Join our 3-day Danakil Depression tour for a thrilling trek to Erta Ale volcano, camping under the stars, and breathtaking volcanic landscapes.
Join our 3-day Danakil Depression tour for a thrilling trek to Erta Ale volcano, camping under the stars, and breathtaking volcanic landscapes.
DAY 1: (ADDIS- SEMARA- AHMED ILA)
Danakil Depression - In the morning, you’ll fly from Addis Ababa to Samara (arriving around 08:20 am) and then continue your journey to Ahmed Ila upon meeting us. Lunch will be near Lake Afdera, offering a beautiful viewpoint after some salt desert pit stops near volcanoes. This is where the Danakil Depression…
DAY 1: (ADDIS- SEMARA- AHMED ILA)
Danakil Depression - In the morning, you’ll fly from Addis Ababa to Samara (arriving around 08:20 am) and then continue your journey to Ahmed Ila upon meeting us. Lunch will be near Lake Afdera, offering a beautiful viewpoint after some salt desert pit stops near volcanoes. This is where the Danakil Depression tour truly begins. It’s one of the most spectacular yet inhospitable regions in the world! The landscape becomes drier and less inhabited but remains serene. We may encounter a few locals for coffee, but not many people are around.
Ahmed Ila is vibrant with eye-catching colors, especially in the sulfur springs. The desert has several points lying more than 130 meters (328 ft) below sea level; you’ll pass through areas where camel caravans stop before heading to the northern highlands. We drive to Ahmed Ila, a village with a population of about 500 people. In the afternoon, after visiting various sites, you’ll spend the night at the Ahmed Ila campsite under the sky!
DAY 2: (AHMED ILA- DALLOL- ERTALE)
Erta Ale - Tour from Ahmed Ila to Ragad (Asebo), where locals mine salt by breaking it from the ground, cutting it into rectangular pieces, and loading it onto camels.
Then, we’ll take an excursion to Dallol to see the different landscapes formed by volcanic activity (130 meters below sea level, one of the lowest places in the world), where colorful salts are mined. We’ll visit Lake Asale, follow camel caravans, and walk with the Afar people.
We’ll drive back to Ahmed Ila, and after lunch, you’ll proceed to Ertale (which means smoky mountain in the Afar language) for dramatic volcanic action. Erta’Ale is one of the most alluring and physically challenging natural attractions in Ethiopia. It contains the world’s only permanent lava lake. You’ll spend time on top of the mountain, at the rim of the volcano. After visiting the volcano, you’ll trek back to the campsite, where dinner will be served, and you’ll spend the night at the Askoma campsite of Erta Ale.
DAY 3: (ERTALE- SAMARA- ADDIS)
Afdera - Early in the morning, you’ll witness a beautiful sunrise from the volcano’s crater and observe the volcano before trekking back to the campsite. After breakfast, you’ll start driving to Samara, passing through Lake Afdera. Here, you can swim, float on the salt lake, and enjoy the nearby hot springs. Lunch will be served in Afdera after swimming and relaxing in the lake. In the afternoon, you’ll drive to Samara and take the return flight to Addis (ET-165, departing at 17:30 and arriving in Addis at 18:50). You’ll spend the night in Addis.
Length: 305km
Drive/ Tour hours: 5-6 hours
Overnight: ////////////////
- Private transportation
- Experienced cook with cooking material and camping equipment
- Local guide service for the Afar region
- Lunch
- Scout and ranger
- Dinner
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Plenty of bottled water
- Breakfast
- All fees and/or taxes
- Camel and camel handler
- Accommodation and all meals as described throughout the tour
- Private transportation
- Experienced cook with cooking material and camping equipment
- Local guide service for the Afar region
- Lunch
- Scout and ranger
- Dinner
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Plenty of bottled water
- Breakfast
- All fees and/or taxes
- Camel and camel handler
- Accommodation and all meals as described throughout the tour
- Personal expenses and tips
- We’ll supply equipment only where it necessary for the activities we run
- What you need to bring: Light for night walk, Closed shoes, sun protection and jacket.
- Personal expenses and tips
- We’ll supply equipment only where it necessary for the activities we run
- What you need to bring: Light for night walk, Closed shoes, sun protection and jacket.
Embark on a truly unique adventure across Ethiopia’s volcanic landscapes with our three-day tour. Beginning at Ahmed Ila Campsite, guests will experience the rare thrill of sleeping under the stars amid volcanic activity. Day two brings camping near the awe-inspiring Ascoma Campsite, offering unparalleled views of the majestic volcano. The highlight is…
Embark on a truly unique adventure across Ethiopia’s volcanic landscapes with our three-day tour. Beginning at Ahmed Ila Campsite, guests will experience the rare thrill of sleeping under the stars amid volcanic activity. Day two brings camping near the awe-inspiring Ascoma Campsite, offering unparalleled views of the majestic volcano. The highlight is day three’s trek to Erta Ale, a live volcano. This tour blends adventure, natural wonder, and cultural immersion seamlessly, ensuring comfort, safety, and unforgettable memories for those seeking an extraordinary journey through one of Earth’s most dynamic geological regions.
- We can accommodate dietary restrictions
- We can accommodate dietary restrictions
- we are able to accommodate various dietary needs.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.