Damt Crater

Damt sits in a volcanic field in Yemen's southern highlands where a crater holds a lake, and hot mineral water rises around the town from the same source of heat, channelled into bath houses that people come to from across the region for the water's reputed properties. The volcanic cones around are geologically young. The town is small and the springs are the reason it is known at all.

The landscape

• The crater lake - the water held in the volcanic bowl outside the town.
• The hot springs - the mineral water rising around the settlement.
• The bath houses - the buildings the water is channelled into.
• The volcanic cones - the young formations across the surrounding field.

When to go

October to April is the cool season, which suits the hot water. Summer at this altitude is milder than the lowlands. The springs run year round.

What to expect

Bath houses are basic and segregated. Any therapeutic claims made for the water are not medical advice. Access to mainland Yemen requires arrangements made well in advance.

Nearby

Ibb is north, and Ad Dali' is south.