3-Day Danakil Depression Tour: Erta Ale & Dallol

Hike an active volcano and walk salt flats 130 meters below sea level

A 3-day tour through Ethiopia's Danakil Depression with an English-speaking guide, covering the active Erta Ale volcano, the salt flats of Lake Asale and Dallol's mineral canyons. You'll camp at the volcano rim, float in the hypersaline lake at Afdera, and witness camel caravans hauling salt across the desert. Pickup from Semera Airport is included. The tour requires moderate fitness and involves early starts, hiking and open-air camping in extreme heat.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Semera to Erta Ale volcano

• Pick up from Semera Airport
• Coffee and juice break in Semera
• Drive to Afdera
• Lunch in Afdera
• Swim and float in Lake Afdera
• Drive to Erta Ale base camp
• Hike to Erta Ale volcano rim
• Camp overnight at Erta Ale rim

Day 2: Erta Ale to Ahmed Ela village

• Depart base camp at 8am
• Arrive in Hamedela village
• Unload camping gear and cook
• Visit Lake Karum salt flats
• Watch sunset at Lake Asale
• See camel caravans at Ahmedela
• Dinner and camping in Ahmedela

Day 3: Dallol and return to Semera

• Drive to Dallol for sunrise
• Explore salt canyons near Dallol
• Visit hypersaline springs near Dallol
• See turquoise saline pond
• Explore Lake Asale salt flats
• Drive back to Semera Airport

The experience

Day one starts at 8 a.m. with pickup from Semera Airport, followed by a coffee break in town before a drive south to Afdera. This salt-production hub sits 102 meters below sea level, and after lunch you'll swim and float in the saline lake. The water holds you up without effort. From there, a relaxed drive takes you to Erta Ale volcano. You arrive at base camp around 6 p.m., then hike 30 minutes to the rim. The volcano is one of the few places on Earth with an active lava lake, and you'll camp open-air at the rim to photograph the sunrise.

Day two departs base camp at 8 a.m. and reaches Hamedela by 4 p.m., a small town built by salt miners. After the camp is set up, you drive to Lake Asale to watch the sunset over the salt flats while camel caravans cross the desert carrying salt bricks to Ahmedela. The tour hosts a small gathering before dinner and another night camping in the village.

Day three begins in early morning for the drive to Dallol, one of the hottest and lowest places on Earth at 130 meters below sea level. The landscape is shaped by volcanic activity and mineral deposits: salt canyons west of Mount Dallol form bizarre towers and pinnacles. You'll see bubbling springs of hypersaline water near Dallol, colored black by dissolved potassium salts, and a turquoise pond created by minerals in the water. At Assa Ale salt flat, you observe traditional salt excavation and watch the camel caravans at work. The drive back to Semera Airport takes you there by 4 p.m., or you can continue to Mekele if you plan to visit Tigray churches, Axum or Lalibela.

What’s included

• All permits and entrance fees.
• air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced English-speaking guide.
• camping gear including mattress and bedsheets.
• meals throughout the 3 days.
• pickup from Semera Airport.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 to 75 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (2 to 12 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Great Ethiopian Tours

Is this one for you?The tour runs three full days with early starts, open-air camping in extreme heat, and a 30-minute hike to the volcano rim. This pace and the remote camping are what make it possible to reach both Erta Ale's active lava lake and Dallol's mineral canyons in a single trip.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (2 to 12 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What's the hike like at Erta Ale volcano?

The hike from base camp to the rim takes 30 minutes and is moderate in difficulty. You reach the rim in time to explore the active lava lake before camping at the top to photograph the sunrise.

Where do I sleep on this tour?

You camp open-air both nights: the first at the rim of Erta Ale volcano under the stars, the second in Ahmedela village near Lake Asale. The tour provides camping gear, mattress and bedsheets.

Can I swim in the salt lakes?

Yes. At Lake Afdera on day one, you'll swim and float in the hypersaline water after lunch. Lake Asale on day two is a salt flat where you walk and observe the landscape rather than swim, but the water's extreme salinity makes floating effortless.

What time do we start each day?

Day one pickup is at 8 a.m. from Semera Airport. Day two departs base camp at 8 a.m. Day three begins in early morning to reach Dallol for sunrise, then returns to Semera by 4 p.m.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes all permits and entrance fees, an air-conditioned vehicle, an experienced English-speaking local guide, camping gear with mattress and bedsheets, and pickup from Semera Airport. Meals are provided. Domestic flights to Semera are not.

Is this tour suitable for someone with limited hiking experience?

The tour requires at least moderate physical fitness. The main hike is 30 minutes to Erta Ale's rim, but the 3-day itinerary involves early starts, open-air camping in extreme heat, and long drives across rough terrain. It's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy.