Danakil Depression: Sulfur Springs & Volcano

9 Ratings

Addis Ababa

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Discover the awe-inspiring scenery of the Danakil Depression, featuring magnificent sulfur springs and the renowned Erta Ale volcano with its captivating lava lake. Engage with the vibrant culture of the Afar community and experience remarkable natural marvels. Reserve your spot now for an adventure of a lifetime!

Duration: 3 days

Cancellation: 24 hours

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Highlights

Fly from Addis to Semera - Hamedella

Semera - Day 1
Begin the Danakil Tour
In the morning, drive to Ragad (Asebo), where locals mine salt. Observe workers extracting salt from the ground, cutting it into rectangular pieces, and loading it onto camels. Continue to Dallol to explore various landscapes shaped by volcanic activity, including Dallol,…

Fly from Addis to Semera - Hamedella

Semera - Day 1

Begin the Danakil Tour
In the morning, drive to Ragad (Asebo), where locals mine salt. Observe workers extracting salt from the ground, cutting it into rectangular pieces, and loading it onto camels. Continue to Dallol to explore various landscapes shaped by volcanic activity, including Dallol, Lake Assal, and camel caravans. Take an excursion to Dallol (116 meters below sea level, one of the world’s lowest points) to see colorful salt formations, visit Lake Assal, and follow camel caravans (note: no camel caravans in July, August, and early September). Walk with the Afar people and drive to Hamed Ela. Overnight stay at Hamadella.

Hamadella to Erta Ale

Danakil Depression - Day 2

Dallol to Erta Ale
Begin the day by driving to Erta Ale, meaning “smoky mountain” in the Afar language. Erta Ale is one of Ethiopia’s most captivating and physically demanding natural attractions. It is a shield volcano with a base diameter of 30 km and a 1 km square caldera at its summit. Erta Ale hosts the world’s only permanent lava lake. Standing at 613 meters, it features a lava lake, one of only five globally, at the summit. Notably, it has been the longest-existing lava lake since the early 20th century. Start early at 9:00 AM, driving to Dodom (at Erta Ale’s base). This may be one of the world’s roughest roads. The 80 km journey may take about 6 hours, traversing landscapes of solidified lava, rock, sand, and occasional palm-lined oases. After passing several small hamlets scattered in this deserted land, arrive at the Dodom camping site, located about 17 km away.

Danakil to Semera via Erta Ale

Erta Ale - Day 3

Danakil to Semera
Witness the early morning sunrise at the northern pit crater and take a 5-minute walk to the southern and central pits, which may either be an ancient pit or a simple collapse structure. The main pit-crater is 200 m deep and 350 m across, sub-circular, and three-storied. The smaller southern pit is 65 m wide and about 100 m deep. Descend from Erta Ale around 9 am and return to Dodom after an early breakfast, ideally at 7:00 AM. Arrive at the camp by 10:30 AM at the latest, where relaxation awaits. If possible, drive to the mythical Lake Giulietti (or Lake Afrera) (optional, may not be available during summertime), a saltwater lake over 100 meters below sea level, in one of the planet’s deepest depressions. Due to the picturesque landscape, visiting the salt flats where the Afar people harvest salt by evaporating lake water is fascinating. Continue to Semera.

What's Included

Private transportation
unlimited bottles of water
Entrance fees
Polices
Lunch
Dinner
Breakfast
Cooking materials and cooks
Guide
Fuel and drivers allowances
Camping equipments

What's Not Included

Alcholic drinks
Tipings
Personal expenses

Location

Bole International Airport Park

Our staff will be waiting for you at the airport with our company logo or with the customer's name.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

5.0

(9 Ratings)

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Global16059495768

Feb 8, 2026

Great adventure 👍😁💪 - First I should mention that, if you want to see the salt miners and camel caravans or the lava lake, that ain't happening. The salt mining activities have been industrialised, and the camels replaced by trucks. And the lava lake no longer exists, it is gone completely. That said, the tour was awesome. On the first day, we drove for 7 hours until we arrived at our camp near a huge salt flat, where we watched the sun set. Then dinner, which was very good, and off to bed. We didn't wash because there are no showers, no toilets, no light. On the second day we got up at 5 a.m. to see the sun rise at the salt flat, and then we drove to the "colourful place". The drive across the endless plains is awesome, and at our destination we were richly rewarded for our troubles. It is impossible to describe this place but I will never forget this experience. We then went on to the Salt Mountain, to a water pool and a small lake and bubbly holes in the ground, all of which was beautiful and fascinating. Then our second camp half way up the volcano. Again no showers, no toilets, no light. I started to smell but it didn't bother anyone, because they were also smelly. Sunset at the top of the volcano, sunrise too. That was nice, the landscape is unreal. And finally, we went to a lake where we could and then wash in the small hot springs right there. To sum up, an awesome experience that I found one of the best I've ever had, but not the right thing for people with special hygienic needs or preferences.