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 4^th 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.

• 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

DAY 1- FLY Addis ABABA- MEKELLE- full day tigray rock churches tesfa teka cluster- Hawzen/ Geralata

Morning transfer to the domestic terminal to fly Mekelle, upon arrival meet by SET team and head to Tigray rock churches to explore the TEKA TESFA CLUSTER to explore Medhanialem Adikesho for the amazing location and interior wall painting, continue exploring Petros Powlos and Mekalle Mahizenge, on the way picnic lunch or local restaurant, then drive to Hawzen late afternoon arrival, overnight local hotel

DAY 2- FULL DAY EXPLORE GERALTA CLUSTER ROCK CHURCHES

Morning after breakfast head to the Geralta cluster to visit the rock churches of Tigray dated back from the 6-9^th 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 3- 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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