2 Days Short tour to the Rock churches of Tigray (SET36)

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Over 125 rocks hewn churches are recorded in Tigray region. The rock churches of Tigray do not function primarily as tourist attraction they were generally excavated using a very different method from that at Lalibela, the antiquity of most of the Tigraian rock-hewn churches remains largely a matter of speculate. Every church has its own oral tradition regarding its excavation, in many cases the church is dated to the reign of Abreha-we-Astebeha the twin Emperors of Axum who converted to Christianity in the middle of the 4th century. There are a number of explanation given as to why the rock-hewn churches of Tigray were so often carved in to relatively inaccessible cliff face, was it for security, or for spiritual isolation, or simply because cliff face are inherently good place to carve churches and cliff face are inherently inaccessible? Certainly the mentioned facts keep away outsiders and made the rock churches intact. Some of these rock hewn churches are pre-Christian temples, which was changed to church after the spread of Christianity in the northern Ethiopia. Most of these churches are difficult to access since they are carved on the top of the cliff, thus visitors who are interested to visit have to be physically fit, the rock churches can be visited form the Mekele or on the way to Axum, from this wokro Churckos and Abreha-we-Astebeha are the most reachable. Most of these churches are found on the Geralta chained mountains also these magnificent churches can be visited on the eastern and southern Tigray area. According to client interest we organize a special tour package which will combine trekking and camping.

Accommodations/ Hotels

Your choice of Up market/ Midrange/Budget with camping during trekking & adventure trip as per your preferred program

Meal plans

Your choice of meal- BB/HB/FB with all meals during trekking and adventure trip with professional cook at camping.

Transportation (Ground Drives & Domestic Flights)

Your choice of transportation based on the route you pick with Minivans/ Buses/ 4x4s & Domestic flights with walking/hiking, and pack animals during trekking and adventure trips

Entrance fee

All Entrance fee in the sightseeing’s, villages & National parks

Guiding services

Option 1- Professional licensed federal English or your preferred languages speaking guide throughout the trip with a local guides in each destination and scout in the case of attraction sight and national park

Option 2- English speaking driver guide throughout the trip with a local guides in each destination and scout in the case of attraction sight and national park

All activities & services based on your preferred program

Boat trips, pack animals, camel & horse ridding hyena man performance, camping equipments & other activities based on your preferred programs

Water

Daily bottled water

Government tax

Since our company is legal our price include government tax

  • International air/flight tickets,
  • Alcohol beverages,
  • Tourist Insurance,
  • Video filming and photography fees,
  • Tips and items of personal nature like laundry, souvenirs, etc
  • All expense that are not mentioned in the included part

Tour Title

Short tour to the Rock churches of Tigray

Tour Type

Rock-hewn churches, history, Christianity, rock climbing

Activity level

Moderate

Tour Code

SET 36

Tour Duration

2 Days & 1 Night

Mode of Transportation

Drive & Domestic flights Minivans, Buses (4x4s is recommended)

No of traveler

Private/Groups/ Joining

Type of accommodation

Optional Up market/ Midrange/ Budget with optional camping

Attraction Highlights

Over 125 rocks hewn churches are recorded in Tigray region. The rock churches of Tigray do not function primarily as tourist attraction they were generally excavated using a very different method from that at Lalibela, the antiquity of most of the Tigraian rock-hewn churches remains largely a matter of speculate. Every church has its own oral tradition regarding its excavation, in many cases the church is dated to the reign of Abreha-we-Astebeha the twin Emperors of Axum who converted to Christianity in the middle of the 4th century.

DAY 1- FLY Addis ABABA- MEKELLE- then drive to GERALTA CLUSTER TO EXPLORE ROCK CHURCHES

Morning transfers to the domestic terminal to fly Mekelle, upon arrival meet by SET team and head to the Geralta cluster to visit the rock churches of Tigray dated back from the 6-9th century established by the nine saints who came from Syria during the time of Kaleb and Gebremeskel kings of the Axum dynasty, the rock churches are carve on the top of mountain façade today you will visit the rock churches namely Mariam Korkur in the morning and afternoon ABUNE YEMATA, the most difficult to ascend but worth to see the surrounding mountains from the top of the cliff, overnight Geralta Lodge

DAY 2- EXPLORE MORE GERALTA CLUSTER ROCK CHURCHES- DRIVE TO MEKELLE-FLY BACK TO ADDIS ABABA- DEPARTURE

Morning after breakfast explore more rock churches in the Geralta cluster which are easily accessible including Dugume Selase, Abrehawe Atsbha and finally to Wekro Cherkos and drive to Mekelle and transfer to the airport late the afternoon check in to fly back to Addis Ababa arrival on the evening and transfer to Ethiopian traditional restaurant for farewell cultural dinner with Ethiopian tribal live music with dance performance then transfer to airport for your departure.

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