8 DAYS IN TIGRAY

Day 01: Fly to Shire followed by a drive to Aksum.

Rise early to catch Ethiopian airlines flight to Shire, currently the nearest functional airport to Aksum (60km). The drive between Shire and Aksum will take about 1 and half hour. After lunch explore Aksum, Ethiopia’s oldest city and the capital of an ancient Aksumite empire. The historic city is home to one of the largest obelisks in the world, as well as ancient tombs, castles and museums as well as the oldest church in Sub-saharan Africa in St Mary of Zion and the chapel that house the original Ark of the Covenant. You will have an opportunity to visit local houses spontaneously, drinking coffee and local beer with the locals. Overnight: Sabean or similar Hotel

Day 02: Aksum and Gobodura

Continue exploring Aksum. Afternoon trek to Gobodura, the quarry place for the giant stelae, on the outskirt of the town. Gobodura is a living testimonial to appreciate the masonry skills and techniques of ancient Aksumites. Overnight: Sabean or similar Hotel

Day 03: Aksum-Adwa-Adigrat

Leave Aksum for Adigrat with short treks to Adwa Mountains and the pre-historic site of Yeha. Leaving Aksum head to Adwa, referred by the locals as the guardian of Zion. Adwa marks a monumental landmark in colonial resistance- a battle that marked the defeat of Italian Colonial ambition by the Ethiopian forces. If you get interested you can hike the last 3-4km towards the breathtaking Adwa Mountains superlatively called the Conference of Mountains! Then, continue onto the temple of Yeha- the earliest standing structure in sub-Saharan Africa. Here again, you can walk the last 2km or so. Explore the archaeological site and marvel at the ruins of the Great Temple of Yeha, dated back to 8th c BC. Afternoon, leave Yeha for Hawzein to use it as a base to explore the remote churches of Tigray. Overnight: Hawzein in a hotel

Day 04: Full day trek to Mariam Korkor and Abune Yemata

Today, you will start your true adventure of trekking to the remote churches of Tigary starting with Mariam Korkor. Mariam Korkor is carved into the sandstone high on top of the cliff overlooking the Hawzien plains and mountains. The church shelters important ecclesiastical treasures including parchments and crosses. The nearby hermits’ cell- Daniel Korkor enjoys one of the most stunning views in the area. You will have a picnic lunch before heading onto your next adventure. Then, continue trekking to Abuna Yemata Guh, a church perched high in the Gheraltha Mountains. This one of the most challenging but rewarding hike using handholds and footprints of pilgrims worn by erosion. The church enjoys terrific views and the inside part is adorned with vivid paintings. Overnight: Hawzein in a hotel

Day 05: Trek to Debre Tsion

After breakfast drive to Megab from where you start trekking to Debre Tsion also referred as Abuna Abereham. You will across farm lands and small village to access Abuna Abereham, known for its diverse architectural features. Founded by Abuna Abreham, a monk who was a major figure in the ascetic monastic movement behind establishment of remote places of worship in the mountains of Tigray, Debre Tsion is rectangular in shape, with its vaulted and domed ceiling supported by six cruciform pillars with plain capitals. The murals athat adorned the church were painted in the 14th century and the majority still remained intact. Overnight: Hawzein in a hotel

Day 06: Visit Abreha We Atsibeha Church

Believed to be built in the first half of the 4th c AD by the twin brother Abraha and Atsbeha , the church is one of the finest and earliest centers of worship. The massive cruciform interior of the church is supported by finely carved pillars. The walls are beautifully adorned with biblical as well as historical scenes. The ceiling of the church bears precisely curved crosses and friezes. The church also houses the mummies of the twin brothers Ezana and Sayizana later named Aberaha and Atsbeha as well as the cross of the First Patriarch of Ethiopia. Overnight: Wukro in a hotel

Day 07: Full day trek to Petros We Pulos, Mikael Milahzengi and Medihanialem AdiKesho Churches

Today you will explore another group of sacred churches in Tigray: Petros We Paulos, Mikael Milahzengi and Medihanealem AdiKesho. After a short drive from Wukro, you'll begin your hike through farmland with your first stop at Petros we Paulos (about 40 minutes), a part-built, part-natural cave. Accessing the church is demanding and even scary for people with vertigo. The locals can easily climb using foot  and finger handles. The interior is simple but has brightly colored wall paintings. Then continue walking to Mikael Milhazengi Church for about 20 minutes. Since it is carved on top of a prominent hill, the church can be seen from afar. Mikael Milahzengi has simple architecture compared to  other churches. The most attractive feature of the church is the elaborately decorated dome with the local Himbasha bread symbol of Tigray. Priests believe that it represents the seal of God. Leave Mikael Milhazengi and continue east to Medihane Alem Adikesho, by far the most beautiful church in terms of architecture and location in the cluster. The wooden-framed doors and windows are beautifully decorated, as are the free-standing pillars, intricately carved with friezes and various symbols. The climb up to the church may seem like a challenge in the first part, but then it's a gentler trek through beautiful patches of forest. Overnight: Wukro in a hotel

Day 08: Wukro –Mekele- Afar

Today you come to the end of your Tigrai adventure and jump onto your next experience- the Danakil Depression. Leave Wukro and head to Mekel to meet with your crew and proceed to the Danakill Depression.