Tigray region

The Tigray region is a northern region of Ethiopia, adjacent to the border with Eritrea. There are over rock-hewn Orthodox 120 churches in the Tigray, most to be found in the mountainous region between Axum and Mekele. Some of them date back to the 5th/6th century AD.

The climate in Tigray region may be really warm and dry depends on the season. Make sure you bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen for the day.

The best way to arrive is by plane flying to Mekele Airport from Addis Abeba. Then visitors must take a taxi to go to Mekele centre (160 birr).

Accommodation in Mekele

Selina Pension. Basic rooms with bathroom. Price: 250 birr/night. No mosquito nets, no WiFi.

Hotel Milano. One of the best hotels in the city. Price: 500 birr/night.

Restaurants in Mekele

Yordanos Restaurant. European style dishes such as pizzas and burgers (125 birr).

Geza Gerlase. Great place to try local meat such as shish kebab and shekla tibs, drink some beers and listen Ethipian music on live. There’s a cultural dance show at 7.30 pm on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday nights.

Other recommendations

Take a bajaj inside the city 50 birr.

ETT offices to book a Danakil Tour (near hotel Milano).

There some ATMS around the city.

Transport to Tigray region

Early in the morning (from 6.00 am) take a bajaj to the North Bus Station (70 birr). There look for a Mekele-Hawzien minibus (4 hours - 50 birr),

ETT operator offers private transfers from 35 USD.

Accomodation

Gheralta Logde. It's higly recommended to spend one night in this amazing oasis. Great service too. Price: a single room with bathroom (from 25 USD) including welcome aperitif the first evening. Dinner is buffet and costs 15 USD.

To get to the lodge take a tuk tuk from Hawzen (30 birr) or on foot (20 minutes).

Gheralta Lodge also offers private transfers to the churches or Mekele (from 55 USD).

More info here.

Top Tigray Churches

Guides must be hired in Guide Association in Megab. Schedule: 9:00 am - 17:00 pm.

Abuna Yemata Guh. From Gheralta Lodge it's 45 minutes far away. A hilltop church with a steep climb with or without a harness. Only for adventurers and fit climbers. One of the oldest monolithic churches in the region, with paintings of domes and pristine walls. The climb takes 2,5 hours (round trip).

Maryam Korkor and Daniel Korkor (are close each other From Gheralta Lodge it's 30 minutes far away and from Abuna Yemara 15 minutes. Daniel Korkor, located on a vertiginous 300-metre precipice, enjoys stunning views. Its has a well preserved paitings on the ceiling. The climb takes 2 hours (round trip).

Bring drinking water and some snacks..Tourists can visit both churches in the same day.

Take care of fake guides in Hawzen, Say no if a scout wants to join or you must pay a tip at the end of the hiking.

Climb Fees

Abuna Yemata ticket 150 birr

Guide 460 birr

Ropes 150 birr

Bajaj frpm Gheralta 600 birr

Priest 20 birr

Maryam Korkor and Daniel Korkor ticket 150 birr

Guide 460 birr

Bajaj frpm Gheralta 600 birr

Priest 20 birr