DestinationsAugust 1, 20267 min read
Danakil Depression travel guide: Ethiopia’s otherworldly adventure
Erta Ale, Dallol, Lake Assale and the Afar salt caravans: when to go, how long to stay, what to pack and how to stay safe.
Active Volcano · Nature & Wildlife
Erta Ale
A basaltic shield volcano in the Danakil whose summit crater has held molten lava for more than a century.
- Best Time
- November to March
- Suggested Stay
- 1 to 2 days
- Altitude
- 613 m
- Region
- Nature & Wildlife
Why We Go
The “Smoking Mountain”: one of the few volcanoes on earth with a lava lake.
Erta Ale means “Smoking Mountain” in the Afar language. Its pit craters have hosted a persistent lava lake since at least the early 20th century, one of very few in the world, although activity varies and the lake level rises and falls.
The hike from Dodom takes around three hours and is made in the cool of the evening, with camels carrying mattresses, food and water. We design every Erta Ale excursion around the group’s fitness, the weather and current volcanic conditions.
Highlights
- An evening trek to the crater rim with camels carrying the camp
- The glow of the lava against the desert night sky
- Black lava fields stretching to the horizon
- Sunrise over the Danakil before the descent
Journeys Including Erta Ale
Routes that pass through here
From The Travel Journal
Read more about Erta Ale
Plan This Destination
Build Erta Ale into your journey
Nothing here is fixed. Tell us how long you have and what else you want to see, and our team will plan the route, including the flights, the guides and the hours that matter.
Let’s Plan Your Ethiopian Adventure
Tell us a little about your travel plans. We’ll help you create a journey that suits your interests.
Discover Ethiopia. Experience the Extraordinary!
Speak to someone who has been there this season
Our guides travel these routes all year. Ask about road conditions, festival dates or the best time to visit. You will get a straight answer.
Or call us directly on +251 912 039405