Tours & tickets

Abuna Yem’ata Guh

Embark on a guided tour of the Tigray region mainly to visit the most stunning church of the region Abune yemata Guh. If time allows, visit two more churches on the top of one mountain Maryam Korkor, and Daniel Korkor, all of which are very different in style but stunningly beautiful in their own way. To visit Abuna Yemata Guh, walk for about an hour to commence a steep ascent up the side of the Gheralta massif. This steep ascent soon turns into a climb using footholds and handholds chipped into the sandstone rock by the passage of many hands and feet. The climb and the walk along very narrow ledges with sheer drops to the side is not one for the faint-hearted. The church itself can be reached by walking out on a ledge one meter wide and with a 200m drop to the left-hand side. At the entrance, there is a small cave and a wooden door built into the rock. Of the three, Maryam Korkor is the most impressive architecturally. A huge, high ceiling is supported by 12 free-standing pillars. Look at it and wonder how the architect managed to carve so high from the ground. Afterward, drive back to Mekele.

Day 01 Fly Addis Ababa to Mekelle and drive to Hawzen Activity Excursion to Abune Yemata Guh & Abraha Atsbeha You will meet upon arrival at Mekelle airport then drive to Hawzen to climb in one of the ancient rock churches of Abune Yemata Guh & we will have some walk on foot from Gheraltha to visit the monastery of Abuna Yemata Guh, its a monolithic church located in the Hawzen woreda of the Tigray Region, Ethiopia. It is situated at a height of 2,580 metres (8,460 ft) and has to be climbed on foot to reach. It is notable for its dome and wall paintings dating back to the 5th century and its architecture . Then drive back to Hawzen to procced for Abraha Atsbeha, the first church in Ethiopia. Its interior is painstakingly decorated. Finally you will be driving to Mekelle for your flight back to Addis Ababa.

Discover the Gheralta Mountains on a 3-day trekking tour from Mekele. Visit the old church on the sky called Youhans Maqudi, the colorful decorated church of Abune Abraham, and the church of Mariam Korkor. Day 1: Mekele – Geralta Drive from Mekele about 100 km towards the massive Gheralta mountains to the beginning of the trekking site. After breakfast, continue trekking for 1.5 hours to reach the old church on the sky called Youhans Maqudi. Continue trekking for 3-4 hours to reach the colorful decorated church of Abune Abraham. Continue down to the base camp for 2 hours. Accommodate in a camping site in the village under a big tree. Day 2: Geralta After breakfast, continue trekking admiring the wonderful view, wildlife, and traditional Tigray house to reach Mariam Papsite. After visiting the church, continue trekking to the base camp for 4 hours. Accommodate in a camping site in the village called Korkor. Day 3: Geralta – Mekele – Addis Abeba After an early breakfast, start trekking to the highest point of the Gheralta which is 2700 meters above sea level to see the view towards the 4 corners of the remarkable Gheralta mountains. After lunch, continue trekking to visit the church of Mariam Korkor and Danile Korkor. After visiting those churches, continue walking for 1 hour to Hawzan. Finally, drive back to Mekele and fly to Addis Abeba.