Overview
This 5 days tour explores Danakil Depression, Afar Depression, Semera, and Ahmed Ella. It combines adventure, hiking, nature experiences with a practical itinerary designed for meaningful discovery. Activities may include trekking, volcano trekking, salt mining visit, hot spring visit.
Tour Highlights
- Visit Danakil Depression
- Visit Afar Depression
- Visit Semera
- Visit Ahmed Ella
- Visit Dallol
- Visit Erta Ale Volcano
- Visit Ragad Salt Mine
- Trekking
- Volcano Trekking
- Salt Mining Visit
- Hot Spring Visit
- Swimming
- Enjoy adventure experiences
- Enjoy hiking experiences
Day 1: Fly Addis Ababa to Semera
Drive to Lake Afdera Catch the morning flight to Semera Airport. After meeting your expedition team, drive toward Lake Afdera, a massive saline lake 100 meters below sea level. Spend the afternoon swimming in the buoyant salt waters or relaxing in the natural lakeside hot springs. Overnight camping.
Day 2: Lake Afdera to Erta Ale Volcano
Depart for the base of Erta Ale, the “Smoking Mountain.” After an early dinner at the base camp, begin the sunset trek to the caldera. Standing at the rim, you will witness the fiery glow of one of the world’s only permanent lava lakes. Overnight camping.
Day 3: Erta Ale to Ahmed Ella
Descend the volcano at sunrise and drive across the dramatic lava desert toward Ahmed Ella. This desert outpost is the perfect place to watch the legendary Afar camel caravans as they prepare to transport salt blocks across the depression. Overnight camping.
Day 4: Dallol & The Salt Plains of Lake Asale
Explore the kaleidoscopic landscapes of Dallol, famous for its vibrant sulfur springs and salt mushrooms. Visit the Ragad salt mines to see local miners at work, and end the day with a sunset toast on the vast, shimmering salt flats of Lake Asale. Overnight in Semera.
Day 5: Return to Semera & Flight to Addis Ababa
Enjoy a final morning in the desert before driving back to Semera. Reflect on your journey through the lowest point in Africa before transferring to the airport for your afternoon flight back to Addis Ababa.
