Danakil Depression and Erta Ale Volcano 3 Days
Tour Overview:
Embark on a thrilling 3-day adventure into one of the hottest, lowest, and most geologically active places on Earth—the Danakil Depression. Located in northeastern Ethiopia, this region is famous for its surreal landscapes, salt flats, acid pools, and one of the world’s few continuously active lava lakes at Erta Ale Volcano. This tour takes you from Semera through Afar tribal lands to the colorful fields of Dallol and ends with a dramatic nighttime trek to witness molten lava up close. This journey is ideal for adventurous travelers seeking extraordinary landscapes and unforgettable experiences.
Day 1: Semera – Lake Afdera – Hamed Ela
Fly from Addis Ababa to Semera. From Semera, begin the drive to Hamed Ela (approx. 5–6 hours). Along the way, stop at Lake Afdera, a salt lake known for its striking scenery and hot springs. Enjoy lunch by the lake and, if you wish, take a refreshing swim in its saline waters.
Arrive at Hamed Ela in the late afternoon. If time permits, visit Lake Asale and the surrounding salt flats. Unwind with a beer or wine while soaking in the sunset views over the salt lake.
Day 2: Dallol – Camel Caravans – Drive to Erta Ale Volcano
After breakfast, drive to Dallol, one of the lowest and hottest inhabited places on Earth (about 125 meters below sea level). Explore a dreamlike landscape of neon-colored acidic hot springs, sulfur formations, and salt pillars shaped by intense geothermal activity.
Witness the salt mining operations and the iconic camel caravans transporting salt blocks across the desert. After the Dallol excursion, continue driving toward Erta Ale Volcano—one of the most unique active volcanoes on the planet, known for its permanent lava lake.
The drive to the base camp (approx. 4 hours) passes through stark desert terrain and hardened lava flows. After dinner at the base camp, begin a 1-hour trek to the crater rim to witness the glowing lava lake and the raw power of nature up close. Spend time taking in the mesmerizing sight before returning to camp under a star-filled sky.
Day 3: Erta Ale – Semera – Fly to Addis Ababa
Wake early, have breakfast, and begin the return drive toward Semera. Stop briefly in Afdera, then continue on a paved road to the Semera airport for your return flight to Addis Ababa.
