After an early breakfast in Mekele, drive north about 100 km towards the striking Gheralta Mountains. En route, stop to visit Abreha we Atsbeha Church, one of Tigray’s oldest and most beautiful rock-hewn churches. Continue to the trekking start point, where you’ll enjoy a light snack before beginning your 3-day trek. Hike 2–3 hours up the escarpments to reach Abune Abraham Church (7th century AD), richly decorated with colourful murals. After lunch on the mountain top, continue trekking across scenic landscapes dotted with wildlife, traditional Tigray houses, and sweeping highland views until you arrive at Mariam Papsite. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to experience local village life, with the chance to be invited into a farmer’s home for traditional Ethiopian coffee. Trek further to the base camp (about 4 hrs) and spend the night camping under the big sycamore tree.