3-Day Danakil Depression Tour: Dallol & Erta Ale

Walk into one of Earth's harshest landscapes and watch a lava lake that has burned for over a century

A 3-day tour of the Danakil Depression in Ethiopia combines remote trekking with camping in extreme terrain. You fly from Addis Ababa to Semera, then drive through salt mines at Dallol and hike Erta Ale volcano to see the world's only permanent lava lake at its summit. The route includes the Afar people's salt-harvesting grounds, Lake Assal, and optional Lake Giulietti, with a live guide, all meals, camping gear and transportation included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Fly to Semera and visit Dallol

• Fly from Addis Ababa to Semera
• Drive to Ragad salt mining area
• Observe salt mining and camel loading
• Visit Dallol volcanic landscapes
• See Lake Assal and camel caravans
• Walk with Afar people
• Drive to Hamed Ela
• Overnight camping at Hamadella

Day 2: Drive to Erta Ale volcano

• Breakfast at camp
• Drive to Dodom at Erta Ale base
• Pass lava fields and desert landscape
• Arrive at Dodom camping site
• Overnight outdoor camping

Day 3: Erta Ale sunrise and return to Semera

• Early morning sunrise at Erta Ale crater
• Walk to southern and central pits
• Breakfast at Dodom camp
• Relax at camp until 10:30 AM
• Drive to Lake Giulietti salt flats (optional)
• Continue drive to Semera

The experience

Day one starts with a drive to Ragad, where you watch salt workers break mineral deposits from the ground and load them onto camels. From there you head to Dallol, which sits 116 meters below sea level (one of the lowest places on Earth) to walk through the colorful salt formations shaped by volcanic activity. You'll see Lake Assal and follow camel caravans (absent in July, August and early September) while walking with Afar herders. The day ends at a camping site in Hamadella.

Day two is the physical core: an early 9 a.m. drive to Dodom, the base camp for Erta Ale. The 80-kilometer journey takes roughly six hours over what the operator describes as one of the roughest roads in the world, passing through solidified lava fields, rock, sand and occasional oasis. Erta Ale itself is a shield volcano with a 30-kilometer base diameter and a 1-square-kilometer caldera at the summit. The volcano is 613 meters tall and holds the world's only permanent lava lake: one of only five lava lakes on the planet and the longest-existing one, active since the early twentieth century.

Day three begins before sunrise at Erta Ale's northern pit crater. The main pit is 200 meters deep and 350 meters across. The smaller southern pit is 65 meters wide and 100 meters deep. You descend around 9 a.m., return to Dodom by mid-morning, and then drive toward Semera. The route may include Lake Giulietti (also called Lake Afrera), a saltwater lake more than 100 meters below sea level in one of the planet's deepest depressions, though it is not always available in summer months.

What’s included

• Private transportation and a live guide in English, French or German.
• all meals, unlimited bottled water, camping equipment and a cook.
• entrance fees, fuel and driver allowances.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day9 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 12:30

AgesAdult (30 to 65 years) · Senior (66 to 86 years) · Youth (16 to 29 years) · Child (2 to 10 years)

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish, French and German

Audio guideEnglish, French and German

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

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

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Physically demandingNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Discover simien tour

Is this one for you?This tour demands serious physical fitness and is not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy. The rough roads, high altitude, extreme heat and multi-hour hikes make it one of Ethiopia's most challenging treks, built for travelers who want raw landscape and geological extremes over comfort.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French and German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (16 to 29 years); Child (2 to 10 years).

How physically demanding is the Danakil Depression tour?

Erta Ale is ranked as one of the most physically challenging natural attractions in Ethiopia. The operator requires a high level of physical fitness and does not recommend the tour for travelers with spinal injuries, cardiovascular conditions, or pregnancy. The 80-kilometer drive to Dodom crosses rough terrain and takes about six hours. The hike to the lava lake happens at altitude and in extreme heat.

What is Erta Ale's lava lake actually like?

Erta Ale contains the world's only permanent lava lake, one of only five lava lakes in existence and the longest-existing one, active since the early twentieth century. The volcano stands 613 meters tall with a 1-square-kilometer caldera at the summit. The main pit crater is 200 meters deep and 350 meters across.

Will I see camel caravans at Dallol?

Dallol's camel caravans are part of the Afar people's salt-mining operation, but they do not run from July through early September. Outside those months, you will walk with the herders and see the caravans loading salt mined from the colorful formations at 116 meters below sea level.

What is included in the 3-day tour price?

The tour includes private transportation, a live guide in English, French or German, all meals, unlimited bottled water, camping equipment, cooking materials and a cook, entrance fees, and fuel. Alcoholic drinks, tips and personal expenses are not included.