8 DAYS TIGRAY ROCK-HEWN CHURCHES
Day 1: Arrival Addis Ababa
Arrive Addis Ababa Bole international airport meet our staff at exit gate and
assist to transfer to hotel. Overnight HOTEL
Day 2: Addis – Mekele
Early in the morning transfer to bole international airport and fly to Mekelle.
Mekelle Town is a capital city for Tigrian Region which developing and
expanding from time to time. Here where we meet our ground transportation and
be introduced with drives by escorting guide. The town is pleasant to walk and
also explore the castle of Emperor Yohanis and visit the museum built for
commemoration of those sacrificed their life during the struggle against the
Revolutionary government. Overnight HOTEL
Day 3: Mekelle – Degum
Drive to Degum-visit Wukro Cherqos and Abreha wa Atsbeha Today is beginning to
explore the wonderful Tigray rock hewn churches starting from Abreha wa
Atsbeha, is situated 15 kms west of Wukro,the finest church in Tigre, lies
about halfway between Dugem and Wukro on newly built gravel road leads to
Hawzien via Degum. Afternoon visit Degum Selassie church. Overnight camping at Degum or Overnight HOTEL
in wukro
Day 4: Explore around Dugum
Trek to Abuna Abraham Debre Tsion and Yohannes Maequdi Trek to Abuna Abraham a
couple of hours walk from Dugem, the Abune Abraham Debre Tsion church which is
elaborately decorated with 16th century murals. The church’s ceremonial fan
dates back to the 15th century and consists of 34 parchment panels, each painted
with a figure of a saint. Lunch in Dugem, Afternoon trek to Yohannes Maequddi
which is best known for its ancient and well-preserved paintings. Overnight camping at Dugem or over night hotel
in wukro.
Day 5: Dugem – Hawzen
Drive and trek to Mariam Korker Mariam Korker is a rock church situated on one
of the high mountains of Gheralta just overlooking the village of Megab, 8 kms
south of Hawzien. An hour’s trek from the village brings you to the Mariam
Korkor and the nearby smaller church of Daniel Korkor. A picnic lunch after a
steep climb up. Time to enjoy the wonderful view across the Gherelta Plains. In
the afternoon a gentle return to camp. Visit local village, a local grinding
mill or may be join in coffee ceremony. Overnight at Gheralta lodge
or Hotel in hawzien
Day 6: Excursion around Gerallta lodge
Drive and Trek to Abune Yemata Abune Yemata is 4 kms drive from Megab and a
further 30 minutes’ walk will bring you to the foot of the perpendicular rock
mountains of Guh. The scenery is breathtaking and the mountains resemble
pillars reaching to the sky. The challenging and the only way to the church is
footholds and handgrips in the rock face. Just before the entrance to the
church there is a narrow ledge carved in the cliff from which one can view a
sheer drop of approximately 250m to 300m. Picnic lunch at top, it worth and
relaxing to ascend even if you can make to the church. afternoon at leisure or
visit the village and overnight or proceed to Hawzien. Overnight Gheralta Lodge or Hotel in Hawzien
Day 7: Drive back to Mekelle via Sinkata
Morning after breakfast drive Sinkata – Mekelle, on the way
about 30 minutes walk from Sinkata lies Adi Chewa visit Arbuta Insesa. It is a
large church with several unusual features, most notably the deepest domed
ceiling in any Tigrian church, and strange red and yellow stencil-like figures
on thick columns. We also explore Medhane Alem Adi Kasho, regarded as one of
the oldest and most impressive churches in Tigre for its size and impressive
architecture. The interior has a cathedral-like atmosphere. Moreover, you can
visit Petros and Paulos and Mikael Melehayezenghi. Overnight
HOTEL
Day 8: Fly back Addis and fly back to home
Morning transfer to Mekelle airport Fly Addis Ababa. Transfer
to airport fly back home.