TREKKING IN TIGRAI ROCK CHURCHES

The route covers the beautiful country side and the life of the farmers deep in to their villages as far as the birth place of emperor Yohanes iv and Ras Alula AbaNega, then drive to Chick Silassie church where this is one of the most important monasteries and then continue to Abi Adi for lunch. The next day you will drive both to Abba Yohani and Gebreiel wukien. The route will turn to Hawzien after trekking to Mariam Hibito (the Hidden Rock church of Mary), then crossing the Werie River, where the traditional gold mining area after the rainy season you will proceed to. The route will go to Aba Gebremichael, and then to Abune Yemata(Guh),explore the beauty of Gheralta Rock churches on the way to Wukro and finally drive to Mekelle for your flight back to Addis.

DAY 1- FLY MEKELLE AND DRIVE TEMBIEN

The 90 km newly paved asphalt road goes from Mekelle to Tembien via Hagereselam so enroute you will experience places like the birth places of Emperoro Yohanes IV as well as Ras Alula Abanega. Then the hidden historical visit of Kidane Mhiret and Sillassie chihk. These churches are found in the village of Agebe where there are two churches-One is Rock and the other is built one. The rock church is special for visitors because it is situated somewhere in forest and running water all year round. The rock church is well designed with geometrical figures and the circular built church is fully decorated with 18 and 19^th C paintings is exceptional to the area. The churches are said to be one of the places where you will find precious church treasures.

Overnighta  Ambera Meteka Hotel similar

DAY 2- TREK TO ABBA YOHANNI

Abba Yohanni is a monastery about 8 km off the main road. Another local road goes to within a few meters of the foot of Debre Assa, the mountain on which the church is built. Because of its whitewashed façade, the church is visible from a distance. Incised from the sheer cliff, the church is accessible only through a tunnel-like passage on its west side.

The interior of the church is as spacious as it is beautiful. Divided into several bays and aisle by its arched columns, the church is 14 meters deep and 12 meters wide. Seven free-standing columns and many non-free-standing columns support the ceiling, which is as high as nine meters.  The ceiling is adorned by domes which themselves are decorated by finely carved crosses. Classic in its decoration and supreme in its workmanship, Abba Yohanni is a wonderful gift of art contributed from the distant past to the present.

Overnight camping at the foot of the mountain

DAY 3-TREK TO MARIAM HIBIETO VILLAGE

Built in the 15^th century, Mariam Hibiito (The Hidden Mary) is really hidden in a foot hill and surrounded by old green trees. Unlike in many other rock-hewn churches of Tigrai, the carvers of this structure had much time to spend in beautifying its exterior. To say the least, they have cut out four free-standing columns reminiscent of those at Medhane Alem Addi Kesho.  

Inside the church there are four free standing and six non-free-standing columns. An unfinished dome-making effort is also evident on the ceiling. The church itself is 13m deep and 9m wide. It can be reached after 34km from the town of Abbi-Addi. The church is also surrounded by mountains in attractive setting. 

Overnight camping at the village of Maibeha

DAY 4- TREK TO GELEBEDA

After crossing a river called Worie there are some villages like Gelebeda, Koraro, and others mainly know for their uncountable contribution of the military struggle of the TPLF and now this place is known as part of the Millennium Development Villages benefits a lot of new technologies such as milling house, computerized school, health center, common vehicle for the whole village in order to facilitate their daily life. Spending a night in this small village will be a different experience than you did before.

Overnight camping at the village

DAY 5- TREKK TO ABA GEBREMICHAEL

The church is situated west of Abune Yemata church, Considered as one of the best and finest churches in Gheralta, this church’s cruciform plan is hewn beautifully into a dome like rock. The escarpment that overlays the settlement in the east is marked by pyramid–shaped stony hills of which one safeguards Abune Gebre Mikael, one of the best-preserved churches of the mountains. This church’s cruciform plan is hewn beautifully into a dome-like rock. It features vibrant frescoes and carefully carved columns, pillars, cupolas and arches. The church can be reached after driving 23 km of local road from Megab or 18km from the departure of Abune Yemata (Guh) and after a sometimes demanding climb up a chimney in the mountain.

Overnight camping at the top of the mountain

DAY 6-TREKK TO ABUNE YEMATA

Morning drive about 18km 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.

Overnight camping at the nearby villages

DAY 7- TREKK MARIAM KORKOR AND DANIEL KORKOR

In the morning visit Maryam Korkor and Daniel Korkor, two churches nearby. Maryam Korkor is said to be dated to the late 7^th century. However, the paintings dated back to the 13th century. The architecture in Maryam Korkor is impressive. Eleven pillars support a domed ceiling. Each pillar features a very earnest saint or an angel. Daniel Korkor is situated on a small ledge a short walk to the opposite side of the hill. The church consists of two small rooms with whitewashed walls, adorned with simple but powerful paintings. The dome of the one room is dominated by a painting of four evangelists; other drawings show St. Mary, St. George, and the 9 most important Ethiopian saints. Walking up and down is fascinating. 

Overnight camping at bottom of the mountain

DAY 8- TREKK TO DEBRETSION ABUNE ABRHAM CHURCH

Later visit Debre Tsion. It is about 40 minutes’ walk from the escarpment. It is a monastic cliff church carved in to a rusty sandstone face. It has an impressive and unusually symbolic exterior. The interior of the church is lovely decorated. The back walls of the holy of holies, the domes and wall panels are abundantly decorated with fine painting of saints and Apostles. Especially the dome is beautifully adorned with patterns. Because of the simplicity of the lines and colors, the paintings are estimated to be of the 15th century although the church officials prefer to date it, in the 14th century. A 15th century unique circular ceremonial fan (one meter in diameter) with wooden framework makes the visit to this church special. Each of its 34 panels is finely painted with figures of Apostles. Its walls are decorated with many geometrical designs and carvings in relief depicting Angels and Saints. It is indeed a manifestation of the great stone workmanship that was common in the whole of Tigrai both at that time and before.

Overnight camping at the village of Debrestion

DAY 9- TREKK TO YOHANESS MAEQUDI

Finally visit Yohannes Maequddi. This rectangular chapel has six free standing pillars that support a ceiling carved with geometrical designs. The church contains many early paintings which are thought to be at least 300 years old, and are very different in style to any other church paintings found in Gheralta. The walls of the building are dressed with murals of saints and apostles; it is the intense atmosphere that most visitors remember. From the village of matari it is around a 40 minutes’ walk (about 1km south of Dugem) via a steep footpath. Drive Hawzein for overnight.

Overnight camping at the village

DAY 10- TREKK TO ABREHA WE ATSBEHA

The trekking will pass through a very interesting villages with traditional Hidmo houses till you reach Abreha we Atsbeha. This church was built in the 4th century by two royal brothers, Abreha and Atsbeha (known in the west as kings, Ezana and Saizana), who were responsible for converting Ethiopia 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 17th 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. This village is well known all over the world because it is taken one of the best model villages of Tigrai for its successful job of environmental rehabilitation and has got recognition and reward in 2012.

Overnight camping at the village

DAY 11- TREKK TO WUKRO

The 15 km rough road might take like 3 to 4 hrs walking and you will notice how the area is rehabilitating and after your arrival in wukro you will relax and visit the nearby wukro cherkos church or the newly established archeological museum, one of the best museums in the country and mainly is filled with archeological artifacts from Makaber Gaewa,Mariam Anza and Wokarida sites.  The church is regarded by locals to date from the 4th century A.D. In many aspects, the edifice shows a considerable resemblance with Abraha Atsebaha. The main room containing a beautifully decorated 15th century pillars with painting depicting angles and saints’ line drawings cover the ceiling.

Overnight at Lewam Hotel or similar

DAY 12- DRIVE MEKELLE FOR YOUR FLIGHT TO ADDIS ABABA

End of Tour