6 Days Tour to Danakil Depression & Tigray churches

Tour Description

Day 1: Mekele-Hamed Ela

On our first day, we will welcome you from the airport on the early morning flight or from your hotel and then drive from Mekele to Hamed Ela via Berehale, where we will pick up police scouts, road guides, and permits for the Afar region. Sights and highlights for the day include striking changes in scenery as we drop from 2220 elevation to below sea level, camel caravans, and camping beneath the star-filled sky.

Day 2: Hamed Ela – Dallol – Hamed Ela

The morning will be spent crossing salt flats by car and by foot, visiting the rust red, turquois, and sulphurous yellow acid ponds of Dallol it is 25 Km from the village of Hamed’ela

• crossing the largest depression
• Cross through wide area of salt composition
• Visit colorful lakes parts of salt (Lake Asaele) specific in Dallol
• Colorful hot spring water
• Salt mountain Acid cave
• Oil lack
• Salt mountain ( Ashaela)
• Salt excavating area on traditional way
• The original camel caravan life

Back to camp for the afternoon to rest, relax, and discover the surrounding village of Hamed Ela.

Day 3: Hamed Ela – Kursawad – Ertale

Brek camp at Hamed Ela and race across the desert, spotting herds of camels and traditional Afar homes, to Kursawad to make final arrangement for our evening hike, lunch, and possibly even tea with the village elder. A slow, but spectacular drive through hardened magma fields brings us to the base of Mount Erta’Ela where we pause to rest and wait out the heat before our trek. As the sun sets, we leave behind the jeeps and set out for a three hour hike, accompanied by a camel caravan carrying gear and water, to the edge of Mount Ertale. We camping here for a night lit by the stars and glow of the nearby volcano.

Day 4: Ertale – Mekele (240 KMs)

Early the next morning, we descend Mount Ertale, returning to the base camp for a well-earned breakfast. We return to the jeeps and carry on to Mekele via the small towns of Habala and Erepti,
Meals:
Tour to Tigray Rock hewn churches and its landscape
Tigray is located in the Northern part of Ethiopia 783 km from Addis Ababa the capital city of Ethiopia, which is the Alpha and Omega of Ethiopia’s ancient and remarkable history, recognized as the birth place of Orthodox Christianity in Ethiopia.
Tigray is regions where over 120 Rock-Hewn Churches are found which are similar in design with those 11 churches found in Lalibela which are believed to have been created in the 12th century. However, the Tigray Rock Churches are considered to be older, dating from the 5/6th century. And most of these churches have never been visited by tourists because of that these churches are located on the top of the cliffs for the reasons of security.
These rock churches are found in 5 directions, in Gheralta the home of a quarter of the rock churches in Tigray (Abune Yemata, Mariam Korkor, Abune Abreham, Silassie Digum and others), TekaTesfay the place where 2 Caves and 3 Churches(Petros & Pawlos, Mikael Milhaizengi and MedhaniAlem Adikosho) are found, Atsbi (Mikael Imba, Mikael Barka, Mikael DebreSelam), Tembien (Abba Yohanni, Gebriel Wukien, Mariam Hibiito and Ammannuel Maibaha) and Wukro & its nearby attractions (Wukro Cherkos, Negash Mosque and Abreha we Atsebeha).

Day 05: Gheralta cluster of churches

Abune Yemata (Guh)
Abune Yemata is one of the most majestic and awesome churche in Gheralta a village called Megab. It can be reached either via Degum 10km before Megab or via the historic town of Hawzien 8km before Megab. And a 5km drive from west of Megab and a further 30 minutes walk to the foot of the perpendicular rock mountains of Guh (name of the area). The interior of the church can be reached after climbing 5m tall vertical ascent where there are no ladders; no ropes and no hope if someone fall, and pass by a most terrifying narrow ledge carved in the cliff which is approximately 250m to 300m high. This rock is notable for its extensive and perfectly preserved wall and ceiling frescoes of Old and New Testament stories, thought to date from the 15th century. The annual festival is taken place on the 8th November.

Debre Mariam Kirkors
It is one of the biggest and most complex rock-hewn churches of Tigray situated in the village called Megab which can be reached either via Degum 10km before Megab or via the historic town of Hawzien 8km before Megab. About 1 and ½ hours walk and climb from the village it brings you to the white washed faced of a built structure church facing to the West. The interior part of this church is decorated with magnificent paintings such as paintings depicting Archangel Ruphael which is reported by Gerster to be “similar to the painting in the cathedral church of Faras”. And another painting on the Western wall shows the Virgin Mery with a circle around her abdomen which according Ivy Pearce indicates the development of Christ in Utero and such a theme was commen one in 17th century Byzantine art.
Daniel Korkor a smaller rock church with only 2 rooms which its ceiling of the domed anteroom is decorated with primitive paintings is a minutes’ walk apart. Overnight at Hawzain Lodge.

Day 06: Gheralta cluster of churches

Abune Abreham (Debretsion)
It is not far from the village called Digum which can be reached either via West of Wukro after 29km or 18 km Southeast of Hawzien. After 40 minutes gentle walk it can be reached on the top of the steep mountain. The church is entirely from a living hewn which is referred to as Abune Abreham, after the monk who founded it. The interior part of the church is decorated with fine paintings which are estimated to be from 15th century for the reasons of the simplicity of their lines and colors. But, according to some other writers and the church itself is thought to be from 14th century. It has a unique circular ceremonial fun with 1m diameter and wooden framework which its 34 panels are painted with figures of apostles from 15th century. And it also has a small domed room with decorated wall with many geometrical designs and carvings depicting Angels & Saints which is considered to have served as Abune Abreham’s prayer room. Its annual festival is taken place on the 21st of Hidar (30th of November in most years).

Degum Selassie
This church is located 29km far from Wukro in the southern edge of the village of Digum. With no need to climb and walk the church can be reached on the side way of the main road. This church belongs to St. Trinity; is large, double-tomb chamber has three ‘shelves’. Its interior part is decorated with a beautiful carving designs and old paintings.

Abreha we Atsbeha
Is one of the best and largest of the rock-hewn churches of Tigray situated 15km West of Wukro. Considered to be among the country’s earlist churches which is according to the local tradition the church was constructed in the 4th century, but some scholars estimated its date of construction to be on the 10th century but the certain is that it is built well before rock churches in Lalibela, where the level of sophistication of rock architecture reached its peak. This church is dedicated to the famous kings of Axum, the two brothers Abreha & Atsbeha who adopted Christianity in the 4th century. It is known for its extraordinary interior decoration as well as its magnificent murals from 17th century. It has a prayer cross which belongs to Abba Freminatos the 1st bishop of Ethiopia whose Ecclesiastical name was Abba Selama (father of peace). It is the site of annual pilgrimage (14th of October). And drive back to mekelle you will have a dinner invitation with our company and overnight at Mekelle at Hill top hotel.

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