Danakil Tour
Embark on a thrilling 3-day adventure to Ethiopia's mesmerizing Danakil Depression. Explore the natural wonders of Lake Afdera, the breathtaking Erta Ale volcano, and the vibrant salt flats of Dallol. Experience one of the planet’s most extreme and stunning landscapes, where you’ll trek to a lava lake, witness salt mining, and admire camel caravans in this otherworldly desert.
Duration
3 Days/ 2 Nights
Group Size
2 to 12
Stay
Camping
Transport
Drive and Flight
The journey
Tour Overview
This 3-day tour takes you on an unforgettable journey to one of the most extreme landscapes on Earth, the Danakil Depression. Begin your adventure with a drive from Semera to Lake Afdera, a picturesque salt lake where you can enjoy a swim in its hot springs. Continue to Dodom, where you’ll embark on a trek to the active Erta Ale volcano. Camp overnight at the summit, witnessing the spectacular sight of one of the world’s few permanent lava lakes. On Day 2, after an early start, you’ll explore the village of HamadEla, meet the local Afar people, and witness the fascinating process of salt mining at Lake Assale. Marvel at the unique volcanic formations of Dallol, the colorful salt flats, and follow the camel caravans as they journey across this vast, desert landscape. Your adventure concludes on Day 3 with a final sunrise at Lake Afdera before returning to Semera for your departure. This tour offers a rare glimpse into one of the most dramatic and challenging natural environments on the planet.
Day by day
Detailed Itinerary
3 days of discovery. Tap a day to expand it.
This day we will meet you at the town of Semera airport then we will drive to Danakil depression. We start an early drive to Lake Afdera(a salt lake that is located in the heart of Danakil Depressions and in this lake you may have a chance at the natural hot springs then later you have to swim around this lake we will be driving to Dodom (at the base of Erta Ale). Leave after lunch, possibly at 01:30. After you pass several small hamlets scattered here and there in this desert land, Dodom is about 9.5km from Erta Ale and takes about 1 hour of trekking. Early dinner around 17:00, Camels transport all the camping materials and some food (sleeping materials like light mattresses and mat and water) to the volcano’s rim, where we spend the night watching the dramatic action of the boiling lava. Danakil Depression ( dallol and Erta Ale) ranks as one of Ethiopia’s most alluring and physically challenging natural attractions. It is a shield volcano with a base diameter of 30 km and a 1km square caldera at its summit. Erta Ale contains the world’s only permanent lava lake. Erta Ale is 613 meters, with a lava lake, one of only five in the world, at the summit. It is notable for being the longest existing lava lake, present since the early years of the twentieth century.
Overnight: camping on the mountain
The details
What's Included
Included in every booking
- All transfers and ground transportation with fuel and driver allowance
- All entrance fees according to the program
- Accommodations
- Land Transport
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Bottles of drinking water throughout the tour
- Multilingual professional guide
- Government tax associated with the trip.
Not included
- Day Use on the last day in Addis Ababa
- FOC Leader
- Any flight (Domestic Flights can be arranged upon request)
- Alcoholic Expenses
- Any Photography and Video fees
- And what is NOT included on the “Included” List.
Ready to walk this route with us?
Tell us your dates and travel style, and we'll tailor this itinerary around you, from airport pickup to farewell dinner.
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