3-Day Danakil Depression Adventure from Semera with Erta Ale

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Trek to Erta Ale, one of the most active volcanoes, and camp nearby
• 02 Witness sunrise over Erta Ale from the volcano
• 03 Explore Dallol's stunning colours, salt lake, and salt mountain
• 04 Watch the sunset at Lake Asa Ale
• 05 Swim in Lake Afdera, one of the biggest salt lakes

Explore the rugged beauty of Ethiopia's Danakil Depression on this adventurous 3-day tour from Semera. Visit Erta Ale, one of the world's most active volcanoes, for a trek and camping experience near the crater. Discover the surreal landscapes of Dallol, with its stunning colours, salt lake, and salt mountain, then end the journey with a refreshing swim at Lake Afdera.

Visit Erta Ale, one of the world's most active volcanoes, for a trek and camping experience near the crater.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Semera, Afdera, Erta Ale, Dallol

Languages English, French, German, Italian, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Semera to Erta Ale Volcano Camp

• It takes about 4 hours to drive from Semera to the volcano. You will visit Erta Ale, one of the most active volcanoes, and camp a little way outside the volcano area. The trek to the volcano takes about 30 minutes, so be sure to bring trekking shoes, a torchlight, and a mask.

2

Day 02

Sunrise at Erta Ale and Dallol Exploration

• Early in the morning, you will head to the volcano to witness a beautiful sunrise. After that, you will have breakfast at the base camp and then drive for 4 hours to Hamedella.
• Once there, you will visit Dallol, known for its stunning colours, the salt lake, salt mountain, and a swimming pool. You will also visit Lake Asa Ale to watch the sunset before camping under the open sky.

3

Day 03

Lake Afdera Swim and Return to Semera

• In the early morning, you will watch the sunrise and then continue driving to Lake Afdera, one of the biggest salt lakes. You will swim there, and after lunch, you will continue driving to Semera to end the tour.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Full-board meals
• Entrance fees to the attractions
• English-speaking guide at the sites
• Scout fees
• All road transport by shared air-conditioned car, including fuel and driver allowance
• Airport and city transfers
• Accommodation
• Packed water during the journey
• All government taxes and fees

What's Not Included

• Flight tickets
• Alcoholic drinks
• Tips and personal expenses
• Camera and video fees

What to bring

• Clients are advised to bring their own sleeping bag.

Know before you go

• The Danakil Depression experiences very high temperatures, often exceeding 40 degrees.
• The Danakil Depression formed from the continental drift of the African and Asian tectonic plates. The plates have drifted apart at a rate of 1-2 cm per year.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Semera Airport, Samara, Semera, Ethiopia

Tour start

Semera, Ethiopia

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.