Ethiopia & East Africa · office in Gondar · Open daily · 8:00 - 18:00 (East Africa Time)
Cultural & Historical
Stelae, sacred arklands and churches in the sky. From the ancient stelae of Axum to the cliff-clinging rock churches of Gheralta — a deep dive into the cradle of Ethiopian Orthodoxy.
From
From USD 750 per person
Indicative from price — your full quote is confirmed when you enquire.
Northern Tigray is where Ethiopian civilisation reaches back deepest. This five-day journey pairs the archaeological heartland of Axum — field of giant stelae, ruins of an empire and the shrine of the Ark of the Covenant — with the astonishing rock churches of the Gheralta mountains, some reached by scrambling up cliff faces.
With a historian-minded local guide, you'll move between carved-out chapels, fortified monasteries and highland villages, ending at the legendary 'church in the sky', Abuna Yemata Guh.
Route difficulty
Regular walking days at altitude at a measured pace.
Best time to go
Trekking runs year-round with the right plan — ask us for the best window for your dates.
Read the season guide
Fly to Axum, settle in, then a first evening walk through the town's markets and a soft introduction to the stelae field in late light.
A full day at the stelae field, the ruins of Dungur and Enda Simon (the 'tombs of kings'), the archaeological museum, and the Church of St Mary of Zion, guarded as the resting place of the Ark.
Travel east toward the sandstone mesas of Gheralta, visiting the historic church of Abuna Abraham in Debre Tsion en route, and overnight at the foot of the mountains.
Rise early for the scramble up to Abuna Yemata Guh, with its breathtaking cliffside position and 5th-century paintings. Afternoon exploring two quieter rock churches on the valley floor.
Depending on your onward plans, transfer south to Lalibela (3–4 hrs) to continue the northern circuit, or return to Axum for your flight to Addis.
A reasonable level of fitness — you'll walk 3–8 hours daily at high altitude.
Travellers who want a complete, in-depth journey across Ethiopia and beyond.
Run small-group or privately so the experience stays personal.
Not sure it's the right fit? We'll help you choose — see how we plan trips.
Indicative pricing
US$ 1,500
US$ 750 per person × 2
It is a short but awkward scramble over bare rock with a 3-metre exposed pitch. Most fit travellers manage it happily; the views are exceptional.
Yes — this route connects naturally to Lalibela and Gondar, and we often run it as part of an extended northern journey.
Castles, churches and Lake Tana
Journey the legendary northern circuit — Gondar's castles, the churches of Lalibela, the stelae of Axum and the monasteries of Lake Tana.
The rock churches, plus a hidden chapel in a cave
Two extraordinary days among Lalibela's rock-hewn churches, crowned by the cave-church of Yemrehanna Kristos with its forest of mummified pillars.
The ancient capital of the Aksumite Empire, famed for towering stelae, royal tombs and a history spanning nearly two millennia.
The dramatic sandstone mesas of Tigray, sheltering some of the world's most extraordinary rock-hewn churches in remote, climbable cliff faces.
Send us an inquiry and we'll confirm availability, answer your questions and finalise every detail for you.
