4-Day Danakil Depression Tour Erta Ale Volcano & Dallol

Arrive in Addis Ababa and connect on a short flight to Mekele. Drive roughly 220 km to Lake Afdera, stopping along the way for coffee with locals. Swim in the briny lake, relax at the nearby hot springs, and camp overnight under the stars.

Activities : Adventure

Visit the Afar salt miners near the lake before driving roughly 100 km across lava rock and sandy terrain to the Erta Ale base camp, obtaining permits to ascend en route. Trek to the summit at dusk to view the streaming and boiling lava of the permanent lava lake, one of the longest-lasting in the world. Overnight camping near the crater.

Activities : Trekking

Return to the crater summit at sunrise for a final view of the volcanic activity, then descend for breakfast at camp. Drive roughly five hours to Hamed Ela, a small Afar village, to observe local life. Continue to Lake Assale, a large saline lake where you can swim in a natural saltwater pool. Overnight camping in Hamed Ela.

Activities : Adventure

Visit Dallol and drive back to Mekele for the flight home. Wake early to see Dallol, famous for its fumaroles, acid springs, and vividly colored mineral pools that make the terrain look otherworldly. After lunch, drive back through Hamed Ela to Mekele, then take a late afternoon flight to Addis Ababa for your final overnight before departure.

Activities : Sightseeing