3-Day Danakil and Volcano Tour

• A transfer from the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.
• Accommodation before the tour starts cannot be arranged by this operator.

Addis Ababa – Semera – Dallol

Begin your adventure with an early morning flight from Addis Ababa to Semera, the capital of the Afar region. Upon arrival, set off by 4x4 into the Danakil Depression, descending to Dallol—one of the hottest and lowest places on Earth. Spend the day exploring its surreal and colorful landscapes: vast salt flats that glitter in the sun, bubbling sulfur springs, steaming geysers, and mineral formations that look almost otherworldly. Along the way, you may encounter camel caravans carrying heavy blocks of salt, a timeless Afar tradition. As the afternoon cools, enjoy a breathtaking sunset over a nearby salt lake before spending the night in this remarkable desert setting.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

Best Western Plus Pearl Addis

• Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Dallol to Erta Ale Volcano

After breakfast, leave Dallol and drive across the stark Afar desert toward Erta Ale, Ethiopia’s most active volcano, famed for its rare lava lake. By late afternoon you’ll reach the base of the mountain, where you pause for an early dinner and prepare for the climb. As the heat of the day subsides, begin your trek to the summit, hiking across volcanic terrain under a canopy of stars. At the crater rim, witness the surreal sight of molten lava shifting and glowing within the caldera—a natural wonder few places on Earth can match. Camp overnight on the volcano’s edge, drifting to sleep with the fiery glow illuminating the night.

Main Destination:

Danakil Depression (Highlight)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Afdera – Semera – Addis Ababa

Rise early to watch the sunrise casting its first light over Erta Ale’s fiery crater, then trek down from the summit to rejoin your vehicles at the base. After breakfast, continue driving across the desert to Afdera, a salt-mining town beside Lake Afdera. Here, witness the Afar people’s centuries-old methods of extracting salt, a tradition that still sustains local livelihoods. If time permits, you may also glimpse the turquoise waters of the lake, known for its mineral-rich hot springs. In the afternoon, return to Semera airport and board your flight back to Addis Ababa, bringing your Danakil adventure to a close.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

• Additional accommodation cannot be arranged by this operator.
• A transfer back to the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.