DAY 1 – Arrive in Addis Ababa:

With group members arriving during the afternoon and evening, today is a ‘free’ day for you to arrive, be transferred to your hotel, and to shake off any travel fatigue, before the start of your adventure in earnest, tomorrow.

NOTE: Overnight stay at the hotel is included.

DAY 2 – Journey begins in Addis Ababa:

Begin your adventure with a tour of this lively city including its Cathedral, National Museum and Merkato. In the evening, watch traditional musicians and dancers performing different tribal dances in a culture house before dinner at a restaurant and a jazz club or two for any interested parties.

NOTE: Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included. Alongside with Joy ride and overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 3 – Addis Ababa to Lalibela:

Hop on a short national flight to the historic town of Lalibela where your guided tour of the ancient 13th Century rock-hewn churches begins. This is easily the most famous of all monuments across this enormous country. Professional local guides will lead you through the intricate system of underground passages that link the incredibly beautiful eleven churches in the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

NOTE: Breakfast lunch and dinner is included. Alongside an overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 4 – Genna festival:

This morning we head out of Lalibela to the South East, and up, walking through magnificent scenery, to the unadorned and simple, remote monastery of Asheton Maryam.  The views at 4000m (this is the highest monastery in Ethiopia) are breathtaking and the steady leg stretch gives us a perfect introduction to walking before our trek starts in Gheralta the day after tomorrow. We will spend the evening walking around the churches and surrounding area to witness the colourful parades and rituals with music, feasting and dancing! We will share food with the local people and perhaps even partake in some of their delicious honey wine ‘tej’ which is always drank throughout the festival.

NOTE: Breakfast lunch and dinner is included. Alongside an overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 5 – Lalibela to Axum:

It is up to a 12-hour drive from Lalibela to the Gheralta Mountains so instead we will take the short flight to the ancient capital city of Axum to view its 4th Century  24-metre-tall granite stele and explore its charming markets and town centre. After a relaxing lunch we will drive for a couple of hours to our lodge in the Gheralta Mountains for dinner and a rest before our trekking adventure begins.

NOTE: Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included. Alongside overnight stay at the lodge.

DAY 6 – Begin rock church mountain trek:

Hike up to view inside the delightful Abuna Abraham rock church, which requires a good climb in order to reach it; the views both inside and out are simply breathtaking. Tonight, camp under the biggest sycamore tree in the region, a wonderful spot where many of the local exotic birds flock to nest in its branches and you can meet local people from the surrounding villages. 5 hours walking.

NOTE: Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included. Alongside hiking and overnight camping.

DAY 7 – Sycamore tree to Agoza camp:

On the way you can climb Mt. Kemmer, the highest mountain in the Gheralta range affording 360° views of the surrounding mountains and desert plateau of Tigray. Pass by a tiny rock hermitage carved into the mountainside before reaching our camp in Agoza village, where you will camp in the grounds of the local school, chatting with the villagers that often congregate there. 7 hours walking.

NOTE: Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included. Alongside hiking and overnight camping.

DAY 8 – Agoza to Koraro camp:

This hike takes you up to beautiful Abuna Gebre Michael rock church carved deep into the mountainside and adorned with magnificent frescos. Follow the priest down a narrow natural defile cut through the rock of the mountain which leads to your campsite. This is situated in the lee of an enormous natural cave with a sandy floor for your tents. Celebrate with a barbecue of fresh meat and beer brought up from the nearest village, a campfire and dancing. 5 hours walking.

NOTE: Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included. Alongside hiking and overnight camping.

DAY 9 – Journey ends in Addis Ababa:

Drive from Koraro to visit either the world-renowned Abuna Yemata or the beautiful Mariam Koko rock churches. Depending on your preferences as the climb to Abuna Yemata is rather steep, requiring simple ropes and a harness for one particular spot as you ascend the giant stalagmite. For those who brave the climb it is one of the most incredible things you will ever see! Continue on a drive to Mekele Airport for your flight back to Addis Ababa for your final group dinner at one of the best restaurants in town.

NOTE: Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included. Alongside hiking and overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 10 – Fly out from Addis Ababa:

After breakfast, you will be escorted to the airport for your departure back home.

NOTE: Breakfast is included.