Length 06 days
Cultural
Omo Valley
Lower Omo by River (Mago)
Three nights in a tented camp on a bend of the Omo, with boat days to riverside communities few travellers reach by road.
Historical journeys
Gheralta Rock Churches
Painted churches cut into the sandstone towers of Tigray, reached by barefoot climbs and narrow ledges high above the Hawzen plain.
This tour is paused for now
Paused while Tigray is under official travel warnings and flights to Mekelle are suspended.
You can travel now on
Length 02 days
Popular Cultural
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Overview
The journey in brief
- Duration
- 4 days, 3 nights
- Where
- Northern · Gheralta
- Travel style
- Private tour
- Best season
- October to May
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Price
- USD 1,295 per person
To reach Abuna Yemata Guh you take off your shoes, climb a short rock face on carved handholds, then walk a ledge above a drop of about 250 m. At the top, at 2,580 m, a painted church sits inside the cliff. The Gheralta range holds dozens of churches like it, cut into the sandstone by monks seeking solitude.
These are three slow days for travellers who have seen Lalibela and want what lies beyond it: steep climbs, priests who still read from old manuscripts in Ge’ez, and long views from the lodge at dusk. This route is paused for now; we will reopen it when it is safe.
Highlights
- A barefoot climb and cliff ledge to Abuna Yemata Guh at 2,580 m
- Painted walls and ceiling inside a church cut into the rock
- Maryam Korkor, a cross-shaped church with Adam and Eve on its walls
- Daniel Korkor, a hermit’s cell seven minutes along the cliff
- Sunset over the red sandstone towers from the lodge terrace
What is included
- Round-trip flights Addis Ababa–Mekelle at the Ethiopian Airlines discounted fare
- Airport transfers in Addis Ababa and Mekelle
- 3 nights’ accommodation, twin share
- Meals as listed in the itinerary
- 4x4 vehicle and driver
- English-speaking guide throughout
- Local climbing guides, with ropes and harness at Abuna Yemata Guh
- Church entry fees
- Bottled water
What is not included
- International flights
- Ethiopian visa
- Domestic fare difference if you do not fly Ethiopian Airlines internationally (about USD 150 per round trip)
- Single room (optional extra)
- Meals not listed
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Tips for guides, climbing guides and drivers
- Travel insurance
Itinerary
Day by day
Day 1 Mekelle and the Road to the TowersGheralta
Your guide meets you at Bole International Airport for the morning flight to Mekelle. The road north takes about two hours, and the sandstone towers of the Gheralta rise ahead long before you arrive. Evening on the lodge terrace, as the cliffs turn red.
Activities
- Morning flight to Mekelle
- Drive to the Gheralta
- Sunset at the lodge
Day 2 Abuna Yemata Guh, a Church in the CliffGheralta
An early start from Megab, with local climbing guides who carry ropes and a harness. The last stretch is barefoot: a short rock face, then the ledge. Inside, the priest may open an old manuscript under walls and a ceiling covered in paintings.
Activities
- Early start from Megab
- Guided climb to Abuna Yemata Guh
- Afternoon at leisure at the lodge
Day 3 Maryam Korkor and the Hermit’s CellGheralta
A steep path of about an hour climbs to Maryam Korkor, a cross-shaped church 17 m deep, painted by at least three artists over generations. Adam and Eve are on its walls. Seven minutes along the cliff, Daniel Korkor is a small hermit’s cell with a view over the whole plain.
Activities
- Climb to Maryam Korkor
- Short cliff walk to Daniel Korkor
- Picnic lunch on the plateau
Day 4 Last Light on the Plain, Then SouthMekelle
A free morning for a slow breakfast or a walk among the fields below the towers. You drive back to Mekelle for the afternoon flight to Addis Ababa, where we transfer you to your hotel or international flight.
Activities
- Free morning in the Gheralta
- Drive to Mekelle
- Afternoon flight to Addis Ababa
Itineraries can change with weather, road and flight conditions. We will tell you promptly if they do.
Gallery
A look at the trip
Photo: Unsplash
Good to know
Before you book
- Guide languages
- English, Amharic
- Minimum age
- 12 years and over
- Group size
- 1 to 12 travellers
- Meeting point
- Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa. Your guide meets you in arrivals with a name sign.
- Accessibility
- The climb to Abuna Yemata Guh includes a short vertical section and a narrow ledge with a long drop. Not suitable for anyone with a fear of heights, limited mobility or heart conditions; Maryam Korkor is steep but has no climbing.
What to bring
- Shoes with good grip
- Socks for church floors
- Sun hat
- Sunscreen
- A small daypack
- A headlamp for dim church interiors
Dress code: Modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees; women bring a scarf to cover the head inside churches.
Cancellation policy
This tour follows the Strict policy. Days are whole calendar days before departure.
| When you cancel | What you get back |
|---|---|
| 30 or more days before departure | 50% refund |
| Fewer than 30 days before departure | No refund |
A non-refundable USD 150 per traveller (domestic flights) is deducted before these percentages are applied.
Questions
About this tour
How hard is the Abuna Yemata Guh climb?
The rock face is short, but you need steady nerves on the ledge. Local guides rope you in and talk you through each hold.
Can I skip it?
Yes. Maryam Korkor and Daniel Korkor have no climbing, and we can add another Gheralta church in its place.
Can I take photos inside?
Usually yes, without flash. Ask the priest first; a small fee is sometimes asked.
Why is the tour not available?
Tigray is under official travel warnings and flights to Mekelle are suspended. We will reopen it when it is safe.
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