3 days Danakil Depression and 1 day Addis Ababa tours

Tour Style: Adventure & Culture
Start & End: Addis Ababa (domestic flight to Semera included)
Best Season: October to March (cooler and dry)

🗓️ Day 1: Addis Ababa – Semera – Drive to Danakil Depression (Lake Afdera)

Highlights: Salt Lake, Afar Culture, Desert Landscapes

• Morning: Fly from Addis Ababa to Semera (capital of Afar region).

• Meet local expedition team with 4×4 convoy and begin your drive into the Danakil.

• Journey across the Afar Desert toward Lake Afdera, a salt lake surrounded by volcanic hills.

• Visit traditional Afar salt miners, and take an optional dip in the lake or nearby natural hot springs.

• Set up camp under the stars.

Overnight: Basic campsite near Lake Afdera
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Drive Time: ~4–5 hours from Semera

🗓️ Day 2: Lake Afdera – Erta Ale Volcano (Night Hike)

Highlights: Active Lava Lake, Volcanic Hike, Moonlike Landscape

• Morning: Depart from Lake Afdera toward Erta Ale, Ethiopia’s most active volcano.

• Late afternoon: Arrive at the base camp, rest, and prepare for the hike.

• Evening: Start a night trek (3 hrs) to the crater rim of Erta Ale.

• Witness the spectacular lava lake (activity may vary), one of the few in the world.

• Sleep in a simple shelter near the crater.

Overnight: Crater rim shelter (very basic)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Trek: ~3 hours up, 2.5 hours down (night trek)

🗓️ Day 3: Erta Ale – Dallol – Semera – Addis Ababa (Evening Flight)

Highlights: Dallol Sulfur Fields, Camel Caravans, Salt Flats

• Early descent from Erta Ale to base camp.

• Drive to Dallol, the colorful hydrothermal area known for its surreal landscapes:

  • Sulfur springs, salt mountains, and acid pools in shades of green, yellow, and red.

  • Visit camel caravans transporting salt blocks across the desert.

  • Explore salt mining villages like Hamede Ela.

• Return to Semera in the evening.

• Fly back to Addis Ababa at night.

Overnight: Hotel in Addis Ababa (optional)
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Drive Time: ~6–7 hours

🗓️ Day 4: Addis Ababa City Tour

Highlights: National Museum, Markets, Mount Entoto

• Visit the National Museum – see “Lucy”, the 3.2 million-year-old hominid.

• Tour Holy Trinity Cathedral, resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie.

• Explore Mercato, Africa’s largest open-air market.

• Drive up to Mount Entoto for panoramic city views.

• Optional: Visit Ethnological Museum or a local coffee roasting house.

• End the day with a traditional dinner and cultural dance show.

Overnight: Departure or optional hotel stay
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Activity Time: Full day (7–8 hours)

✅ Included in the Tour:

• Domestic flights: Addis Ababa ↔ Semera

• All ground transport in 4×4 vehicles in Danakil

• Local Afar guide and experienced driver

• Camping equipment and meals in Danakil

• Hotel in Addis Ababa (1 night)

• English-speaking city guide

• All entrance and permit fees

⚠️ Important Notes:

• Danakil is remote and extremely hot (up to 45°C) – proper hydration and fitness required.

• Facilities are very basic in Danakil: no running water or flush toilets; expect rugged conditions.