3-Day Danakil Depression & Erta Ale Volcano Tour from Addis Ababa

Hike into an alien landscape where sulfur lakes meet an active lava lake

A 3-day tour from Addis Ababa to the Danakil Depression and Erta Ale volcano, with a live English-speaking guide, all meals, camping and transport included. You fly to Semera, drive to Dallol to hike its colorful sulfur lakes at sunrise, explore salt mountains and meet salt workers and camel caravans, then drive to Erta Ale base camp for a sunset hike to the volcano's persistent lava lake. Two nights are spent camping under the stars.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Fly to Semera and drive to Hamedela

• Fly from Addis Ababa to Semera
• Drive to Semera Town for breakfast
• Drive to Dallol base camp
• Picnic lunch in Afdera Town
• Continue driving to Dallol
• Visit Lake Asale for sunset
• Dinner and overnight at Sabba campsite

Day 2: Visit Dallol and drive to Erta Ale

• Drive early to Dallol for sunrise
• Hike to sulfur lakes and landscapes
• Drive to salt mountains for picnic breakfast
• Explore salt rock formations
• Visit salt workers and potash springs
• Drive to Erta Ale Volcano
• Picnic lunch en route
• Arrive at Erta Ale base camp
• Sunset hike to volcano
• Night hike back to camp
• Overnight camping under stars

Day 3: Return to Semera and fly back

• Sunrise viewing at volcano
• Breakfast at base camp
• Drive back to Semera
• Late lunch in Semera
• Transfer to airport for flight to Addis Ababa

The experience

You depart Addis Ababa and fly to Semera, where a driver picks you up and takes you to the Dallol Depression base camp. The drive includes breakfast in Semera and a picnic lunch in Afdera Town. By evening you reach Lake Asale, where you watch the sunset over the salty water before settling into the Sabba campsite for your first night sleeping outside.

On day two, you're up early to drive to Dallol and hike to the top as the sun rises. The landscape there is unlike anywhere else on Earth: sulfur lakes in shades of yellow, orange and green sit among mineral-rich rock formations. After exploring the colored lakes, you return to the vehicles and head to the salt mountains, where you'll have breakfast and walk among the salt rock formations. The guide takes you to meet salt workers and, if conditions allow, camel caravans passing through. You'll also see natural potash oil springs before driving toward Erta Ale volcano, with lunch along the way. At the base camp, you rest before the sunset hike up to the volcano itself. The night hike back down to camp means you're sleeping under the stars again.

Day three starts with one more chance to see the sunrise at Erta Ale if you choose to hike back up. After breakfast at the base camp, the drive back to Semera takes most of the day. You arrive for a late lunch, then transfer to the airport for your flight back to Addis Ababa. The Toyota Land Cruiser 4×4 is your transport throughout, and the guide handles all navigation and logistics. Temperatures in the Danakil can exceed 50 degrees Celsius, so the early starts and night hiking are built around the heat.

What’s included

• All entrance fees to Dallol and Erta Ale.
• a Toyota Land Cruiser 4×4 for the full 3 days.
• two nights of camping with all logistics provided.
• all meals from breakfast on day one through lunch on day three.
• a live English-speaking guide.
• security fees.
• fuel.
• driver fees.
• and government tax.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day21 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 17:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (25 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 90 years) · Youth (15 to 24 years) · Child (1 to 14 years)

GroupUp to 10 · max 5 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Ethio Top Land Tours

Is this one for you?This is a shared tour with a group and a guide, so you're not navigating or arranging logistics yourself. The schedule, camps and meals are all set. It suits travelers who want the extreme Danakil experience without the burden of organizing transport, permits and camp setup in one of Earth's harshest environments, and who are comfortable sleeping outside and hiking in intense heat.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (15 to 24 years); Child (1 to 14 years).

What is Dallol and what will I see when I hike there?

Dallol is a geothermal area in the Danakil Depression known for its colorful sulfur lakes and mineral-rich rock formations. On the hike to the top, you'll see lakes in shades of yellow, orange and green created by sulfur deposits and mineral content, surrounded by otherworldly rock formations. The sunrise hike shows the landscape at its most vivid.

Will I actually see lava at Erta Ale volcano?

Erta Ale is home to a persistent lava lake, one of only a few in the world. You hike to the volcano at sunset and return by night hike, which is when the glow from the lava lake is most visible. The hike takes you to the rim where you can see into the crater.

What are the sleeping arrangements for the two nights?

Both nights are spent camping under the stars at designated campsites: the Sabba campsite on night one and a campsite at the Erta Ale base camp on night two. All camping logistics, including bedding and setup, are included in the tour.

How hot does it get, and what should I prepare for?

Temperatures in the Danakil Depression can soar above 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit). The tour is scheduled with early morning and night hikes to avoid the peak heat. You'll need sun protection, plenty of water, and clothing suitable for extreme heat and cold nights in the desert.

Will I meet the Afar people who live in this region?

Yes. On day two, you visit salt workers and, weather permitting, see camel caravans. The Afar people have adapted to life in this extreme environment for generations, and the tour includes time to observe their work and way of life in the salt mountains and surrounding areas.

What meals are provided, and are there dietary restrictions I should mention?

All meals are included: breakfast, lunch and dinner each day. Meals are prepared at the campsites and during the drive. If you have dietary restrictions, you should communicate them when booking so the guide and cook can plan accordingly.