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Addis Ababa · Ethiopia
3 Day Adventure Tour To Dallol, Erta Ale & Danakil Depression
Starting From
From $583.65 per person
Current Project Expedition rate
Experience inventory, live availability and secure booking provided by
Project Expedition
The Experience
What your day looks like
The Danakil Depression is one of the world's most odd places to visit, exploring the Afar region in Ethiopia's east. We will help you discover the 'hottest location on the globe,' which is home to salt lakes, lava lakes, volcanoes, and vibrant acidic springs - it's a fantastic, strange environment. We counsel and construct less-traveled routes to match your demands using our guide knowledge and experience.
Highlights
Why travelers choose this experience
- Discover the wonders of the Danakil Depression, one of the most unique places on Earth
- Explore surreal landscapes with salt lakes, lava lakes, volcanoes, and colorful acidic springs
- Experience the hottest place on the globe with expert guides and custom routes just for you
- Enjoy personalized adventures off the beaten path created with local knowledge and care
Your Itinerary
Your day, step by step
Day 1
Addis Ababa
Welcome to Addis Ababa! Addis Ababa – Fly To Semera, Drive To Afdera-Volcano Today we will meet you at the town of Semera airport, then we will drive to Danakil depression.
Continued
Addis Ababa
Hot Springs at Lake Afrera. Danakil depression: We start an early drive to Lake Afrera, (a salt lake that is located in the heart of the Danakil Depression and this lake you may have a chance at the natural hot springs). Then, later, you have to swim around this lake, and we will be driving to Dodom (at the base of Erta Ale).
Continued
Addis Ababa
Hiking at Erta Ale. Dodom: Leave after lunch, possibly at 01:30. After you pass several small hamlets scattered here and there in this desert land, Dodom is about 9.5km from Erta Ale and takes about 1 hour of trekking. Early dinner around 17:00, Camels transport all the camping materials and some food (sleeping materials like light mattresses and a mat, and water) to the volcano’s rim, where we spend the night watching the dramatic action of the boiling lava. Danakil Depression (Dallol and Erta Ale) ranks as one of Ethiopia’s most alluring and physically challenging natural attractions. Erta Ale contains the world’s only permanent lava lake. Erta Ale is 613 meters high, with a lava lake, one of only five in the world, at the summit. It is notable for being the longest existing lava lake, present since the early years of the twentieth century.
Continued
Addis Ababa
Accommodation: Overnight stay at a campsite.
Day 2
Addis Ababa
Local Flavor. ErtaAle-HamadEla-Dallol-Afdera: The day after an early breakfast, we will drive to Hamadela at 04:30, a better village with a total population of about 500 people. You will see lots of camel caravans and you will have the sunset look from the very shallow salt Lake Assale. Morning tour, drive to Ragad (Asebo), the place where the locals are mining salt. 1,200 km2 (460 sq mi) of the Afar Depression is covered by salt, and you will see the activity of breaking the salt from the ground. Local people are cutting it into rectangular pieces and loading it on camels.
Continued
Addis Ababa
Sightseeing at Dallol (ghost town). Dallol: Dallol is at the northernmost extension of the[Great] Rift Valley. It is below sea level and acts like a cauldron, trapping all the heat. Dallol is a field of phreatic craters in the barren salt plain NNE of the Erta Ale Range in one of the lowest (and hottest) areas of the desolate Danakil depression. The Dallol craters are the Earth's lowest known subaerial volcanic vents. The most recent of these craters, Dallol, was formed during an eruption in 1926. Colorful hot brine springs and fumarolic deposits are found in the Dallol area.
Continued
Addis Ababa
Accommodation: Overnight stay at a campsite
Day 3
Addis Ababa
Afdera-Semera-Addis Ababa-Departure: Today, you may have another chance to see the beauty of the sunrise in Lake Afdera. Then, after breakfast, we will drive to the town of Semera and drop you at the airport for your departure. Time to say good bye!
Planning Details
Before you go
Included
- 4WD Land Cruiser with air conditioning (3 clients per car) - Experienced local guide and driver - Entrance fees and permits for the Afar region - Professional cook and cooking/camping equipment - Local scout service for Erta Ale volcano - All fuel expenses and driver allowances
Not Included
- Tips - Domestic flight to/from Semera - Alcoholic drinks - Camera and video fees - Personal expenses and tips
What to Bring
Comfortable clothing and footwear Camera and other items you may need Spending money
Restrictions
Infants must not sit on laps Not recommended for people with back problems Not recommended for pregnant travelers Not recommended for people with heart conditions Passport required
Meeting & Pickup
Pick up at Samara Airport (Sultan Alimirah Hanfare Airport ) - Zone 1 (Awsi Rasu), Semera, Afar.
Planning Notes
Minimum age: 12 Hotel pickup offered: Yes Confirmation: Manual By Business
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