Tour Highlights
- Spend the night at the rim of Erta Ale, witnessing a permanent boiling lava lake.
- Explore the multi-colored hydrothermal fields of Dallol and salt canyons.
- Watch Afar salt miners and the iconic camel caravans crossing the salt flats.
- Swim in the hypersaline waters and natural hot springs of Lake Afdera.
Travel Itinerary
Day 1: Semera – Lake Afdera – Erta Ale Volcano
Your driver will pick you up from Semera airport to begin the drive to the Danakil Depression. You will head to Lake Afdera, a salt lake in the heart of the depression, where you can see natural hot springs and go for a swim. After lunch, you will proceed to Dodom at the base of Erta Ale. Using camels to transport camping materials, food, and mattresses, you will trek for about an hour to the volcano’s rim. You will spend the night at the summit watching the dramatic action of the boiling lava lake, which has been present since the early 20th century.
Day 2: Erta Ale – Hamedila – Dallol
After an early breakfast, you will drive to Hamedila. Along the way, you will see numerous camel caravans and enjoy the sunset over the shallow salt Lake Assale. During the morning tour, you will drive to Ragad (Asebo), where local people mine salt from the Afar Depression. You will observe the process of breaking salt from the ground, cutting it into rectangular pieces, and loading it onto camels. Afterward, you will drive to Dallol to visit the unique landscapes formed by volcanic activity, including the salt canyons and sulfur springs, before returning to Hamedila.
Day 3: Hamedila – Semera – Addis Ababa
On this day, you may have another chance to see the beauty of the sunrise over the salt flats. After breakfast, you will drive to the town of Semera and take your flight back to Addis Ababa.
Includes
- Afar region camping accommodation.
- All entrance fees, guide fees, and scout fees.
- Domestic air tickets (Addis Ababa – Semera – Addis Ababa).
- Full board meals while in the Afar region.
- 4WD Land Cruisers with AC (shared with other tourists).
- All fuel expenses and driver allowances.
- Professional local guide, cook, and camping equipment.
Excludes
- Photography and video fees.
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Travel insurance.
- Tips and personal expenses (phone calls, souvenirs, etc.).
