Day 1: Flight to Semera – Erta’ale
Meet your guide when you arrive at Semera Airport. After a short talk about Ethiopia’s geology and the plan for the trip, travel to Erta’ale. Stop for lunch in Afdera town, then continue over the dunes to Erta Ale Volcano.
We will enter the desert and reach basalt rock formed long ago by lava flows. After a slow and rough drive, arrive at the base of Erta Ale Volcano. Rest at camp before a light dinner. Then, walk about thirty minutes to the Erta Ale summit crater.
Everyone should carry a torch and stay together since the path is uneven but not very steep. We set up our tents safely far from the lava at the crater’s edge.
Overnight at open-air camp at 300 meters above sea level.
Day 2: Drive Erta’ale – Dallol
Start early with a climb back to the cars after watching a beautiful sunrise over the lava lake. Then travel to Dallol mostly off-road through the desert. Stop for lunch in a palm grove.
In the evening, arrive at Ahmedela, a small village where salt caravans gather before their long journey. You will see many camel caravans and enjoy sunset views over the shallow Assale Salt Lake.
Overnight at open-air camp at 125 meters below sea level.
Day 3: Drive Dallol – Afdera
Early in the morning before breakfast, visit Dallol with its colorful hot pools and salt domes. Spend the morning exploring this unique place with sulfur lakes, geysers, and colorful minerals.
See the strange salt canyons before heading to Afdera village. On the way, watch how salt is still mined by hand and loaded onto camels. The Danakil Depression has salt covering about 1,200 square kilometers.
After breakfast, continue to Lake Afdera. Here, you can see the traditional salt mining and relax in the natural hot springs nearby, where you can also take a shower.
Spend the night camping by the lake.
Day 4: Afdera – Allalobad – Semera
After breakfast, visit the geothermal site called Allalobad, also known as “the water of Allah.” After a short visit, return to Semera town in time for your flight back to Addis Ababa.
