5-Day Tigray Rock Churches Abuna Yemata & Axum

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Arrival in Addis Ababa

Welcome to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's highland capital at 2,355 meters above sea level. Your guide meets you at the airport and settles you into your hotel. Today is a relaxed day to rest after your flight. If you have energy, visit the National Museum to see Lucy, the famous 3.2 million year old fossil. Your guide will explain the days ahead, including the dramatic rock-face climb to Abuna Yemata Guh, and help you prepare with the right footwear and a head for heights.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

Capital Hotel & Spa

• Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City)

+6 Photos

+5 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• Dinner (Breakfast & lunch not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Fly to Mekele & Climb to Abuna Yemata Guh

Take a flight of about one hour to Mekele, capital of the Tigray region, then drive to the Hawzen area to see one of Ethiopia's most extraordinary sights: Abuna Yemata Guh, a tiny church carved into the summit of a sheer sandstone pinnacle. Reaching it means climbing barefoot along narrow rock ledges with the help of a local guide, a thrilling and unforgettable experience rewarded with a beautifully painted chapel and sweeping views over the Gheralta mountains. Not to be missed, though it does require a good head for heights and steady footing. Overnight near Hawzen.

Main Destination:

Hawzen (Town)

Accommodation:

Gheralta Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located in Tigray

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Wukro Cherkos & Abreha Wa Atsbeha

Visit Wukro Cherkos, a striking rock-hewn church easily accessed at ground level, a gentler contrast to the previous day's climb. Continue to Abreha Wa Atsbeha, one of the largest and most beautifully decorated rock churches in the region, named after two brother kings who are said to have brought Christianity to Ethiopia. Both churches offer a fascinating look into Tigray's deep religious history without the physical challenge of Abuna Yemata. Overnight near Hawzen or Wukro.

Main Destination:

Tigray

Accommodation:

Gheralta Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located in Tigray

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Axum Ark of the Covenant & Ancient Stelae

Drive to Axum, one of the oldest cities in Africa and, according to Ethiopian tradition, the final resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. Visit the Chapel of the Tablet, the towering ancient granite stelae field, and the Queen of Sheba's Bath. In the afternoon, fly back to Addis Ababa. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner hosted by Origin Abyssinia at a local restaurant in the capital, a fitting close to a journey through some of Ethiopia's oldest and most sacred sites.

Main Destination:

Axum (City)

Accommodation:

Capital Hotel & Spa

• Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Free Time in Addis Ababa & Departure

Enjoy a free morning in Addis Ababa. Depending on your flight time, you may have time for last-minute shopping or a traditional coffee ceremony. Your guide will take you to Bole International Airport in good time for your departure flight, bringing your journey through Tigray's ancient churches to a close.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.