3 Day Danakil Depression Dallol & Ertale Tours
Overview
Available languages
72 hours
Mobile ticket
Experience the breathtaking landscapes of the Danakil Depression, from stunning sulfur springs to the iconic Erta Ale volcano with its mesmerizing lava lake. Immerse yourself in the rich culture of the Afar people and witness unforgettable natural wonders. Book now for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure!
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Private transportation
unlimited bottles of water
Entrance fees
Polices
Cooking materials and cooks
Guide
Fuel and drivers allowances
Camping equipments
Alcholic drinks
Tipings
Personal expenses
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Fly from addis to semera -hamedella
Accommodations
Over night camping
Food and Drinks
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
Semera
Day 1 Start Danakil Tour Morning tour Drive to Ragad (Asebo), the place where the localities are mining salt. Look at the activity of workers breaking salts from the ground, cutting in to rectangular pieces, and loading on camels. You drive ahead to Dallol and visit the different landscapes formed by volcanic activity, Dallol + Lake Assal + camel caravans. Excursion to Dallol (116 meters below sea level, one of the lowest places in the world) colorful salts mining, visit Lake Assal, follow up camel caravans (No camel caravan on July, August, and early September), and walk with the Afar people. Drive to Hamed Ela. Overnight at Hamadella
Hamadella-ertale
Accommodations
Outdoor camping
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
Danakil Depression
Day 2 Dallol To Erta Ale We start our day by driving to Erta Ale (which means smoky mountain in the Afar language). Erta Ale ranks one of the most alluring and physically challenging natural attractions anywhere in Ethiopia. It is a shield volcano with a base diameter of 30 km and 1km square caldera at its summit. Erta Ale contains the world’s only permanent lava lake. It is 613 meters, with a lava lake, one of only five in the world, at the summit. It is notable for being the longest existing lava lake, present since the early years of the twentieth century. We start early at 9:00 AM, drive to Dodom (at the base of Erta Ale). This is maybe one of the roughest roads in the world. The 80 km distance may take about 6 hrs passing through changing landscape of solidified lava, rock, sand and occasional palm lined oasis. After passing several small hamlets scattered here and there in this deserted land, you will arrive at Dodom camping site, located about 17km .
Danakil To semera via ertale
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
Day 3 Danakil To Semera Early Morning sunrise at the northern one corresponds to the main pit crater and walk 5 minutes for the southern and central pits could either corresponds to an ancient pit, or to a simple collapse structure. The main pit-crater, 200 m deep and 350 m across, is sub-circular and three-storied. The smaller southern pit is 65 m wide and about 100 m deep. Descend from Erta Ale around 9 am Dodom – Leave back to Dodom after an early breakfast, if possible, at 07:00 o’clock. You will reach the latest at 10:30 o’clock at the camp, where you will be relaxing. As soon as possible, drive to reach the mythical Lake Giulietti (or Lake Afrera)(optional may not be available during summertime), a saltwater lake located more than100 meters below sea level, in one of the deepest depressions of the planet. Because of the picturesque landscape, it is interesting to visit the salt flats where the Afar people obtain the salt by evaporating the water of the lake, continue to Semera.
Options
3 Day Danakil Depression Dallol & Ertale Tours
Pickup included
Reviews
7 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Private 3-Day Danakil Trip! A Once in a Lifetime Experience
travelbymonkey,
Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I don’t even know where to start… Our 3-day trip to the Danakil Depression with Discover Simien Mountains was an absolutely unforgettable experience, not only because of the surreal landscapes but also thanks to the incredible people we got to meet and travel with. We chose a private tour, and during our journey, we were joined by Bahran (guide), Addis (driver), and Habtu (cook) – each of them was such a kind, warm, and genuine person. If you’re planning a trip to Danakil or any other part of Ethiopia with Discover Simien Mountains, I truly recommend asking for Addis – he’s an amazing person and an excellent driver. Our guide (Bahran) explained everything clearly and with great passion. We learned so much about Dallol, the salt lakes, and the volcanoes. The food was another highlight! Habtu somehow managed to cook fresh, tasty meals right in the middle of the desert. We always had enough water and soft drinks, and even got to enjoy some Ethiopian beer or wine while watching the sunset on the salt lake an unforgettable experience. We also really appreciated the small but thoughtful details, like the portable shower provided during the tour – in such hot conditions, it was a true blessing! What made this trip even more special was the planning: while most operators follow a similar route, the Discover Simien Mountains team made sure we could arrive early to the main sights and enjoy them in peace before other groups arrived. That sense of privacy and exclusivity was priceless. We cannot recommend Discover Simien Mountains highly enough – if you’re planning a trip to Danakil or any other region in Ethiopia, this is the team you want to travel with. We felt safe, well taken care of, and genuinely welcomed throughout the journey. We left with the most beautiful memories the kind that stay with you long after the trip ends. It’s hard to put it all into words… you simply have to experience it yourself!
Amazing 3-Day Trip to the Danakil Depression
G4156JFjom,
Jul 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had the best time on my 3 day tour of the Danakil Depression! Everything was well organized — from the itinerary and transportation to the food and safety. The landscapes were out of this world, and our guides were friendly, knowledgeable, and made the trip unforgettable. I highly recommend this experience to anyone looking for a truly unique adventure.
a trip of a life time -highly recommend discover simien tour
Y3683YCmarkw,
May 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00i had the best trip to the danakil depression before i got to ethiopia i had heard that it was not possible to travel north due to the conflict but,it was safe to visit the danakil depression abd some parts of tigiray and the amhara region. to be honest,there is still conflict in certain areas of the amhara region. i joined a tour of the danakil depression organized by sahlie and he was quick to answer all of my questions via email. We visited some of the most unique and extreme places on Earth, including Dallol, which is both the hottest and lowest place on the planet, Salt Mountains, Salt Flats, and the stunning Salt Lakes. The highlight of the trip was undoubtedly the Erta Ale Volcano, home to one of the most active lava lakes in the world. Witnessing this incredible natural phenomenon was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you're looking to explore one of the most unique places on Earth with a company that truly cares about providing a top-tier experience, Discover Simien Tour is the way to go. I would absolutely recommend them to anyone looking to venture into the Danakil Depression or beyond!
Great organization and reachability
T8002IGthomasj,
May 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Sahlie organized for us a tour in Lalibela, Addis and Danakil. The communication was very good and he was fast in replying. We had a great time in Ethiopia.
Amazing 3-Day Danakil Depression Tour!
liamcU5302VD,
Mar 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00i just completed an incredible 3 day tour to the danakil depression and I can't recommend this tour company enough! from start to finish ,everything was perfect.the guides and drivers were absolutely fantastic -extremely knowledgeable,professional and made sure we were always comfortable and safe.they took great care of us throughout the entire journey.navigating the harsh landscapes of the Danakil Depression with ease and ensuring everyone had a memorable experience. The food was also a highlight! Delicious local dishes that really gave us a taste of the culture and made the long days of exploration more enjoyable. The company itself was top-notch—very accommodating, friendly, and always willing to go the extra mile to make the tour as enjoyable as possible. They were responsive, organized, and made sure every detail was taken care of. If you’re looking for an unforgettable experience in one of the world’s most unique and extreme environments, I highly recommend this tour company. Thank you for such an amazing adventure!
Best tour of danakil depression
V6074DBgeorgeo,
Mar 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had an amazing tour in Ethiopia, perfectly organized by Sahlie. The guides were knowledgeable, and the staff was friendly and attentive throughout. The highlight was the Danakil Depression, with its unique landscapes, salt flats, and volcanic craters—truly an otherworldly experience. Highly recommend this tour for anyone wanting to explore Ethiopia!
An unforgettable 2-week adventure in Ethiopia and the Danakil Desert with Discover Simien Tour
jos dA2263KV,
Feb 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our group of six friends enjoyed a two-week private tour organized by Discover Simien Tour, centered in northern Ethiopia, and our trip to the Danakil Desert for 3 days was magical. All our accommodations were comfortable and ensured our safety throughout the trip. Overall, this company provided a fantastic experience with beautiful scenery and an expert guide, Sahlie, and comfortable vehicles throughout the tour. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to explore Ethiopia.
From US$620.00
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