"3-Day Danakil Depression: Explore Earth's Hottest Wonderland"

Overview

Available languages

English

72 hours

Mobile ticket

Danakil Depression

A geological depression caused by the continental drift of three tectonic plates, the Danakil Depression is one of Earth’s most unusual environments. Renowned as the ‘hottest place on the planet’ and home to salt lakes, lava lakes, volcanoes, and colourful acidic springs, it’s a wonderful, alien environment.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

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

Bottles of water for the trip.

Transport expense with four-wheel drive Land-cruiser including fuel expense and driver allowance

Cooking, camping equipment,

Sleeping bags

Local guide service for the afar regions as per the program

Scout and police service in the Afar Region as per the program

All Entrance fees and licenses are as per the program.

Domestic flight

personal expanse

international flight

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Semera Airport

Semera Ethiopia

What To Expect

Day 1

Semera–Hamedela

Accommodations

overnight camping at Hamedela

Food and Drinks

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

LUNCH

Lunch

DINNER

Dinner

You will fly from Addis to Semera, and you will drive about 5-6 hrs to reach Hamed Ela. On the way, you will stop at Lake Afdera for lunch and maybe even swim a bit. In the next camping village this evening, we will visit Lake Asale with salt flats and have wine or beer drinks in the stunning place while you are swimming in the salt lake. o/n open-air camping at Hamedela

5 hours • Admission Included

Day 2

Dalol-Erta Ale (volcano)

Accommodations

Erta Ale camping

Food and Drinks

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

LUNCH

Lunch

DINNER

Dinner

Dallol

After breakfast, you will drive to the colourful attractions of Dalol, which is located at -125 below sea level. Here you will visit the different landscapes formed by volcanic activity: Dallol, Lake Assal, and camel caravans. Excursion to Dallol (116 meters below sea level, one of the lowest places in the world): colourful salt mining. After we visit all the attractions, continue driving to Erta Ale, which ranks as one of the most alluring and physically challenging natural attractions in Ethiopia. It is a shield volcano with a base diameter of 30 km and a 1 km square caldera at its summit. Erta Ale contains the world’s only permanent lava lake. It is 613 meters in altitude, with a lava lake. The drive may take about 4 hrs, passing through a changing landscape of solidified lava rock and sand. After passing several small hamlets scattered here and there in this deserted land, you will arrive at the Erta Ale camping site. After a short break and early dinner, just before sunset.

4 hours • Admission Included

Day 3

: Ertale-Semera

Food and Drinks

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

LUNCH

Lunch

Erta Ale

Early in the morning, you visit boiling lava again, and after breakfast, drive to Afdera, about 2 hrs. away. From Afdera, drive on the asphalt road to Semera for about 3:30 hrs to Semera airport.

3 hours • Admission Included

Options

"3-Day Danakil Depression: Explore Earth's Hottest Wonderland"

Pickup included

Reviews

4.75

4 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Vowland is Outstanding
E8091EPdavida,
Nov 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a great time in Dankile. It was one of the most amazing experiences we've had. All the guides and drivers were very friendly. We cannot thank Vowland Ethiopia Tours enough for making this trip unforgettable. We highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Ethiopia. Thank you so much!
Great experience
inavilikked,
Nov 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
Fantastic tour. Wonderful crew. Magical experience. A little low on organization and facilities, but the crew did all they could to make it a good experience for all
What an adventure :-)))
melorenevier,
Nov 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Hey thanks so much ! That was an amazing 3 days trip. Awesome guide and driver. Caring all the way. We had so much fun. Very beautiful experience. Local people are so kind. Breathless landscapes. Many diverses places and atmospheres. So rich. Delicious food. So cool to camp, sleep outside. Great walks. So many surprises await you. Thanks for all the organizing 🤗🤩🙏🤩
this will change your life
Navigate21304075060,
May 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was the best trip of my life! I am very grateful to the team and our guide Fish for such an experience. This is something that everyone should go through to rethink their lives. The conditions were extreme, but the team did everything to make us as comfortable as possible. We were fed very tasty, at night we slept like babies on clean bed linen. We were in places of crazy beauty!!! Dallol will forever remain in my heart. We will remember this trip for the rest of our lives! Thank you!