TOUR – THE NINE SAINTS ROUTE

Duration - 6 nights and 7 days

Transport – Air, surface and walking

Accommodation – 2* or 3* or 4* hotel or good accommodation and home stay.

Trip Highlight

This is a Seven days Cultural and Historic Tigrai tour with-in Tigrai which passes through the scenic highlands of Tigrai, visiting the historic, archaeological, political, cultural and religious destinations of Tigrai. The trip covers mainly the following attraction sites:

• Axum was the capital of the Axumite Empire and known for its ancient treasures; tombs, palaces, churches, inscriptions, Ark of the Covenant and others.
• Nine Saints, known for spreading gospel and monastic life in Ethiopia.
• Adwa Mountains, called the Pride of Africa, a historic landmark where the Battle of Adwa took place with the subsequent Ethiopian victory over the Italian aggressors. 
• Mariam Wukro, one of the best church in Tigria if not in Ethiopia with impressive architecture.  
• Gheralta Range, known for the Rock-Hewn Churches and breathtaking landscape
• Mekelle: The political and economic center of Tigray region and the hub of tourism to Afar,Tigray and Lalibela destinations.

 DAY 1 – FLY AXUM AND EXPLORE THE ANCIENT HISTORIC SITES

After a morning breakfast, visit Axum, Recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980, Axum is a testament to the rich and glorious past of the mighty Kingdom of Axum (2nd C. BC-700 A.D.). This morning the visit will start with the famous Stelae field with its Axumite stelae in various sizes and shapes. The archaeological museum is nearby and it offers an opportunity to bring context to relics on view today.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Kaleb and Gebremeskel tombs, dating to the 6th century A.D and on the way to town, the Ezana inscription (Ethiopia’s Rosetta stone) is worth visiting.  Tradition has it that the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Ethiopia in the 10th century BC by Menelik I and later Ethiopian kings and emperors would proclaim their legitimacy to rule by their lineage to King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba.  Through the day we will discuss the development of Christianity in Ethiopia and its relation to the Ark, and the story of Queen of Sheba too.

OVERNIGHT YARED ZEMA INTERNATIONAL HOTEL OR SIMILAR.

DAY 2 – AXUM AND ITS SURROUNDINGS

The church was built on top of a pre- Christian times podium and dedicated to ABUNE PENTALEON one of the nine saints. And the area was under the influence of the pre-Axumite Sabean period. There is said to be a stone staircase in side it, but accessible to all but the priests. Moreover, the church has a nice view but ladies are not allowed to climb on the top rather they can visit the abundant treasuries of the church below.

ABUNE LIQANOS  church   found west  of Abune Liqanos was built and dedicated to  Abune Liqanos one  of the nine saints  .Similarly it was under the influence of the pre-Christian elements like the Abune pentaleon and has nice view on the top.

OVERNIGHT YARED ZEMA INTERNATIONAL HOTEL OR SIMILAR.

DAY 3 - ABUNE GERIMA AND ABUNE ALEF

This morning after breakfast, we drive through dramatic highland landscapes of Adwa where the Battle of Adwa (1896) took place which is a land mark to the Black World. Later, visit Aba Gerima Monastery: This is an active monastery situated in the womb of one of the Adwa Mountains. It was established in the sixth century and has about 150 monks and valuable religious treasures. Particularly there is a manuscript kept in the small church treasury museum which is believed to be the oldest one in the country if not in Africa and even one of the oldest in world. The monastery is contemporary to Debre Damo. Nearby there is a tomb of the famous African General, Ras Alula Aba Nega which worth a visit. En route, you can stop for Ethiopian coffee ceremony at farmer’s house and is one of the most enjoyable events you can attend at an Ethiopia. If time allows and if our customers are interested they can drive to one of the nine saints ABUNE ALEF in a place called Ahisea. But this might take hard driving and difficult accommodation. The coffee is taken through its full life cycle of preparation in front of you in a ceremonial manner. Coffee is called 'Bunna' (boo-na) by the Ethiopians.

DAY 4 – DRIVE ABUNE AFTSE, YEHA TEMPLE AND ADWA MOUNATINS

This morning after breakfast, we drive 50 kms through dramatic highland landscapes of Adwa to Yeha, passing unique Sandstone homesteads along the way.  This city was founded at least 2,800 years ago and served as the capital of a pre-Axumite empire. The well-preserved stone temple was built 2,500 years ago. It also served as a center of a monastic Christian community in the early 6th century dedicated to one of the nine saints called Abune Aftse. A modern church built next to the temple ruins contains some of the ancient temple stones and its treasury contains illuminated manuscripts and crowns. 

After touring in Yeha Temple one of the centers for the Ethio-Sabean civilization of the Damat Kinkdom,where an ancient standing Temple and a ruined old palace still stands for more historical references. Then drive back to Adwa for lunch and discuss on the “Battle of Adwa (1896) and its significance to the Black World” While discussing, the group will enjoy Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony. Ethiopian coffee ceremony is one of the most enjoyable events you can attend at an Ethiopian Restaurant. The coffee is taken through its full life cycle of preparation in front of you in a ceremonial manner. Coffee is called 'Bunna' (boo-na) by the Ethiopians.

OVERNIGHT HOME STAY AT YEHA VILLAGE

DAY 4 - ABUNE AREGAWI AT DEBRE DAMO

After a morning breakfast, proceed to Debre Damo. Damo monastery is situated on an isolated mountain in northern part of Tigray. It is unique compared with most Ethiopian monasteries. Debre Damo was built, in the sixth century AD, with curved wood panels, painted ceilings and walls dedicated to the legend of Saint (Abune) Aregawi. The history of Debre Damo is centred on the "Nine Saints" who came to Ethiopia from Syria to spread Christianity in the Tigray region. One of them was Saint Aregawi who settled on the mountain of Debre Damo. Debre Damo is magnificent in terms of its location and extensive collection of priceless manuscripts that have remained intact to today. It has become a prominent monastic and educational center for the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. Debre Damo is only accessible by climbing up by a rope, which is made of "plaited leather", lowered from the cliffs, which visitors tie around their waist and are then pulled up by a monk at the top of the cliffs. It is only accessible to men and male animals. Women and even female animals are forbidden to set a foot into the monastery, and must remain under the cliffs and pray from there

OVERNIGHT ADIGRAT KENEAN HOTEL OR SIMILAR.

DAY 5 – DRIVE GHERALTA -ABUNE YEMATA

Morning drive to Abune Yemata, one of the best known of the “Rock Churches“ in the Gheralta Range with colorful paintings of the new and old testament. Climbing up to the church takes 40 minutes and the view is breathtaking. The church is dated to the late Axumite period around 7^th - 8^th century AD and the ceiling is decorated with painted domes of saints. Ascending and descending is an adventure by itself.

Later, drive to the direction of Wukro and en route visit Abreha we Atsbeha. This church one of the most easily accessible church was believed to be built in the 4^th century by the two royal brothers, Abreha and Atsbeha, who were responsible for converting of the Axumite Empire to Christianity. The church is large and cruciform in shape, with interesting architectural features such as cruciform pillars and stepped capitals. There are also well preserved 17^th century paintings depicting saints and biblical scenes. The church contains many valuable masterpieces including a beautifully decorated prayer cross, said to have belonged to Frumentius, the first Bishop of Ethiopia, whose ecclesiastical name was Abba Selama, meaning the father of peace.

OVERNIGHT WUKRO AT SERDO HOTEL OR SIMILAR.

DAY 6 – DRIVE MEKELLE

After a morning breakfast, visit the newly well established archaeological museum of Wukro. This museum has interesting collections of Pre-Axumite Sabean artifacts from Adi Akawih and other sites. Most of the collections. Interestingly, you will visit the newly excavated pre-Axumite site of Adi Akawih. The site is situated near the town of Wukro. This site has ancient objects such as a statute of seated women   and at its base is an altar with Sabean inscription and a partially inscribed podium. According to a translation by Prof. Nobert Nebes, the inscriptions mention the ancient Sabean-Ethiopian kingdom of D’m’t, the god Almoqah, and for the first time the well-known pre-Axumite temple, ‘Yeha’. On the basis of these same inscriptions, the objects are dated to 7th -6th century B.C. The Almoqah temple of Yeha is much larger than the Almoqah temple of Adi Akaweh, but a good comparable one is the Almoqah temple in Melazo near Axum.

Later, drive to Mekelle and after a lunch break take a city tour of Mekelle.  You can visit the old Majestic palace of Yohannes IV. It is Mekelle’s oldest royal house and built during the emperor’s reign (1872-1889). The palace, situated behind a double rounded wall compound, is actually two buildings facing each other. The museum has among its collection the incredible throne of the emperor from 1874, the royal bed, ceremonial dress, rifles and many other valuable items of Ethiopian heritage. The modern Martyrs monument of Hawelti/where you will see the 17 years of bloody struggle against Military regime/ and if time allows you can visit the open Market of Adihaki and the up sided building market of Edga Soni known as Defe’o where tourists will get the experience which was built for memorial of the First Woyane Rebellion, thousands of them were killed by the British airplane bombardment with order of Emperor Hailesilassie I.

OVERNIGHT AT HOTEL LIBANOS OR SIMILIAR

DAY 7- FLY BACK TO ADDIS AND END OF SERVICES.

Price includes:

•  Meet and greet at airport
•  All accommodation based on DBL/Twin room occupancy
•  Meals on full board, Breakfast, lunch and dinner basis including local non-alcoholic beverage
•  All entrance fees in all sight according to the program.
•  All transfers
•  Ground transportation with 4x4 WD Land Cruiser including fuel and driver allowance.                                                   
•  City Tour in Addis Ababa, Axum,Gheralta,Mekelle,  including fuel and driver allowance.                                          
•  Domestic flight cost as stated in the itinerary.
•  Local Guide and scout fees in each region
•  Farewell dinner in Addis to enjoy traditional Ethiopian food & Music;   
•  A traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony at a convenient time in the program
•  Government sales tax

 Price doesn't include

•  International Flights
•  Alcoholic drinks & spirits
•  Video filming and photography fees
•  Incidental meals, snacks and drinks
•  Tips and items of personal nature

TRIP OVERVIEW: TIGRAY ARCHEOLOGICAL ROUTE TOUR HIGHLIGHT

• Duration: 05 Nights & 06 days
• ransportation: surface, and air
• ccommodations: 4* in Addis Ababa and 3 * Hotels and lodges, and camping sites.