Duration
3-Day
Accra, Ethiopia
You'll journey deep into Ethiopia's Danakil Depression, one of the hottest and lowest places on Earth. You'll witness the glowing lava lake of Erta Ale Volcano, explore Dallol's surreal sulfur springs, and walk across the vast salt plains of Lake Asale. You'll meet Afar salt miners, see camel caravans, and experience the raw beauty of this otherworldly volcanic landscape on an unforgettable 3-day adventure.
Plan snapshot
Duration
3-Day
Route
Semara to Semara
Via Erta Ale Volcano (Danakil Depression), Hamad Ela (Village), Danakil Depression
Country & park
Ethiopia
Style
Shared safari
Group size
1-12 travelers
Starts
Any day if available
Minimum age
5 years
Activities
Getting around: normal 4x4 vehicle & hiking/walking
Accommodation
Budget camping Erta Ale Volcano (Danakil Depression) – All Meals Included - Erta Ale Volcano (Danakil Depression) – All Meals Included
Meals
All Meals Included; Breakfast & Lunch Included
Pickup
Airport transfer included
Booking
Request quote
Currency
USD
Solo travelers
Can join this group tour
Rates
USD
Before booking
Quote flow
This is a budget camping tour.
On this shared tour, you will join a group of other travelers. Max 24 people per vehicle.
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
You can request changes to this tour.
Single travelers can join this group tour, but it requires a minimum of 2 people to run.
The minimum age for this tour is 5 years.
Day 1
Erta Ale Volcano (Danakil Depression) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 2
Hamad Ela (Village) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 3
(No accommodation)
Breakfast & Lunch Included
Tour step
You'll be collected from the airport. Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.
Day 1
Your journey begins in Semera, where you’ll join your convoy and travel by 4x4 into the Danakil Depression. The drive passes through the Afar desert and salt plains, offering views of rugged volcanic terrain and scattered oases. After a picnic lunch near Lake Afdera, you'll continue to Dodom village, the base of the Erta Ale Volcano. As the sun sets, you'll begin your 1.5-hour hike to the crater rim, where you’ll witness one of nature’s most extraordinary sights—the glowing lava lake of Erta Ale. You'll spend time observing the bubbling molten rock before descending to the base camp. You'll enjoy dinner prepared by your local cooking team and overnight under a sky full of stars at Erta Ale Base Camp. All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 2
You'll wake up early to hike again to Erta Ale’s crater rim and witness the glowing lava lake at dawn before the heat of the day rises. After breakfast, you'll begin your descent and continue driving through the stunning landscapes of the Danakil Depression toward Hamed Ela. En route, cross vast salt flats, small Afar settlements, and mirage-filled plains. You'll arrive at Hamed Ela in the afternoon and visit the traditional Afar village to see the local lifestyle. In the late afternoon, you'll drive to the nearby Lake Asale to watch Afar workers carving salt blocks and loading them onto camel caravans for transport. You'll enjoy an unforgettable sunset over the glittering salt flats before returning to camp. Your dinner and overnight stay will be at Hamed Ela. All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 3
You'll start early to visit Dallol, one of the most geologically active and colorful places on Earth. The area is known for its kaleidoscopic hot springs, sulfur formations, salt mounds, and acid pools—creating an otherworldly landscape of vivid yellows, greens, and reds. You'll explore the salt canyon and witness Afar miners extracting salt from the ground and loading it onto camels for transport across the desert. After breakfast near the salt canyon, you'll continue your drive through the Danakil plains back toward Semera. You'll enjoy the changing scenery along the route as you ascend from the lowlands to higher ground. You'll arrive in Semera by late afternoon and transfer to the airport or your onward destination, marking the end of your unforgettable Danakil adventure. Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Tour step
Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost. You'll be dropped off at the airport.
Park fees (For non-residents)
All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
Camping equipment
A professional driver/guide
All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
All Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Sleeping bag
Bath towels
International flights (From/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Offered by
Hidden Ethiopia Tours is a locally owned Ethiopian tour operator offering authentic, customized travel experiences across Ethiopia. We specialize in cultural, historical, trekking, and nature tours, ensuring travelers discover the true hidden beauty of Ethiopia through professional and personalized service.
Office In
Ethiopia
Size
5-10 employees (Founded in 2017)
Member Of
ETOA & ETTA
Tour Types
Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
Destinations
Ethiopia
Traveler feedback
Overall
5.0/5Communication
5.0/5Accuracy
5.0/5Value
5.0/5Safety clarity
5.0/5Cultural value
5.0/5I visited Lalibela for two days and Ayaliwu, my guide, was arranged by my travel agent in Addis. He was a true expert on the history of this stunning site as well as its broader cultural context. Ayaliwu was able to provide detailed information about the history of the Rock-cut churches. He payed attention to the details and was very well-prepared. He was also very solicitous of my physical capabilities and always found solutions for me. My visit to the churches of Lalibela was unforgettable thanks to him! I definitely recommend Ayaliwu to anyone visiting Lalibela.
Stergios · Greece
I did a small private tour with Ayalew ! He is an experienced guide with a wealth of knowledge and an amazing sense of humour. He is fully accredited and I feel I walked away from my three days with him with a better understanding of the history and landscape of not just the churches, but also of Lalibela and Ethiopia . Despite the travel advisory, the town of Lalibela was very friendly and secure . There was a strong military presence in the town but very few tourists. Thanks hidden Ethiopia for such a lovely adventure !
June · Canada
Our tour with Ayaliwu was arranged by our travel agent in Addis, and we could not have been better pleased. This guide was able to provide detailed information the history of the Rock-cut churches, the symbolic significance of architectural features, and also to field questions about unrelated matters, like the crops being grown. He was also very solicitous of our physical capabilities and always found places for us to sit. Ayaliwu ‘s English, too, is easily understood.
Mary · United States
I took a half&half day Lalibela tour with airport pickup / dropoff, and everything went very smoothly. The service was professional from start to finish — communication was clear, timing was perfect, and everything was well organized. I also appreciated their agile problem-solving when small issues came. Ayalew handled everything quickly and efficiently. Overall, it was a great experience, and I can definitely recommend Ayalew to anyone visiting Lalibela.
Maja · Poland
Practical answers
Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
This tour is offered in US dollars (USD).
This tour accepts children who are 5 years and older. Children under 15 receive a discount and children under 10 are free.
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
You can request changes to this tour.
Budget camping Erta Ale Volcano (Danakil Depression) – All Meals Included - Erta Ale Volcano (Danakil Depression) – All Meals Included. Meals: All Meals Included
This tour starts and ends in Semara
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Operator policy
This tour is offered by Hidden Ethiopia Tours, not SafariBookings.
This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.
If you request changes to this tour, the advertised rates will likely change.
This group tour requires a minimum of 2 people to run.
The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability.
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