3 Days Danakil Depression Tours
Day 1: Semera – Afdera Lake – Erta Ale Volcano After
Breakfast you will fly to Semera, the capital of the Afar region, where you will be picked up at the airport by your expedition crew. From here it’s straight on to the Danakil Depression where you’ll reach the hot and dusty city of Afdera for lunch on a well paved road. Shortly after Afdera the road turns into a bumpy gravel road until we reach the base of the Erta Ale volcano. After a rest we start the short ascent to the rim of the crater (approx. 30 min. on foot). Erta Ale is 613 meters high and is considered one of Ethiopia’s most fascinating natural attractions. It is a shield volcano with a base diameter of 30 km and a 1 km² caldera at the top, which contains one of the few permanent lava lakes in the world. Sleeping at the rim of the crater and looking into the glowing lava at night is a truly unforgettable experience!
Accommodation: Camping, Erta Ale Volcano
Day 2: Erta Ale Volcano – Hamed Ela – Lake Assal
After breakfast in the camp, it takes about 4 hours on a bumpy road through the lava desert to Hamed Ela. Hamed Ela is just a collection of a few simple huts located at the end of the world. And it gets pretty hot here! In the late afternoon we drive out from Hamed Ela to Lake Assal. Here we can not only admire the traditional way of local salt mining, but hopefully also meet one of the camel caravans that transport the salt blocks to the Ethiopian highlands. The sunset over the Salt Lake is another unforgettable experience!
Accommodation: Afar Hut, Hamed Ela
Day 3: Hamed Ela – Dallol – Semera
We start early in the morning to explore the incredible landscapes around Dallol. Dallol is 116 meters below sea level, making it one of the lowest and hottest places on earth. The Dallol Volcano is covered by a thick layer of salt, but still shows up on the surface with bizarre salt formations, hundreds of fumaroles (gas vents) and acidic lakes in all colours. We then explore other highlights in the area and eventually drive from Dallol back to Afdera and on to Semera. (Approx. 5 hours)
Accommodation: Hotel, Semera
Includes
- 4WD land cruisers with ac and 4 clients in one car
- All fuel expenses and drivers’ allowances
- All needed Entrance fees and licenses
- Accommodation and all meals throughout the tour
- Local guide service for the Afar region -Cooking, camping equipment
- Experienced cook throughout the whole tour
Excludes
- Tips for guides
- Souvenirs from the Afar people
- Personal insurance
- What do you need?
- Light (walking in the night)
- Small backpack for the trek to the top of the volcano
- Closed, comfortable shoes (trekking shoes)
- Sun protection like sun cream, hat
- Jacket for the night on the volcano
- Sleeping bag, pillow or blanket (can also be provided by the agency)
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