3-Day Danakil Depression Tour: Erta Ale Live Volcano

Three days camping in Earth's lowest, hottest region: sulfur springs, salt mining, and a live volcano at the rim

A 3-day group tour of Ethiopia's Danakil Depression starting from Addis Ababa, with camping at Ahmed Ila and near Erta Ale volcano. You fly to Samara, trek to the world's only permanent lava lake, watch salt miners and camel caravans at work, and float in Lake Afdera's mineral-rich water. The tour includes all transport, meals, accommodation in small camping beds under the stars, and an English-speaking guide.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Flight to Ahmed Ila and camping

• Fly from Addis Ababa to Samara
• Drive to Ahmed Ila via Lake Afdera
• Visit salt desert and sulfur springs
• Overnight camping at Ahmed Ila campsite

Day 2: Salt mining and volcano visit

• Visit salt mining at Ragad (Asebo)
• Explore Dallol volcanic landscapes
• Visit Lake Asale and camel caravans
• Drive to Erta Ale volcano
• Visit Erta Ale lava lake
• Overnight camping at Askoma campsite

Day 3: Sunrise, lake swim and return

• Watch sunrise at Erta Ale volcano
• Trek back to campsite and have breakfast
• Drive to Lake Afdera for swimming
• Lunch at Lake Afdera
• Drive to Samara
• Fly from Samara to Addis Ababa

The experience

You arrive in Addis Ababa and fly to Samara on the morning of day one, then drive to Ahmed Ila Campsite in the Danakil Depression. The landscape shifts from inhabited highlands to salt desert as you pass volcanic pit stops and Lake Afdera, stopping for lunch with views across one of Earth's lowest and most inhospitable regions. Ahmed Ila itself sits 130 meters below sea level, surrounded by sulfur springs and eye-catching mineral colors. You sleep in a small camping bed under the stars, nourished by the volcanic atmosphere.

Day two moves from Ahmed Ila to Ragad, where you watch salt miners breaking salt from the ground and loading rectangular blocks onto camels. The same caravans that have crossed this region for centuries. From there you drive to Dallol, another site of colorful salt mining 130 meters below sea level, one of the world's lowest places. You walk with Afar people, follow camel caravans, and visit Lake Asale before driving back to Ahmed Ila for lunch. In the afternoon you head to Erta Ale, which means "smoky mountain" in the Afar language. After trekking to the rim of the volcano to see the world's only permanent lava lake, you return to Askoma Campsite near the volcano for dinner and another night under the stars.

On day three you wake early to watch the sunrise from the volcano's crater, then trek back to camp for breakfast. The drive to Samara passes through Lake Afdera again, where you swim and float on the salt water's surface, relaxing in nearby hot springs before lunch. You drive to Samara in the afternoon and take the return flight to Addis Ababa, arriving at 18:50 (departure 17:30). All transportation is air-conditioned, all meals are included throughout, and the guide speaks English.

What’s included

• Flights from Addis Ababa to Samara and return.
• air-conditioned vehicle for all ground transport.
• accommodation in camping beds at Ahmed Ila and Askoma campsites.
• all meals throughout the tour.
• entry to Dallol, Lake Asale, and Erta Ale volcano.
• an English-speaking guide.
• swimming and hot springs access at Lake Afdera.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 49 years) · Senior (50 to 75 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for heart conditions

Operated by Simen Land Tours

Is this one for you?Pick this three-day version if you want to reach the live volcano summit and see the salt plains: the shorter option skips one or both, while longer trips retrace the same ground.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (5 to 12 years). Under 5: they can't be included in the booking.

What is Erta Ale and what will I see there?

Erta Ale is a live volcano in Ethiopia's Danakil Depression that contains the world's only permanent lava lake. You trek to the rim of the crater on day two evening and spend time watching the volcanic activity before returning to camp.

Where do I sleep on this tour?

You sleep in small camping beds under the stars at Ahmed Ila Campsite on night one and at Askoma Campsite near Erta Ale on night two, both in the Danakil Depression. On night three you return to Addis Ababa after the afternoon flight.

What happens at Lake Afdera?

Lake Afdera is a salt lake where you swim and float on the mineral-rich water on day three morning. The lake's high salt content makes floating effortless, and nearby hot springs are available for relaxing after your swim.

How do I get to the Danakil Depression from Addis Ababa?

You fly from Addis Ababa to Samara on the morning of day one (arrival around 08:20 am), then drive to Ahmed Ila Campsite to begin the tour. The return flight departs Samara on day three at 17:30, arriving in Addis at 18:50.

What will I see the salt miners doing at Ragad?

At Ragad (also called Asebo), salt miners break salt blocks from the ground, cut them into rectangular pieces, and load them onto camels for transport. You watch this centuries-old practice and see the camel caravans that carry the salt across the region.