3 Days Danakil Depression Tour

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Semera - Erta ale
3 stops
1
Semera
At 8:00 AM, our guide and driver will pick you up from Semera Airport and take you for a short coffee and juice break in town. Semera serves as the capital of the Afar Regional State. Shortly after the coffee break, you will embark on a leisurely drive to Afdera.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
2
Afdera
Afdera serves as a prominent hub for salt production and distribution, situated at an impressive depth of -102 meters below sea level, making it one of the lowest points in the Danakil Depression. After enjoying lunch in this town, we will glimpse the nearby salt lake before indulging in a swim and float in its saline waters. Following this refreshing experience, we will proceed to visit the renowned Erta Ale volcano.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
3
Erta Ale
From Lake Afdera we will continue with a relaxed and leisurely drive to Erta Ale Volcano. You will arrive at the base camp around 6:00 p.m. From there, you will embark on a 30-minute hike to the rim of the Erta Ale volcano. After ample time exploring Erta Ale, one of the few active lava lakes in the world, we will set up camp near the rim to capture stunning sunrise photos. Overnight camping will be on the rim of the Erta Ale volcano.
5 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Erta Ale - Ahmed Ela
2 stops
4
Ahmed Ela
You will depart from base camp at 8am and y 4:00 PM you will arrive in Hamedela, a small town founded by salt miners. and once we unload the camping gear and our cook in this village we will continue to Lake Karum Salt flats.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
5
Lake Karum
You will experience a stunning sunset at Lake Asale, where the serene waters and unique salt flats create a breathtaking and unforgettable view. Witness the magnificent scene of camel caravans transporting salt to Ahmedela town, where they will spend the night before continuing to Mekele. At Lake Asale, our tour will host a small party, and shortly before sunset, we will drive back to Ahmedela for dinner and camping.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Dallol - Mekele
6 stops
6
Dallol Depression ዳሎል መታሕት
In early morning we will drive to visit Dallol for sunrise. Dallol is one of the hottest and lowest places on Earth, situated 130 meters below sea level. It is renowned for its otherworldly landscapes shaped by volcanic activity and vibrant mineral deposits.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
7
Salt Canyon
The salt canyons west of Mount Dallol are characterized by bizarre towers and pinnacles, creating a unique and surreal landscape.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
8
Black Water Spring
The Danakil Depression is full of volcanic activities in various forms and colors. Bubbling springs of hypersaline water dot the landscape near Dallol, with their striking black color likely due to dissolved potassium salts.
40 minutes • Admission ticket included
9
Gaet'ale Pond
This saline pond is characterized by its turquoise color, a result of the minerals dissolved in the water. The pond's high temperature and salinity create a challenging environment for life, yet it supports extremophiles adapted to such harsh conditions.
40 minutes • Admission ticket included
10
Assa Ale
Assa Ale is a vast salt flat situated 130 meters below sea level. Here, you'll witness timeless camel caravans crossing the desert to transport salt bricks made from Lake Asale. You will explore the Lake Asale salt flats and observe traditional salt excavation methods, offering a firsthand glimpse into the enduring practices of the local communities in this remarkable landscape.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
11
Mek'ele
Finally we will drive back to Semera arriving in Semera Airport by 4pm. this concludes the tour. Alternatively we can take you to Mekele if you have plan to visit Tigray Mountain Churches, Axum and Lalibela.
4 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

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