From Addis Ababa: Afar Village & Tigray Churches 5-Day Tour

Immerse yourself in Afar culture on a 5-day tour from Addis Ababa. Visit a nomadic village, ride camels to Lake Afambo, and explore the Tigray rock-hewn churches.
Day 1: Addis Ababa Fly To Semera – Asaita Nomadic Afar Village

Morning: Arrive Semera Airport, breakfast, coffee. Drive to Afar nomadic village, welcomed by elders. Orientation on Afar lifestyle, traditions, and history.
Midday: Visit Assayta market (Thursday only) — spices, salt blocks, daggers, jewelry, camel saddles. Interact with Issa and Afar tribes. Join cooking demo: camel meat stew (kofo) and spicy stone-baked bread. Share lunch, join tea or chat ceremony at elder’s house.
Afternoon: Learn Afar mobile hut (Aris) construction, observe herding/home roles. Try Afar clothing, weave mats, prepare butter, braid hair. Storytelling on clan battles, peace pacts, migration myths.
Evening: Sunset walk along Awash River. Community dinner with camel milk and roasted meat. Enjoy ululation, shoulder dances. Campfire Q&A on nomadic life, marriage customs. Overnight community camp.

Day 2: Lake Afambo – Nomadic Livelihood & Nature

Early Morning: Camel ride with nomads to grazing fields, then drive (~2 hrs) to Lake Afambo oasis.
Lakeside Life: View volcanic landscapes, palm oases, lava fields. Visit Afambo village; canoe ride or walk lakeshore. Learn fishing, salt farming, date harvesting, water storage. Birdwatch flamingos, storks, herons.
Midday: Join camel caravan to salt pans (seasonal), help load/unload, learn caravan etiquette. Picnic lunch under acacia. Learn migration routes, livestock survival.
Afternoon: Meet local women’s group on marriage, education, resilience. Farewell blessings, optional henna and crafts shopping.
Evening: Return to Semera, hotel check-in, dinner at local restaurant.

Day 3: Semera → Mekelle via Afdera Salt Lake

Breakfast, drive (~5–6 hrs) via Afdera. Float/swim in salt lake. Overnight Mekelle hotel. Meals: B/L/D.


Day 4: Mariam Korkor & Tigray Rock Churches

After breakfast, drive to Hawzien. Hike (1.5 hrs) to Mariam Korkor, Tigray’s largest rock-hewn church, with 17th-century frescoes. Visit nearby Daniel Korkor. Overnight camping at base of Abune Yemata Guh. Full board.

Day 5: Abune Yemata Guh → Mekelle Fly To Addis Ababa

Morning climb (40 min) to Abune Yemata Guh, famed for 7th–8th century paintings. Descend, drive to Mekelle. Afternoon flight to Addis. Farewell dinner with music/dance. Airport transfer or hotel. Meals: B/L/D.
End of Tour

To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.

This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 24 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 24 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.