Addis Ababa

After an early breakfast in Mekele, drive north about 100 km towards the striking Gheralta Mountains. En route, stop to visit Abreha we Atsbeha Church, one of Tigray’s oldest and most beautiful rock-hewn churches. Continue to the trekking start point, where you’ll enjoy a light snack before beginning your 3-day trek. Hike 2–3 hours up the escarpments to reach Abune Abraham Church (7th century AD), richly decorated with colorful murals. After lunch on the mountain top, continue trekking across scenic landscapes dotted with wildlife, traditional Tigray houses, and sweeping highland views until you arrive at Mariam Papsite. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to experience local village life, with the chance to be invited into a farmer’s home for traditional Ethiopian coffee. Trek further to the base camp (about 4 hrs) and spend the night camping under the big sycamore tree.

Gheralta Rock

After breakfast, begin a challenging full-day trek (7–8 hours) towards Kamer Mountain (2,700m), the highest peak in Gheralta. From the summit, enjoy breathtaking panoramic views stretching to all four corners of the mountains. After lunch on the mountain top, continue trekking to visit Maryam Korkor and Daniel Korkor Churches, some of the most celebrated rock-hewn sanctuaries in Tigray, dating back to the 4th century AD. Their remote location and stunning cliff-top settings make them among the most rewarding to reach. Spend the evening camping at the top of Korkor mountain, alongside monks and nuns, where you’ll witness one of the region’s most beautiful sunsets followed by a peaceful sunrise the next morning.

Axum

Enjoy an early breakfast prepared by your trekking cook before setting off towards one of Tigray’s most iconic churches, Abune Yemata Guh. Known as the “church in the sky,” it is famed for its dramatic location perched high in the sandstone cliffs and for its vibrant medieval frescoes. After the visit, descend and enjoy a final trek across the Gheralta landscapes. Following lunch, drive back to Mekele or continue onward to Axum for your next adventure.