All trips to Afar are taken with the World Sun tour company where Gebremedhn freelances as a guide.
1 Day
day 1
Leave from Makelle in the morning and drive out to Dallol. In Dallol you can see the multicolored sulfur springs, and at the base of the hill is the lowest place in Ethiopia and the hottest place on Earth. Dallol also has other geological wonders including a mineral lake with water with an oil-like consistency. Finally, the salt flats where Afari people mine salt by hand and transport with long camel trains. Drive back in the evening to Makelle.
2 Days
Day 1
Leave Makelle and drive to the base camp for Erte Ale. In the dusk hike to the lave lake, about 3 hours, while camels carry all the camping gear. It is possible to also rent a camel to ride to Erte Ale. Eat dinner and enjoy an evening of watching on of the only active lava lakes in the world.
Day 2
Wake up early to look at the lava lake one last time and then start the walk back (about 1.5-2 hours). It's best to reach the base camp before 7:30am when it begins to get very hot. Eat breakfast at the base camp.
4 Days
Day 1
Leave Makelle and drive to the base camp for Erte Ale. In the dusk hike to the lave lake, about 3 hours, while camels carry all the camping gear. It is possible to also rent a camel to ride to Erte Ale. Eat dinner and enjoy an evening of watching on of the only active lava lakes in the world.
Day 2
Wake up early to look at the lava lake one last time and then start the walk back (about 1.5-2 hours). It's best to reach the base camp before 7:30am when it begins to get very hot. Eat breakfast at the base camp. Drive to a village where you can shower and rest.
Day 3
Leave for Dallol and visit the salt flats, soak your feet in the salty hot springs.
Day 4
Visit the yellow and orange landscape of the sulfur and iron-oxide springs. Visit other geological sites including a mineral lake with water with an oil-like consistency which the local Afar people use for skin care. Drive back to Makelle.