Ethiopia Trekking, Danakil Depression Crossing Hiking Guide, “Gate of Hell” Active Volcano Crossing

Ethiopia, the pearl of East Africa, where the primitive and civilization collide, wildness and simplicity blend, it is the origin of coffee, with the Blue Nile River Basin civilization spanning nearly a thousand years.

In the north, believers come to worship the rock churches in an endless stream. In the south, the Omo River Basin of the East African Rift Valley is home to the last primitive tribes on earth, inheriting ancient ways of life and releasing the wild charm of Africa. They rise with the sun and return with the setting sun, dancing under the stars, living peacefully in this paradise.

Ethiopia is located in northeast Africa, near Somalia, and is the hometown of Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the WHO.

The plateau accounts for two-thirds of the country’s area, with an average altitude of 3,000 meters, known as the “Roof of Africa”. The capital is Addis Ababa. Ethiopia is one of the least developed countries in the world, with agriculture and animal husbandry as its main economic activities and a weak industrial base.

Ethiopia, the Danakil Depression is one of the most active geological regions on earth, where yellow sulfur mounds dot the landscape like an alien planet, and boiling, churning lava illuminates the night.

This hiking route will take you to Erta Ale volcano and Dallol, the lowest altitude region of the Danakil Depression. Erta Ale Volcano is located 50 meters below sea level, and the oval-shaped lava lake is one of the six oldest lava lakes in the world. After hiking to the top, you can try to walk around the crater with the splashing lava.

Dallol is characterized by its “extraterrestrial” landscape formed by volcanic activity. The Dallol Volcano is a volcano buried under 1 kilometer of salt deposits. The land is dotted with salt pools, geyser rivers and sulfur pools, with cone-shaped volcanic vents in between. Under the high temperature, the salt and sulfur liquid gradually crystallize out and oxidize to form a psychedelic combination of red, green, orange and white, which is particularly beautiful at dawn and dusk, like the surface of Jupiter.

Camels are one of the few animals that can survive in this harsh environment, and on this hiking route you can see camel caravans coming to or from the salt mines.

The Afar people who survive in this barren area rely on raising camels and mining salt for a living. They carefully divide the salt blocks into the size of floor tiles and then bundle them onto the backs of camels, traversing 400 kilometers of desert to Merkelle for distribution.

Watching camels in rows carrying salt blocks across the tranquil salt lake is like walking on a mirror of the sky.

English name: DANAKIL DEPRESSION THRU-HIKE

Specific location: Afar Region, Ethiopia

Length: 15 kilometers

Best hiking time: November to February

Important note: When you reach the crater, it is best to wear a gas mask, as the sulfur gas emitted by the lava is slightly toxic.

Day 1: Arrive in Addis Ababa – Jinka – Turmi

Day 2: Dassenech Tribe – Turmi

Day 3: Karo Tribe – Turmi

Day 4: Mago National Park – Addis Ababa – Mekele

Day 5: Mekele – Dalol

Day 6: Dalol – Erta Ale Volcano

Day 7: Erta Ale Volcano – Mekele

Day 8: Mekele – Lalibela

Day 9: Lalibela

Day 10: Lalibela – Addis Ababa

1. The Alphas region where the Danakil Depression is located is a disputed area, but it is still relatively safe, but it is not recommended to go alone; the tourism industry in the area is supported by armed groups, and travel companies going to the area will safely browse under the escort of armed police or military.

2. Theft is common in the area. Do not leave valuables such as cameras and passports out of sight, especially in crowded public places, and be extra careful at night.

3. Mekele is the main gateway to the Danakil Depression and the starting point of the Danakil Depression trek.

4. The Danakil Depression area is very hot, so be sure to bring sun protection items such as hats and sunglasses before going, and it is recommended to bring extra neck scarves, just in case.

5. The surface of Dallol is very fragile, especially the sulfur pools, which are prone to subsidence, so be cautious when hiking.

6. Due to the high local temperatures, hiking up Erta Ale Volcano is generally done in the evening; when hiking up Erta Ale Volcano, be sure to wear hiking boots, bring a headlamp and sleeping bag, camp on the volcano at night, and walk to the crater again at dawn to see the terrain that is not clear at night.

7. When you reach the crater, be sure to wear a gas mask, as the sulfur gas emitted by the lava is slightly toxic.

In the northeast corner of Ethiopia, the East African Rift Valley crosses the Red Sea, where God overturned the palette, the most severe heat and the lowest desert depression, gave birth to colorful salt lakes, sulfur lakes; and formed the famous “Gate of Hell”, there is also the ancient active volcano Erta Ale, which houses one of the six remaining lava lakes in the world. Standing at the crater, watching the lava surge, the splendor and heat, the amazement and emotion, are all experiences that you cannot miss when you go to Ethiopia!