2-Day Erta Ale Volcano & Lake Afdera Tour Itinerary

(Ideal for travelers with limited time)

Day 1: Semera – Erta Ale

• Morning: Upon arrival in Semera, our driver will pick you up from the airport. You’ll have breakfast in Semera before departing for Erta Ale via Afdera.

• Drive Details:

  • The road is fully asphalted up to Erepti, followed by a 49 km dirt road leading to the Kisrawad campsite.

  • En route, you will stop in Erepti town for lunch and pick up four security personnel, as per local protocol.

• Afternoon:

  • Arrive at the campsite near Kisrawad around 5:00 PM.

  • From there, a 20-minute trek to Erta Ale’s crater begins, accompanied by 3 security personnel and a camel that will carry your camping gear.

  • Optional: Camel riding is available during the trek.

• Evening:

  • Dinner will be served at the rim of the volcano.

  • Under your guide’s supervision, you can walk to the crater’s edge and get as close as a few meters from the active lava lake — a truly unforgettable experience.

Important Note: After leaving Mekelle, no electricity will be available. Prepare accordingly.

Day 2: Erta Ale – Lake Afdera – Mekelle

• Morning: After breakfast at the camp, trek back to the base camp.

• Drive to Lake Afdera:

  • Enjoy a scenic drive to Lake Afdera.

  • Relax with a swim in the natural hot springs and explore the vast salt flats — home to one of Africa’s largest traditional salt excavations.

• Lunch: Lunch will be served near Lake Afdera.

• Afternoon: After lunch, drive back to Mekelle, concluding the tour.