Tour Name: Danakil Depression & Addis Ababa
Tour Code: AET 011
Mode of Transportation: Surface & Domestic Flight
Lead Traveler: Angan
Travel Month: October
Embark on a once in a lifetime journey to one of the hottest, most remote, and geologically unique places on Earth the Danakil Depression. This 4-day adventure from Addis Ababa takes you deep into Ethiopia’s Afar region, where otherworldly landscapes of lava lakes, colorful sulfur springs, salt flats, and active volcanoes await. Experience the stark beauty of the desert, interact with the resilient Afar people, and witness natural wonders that few travelers have the chance to see. This tour is designed for adventure seekers and photography enthusiasts alike, combining culture, nature, and unforgettable scenery.
Tour Highlights
- Explore Dallol, the world’s hottest inhabited place, known for its vibrant mineral formations in yellow, green, and red hues.
- Visit Lake Afdera, a saltwater lake surrounded by salt mining villages and dramatic desert landscapes.
- Witness the active lava lake of Erta Ale Volcano, one of the only permanent lava lakes in the world.
- Interact with local Afar tribespeople, learn about traditional salt mining, and experience their unique desert lifestyle.
- Enjoy camping under the stars, surrounded by one of the most spectacular and remote landscapes on the planet.
| DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION |
Addis Ababa |
| DEPARTURE TIME |
7:30 am. |
| INCLUDED |
- All accommodations (BB basis)
- All ground transportation
- All domestic flights
- Driver/guide allowances
- Entrance fees to all sites, churches, and villages
- English-speaking local guides
- Fuel and logistical support
- Traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony
- All applicable government taxes
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- Alcoholic beverages
- Tips for guides and drivers (optional, at your discretion)
- Any services or items not listed under “Price Includes”
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| Highlights |
- Private guide for a more personalized experience
- Small group ensures personal service
- All taxes, fuel surcharges and service fees included
- Comprehensive tour of the city
- Perfect introduction for first-time visitors
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Day 01: Arrival in Addis Ababa & City Tour
Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for check-in and refreshment. Begin your day with a visit to the National Museum of Ethiopia, home to archaeological, cultural, and historical treasures, including Lucy (Dinknesh) the 3.2-million-year-old hominid fossil.
Continue your tour by driving up to Mount Entoto (3,200m) for a panoramic view of the city, a refreshing forest walk, and excellent photo opportunities. Then visit St. George’s Cathedral, an important landmark of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and one of the city’s oldest religious institutions.
Lunch Options: Addis Ababa Restaurant, Dashen Terara (traditional cuisine) Or a preferred venue offering Western dishes. After lunch, explore Piazza, the charming old district of Addis Ababa, with time for shopping or window-shopping and a stop at the oldest coffee shop in the city. In the late afternoon, experience the vibrant atmosphere of Merkato, Africa’s largest open-air market. Wander through its lively sections featuring spices, local goods, and handmade crafts. Overnight: Addis Ababa (Triple E Hotel & Spa).
Day 02: Fly Addis Ababa → Semera & Drive to Hamedila
Take a morning flight from Addis Ababa to Semera. Upon arrival, begin your drive toward Hamedila, the gateway to the Danakil Depression adventure. Stop in Afdera for lunch and witness the intense heat and traditional salt mining activities. Continue descending into one of the lowest, hottest points on Earth. Tonight, enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience sleeping under the open sky, surrounded by silence and thousands of stars. Overnight: Camping in Hamedila
Day 03: Hamedila → Dallol → Erta Ale
Today brings some of the most extraordinary landscapes on the planet. Visit Dallol, famous for its surreal, colorful formations created by salt, potash, sulfur and other minerals an alien-like world that feels entirely other-planetary. Continue exploring salt mountains, bubbling pools, and traditional salt-mining sites where Afar workers carve and load salt blocks. In the afternoon, drive to Erta Ale, one of the world’s few continuously active volcanoes. After sunset, walk to the caldera rim and witness the dramatic glow of the lava lake. Sleep at the base camp of Erta Ale under the stars.
Overnight: Camping at Erta Ale
Day 04: Erta Ale → Semera → Fly to Addis Ababa
Begin your morning with a short sunrise walk on the volcano before driving back toward Semera. Enjoy a refreshing stop at Lake Afdera, where you can swim in the natural hot springs a perfect way to relax and cleanse the fatigue of the past two adventure filled days. Upon arrival in Semera, catch your flight back to Addis Ababa.
In the evening, enjoy a farewell traditional dinner featuring live cultural music and dance. Afterward, you will be transferred to the airport for your international departure or taken to your hotel, depending on your flight schedule.
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