Explore the surreal Danakil Depression: a land of blue lava, yellow springs, and bubbling mud. Discover Earth’s hottest, most otherworldly landscapes.
Explore the surreal Danakil Depression: a land of blue lava, yellow springs, and bubbling mud. Discover Earth’s hottest, most otherworldly landscapes.
Addis Ababa-Semera-Erta Ale
Erta Ale - Upon reaching Semera, travelers will board a Toyota Landcruiser to journey into the Danakil Depression in a convoy. The adventure begins around 9 AM. Initially, the roads from Semera are smooth and paved, offering stunning views of the Afar landscape. As the journey progresses towards Afdera Town (Salt…
Addis Ababa-Semera-Erta Ale
Erta Ale - Upon reaching Semera, travelers will board a Toyota Landcruiser to journey into the Danakil Depression in a convoy. The adventure begins around 9 AM. Initially, the roads from Semera are smooth and paved, offering stunning views of the Afar landscape. As the journey progresses towards Afdera Town (Salt Lake), the terrain becomes rougher until reaching the Danakil desert. Here, the path is a mix of solidified lava, rock, and sand, occasionally interrupted by palm-lined oases. A lunch break is scheduled before continuing to the base camp of the Erta Ale volcano. The drive from Semera to Dodom takes approximately 7 hours. Upon arrival, the cooking team will prepare dinner. As the sun sets, a 1.5-hour hike up Erta Ale begins, reaching the crater rim around 7:00 PM, where the fiery lava lake awaits. After spending some time at the volcano, travelers will descend to the campsite for dinner.
Erta Ale-Dallol
Erta Ale - On this day, an early morning hike to the crater’s top is planned to observe the volcanic activity once more before the sun rises too high. After visiting the lava lake one last time, a 3-hour drive to Hamed Ela (Dallol) begins. The descent starts around 6:30 AM, reaching the campsite by 8 AM for breakfast. The journey continues across the expansive salt pans of the Danakil towards the small hamlet of Hamed Ela, arriving around 1:30 PM. Here, visitors can explore the village, home to about 600 people, and experience the lifestyle of the local Afar community. A visit to Lake Asale follows, where locals mine salt, shape it into rectangles, and load it onto camels for transport. The sunset over Lake Asale is breathtaking, and the Salt Lake offers a natural pool for swimming and snacking. The day concludes with a return to Hamed Ela for dinner around 7:30 PM.
Dallol-Semera-Addis
Dallol - An early morning drive to Dallol reveals one of the most remarkable geological phenomena on Earth. Known for its extreme heat, with average temperatures of 35 degrees Celsius and peaks exceeding 48 degrees Celsius, and minimal annual rainfall of 100 to 200 mm, it is considered one of the most inhospitable places on the planet. The vibrant landscape, with its acidic colors and fumaroles in greens, reds, and yellows, formed by acidic springs and salt mounds, creates an otherworldly scene. Visitors can observe the local Afar people mining salt, loading it onto camel caravans, and the formation of salt canyons. Breakfast is served at the salt canyon around 9 AM, followed by a drive to Semera, arriving between 3:30 and 4:00 PM, before heading directly to Semera airport for a flight to Addis.
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Tea and coffee
- Plenty of bottled water every day
- Camping gears / Accommodations
- All entrance fees for 3 days
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Accompany guide and local guide
- Scout/police
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Tea and coffee
- Plenty of bottled water every day
- Camping gears / Accommodations
- All entrance fees for 3 days
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Accompany guide and local guide
- Scout/police
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Gratuities
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Gratuities
Located in the Afar region of northern Ethiopia, the Danakil Depression is among the hottest and lowest places on Earth. This intensely hot and harsh desert landscape is adorned with breathtaking geological features, including salt lakes, acid springs, volcanoes, salt canyons, and salt flats. The Danakil Depression, also known as the Afar Depression,…
Located in the Afar region of northern Ethiopia, the Danakil Depression is among the hottest and lowest places on Earth. This intensely hot and harsh desert landscape is adorned with breathtaking geological features, including salt lakes, acid springs, volcanoes, salt canyons, and salt flats. The Danakil Depression, also known as the Afar Depression, showcases rare marvels such as blue-burning lava, vibrant yellow hot springs, and bubbling mud lakes.
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.