Tigray and Lalibela Rock Church Tours & Trekking – 5 Days
Day 1
Axum Begin your day with a visit to the Church of St. Mary of Zion, including a stop at the chapel where the Ark of the Covenant is supposedly kept. Then travel to the famous Stelaes. These stones are larger than any individual part of the pyramids! After this we’ll journey to the Archeology Museum where you can learn more of the ancient history of the area and see many of the findings from Axum and other empires. We’ll also see the Ezana Stone, a trilingual monument, similar to the Rosetta Stone, that researchers have used to learn much about the Axumite Kingdom. Then we’ll finish the day with a visit to King Caleb’s tomb and the ruins of the palace of the Queen of Sheba.
Day 2
Gheralta Many guests enjoy spending the night at the wonderful Gheralta Lodge. After a restful night and delicious breakfast, get ready for a full day of some of the area’s most famous rock churches. Well see the Yeha Temple, the oldest standing building in Horn of Africa, and the Debre Damo Monastery, which requires a rope to climb into the ancient place.
Day 3
Gheralta and Mekele There are many more rock-hewn churches around Gheralta, suited for all skill levels. Abune Yemata and Marium Korkor are both known for their challenging climb as well as their spectacular scenery. After exploring more churches, the day will end with travel back to Mekele, the capital of the Tigrai region.
Day 4
Travel to Lalibella Today we’ll drive to Lalibella. We’ll be sure to stop at Yemerhana Kristos, one of the oldest rock churches in the in the country.
Day 5
Lalibella Now we’ll visit more of the many rock churches in the area. There are 10 rock-churches in the city of Lalibella, including the famous St. George church, so there are plenty to explore! Lalibella’s construction of the churches is truly one of the most unique sights in all the world. This exciting itinerary includes spectacular scenery, visits to spectacular ancient ruins, and the opportunity to mingle with the many different people from across the country.
