Guided Tour of Lake Assal Escape

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8 to 9 hours (approximately)
Pickup offered
Offered in: English and 1 more

Lac Assal lies 150 meters (492 feet) below sea level, making it the lowest point in Africa and one of the saltiest bodies of water on Earth. This aquatic wilderness, encircled by dormant volcanoes and vast black lava fields, offers a landscape like no other stark, dramatic, and mesmerizing.

This one-day trip takes you along a well-paved road heading west from Djibouti City. Along the way, you’ll pass Lac Goubet, a deep seawater loch ominously known as “the Pit of Demons.” From there, the journey continues through an apocalyptic volcanic corridor, where rugged rock formations mark the divide between the two lakes.

At Lac Assal, marvel at the brilliant turquoise waters contrasting with the blinding white salt flats, stroll along the crystalline shore, and capture unforgettable photos of this surreal landscape.

What's Included

Private transportation
Admission fee
Lunch

Meeting and pickup

Pickup points
You can choose a pickup location at checkout (multiple pickup locations are available).
Pickup details:

our driver and official guide will wait for at arrival with our campany uniform.

OR
Meeting point
You can choose from multiple locations at checkout.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Duration: 8 to 9 hours (approximately)
  • 1
    Arta

    On the going to reach the lake ASSAL, we will pass by ARTA town where there is a panoramic point on the expanse of the GULF OF TADJOURAH.

    45 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 2

    Before reaching Lake Assal, take a moment to explore the breathtaking Dimbiya Canyon, a dramatic natural wonder carved deep into the earth by time and wind. Towering cliff walls of layered basalt and sandstone create a maze of rugged beauty, offering spectacular views and a striking contrast to the flat desert plains surrounding it. As you wander along the canyon rim or descend into its depths, you’ll be immersed in Djibouti’s raw geological power where shades of red, brown, and gold reveal millions of years of Earth’s history. The silence here is profound, broken only by the whisper of the wind and the occasional cry of a desert bird. Dimbiya Canyon is a perfect stop for photography lovers and adventure seekers, offering panoramic vistas, unique rock formations, and a glimpse into the country’s untamed landscapes. It’s a place that feels both ancient and alive a hidden gem waiting to be discovered on the road to Lake Assal.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 3
    Lake Assal

    we arrive at Lake Assal: it is one of the most lakes in the world, it is the lowest point in africa and the 3rd lowest point in the world after the dead sea and the dead valey. You will walk on the salt ice, try the floating experience. Then you go to admire the nomads making the salt caravan which is a cultural and ancestral practice of the Afar tribes. Finally, you will pass over a point of thermal waters where there is a fish spa, you will let small larval fish gnaw the dead skin of your foot.

    3 hours • Admission ticket included
  • 4
    Lake Assal

    On the way to Lake Assal, we will take a photography break at DIMBIYA, the Grand Canyon of Djibouti: this is an important site because it is the starting point of the Grand Rift Valley on the continent. African. the trip from ARTA to the DIMBIYA canyon is (1Hour) Still, on the way to Lake Assal, we will take a photography break at the panoramic point of view on the bay of GHOUBET EL KHARAB: this is an immense bay in the middle of which is frozen a large hill-shaped crater called Devil's Island. The GHOUBET EL KHARAB is an Arabic expression that means abyss of the demon. the guide will explain why on the ground. (25 mins)

    1 hour 25 minutes • Admission ticket included
  • 5

    After lake assal we drive to join the GHOUBET EL KHARAB bay beach, for lunch break . After lunch we explore the surrounding landscape: the volcano’s craters & frozen lava landscape. Witness the separation of African and Arabian tectonic plates and explore frozen lava tunnels. Climb the ARDOUKOBA volcano crater for breathtaking views of the salt flats and the captivating Ghoubet El Kharab, also known as the “abyss of the demon” and cherished by Jacques Cousteau.

    3 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Service animals allowed
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Supplied by Arhotours

Tags

Day Trips
Full-day Tours
Private Sightseeing Tours
4WD Tours
City Tours
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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