- in response to recent high activitiy with lava lake overflows (Danakil desert, Ethiopia) -
A fresh pahoehoe lava makes its way from the overflowing lake across black lava flows that only recently covered the caldera floor (Nov 2016; image: Hans en Jooske)
A large lava bubble explodes at the surface of the full lava lake (Dec 2010; image: Tom Pfeiffer)
Boiling hot and overflowing Erta Ale lava lake (dec 2010; image: Tom Pfeiffer)
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)
Closer view of the large volumes of fresh pahoehoe lava flows that cover the caldera floor and are still red hot and liquid beneath their thin crusts (Nov 2016; image: Hans en Jooske)
Strong spattering from the boiling lava lake that is about to overflow (Dec 2010; image: Tom Pfeiffer)
Overflowing ´perched´lava lake of Erta Ale in November 2016 (image: Hans en Jooske)
Nighttime impression of lava flow and spattering from the overflowing lava lake (Dec 2010; image: Tom Pfeiffer)
The Dallol salt dome amidst dark green acid ponds with yellow ´salt cakes´ (dec 2010; image: Tom Pfeiffer)
Dallol´s hydrothermal system creates an ever changeing alien landscape of colourful salt deposits, acid ponds and miniatyre geysirs (dec 2010; image: Tom Pfeiffer)
Bizarre miniature geysers or salt springs at Dallol (dec 2010; image: Tom Pfeiffer)
Photographing the abundant green acid ponds amidst the white-yellow-orange salt deposits (Dec 2010; image: Tom Pfeiffer)
Erta Ale volcano has been in
spectacular activity during the past weeks, probably the most intense phase in decades: the lava lake has been overflowing almost daily and been covering the caldera floor with fresh lava flows.
For those quick to decide, we offer this Volcano Special tour in order to stay 4 full days / 4 nights on the volcano!
- 4 full days/nights on the summit of Erta Ale active volcano
- Excellent Ethiopian volcanologist as main guide
- Small international group
- Dedicated supply vehicle with experienced cook
- Experience - we organise Danakil adventures since 2007
- Competent and friendly local team and drivers
- Interaction with local people, introduction into local customs
- Optional: 3 extra days to explore Dallol, Assale salt lake and surroundings
Erta Ale Volcano Special
Day 1: Arrival in MekeleArrival in Mekele, pickup at airport and transfer to hotel, group meeting at welcome dinner
Acc.: hotel in Mekele (D)
Day 2: Mekele - Erta AleMorning 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.
Acc.: camp at Erta Ale basecamp (B, L, D)
Day 3: Early morning ascend - daytime exploring of Erta Ale´s calderaEarly morning ascend to Erta Ale´s summit (ca. 3 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.
Acc.: camping on the caldera rim of Erta Ale (B, L, D)
Day 4-6: 3 full days / nights on Erta AleWe have 3 full extra days and nights on the shield volcano´s summit area to explore its caldera and observe/photograph the ongoing and ever changing volcanic activity.
Acc.: camp on Erta Ale (B, L, D)
Day 7: Erta Ale - MekeleEarly morning descend from the volcano bact to base camp and jeep drive back to Mekele (or 3 day extension to Dallol).
Acc.: hotel in Mekele (B, L, D)
Day 8: Transfer to the airport, end of serviceOur service ends with transfer to the airport or another nearby destination.
You could also start an additional tour from Mekele (e.g. Highland tour, Lalibela, Axum, Simien National Park, etc.).
Acc.: none (B)
Erta Ale Special + Dallol extension
Note:
You can add three more nights of camping in the Danakil dessert to also explore the colourful hydrothermal system of Dallol, Assale salt lake and the camel caravans.
Day 1-6: as D1-6 in Erta Ale Special
Days 1 to 6 are the same as those described in the Erta Ale volcano special itinerary.
Day 7: Descend from Erta Ale to basecamp, drive to Hamed ElaEarly 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.
Acc.: camping in the Afar village of Hamed Ela (B, L, D)
Day 8-9: 2 Full days to explore Dallol and surroundingsFrom 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.
Acc.: Camping in the Afar village of Hamed Ela (B, L, D)
Day 10: Dallol - MekeleAfter breakfast we break up our camp in Hamed Ela and make our way back to Mekele.
Acc.: hotel in Mekela (B, L, D)
Day 11: Transfer to the airport, end of serviceOur service ends with transfer to the airport or another nearby destination.
You could also start an additional tour from Mekele (e.g. Highland tour, Lalibela, Axum, Simien National Park, etc.).
Acc.: none (B)
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!
Tour code:ETH_EAS
Tour type: Volcano expedition: active volcanoes - photography - adventure
Difficulty:Moderate
Group size:3-10
Duration: 8 - 11 days
Dates:
Custom and group dates
Price (p.p.): $ 3700
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
- Professional Ethiopian guide who is an English-speaking geologist
- Private transport in 4WD vehicles
- 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
- Tips for local staff (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!
Erta Ale Volcano Special |
Erta Ale Special + Dallol extensionErta Ale Volcano Special
Day 1: Arrival in Mekele
As the participants arrive in Mekele they are picked from the airport and transfered to their hotel. The group gets together for the first time that evening for a welcome dinner and general briefing on the expedition.
Acc.: hotel in Mekele (D)
Day 2: Mekele - Erta Ale
After breakfast we leave Mekele and our 4X4 jeep expedition drives to Erta Ale base camp. The further we descend into the Danakil depression, the less comfortable the roads become. New asphalt gives way to well constructed dirt roads which end in the large main Afar village where we make a stop to arrange with the local chief the camels, guides and policemen we need for the Erta Ale expedition. From there to basecamp is off road across older pahoehoe lavas. After dinner we have a short night of sleep.
Acc.: camp at Erta Ale basecamp (B, L, D)
Day 3: Early morning ascend - daytime exploring of Erta Ale´s caldera
Aerial photograph of Erta Ale's summit caldera with the North Crater (left), the South Crater (right) and the summit camp on the caldera rim (bottom left) (Stefan Tommasini - January 2018)
Nighttime observation of the violently boiling and splashing lava lake at the bottom of the South Crater (Stefan Tommasini - January 2018)
Panorama of what is left of the North Crater after its dramatic collapse one year earlier (Stefan Tommasini - January 2018)
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. The closer we get, the brighter becomes the lava lake´s red glow! 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.
Acc.: camping on the caldera rim of Erta Ale (B, L, D)
Day 4-6: 3 full days / nights on Erta Ale
We camp on Erta Ale´s caldera rim for 3 more days and nights so we have ample of time to explore the summit area, make photographs at different light conditions during the day and night and observe the changeing activity of the active vents.
Acc.: camp on Erta Ale (B, L, D)
Day 7: Erta Ale - Mekele
After another short night we start our descend from Erta Ale´s caldera rim at the coolest moment which is early in the morning before sunrise. Breakfast awaits us upon arrival in Erta Ale´s base camp. We then retake the jeep drive back to Mekele where a warm shower awaits us at the hotel. Alternatively, some participants might continue on from Erta Ale base camp to do the 3 days Dallol extension.
Acc.: hotel in Mekele (B, L, D)
Day 8: Transfer to the airport, end of service
Our service ends with transfer to the airport or another nearby destination.
You could also start an additional tour from Mekele (e.g. Highland tour, Lalibela, Axum, Simien National Park, etc.).
Acc.: none (B)
Erta Ale Special + Dallol extension
Note:
You can add three more nights of camping in the Danakil dessert to also explore the colourful hydrothermal system of Dallol, Assale salt lake and the camel caravans.
Day 1-6: as D1-6 in Erta Ale Special
Days 1 to 6 are the same as those described in the Erta Ale volcano special itinerary.
Day 7: Descend from Erta Ale to basecamp, drive to Hamed Ela
View from Erta Ale camp onto observers gathered around the active lava lake for sunrise (Ingrid Smet - November 2015)
The Afar village of Hamed Ela where we set up camp for 2 nights, sleeping on wooden beds underneath the stars (Jay Ramji - February 2016)
Camel caravans laden with the precious salt pass through Hamed Ela in the late afternoon (Tom Pfeiffer - February 2009)
After a last short night camping on
Erta Ale´s caldera rim (
ca. 565 m) we start our
descend in the cooler hours of the
early morning, before sunrise. As part of our camel caravan already left during the night, our breakfast awaits us at basecamp (
ca. 140 m). After re-arranging our luggage back onto the jeeps we
travel to the area of Dallol and Lake Assale taking a route along a
quickly changing scenery from lava dessert via steppe to mountainous highlands. First we retrace our off road steps to the foot of the volcano where we take a road and head west, climbing out of the Danakil onto the western highlands (
ca. 2000 m). There we shortly take the main road north before turning east and heading back down into the Danakil. Depending on road and weather conditions we arrive at the
Afar village of Hamed Ela (
ca. -85 m) in the course of the afternoon and
set up camp for the next two nights. The rest of the afternoon / evening can be used to rest, have a semi-shower, explore Hamed Ela, observe the
camel caravans passing through,...
Acc.: camping in the Afar village of Hamed Ela (B, L, D)
Day 8-9: 2 Full days to explore Dallol and surroundings
Water from wells in the desert
Arriving camel caravans
Cracks on the surface of the (dry) salt lake
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 and surroundings, to the saline Assale Lake through the dried up salt dessert, to the area where local people are cutting out the salt in the same traditional way their ancestors did befor this ´white gold´ is then loaded for transport onto camels and a myriad of other alien ladnscapes of intricate salt deposits and hydrothermal ponds.
Acc.: Camping in the Afar village of Hamed Ela (B, L, D)
Day 10: Dallol - Mekele
A last 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 and ascent back onto the highlands where a warm shower awaits us in our hotel in Mekele.
Acc.: hotel in Mekela (B, L, D)
Day 11: Transfer to the airport, end of service
Our service ends with transfer to the airport or another nearby destination.
You could also start an additional tour from Mekele (e.g. Highland tour, Lalibela, Axum, Simien National Park, etc.).
Acc.: none (B)
Erta Ale Volcano Special |
Erta Ale Special + Dallol extensionPrices 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
- Professional Ethiopian guide who is an English-speaking geologist
- Private transport in 4WD vehicles
- 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
- Tips for local staff (camel drivers, guards, local guides, ...)
Not included:
- 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%.Add-ons:
| 3 day Dallol extension (colourful hydrothermal system, Assale salt lake) | 950 USD per person (min. 2 participants) |
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!
"the trip was, simply said, excellent and super"
Lizard waiting for the rest of vegetables thrown away from kitchen... (image: Richard Pichl)
...and one happy camel (same as I was) (image: Richard Pichl)
Dear Ingrid,
the trip was, simply said, excellent and super including logistics, staff, food, geology, etc. Enclosed you'll find a short excursion debriefing :-). The staff was excellent and I‘ve never met better one. Enku is really great and sensitive person, willing to do whatever for others, and loving geology. He showed us everything he could or we wanted. Demis (our driver) is an even-tempered man all time smiling and was my personal guide on fragile lava. Meski (our cook) is so good in cooking. First day I was a little bit startled of eating unknown meals but next days I was eating so much (big portions of very tasty meals) that my weight increased by 1.5 kg.
Thank you very much for the beautiful trip and I'm looking forward to the next volcano expedition.
Many greetings from freezing Prague.
- Richard (from the Czech Republic) about his participation on our first Erta Ale volcano special in from 14 to 21 January 2017. Fellow traveler Paul shared his photographs of this unique high activity at Erta Ale.
"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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