DAY 1: Arrival at Addis Ababa

On your arrival at Addis Ababa bole international airport you will be welcomed by your tour guide from Landmark Ethiopia Tours. Then you will be transferred to your hotel. After a rest and refresh at the hotel, in the afternoon your guide will take you around the highlights of Addis. Founded in 1887 by Emperor Menelik II and Queen Taitu, Addis Ababa is the third highest capital of the world at an altitude of 2300-2500 m. with a pleasant climate. The tour starts with a visit to the National Museum to view a replica of the famous, 3.2 million-year-old fossilized hominid remains known to the rest of the world as “Lucy”. The visit also includes Ethnological Museum at Addis Ababa University, the Holy trinity cathedral and you will enjoy a panoramic view of the capital with fresh air on top of Mount Entoto and end the tour with the bustling Merkato, Africa’s largest open-air market. Overnight- Hotel in Addis Ababa.

 

DAY 2: Addis Ababa → Mekele (Flight) → Gheralta

Transfer to Addis Ababa bole airport very early this morning for your flight to Mekele. Up on your arrival at Mekele Drive about 100km towards the massive Gheralta mountains to drop you in the beginning of the trekking site. Trek 1:30 to reach the old rock church on the sky called Yohannes Maqudi. Continue trekking about 3 -4 hours to reach to the colorful and decorated rock church, which is dates back to 7thc, AD, called Abune Abraham and continue down to the base camp about 2 hour. Overnight- Camping.

 

DAY 3: Gheralta

Today after breakfast continue your trekking through the wonderful view and landscape admire wildlife and traditional Tigray house. And reach to Mariam Papsite another ancient rock church in the area. After visiting this church continue trekking to the base camp about 4 hours. Overnight- Camping at Korkor Village.

 

DAY 4: Gheralta

Today After early breakfast start trekking to the highest point of the Gheralta mountains, which is 2700 above sea level, to see the stunning view towards the 4 corners of the remarkable Gheralta mountains. having lunch on top of the mountain and continue trekking to visit Mariam Korkor & Daniel Korkor rock churches. Overnight – Camping at Guh Village.

 

DAY 5: Gheralta → Hawzen

After breakfast trek to visit one of the famous and best rock churches of Gheralta area called Abune Yemata founded by one of the nine saints in the 6th century AD. Overnight – Lodge or Hotel in Hawzen.

 

DAY 6: Hawzen → Axum

Today you will drive from Hawzen to Axum via Adwa and Adigrat. Adwa is important historical place in Ethiopian and African history because it is on the mountains surrounding this town that Emperor Menelik II defeated the conquering Italian army in March 1896. On the way you visit the temple at Ethiopia’s earliest known capital city of Yeha which is considered as the birthplace of the country’s earliest civilization. Another possible excursion is to Debre Damo monastery (only accessible for men). The Debre Damo Monastery is built on the flat- topped mountain of Debre Damo. The monastery is only accessible by climbing a rope which hangs down from a perpendicular rock, an adventure in itself. Overnight- Hotel in Axum.

 

DAY 7: Axum

Today you will have the full day to explore one of the ancient towns in Africa, Axum. According to Ethiopian belief, Aksum was once the home of the legendary Queen of Sheba and is the current resting place of the Ark of the Covenant also recorded in UNESCO lists as a World Heritage Site. Your exploration Commences at the area’s most recognizable icons, the great stelae. Attributed to Various Axumite kingdom rulers from the 3rd century AD, these immense granite Obelisks exceeding 100 feet in length and with an estimated weight of over 500 tones. The tour continue with the Visit to the St. Mary of Zion church (house the Ark of Covenant) and archeological museum, the ruined palace of queen of Sheba and the 6th century tombs of king Kaleb and Gebre Meskel. They are a great example of the sheer sophistication of Axumite architecture and building techniques. Overnight- Hotel in Axum.

 

DAY 8: Axum → Addis Ababa (Flight) & Departure

In the morning, transfer to Axum airport for your flight back to Addis Ababa. Time for shopping at the souvenir shops. Then in the evening you will have fare well dinner in one of the Ethiopian cultural restaurant with tasty Ethiopian food and cultural dances from the different ethnic groups. Then transfer to the airport for flight back home. The tour ends here.

On your arrival at Addis Ababa bole international airport you will be welcomed by your tour guide from Landmark Ethiopia Tours. Then you will be transferred to your hotel. After a rest and refresh at the hotel, in the afternoon your guide will take you around the highlights of Addis. Founded in 1887 by Emperor Menelik II and Queen Taitu, Addis Ababa is the third highest capital of the world at an altitude of 2300-2500 m. with a pleasant climate. The tour starts with a visit to the National Museum to view a replica of the famous, 3.2 million-year-old fossilized hominid remains known to the rest of the world as “Lucy”. The visit also includes Ethnological Museum at Addis Ababa University, the Holy trinity cathedral and you will enjoy a panoramic view of the capital with fresh air on top of Mount Entoto and end the tour with the bustling Merkato, Africa’s largest open-air market. Overnight- Hotel in Addis Ababa.

Transfer to Addis Ababa bole airport very early this morning for your flight to Mekele. Up on your arrival at Mekele Drive about 100km towards the massive Gheralta mountains to drop you in the beginning of the trekking site. Trek 1:30 to reach the old rock church on the sky called Yohannes Maqudi. Continue trekking about 3 -4 hours to reach to the colorful and decorated rock church, which is dates back to 7thc, AD, called Abune Abraham and continue down to the base camp about 2 hour. Overnight- Camping.

Today after breakfast continue your trekking through the wonderful view and landscape admire wildlife and traditional Tigray house. And reach to Mariam Papsite another ancient rock church in the area. After visiting this church continue trekking to the base camp about 4 hours. Overnight- Camping at Korkor Village.

Today After early breakfast start trekking to the highest point of the Gheralta mountains, which is 2700 above sea level, to see the stunning view towards the 4 corners of the remarkable Gheralta mountains. having lunch on top of the mountain and continue trekking to visit Mariam Korkor & Daniel Korkor rock churches. Overnight – Camping at Guh Village.

After breakfast trek to visit one of the famous and best rock churches of Gheralta area called Abune Yemata founded by one of the nine saints in the 6th century AD. Overnight – Lodge or Hotel in Hawzen.

Today you will drive from Hawzen to Axum via Adwa and Adigrat. Adwa is important historical place in Ethiopian and African history because it is on the mountains surrounding this town that Emperor Menelik II defeated the conquering Italian army in March 1896. On the way you visit the temple at Ethiopia’s earliest known capital city of Yeha which is considered as the birthplace of the country’s earliest civilization. Another possible excursion is to Debre Damo monastery (only accessible for men). The Debre Damo Monastery is built on the flat- topped mountain of Debre Damo. The monastery is only accessible by climbing a rope which hangs down from a perpendicular rock, an adventure in itself. Overnight- Hotel in Axum.

Today you will have the full day to explore one of the ancient towns in Africa, Axum. According to Ethiopian belief, Aksum was once the home of the legendary Queen of Sheba and is the current resting place of the Ark of the Covenant also recorded in UNESCO lists as a World Heritage Site. Your exploration Commences at the area’s most recognizable icons, the great stelae. Attributed to Various Axumite kingdom rulers from the 3rd century AD, these immense granite Obelisks exceeding 100 feet in length and with an estimated weight of over 500 tones. The tour continue with the Visit to the St. Mary of Zion church (house the Ark of Covenant) and archeological museum, the ruined palace of queen of Sheba and the 6th century tombs of king Kaleb and Gebre Meskel. They are a great example of the sheer sophistication of Axumite architecture and building techniques. Overnight- Hotel in Axum.

In the morning, transfer to Axum airport for your flight back to Addis Ababa. Time for shopping at the souvenir shops. Then in the evening you will have fare well dinner in one of the Ethiopian cultural restaurant with tasty Ethiopian food and cultural dances from the different ethnic groups. Then transfer to the airport for flight back home. The tour ends here.