3-Day Danakil Depression Tour from Semera with Erta Ale and Dallol

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Explore the surreal landscapes of Dallol, with colourful volcanic formations below sea level
• 02 Visit Lake Asale and Lake Afdera in the heart of the Afar region
• 03 Trek to Erta Ale and watch the dramatic action of its permanent lava lake
• 04 See camel caravans and salt mining activity across the Danakil Depression

The Danakil Depression is one of the planet's hottest, lowest, and driest places, in the northernmost pocket of Ethiopia. This 3-day journey from Semera takes you through salt lakes, salt flats, neon-coloured acid springs, and volcanic landscapes, with visits to Lake Afdera, Lake Asale, Dallol, and Erta Ale. Along the way, you will see camel caravans, salt mining activity, and the dramatic lava lake of one of Ethiopia's most physically challenging natural attractions.

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 Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

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

Languages English, French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Semera to Hamedela via Lake Afdera

• You will fly from Addis to Semera, then drive for about 5-6 hours to reach Hamed Ela.
• On the way, you will stop at Lake Afdera for lunch and may even have time for a swim.
• In the evening, at the next camping village, you will visit Lake Asale and its salt flats. Here, you can enjoy a wine or beer in this stunning setting while swimming in the salt lake.
• Overnight open-air camping at Hamedela.

2

Day 02

Dallol Excursion and Erta Ale Volcano Trek

• After breakfast, you will drive to the colourful attractions of Dallol, located at 125 metres below sea level.
• You will visit the different landscapes formed by volcanic activity, including Dallol, Lake Assal, and camel caravans.
• You will also enjoy an excursion to Dallol, 116 metres below sea level and one of the lowest places in the world, where you will see colourful salt mining.
• After visiting all the attractions, continue driving to Erta Ale, 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 1 km square caldera at its summit. Erta Ale contains the world's only permanent lava lake. At 613 metres above sea level, the drive takes about 4 hours, passing through a changing landscape of solidified lava rock and sand. After passing several small hamlets scattered across this deserted land, you will arrive at the Erta Ale camping site.
• After a short break and an early dinner, just before sunset, you will trek for about 1 hour to Erta Ale, where you will spend a few hours watching the dramatic action of the boiling lava. You will then trek back to the basic camp to spend the night and sleep under the stars.

3

Day 03

Return from Erta Ale to Semera

• In the early morning, you will visit the boiling lava again, and after breakfast, drive to Afdera in about 2 hours and 15 minutes.
• From Afdera, you will continue driving to Semera in about 3 hours and 30 minutes, arriving at Semera airport.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• All entrance fees and licences as per the program
• Accommodation and all meals throughout the tour
• Bottled water for the trip
• Light sleeping bags (sheets)
• Surface transport by four-wheel-drive Land Cruiser, including fuel expenses and driver allowance
• Local guide service for the distant regions as per the program
• Cooking and camping equipment
• Scout and police service in the Afar Region, as per the program
• Sleeping bags
• Camel and camel tyres in the Afar Region as per the program
• All meals, water, entrance fees, accommodation, security, and transportation for the duration of the trip

What's Not Included

• Domestic and international flights
• Tips
• Personal expenses
• Souvenirs from the Afar people

What to bring

• Torches for walking at night
• A small backpack for the trek to the top of the volcano
• Closed, comfortable shoes (trekking shoes)
• Swimming clothes
• Sun protection such as sun cream and a hat, plus a jacket for the night on the volcano

Know before you go

• The Danakil Depression is hot year round. However, though you won't be able to escape the heat, you may consider visiting between September and April, when temperatures are more bearable.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Semera, Ethiopia

Tour start

Semera, Ethiopia

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.