
As you arrive in Mekele you are picked from the airport and transfered to the hotel. If you have time you can have a city tour. The group gets together for the first time in the evening for a welcome dinner and general briefing on the expedition.
Day 2: Mekele - Erta Ale
After breakfast we meet your guide at your Hotel about 09:00 am and leave Mekele with our 4X4 jeep expedition. We drive to Erta Ale Volcanic Field through the western escarpment of the Danakil Depression (Great Rift Valley).
Today we have the chance to see the recent lava flow and tectonically affected mountain ranges. Both recent basalt of spreading Axes, recent sediments and Highland rock sequences dominate the road Geology of the area where you are driving through. After all the arrangements with Erta Ale area chief and administrators to get a permission for the visit are done, we continue to Erta Ale volcano along the off road across older pahoehoe lavas. As soon as we arrive at the base camp, we settle down for the night in huts, have a short walk walk around. After tasty dinner we have a short night of sleep.
Day 3: Ascent to Erta Ale's summit
Before sunrise we set off on the ca. 3 h ascend of Erta Ela. It is a relatively easy hike - about 10 km across the old lava flows that cover the flanks of the shield volcano, with a total elevation difference of ca. 500 m.
We arrive at the rim when first light comes up.
As part of our camel caravan already went ahead of us, breakfast will be ready by the time we arrive on the caldera rim. After setting up camp in the different Afar huts, the group reassembles for a guided walk down into the caldera which will take you along Erta Ale´s main volcanic features and viewpoints. Lunch upon our return, the rest of this day and night everyone is free to plan his/her relaxing, sleeping and summit caldera exploring.
Day 4: Descend from Erta Ale to basecamp, drive to Hamed Ela
One of the camels waiting on Erta Ale's caldera rim to take our luggage and camping gear back down (November 2015 - Ingrid Smet)
During the off-road drive across a sandy desert with dark lava flows dust devils appear frequently in the landscape (November 2015 - Ingrid Smet)
The local chief and children welcome us in the Afar village of Hamed Elah (November 2015 - Ingrid Smet)
After a last short night camping on Erta Ale´s caldera rim we start our descend in the cooler hours of the early morning. As part of our camel caravan already left during the night, our breakfast awaits us at basecamp. By 4X4 jeeps we then travel to the area of Dallol and Lake Assale, driving along a quickly changing scenery from lava dessert to steppe, shortly climbing out of the Danakil depression onto the western highlands before heading back down into the Danakil to the Afar village of Hamed Ela. The afternoon / evening can be used to rest, have a semi-shower, explore Hamed Ela and observe the camel caravans passing through.
Day 5: Full day to explore Dallol and surroundings
Exploring the green - orange - yellow pools, geysirs and mineral deposits at Dallol´s hydrothermal area (Tom Pfeiffer - December 2010)
Yellow-brown salt deposits and small geysirs reflect in one of the many acid pools at the hydrothermal site of Dallol (Stefan Tommasini - January 2018)
The thick layers of salt uplifted in the Dallol dome are visible within the cliffs of the western canyon (Stefan Tommasini - January 2018)
As Hamed Ela is the hottest continuously inhabited location on the planet, we will focus on the cooler mornings and afternoons for our short expeditions, allowing for lunch and siesta during the midday heat. On the program are relatively short 4X4 jeep drives to Dallol hydrothermal system with its colourful deposit and small sources, and to the saline Assale Lake and the area where local people are cutting out the salt in the same traditional way their ancestors did.
Day 6: Trasfer from Dallol to Wukro
A breakfast in Hamed Ela is followed by break up of our camp there before we take the 4x4 jeeps to drive out of the Danakil depression.
We head to Wukro, a small town where we visit an Wukro Archaelogical Museum and the church Abreha and Atsbeha, which is one of the oldest and best-known rock-hewn churches in Tigray.
Day 7: Return to Mekele
After breakfast we visit one more church - one of the oldest and best-known rock-hewn churches in Tigray - Abreha and Atsbeha.
After that we start our drive up into the highlands to Mekele, the capital city of the Tigray region and spend a night there.
Day 8: Morning flight Mekele - Addis Ababa
After a refreshing sleep and breakfast we drive you to the small airport of Mekele where you catch a morning flight back to Addis Ababa. From there you can either catch your international flight(s) back home or start another trip either in the wondrous country of Ethiopia or f.ex join our Nyiragongo volcano & mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park, DR Congo. https://www.volcanoadventures.com/africa/nyiragongo_lava_lake_gorillas.html
| Dates | Status | Price per person ($) | SRS (*) | Group size |
| 27 Dec 20 - 3 Jan 2021 | space available | $ 2650 | $ 120 | 4-10 |
| 17-24 Jan 2021 | space available | $ 2650 | $ 120 | 4-10 |
| 14-21 Feb 2021 | space available | $ 2650 | $ 120 | 4-10 |
| 10-17 Oct 2021 | space available | $ 2650 | $ 120 | 4-10 |
| 26 Dec 21 - 2 Jan 2022 | space available | $ 2650 | $ 120 | 4-10 |
| (*) Single room supplement |
Prices for tours at custom dates: on request
Included:
- Accommodation in double rooms / tents
- Full board from dinner on the first day until breakfast after last hotel night
- Drinking water, up to 8 liters per person per day from day 2 to 6
- Professional Ethiopian guide who is an English-speaking geologist
- Private transport in 4WD vehicles
- Guaranteed window seat in 4WD jeeps
- Experienced 4WD drivers and cook
- Full camping equipment
- Camels, camel drivers and porters to and from Erta Ale´s summit
- Armed Afar guards and guides on Erta Ale and in Dallol
- All fees for transits, entries etc.
- Tips for local staff (porters, camel drivers, guards, local guides, ...)
Not included:
- Internatiponal/Domestic flights to and from Mekele airport (MQX)
- Single room/tent supplement
- Light sleeping bag
- Extra and/or alcoholic drinks
- Extra nights in Mekele or Addis Ababa (if required)
- Tips for the main guide, drivers and cook
- Costs of entry VISA
Discounts:
Returning customers receive 5% (or 8% - if you have been on at least 3 trips with us) discount on the base tour price.
Group booking discount: If at least 4 people together book this trip, 5% (additional) discount is given, combineable to a maximum of 10%.Additional info:
Physical requirements:
The walks on this tour are not particularly difficult, but you should have experience with hiking on uneven and rugged terrain. Although we organise our Danakil during the cooler months of the year, temperatures in the Danakil depression usually range between 35-40 deg C (95-105 deg F), but can easily soar up to 45-50 deg C (120-130 deg F) in the hottest hours near Dallol.
The hike to / from Erta Ale´s summit area and caldera rim from base camp and back requires about 10 km trekking over uneven, but relatively easy and gently climbing terrain (about 500 m altitude gain / descend) and is done in the early morning hours prior to sunrise in order to minimize the impact of heat. To approach the edge of the lava lake and other parts of the caldera one needs to walk across the uneven, easy to moderately difficult to walk on platy, ropy or hollow pahoehoe lava flows. Good boots, long pants and gloves are a must. Extra care must be taken when walking over the lava tubes as the thin, glassy crusts of the hardened lava sometimes break so that you suddenly sink up to max halve meter into the hollow cavity below. Walking sticks to "test" the terrain and keep balance are recommended.
Sanitary conditions during most part of this expedition will be very to extremely basic and you should therefore be in excellent overall health. No proper washing facilities are available while in the desert (approx. 7 days). Unfortunately, the local toilet habits in the Afar region and in particular around the salt lakes and atop the volcano is to do your business more or less anywhere; the area around Ahmed Ela (the salt-cutters' town near Dallol) is littered with garbage and human and animal excrement, resulting in a high rate of stomach bugs / traveler´s disease among visitors to the region.
We therefore ask you to consult a medical doctor about going to the Danakil prior to joining the expedition. One should particularly take precautions / medicine against dehydration, diarrhea and stomach infections.
Arrival info:
To allow for maximum flexibility for individual participants travel plans, this volcano special
expedition starts and ends in Mekele, which is the capital city of the Tigray region of Ethiopia. The airline company that service this airport (MQX, Alula Aba Nega Airport) is Ethiopian Airlines. One can easily book this domestic flight from and to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia´s capital, as there are 5-6 daily connections. Your international flights to and from Ethiopia are not included as default since we have participants from all over the world. However, please do feel free to contact us if you would like any assistance with finding the best flight connections for you!
‘We had a wonderful time in Ethiopia!’
Rebecca and Adam at the hydrothermal deposits of Dallol
Standing on the rim of the south crater in Erta Ale's summit caldera (image: Rebecca W)
Nighttime observation of the lava lake in the south crater (image: Rebecca W)
“Hi Ingrid,
Overall it was an incredible trip and a very memorable time. Aside from the trip, your guidance this entire time was above and beyond - so impressed with your service Ingrid! I’m definitely happy to book travel with your company in the future and have shared VolcanoTours with some friends who have inquired about my photos.
The fissure site was interesting and exciting. The last visit to the caldera at night was the highlight for me since we saw the lava then! ... After staying the night in Dallol, we spent the morning exploring the different sites in the geothermal area. Very interesting and exciting to see! It was a great morning.
I cannot speak more highly of Enku! He was a wonderful guide: very knowledgeable, great listener, professional and tactful, and willing to be flexible with schedule. He was there for our every need as much as possible. I found base camp to be comfortable and the food prepared by the cooks to be very good.
Best,”
- Rebecca W (from US) about her participation on our 8 days Volcanoes of the Danakil Desert in June 2018.
‘...Few holidays will be more memorable than a week like this in Ethiopia...’
Simeon enjoying the natural spa experience at Assale salt lake
Peak down to the actively churning lava lake in the south crater of Erta Ale's summit caldera (image: Simeon B)
Danakil expedition leader Enku at the hydrothermal deposits of Dallol (image: Simeon B)
“Dear Ingrid,
thanks for putting together this excellent 8-day itinerary! It is a perfect length of time to get a first feel for an amazing part of Ethiopia, a fascinating country well worth visiting for geology/tourism.
It was (very) hot, in the low to mid 40s C (100-110 deg. F), on most of the days but timing happened to coincide with full moon which was an advantage for the walk to/from base camp to Erta Ale and for the memorable short walk from the crater rim camp to the viewing cliff edge of the volcano at night. The varicoloured, amazing rock formations associated with salt and other halites influenced by hydrothermal activity near Dalol made a lasting impression and were an excellent photo opportunity even for amateur photographers.
Our guide Enku was great fun to be with and I appreciated hisbroad geological knowledge and enthusiasm for volcanoes. He has some key skills and experience of importance for negotiating with the Afar people to find a tailored solution within the constraints of the arduous conditions. His team was very capable and worked very hard to make our holiday a success. This included highly competent driving, at times over rough off-road terrain, in 2 well equipped vehicles, preparation of delicious food of very good quality for the hot conditions and in quantity that would suit the most healthy of appetites.
The information provided by Volcano Adventures was detailed and comprehensive. It is well worth reading through it all in advance to be prepared for a true expedition with hardships contrasted with delightful colourful experiences. Few holidays will be more memorable than a week like this in Ethiopia, in and around Erta Ale volcano. We went in the heat of the summer at the end of June - this time of year is recommended for the fit of strong constitution. The cooler time of year from November to March would appeal more to many but June, being the 'low season' had its own beauty.
All the best”
- Simeon B (from UK) about his participation on our 8 days Volcanoes of the Danakil Desert in June 2018.
"Hallo Tom!
Ich möchte Dir an dieser Stelle noch einmal ganz herzlich danken für die sehr gut organisierte Expedition zum Erta Ale und Dallol. Ich habe selten zuvor in zwei Wochen so viele positive und eindrückliche Momente erlebt wie auf dieser Reise. Neben dem Besuch der Vulkane wird mir die Danakil-Wüste mit all ihren facettenreichen Landschaften, die Freundlichkeit der Aethiopier, der sehr gute Teamgeist unserer Gruppe und natürlich die Kamelkarawane zum Salzsee in bester Erinnerung bleiben.
Auch erwähnenswert ist natürlich der Besuch der Felsenkirchen, welche eingebettet in einer fantastischen Landschaft liegen. Ich bin sehr dankbar für all diese eindrücklichen Momente! Sollte ich zukünftig wieder einmal auf Vulkanexpedition gehen, werde ich ohne zu zögern "VolcanoDiscovery" deswegen kontaktieren. Zudem erlaube ich mir, Dich in meinem Bekanntenkreis weiter zu empfehlen.
Herzlichst, André B.
Schweiz" (Expedition to the Danakil)
Frank working at the lava lake of Erta Ale volcano, Ethiopia
"Hallo Tom, ich möchte mich hiermit bei Dir für die
exzellente logistische Organisation der Touren nach Äthiopien Januar 2008 (
Erta Ale, Dallol)
und Indonesien Juli 2008 (Krakatau und Tengger Kaldera) bedanken. Dank Deiner netten und kompetenten Partner vor Ort (Solomon, Doni und alle anderen) fühlte ich mich in sehr guten Händen aufgehoben und verköstigt. Somit konnte ich mich auf meine fotografischen Aktivitäten konzentrieren, ohne mir über organisatorische Dinge Sorgen machen zu müssen. Ich bin überzeugt, dass wir noch einige weitere Exkursionen zusammen machen werden und kann
Volcano Discovery Touren sehr empfehlen.
Good luck und gut Lava"
Frank Krahmer - Premium Nature Photographyhttp://www.frankkrahmer.de 
 Marlies and Solomon at Dallol
WOW - the DANAKIL has it all
Sand - stones - rocks - lava - salt - camels, not to forget the fascinating volcano ERTA ALE and the mysterious and magic scenery at DALLOL. Thank you TOM for taking me on your pilot expedition. Thank you SOLOMON for being such a great and helpful tour guide. (Marlies B, UK, 2007 Erta Ale - Dallol expedition).
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