Ethiopia · Desert Adventure

3-Day Erta Ale and Danakil Depression Tour with Dallol and Lake Afdera

3 Days Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore Erta Ale, one of the world's most active volcanoes
02 Witness the vibrant colors of Dallol's salt lake and acidic springs
03 Enjoy swimming in Lake Afdera, one of the biggest salt lakes
04 Experience camping under the open skies of the Danakil Depression

Embark on a 3-day adventure to Erta Ale, Dallol, and Lake Afdera in the Danakil Depression. Witness sunrise over one of the world's most active volcanoes, explore Dallol's vibrant salt lake and colourful acidic springs, and swim in Lake Afdera, one of the biggest salt lakes. Camp under the open sky and experience this wonderful, alien environment, renowned as the 'hottest place on the planet' and home to salt lakes, lava lakes, volcanoes, and colourful acidic springs.

Camp under the open sky and experience this wonderful, alien environment, renowned as the 'hottest place on the planet' and home to salt lakes, lava lakes, volcanoes, and colourful acidic springs.

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, Danakil Depression, Semera, Afdera, Erta Ale, Dallol

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Addis Ababa Flight to Semera and Erta Ale Camp

Start your adventure with a flight from Addis Ababa to Semera.
From there, drive for 4 hours to the volcano.
Visit Erta Ale, one of the most active volcanoes, and camp a little way from the volcano. The trek to the volcano takes about 30 minutes, so be sure to bring trekking shoes, a torchlight, and a mask.

Day 02

Sunrise at Erta Ale and Dallol Exploration

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

Day 03

Lake Afdera Swim and Return to Addis Ababa

In the early morning, watch the sunrise and then continue driving to Lake Afdera, one of the biggest salt lakes.
Swim there, and after lunch, continue driving to Semera and catch the last-minute flight back to Addis Ababa to end the tour.
To ensure a seamless travel experience to and within Ethiopia, I highly recommend Ethiopian Airlines for both your international and domestic flights.
Renowned for its reliability, convenience, and affordable services, Ethiopian Airlines ensures a smooth and comfortable journey.
Wishing you a safe and enjoyable trip as you explore the captivating landscapes and rich culture of Ethiopia. Welcome to an unforgettable adventure with Essence Ethiopia Tours!