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3 Days Danakil Depression Tours

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Overview

Available languages

English

3 days

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 To Expect

Day 1

Addis Ababa-Semera-erta ale

Accommodations

Camping gears

Food and Drinks

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

LUNCH

Lunch

DINNER

Dinner

1

Erta Ale

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.

7 hours • Admission Included
Day 2

Erta Ale-Dallol

Accommodations

Camping

Food and Drinks

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

LUNCH

Lunch

DINNER

Dinner

1

Erta Ale

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.

6 hours • Admission Included
Day 3

dallol-semera-Addis

Food and Drinks

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

LUNCH

Lunch

1

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.

7 hours • Admission Not Applicable

What‘s Included

Scout/police

plenty of bottled water everyday

Camping gears /Accommodations

All entrance fee for 3 days

Air-conditioned vehicle

Accompany guide and local guide

Coffee and/or Tea

Alcoholic Beverages

Gratuities

Pickup points

Semera Airport

Semera Ethiopia

Best Western Plus Addis Ababa

Bole Medhanealem Road Addis Ababa Ethiopia

Options

3 Days Danakil Depression Tours

Pickup included

Reviews

5.00

4 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

4
0
0
0
0
  • Danakil is wild – hot, intense, and totally worth it

    annajM656EU,Mar 23, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    I did the 3-day Danakil Depression tour and it was honestly one of the craziest places I’ve ever seen. The colors at Dallol don’t even look real, and the night at Erta Ale watching the lava was something I’ll never forget. It’s definitely a rough environment, but everything was organized really well and the team made it as comfortable as possible.

  • Danakil blew my mind – seriously unreal experience

    X5950EFjonasj,Mar 19, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    I honestly didn’t know what to expect, but the 3-day Danakil trip completely exceeded everything. The colors at Dallol look like another planet, and seeing Erta Ale’s lava at night was just insane. It’s definitely not an easy trip because of the heat, but the team made it way more comfortable than I imagined. Food was good, everything was organized, and I always felt taken care of.

  • great Tour Operator

    hazeld517,Sep 9, 2025

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Ethiopia has always been a destination I dreamed of reaching one day, and this dream my husband made come true together with Mr. Rodas o fDanakil Depression Tours. They created a private tour of mekeru made especially for us passing through gondar,bahir dar,lalibela and omo valley for a total of 14 days. Ethiopia is amazing guys ♥♥♥!!!!!!!!!!!! This Tour Operator it was a perfect choice in all fields, from the welcome to the quality of the 5* hotels, the car and the guides proposed in each city. They took into account our needs finding a perfect balance between sightseeing and relaxation. Hospitality, care and precision were present throughout our wonderful journey, but the most beautiful gift that Danakil Depression Tours gave us was our driver melaku who with so much care accompanied us on this wonderful adventure. Thank you melaku for your professionalism and your sweetness you will always remain in our hearts. I highly recommend to anyone!!!!!!!! Thanks to Rodas and to all your Team Danakil Depression Tours

  • Awesome

    Explorer45469918247,Dec 20, 2024

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Had an amazing time with my wife and child. He treated us really well and explained all our annoying questions politely. Thanks mike.

From US$400.00

5.00
(4 reviews)
  • Free cancellation
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