Ethiopia & East Africa · office in Gondar · Open daily · 8:00 - 18:00 (East Africa Time)
Desert & Expedition
A night at Ethiopia's lava lake. The essential Danakil expedition in three days — Erta Ale's glowing lava lake, the rainbow pools of Dallol and the white salt flats.
From
From USD 600 per person
Indicative expedition price including escorts, camping and desert logistics — confirmed on enquiry.
This is the classic deep-desert weekend: drive north to the Afar, climb to the rim of Erta Ale after dark, and watch molten rock boil 100 metres below through the night. The following day winds through the salt plains to Dallol's acid-green pools and the salt-caravan tracks of Lake Asale.
Compact, intense and fully supported, it's the most efficient way to experience the hottest, strangest landscape on the planet.
Route difficulty
Regular walking days at altitude at a measured pace.
Best time to go
Trekking runs year-round with the right plan — ask us for the best window for your dates.
Read the season guide
Fly (or drive) toward the Afar, then transfer by 4x4 across the desert. In the late afternoon and evening, trek up to the rim of Erta Ale for the night watch over the lava lake.
Descend at sunrise and drive across the salt flats to Lake Asale and the Dallol springs — a field of acid pools and yellow mineral towers. Camp in the desert.
Morning among the salt caravans, then the long transfer back to Semera for the flight to Addis, arriving late evening.
A reasonable level of fitness — you'll walk 3–8 hours daily at high altitude.
A focused, immersive escape without a long commitment.
Available privately, so the pace and company are entirely yours.
Not sure it's the right fit? We'll help you choose — see how we plan trips.
Indicative pricing
US$ 1,200
US$ 600 per person × 2
Yes — we use the official tourism framework with experienced Afar guides, regional escorts and established camps, which is how this region is safely visited.
Lava, salt and churches in the sky
Two of Ethiopia's most remarkable landscapes in one expedition-style journey — the volcanic Danakil Depression and the cliff churches of the Gheralta mountains.
The complete Ethiopia
The definitive overland journey — northern castles and churches, the Simien trek, Danakil's volcanoes, Tigray's cliffs and Harar's alleys in one grand loop.
One of the hottest, lowest and most surreal places on Earth — lava lakes, acid pools of screaming colour and vast white salt flats.
Send us an inquiry and we'll confirm availability, answer your questions and finalise every detail for you.
