3-Day Danakil Depression Tour with Erta Ale and Dallol

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Visit the kaleidoscopic landscape of Dallol
• 02 Trek through the bellowing Erta Ale volcano
• 03 Marvel at the two salt lakes, Afrera and Asale
• 04 Watch the dramatic boiling lava from the rim of Erta Ale
• 05 See salt mining at Ragad and camel caravans across the depression

A geological depression caused by the continental drift of three tectonic plates, the Danakil Depression is one of Earth's most unusual environments. Renowned as the hottest place on the planet, it is home to salt lakes, lava lakes, volcanoes, and colourful acidic springs. The Dallol Depression is especially striking for its bright, multi-coloured springs, fissures, and geysers, making it one of the most visually compelling and geologically fascinating places on Earth. Set within the African Rift Valley, the Danakil area is shaped by intense volcanic and tectonic activity.

Erta Ale contains the world's only permanent lava lake.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Hard

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Addis Ababa, Semera, Afdera, Erta Ale, Dallol

Languages English, German, Italian, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Arrival and Trek to Erta Ale

• Pick up from Semera airport or hotel and start the day by driving to Erta Ale, which means "smoky mountain" in the Afar language. Erta Ale ranks as one of the most alluring and physically challenging natural attractions anywhere in Ethiopia. It is a shield volcano with a base diameter of 30 km and a 1 km square caldera at its summit. Erta Ale contains the world's only permanent lava lake. It stands at 613 meters, with a lava lake at the summit that is one of only five in the world. It is notable for being the longest existing lava lake, present since the early years of the twentieth century.
• Dinner will be served around 18:00. After a short break, trek up to Erta Ale. Sleeping materials such as light mattresses, mats, and water will be ready at the rim of the volcano, where you will spend the night watching the dramatic action of the boiling lava.
• You will spend the night on top of the mountain, at the rim of the volcano.

2

Day 02

Sunrise at Erta Ale and Drive to Hamed Ela

• Enjoy the early morning sunrise at the northern pit, which corresponds to the main pit crater. A 5-minute walk leads to the southern and central pits, which could either correspond to an ancient pit or a simple collapse structure. The main pit crater, 200 m deep and 350 m across, is sub-circular and three-storied. The smaller southern pit is 65 m wide and about 100 m deep.
• Descend from Erta Ale around 8 am after an early breakfast. As soon as possible, drive to reach the mythical Lake Giulietti, or Lake Afrera, a saltwater lake located more than 100 meters below sea level in one of the deepest depressions on the planet. This visit is optional and may not be available during summertime. Because of the picturesque landscape, it is also interesting to visit the salt flats where the Afar people obtain salt by evaporating the water of the lake.
• Continue to Erbiti and proceed to Abaala/Hamed Ela.
• Overnight in Hamed Ela.

3

Day 03

Dallol, Salt Mines, and Return

• Morning sunrise tour: drive to Ragad (Asebo), the place where the local people mine salt. Observe the activity of workers breaking salt from the ground, cutting it into rectangular pieces, and loading it onto camels. Then drive ahead to Dallol and visit the different landscapes formed by volcanic activity, including Dallol, Lake Assal, and camel caravans.
• Excursion to Dallol, 116 meters below sea level and one of the lowest places in the world, with colourful salt mining. Visit Lake Assal, follow camel caravans, and walk with the Afar people. Please note that there are no camel caravans in July, August, and early September.
• Drive back to Hamed Ela and proceed to Semera, then fly back to Addis Ababa at 08:00 PM. Overnight in Addis Ababa.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Domestic flights
• Surface transport expenses with four-wheel-drive Land Cruiser, including fuel expenses and drivers' allowance
• Accommodation, all meals, and bottled water throughout the tour
• All entrance fees and licenses as per the program
• Local guide service for the Afar region as per the program
• Cooking and camping equipment
• Scout and police service in the Afar Region as per the program

What's Not Included

• Alcohol and soft drinks
• All other costs not described in this trip

What to bring

• Trekking shoes
• Torch light

Know before you go

• The Danakil Depression is a desert area in the Afar region of northeastern Ethiopia, north of the Great Rift Valley, that is widely known locally as the Dallol Depression. This is both the hottest region on Earth on a year-round average and one of the most geologically active.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Tour start

Samara, Samara Airport, Semera, Ethiopia

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.