Explore the unique planet, Danakil Depression!

We were disappointed after a few days hiking in Simien Mountains with a big monopoly agency and decided to cancel further agreement with them for Danakil depression and Dallol. Upon arrival to one of the guests houses in Mekele, its owner recommended 3 local smaller agencies and Magma Flow was among them. On the day of arrival we went to the city and had a short discussion with Magma Flow representative, who shortly explained about the tour and offered us a good price for a 2 day tour. We were picked up at 10 and left Mekele at 11:20. The highlight of the first day are Assale Red rocks, salt field, natural salty smimming pool and sunset at Assale lake. The guys offer wine and beer at the Assale lake (as much as you can drink, for free!) The next day we woke up at around 4, had a nice breakfast (omelette, pancakes with peanut butter, chokolate paste, honey, jam) and went to Dallol at 5, where we met sunrise at around 7 and walked around the colorful area for couple of hours, then visited unusual rock formation and lake with "oily" reddish water. We had our lunch at Abala and were brought back to Mekele at around 3 p.m. What can be improved? 1. It would be great, if the food in Abala village can be improved. 2. The travel agency can make an agreement with local people in Hamedela and leave mattresses in the village. 3. Salad and omelette can be cooked without chili pepper :)

Abbiamo fatto il tour di tre giorni e quattro notti in Dancalia, ci siamo trovati molto bene con Magma Flow e consigliamo di rivolgersi a loro. Il gruppo era piccolo (eravamo in quattro il primo e secondo giorno poi siamo rimasti noi due), mentre altre agenzie portano anche trenta persone alla volta (invivibile). Bravissimi la guida Fanny, il nostro cuoco e i due autisti, ci siamo divertiti con loro e abbiamo esplorato un luogo fuori dal mondo! Dancalia promossa quindi. Meno soddisfacente il transfer da Mekele a Lalibela: ci hanno procurato un’auto con autista ma la strada è terribile, sarebbe servota una 4x4 non il pullmino che ci hanno mandato. È stato un viaggio estenuante di 11 ore, con l’auto adatta ne avremmo risparmiate almeno tre.