3 Day Danakil Depression Ertale and Dallol Tours

Overview

Available languages

English

72 hours

Mobile ticket

The Danakil Depression is in the Afar region of northern Ethiopia, is one of the hottest and lowest place on the planet. A searing hot, brutal desert landscape dotted with stunning geological formations, salt lakes, acid springs, volcanoes, salt canyon and salt flats. Danakil Depression (or Afar Depression) exhibits some uncommon wonders: lava that burns blue, bright yellow hot springs, and lakes of bubbling mud.

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 at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Entry/Admission Dallol/Danakil Depression

All Fees and Taxes

All Entrance fee

Entry/Admission Dallol Danakil Depression

Air-conditioned vehicle

Plenty of Bottled water

Entry/admission Erta Ale

Alcohol beverage

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

Day 1

Semera-Erta Ale (volcano)

Accommodations

Over Night camping at Erta Ale Volcano

Food and Drinks

LUNCH

Lunch

DINNER

Dinner

At Semera, you’ll pile into the Toyota Landcruiser that will take you into the Danakil in convoy. You’ll begin the drive into the Danakil Depression at around 9AM. The roads leading out of Semera are smooth and asphalted, and as you drive further out of town there are some wonderful views of the Afar landscape. As you drive further towards the Afdera Town (Salt Lake), the roads get rougher until you reach the Danakil desert. Here, the roads are a maze of solidified lava, rock and sand with an occasional palm lined oasis. You will stop for lunch before continuing to the base camp of the Erta Ale volcano. The drive from Semera to Dodom is around 7 hours. Your cooking team will wait you prepare dinner. As the sun begins to dip behind the horizon, you begin the 1 and half-hour hike up Erta Ale. You’ll reach the crater rim around 7:00PM, where the fiery lava lake awaits and You’ll spend the sometime on the volcano and you will descend to the camp site then you will be served your dinner.

9 hours • Admission Not Applicable

Day 2

Ertale-Hamed Ela-sunset(Lake Asale)

Accommodations

Overnight at Hamed Ela

Food and Drinks

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

LUNCH

Lunch

DINNER

Dinner

This day wake up early morning hike to the top of the crater to visit the volcano activities for the second time before the sun rises to high. Visit the lava lake one last time before beginning the 3-hour drive to Hamed Ela (Dallol). You’ll begin your descent around 6:30AM and will reach at camp site by 8AM at the latest for breakfast. Today you’ll drive across the sweeping salt pans of the Danakil towards the small hamlet of Hamed Ela. You will reach around 1:30 pm then Visit Hamed Ela village its total population of about 600 people to see the life style of the local afar people and you’ll drive to Lake Asale visit to Lake Asale ,to see local people mining salt and making salt into rectangle shape then uploading on camels and the camel caravans. The sun set over Lake Asale is extraordinary and Salt Lake Asale a huge salty lake where you will swim in the natural pool Salt Lake having snack. Then drive back to Hamed Ela and around 7:30pm served your dinner.

8 hours • Admission Included

Day 3

Hamed Ela (Dallol)- Semera

Accommodations

No accommodation on this day

Food and Drinks

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

LUNCH

Lunch

Danakil Depression

Wake up early morning drive to Dallol, one of the most stunning geological phenomena on the planet and one of the lowest hottest on the planet and with average temperature of 35 degree Celsius there are a day when temperature exceed 48 degree Celsius-and average annual rainfall of between 100 and 200m,it is rightly considered one of inhospitable places on the earth. The kaleidoscopic landscape its various acidic colors with fumaroles of greens, reds, and yellows formed by acidic springs and salt mounds create an alien landscape, watch the local Afar people mining the salt from the ground, loading on to the camel caravans and formation of salt canyon. At salt canyon you will have your breakfast around 9:am and you will drive to Semera around 3:30 -4:00pm then directly drive to Semera airport to take your flight to Addis.

8 hours • Admission Included

Options

3 Day Danakil Depression Ertale and Dallol Tours

Pickup included

Reviews

5.00

51 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Fun time at Danakil :D
johnkR6645XW,
Dec 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Went alone. Had fun, met the locals and other tourists, and got to see danakil. Really nice experience overall. Probably bring a mask or face covering just in case. When i went, volcano had erupted and there was ashes everywhere. Also sulfur smell. Sadly, since volcano erupted when i visited, there wasnt a lava river, but of course, the crater I saw was brand new. Mother nature gives and takes
The Best Desert visit in the world with a great company
Alexandre M,
Oct 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This company is reliable! They helped me With everything ! The 4x4 vehicle was comfortable and with AC very nice! The food was good ! The places I don’t know even need to talk about, AMAZING! And the most important: GUIDE Aman , and all the DRIVERS and. chef , THEY WERE SO ADORABLE AND NICE !
An incredible 8 day Ethiopia itinerary - highly recommended!
hannahhU5102CF,
Oct 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Truly incredible! Mickey was amazing at planning our 8 days in the country and his communication and ability to adapt the plan was brilliant. I arrived with an illness I picked up in my home country and he instantly adapted our plan to let me rest for a day. He still ensured we got to see everything we had wanted to. We were so well looked after from day 1 to day 8. I asked for a tailor made plan for the 8 days, fitting in Gondar, Bahir Dar, Addis Ababa and Danakil Depression and Mickey organised it with precision. All local guides were great and had amazing knowledge of the area, country and best places to visit. Everyone we dealt with was so professional and friendly! I highly recommend contacting Mickey to organise your trip to Ethiopia, my friend and I agreed it was the best holiday we’ve been on in so long! I will definitely be returning to Ethiopia and asking Mickey to plan the next trip!
Fast response and Reliable tour operator
florencejO6276HC,
Oct 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Had a very good experience with the Danakil Depression Tour and Travel. I really appreciate our trip adviser Ms. Mickey Mitiku who managed our trip in such a good manner that makes our trip unforgettable. Eferem is very co-operative and humble. We planned for the 3 days danakil tour and got a good 3 organization along with delicious food and a seperate cab for sightseeing. All the staff and driver were very cooperative and the tour package was also within our budget. I would recommend Danakil Depression tour and travel for planning budget friendly vacations. ....Thank you so much...
Unforgettable experience in the Danakil Depression
FiliFrance99,
Oct 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I had an amazing experience with Danakil Depression Tours. Our guide Jonas was fantastic, kind, funny and very knowledgeable. Mikey, the manager, is such a great person; he even offered me lunch and took me for a small tour the day before departure, which made me feel very welcome. The tour was well organized and not too tiring. Most of the time we travelled by car with short walks and excursions of about one or two hours. The landscapes were absolutely unique, with salt lakes, volcanic craters, colorful formations and endless desert views that felt like another planet. The food was very good, mostly pasta, vegetables and meat, so it’s something anyone can eat without any problem. At first I was a bit worried about the food, but it turned out to be great and well prepared. Everything was perfectly arranged, the team was professional and caring, and I always felt safe and comfortable. I truly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to discover one of the most fascinating and surreal places on Earth.
The best of Ethiopia
SyaimaaRahim,
Sep 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We did thorough research before booking with this company, and true to what many other reviewers said, Mickey and his team proved to be exceptionally reliable. Communication was prompt and professional, and Mickey even went the extra mile to help us find accommodation in Addis Ababa—something that wasn’t part of the tour package. When I accidentally transferred double the deposit, Mickey refunded the extra amount immediately, which spoke volumes about his honesty and integrity. We also had the pleasure of meeting him in person, and he was as warm and friendly. On the tour itself, our guide Yohannes was professional, attentive, and genuinely kind. We felt safe and well cared for throughout the journey. On the first day, our vehicle broke down in the middle of nowhere, but assistance arrived surprisingly quickly, turning what could have been a stressful situation into part of the adventure. Dallol was hot but Yohannes really made sure we are well and safe. He even had to get extra watet for us and we were so grateful to him. The rest of the trip was incredible—Danakil is truly breathtaking. The food was good, the arrangements were smooth, and sleeping under the stars was a magical experience. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Mickey, Yohannes, and his team to my family and friends planning a trip to Ethiopia.
The best tour in Ethiopia. Period.
andreanW1105UX,
Sep 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
One of the best experience of my life! Mickey and Ebi were so professional and funny at the same time! Thanks to them we felt safe all the time all around Ethiopia and Dancalia. Book with them and you will not regret it!
An Outstanding Tour Guide – and a Great Driver!”
Zelis traveler,
May 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Our tour guide Kbrom was absolutely fantastic! From the very beginning, he impressed us with his friendly manner and extensive knowledge. He made the tour not only informative but also very entertaining. What stood out in particular was how caring and empathetic he was, especially towards my 82-year-old colleague. He always made sure she was comfortable and included. We also had an excellent driver who navigated every route safely and smoothly. His calm and professional manner made the journeys very pleasant and relaxing. Together, they made this trip an unforgettable experience. Highly recommended! Thank you Kbrom
Don’t miss a trip to Danakil!
olgaz211,
Apr 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We booked a tour to Danakil with this company and never regretted because everything was very well organised from meeting in the airport until bringing you back to the airport. We had 2 nights sleeping under the sky;) saw colourful Dallol and were very lucky to see and stand close to an open chimney of volcano Erta Ale, seeing boiling lava, because it has opened just a week before our arrival. Yes, the road during the trip is not easy and bumpy very often but our driver Efram was very experienced and we never had any problems. We also never had any problems with the food because breakfast/lunch/dinner were well organised in the campsite, or just during our stops, made by local tribes, and I must say it was very good, even without meat (there are no fridges therefore the food will be always fresh). Both our driver and a guide were speaking a very good English. The only advice I could give to travellers is to take some warm jacket/trousers only for the night at the volcano, the ground there is warm but the wind was very strong and cold, even with blankets. I 100% recommend you not to miss this tour once you are in Ethiopia, it definitely worth it. At the end how many people can say they have been in the hottest place on the earth?;)
Highly recommend and beyond expectation
aphroditeo667,
Apr 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Chris and I have just finished a 16 day tour with Danakil Depression tours. We could not fault the way everything came together. Airport pickups were on time and even when some of our flights were delayed by up two hours the guide was still waiting! Accommodation was great. The drivers and guides throughout were courteous and always obliging. Great sense of humor with lots of laughs! Nothing was ever a problem. It was also obvious that they enjoyed what were they doing and had exceptional knowledge. Mickey contacted the guides during our trip just to make sure all was well. His attention to detail was excellent. Would have no hesitation in recommending his company. We had a fantastic time with some fantastic experiences. I am unable to download some photos yet but will endeavor to later.