The ancient city of Axum and the historical route of Ethiopia

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Addis Ababa
Axum

Ancient city of Axum is the cradle of Ethiopia’s ancient civilization. Ancient city of Axum, Located 257 kilometers northwest of Mekelle, the regional capital, Aksum is an exotic tourist destination that offers a unique combination of beguiling history, natural beauty, perfect weather, and serene environment.

Steeped in legend and mystery, Aksum is the oldest continuously-inhabited city in sub-Saharan Africa. It was founded more than 3,000 years ago in the days of the Queen of Sheba, who ruled over a vast trade empire from her palace there. It is also the last resting place of the Ark of the Covenant, which is said to have been smuggled there by Emperor Menelik I, the son of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon of Jerusalem.

Aksum later served as the capital of the Axumite Kingdom, the only sub-Saharan African empire known to the literati of the classical world. The mercantile and political sophistication of this kingdom can be seen in the fact that coins of the Hellenistic type were struck here from the late third to the early eighth centuries. One of the great Axumite rulers was King Basen, or Balthazar, one of the Three Wise Men who visited the baby Jesus bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Another was King Ezana, who established the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Aksum in 341 AD.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980, Aksum today is home to skyscraping obelisks, brooding catacombs, sprawling ruined palaces, engraved tablets, and other ancient artifacts dating back to its glory days. The ancient church founded by Ezana remains the spiritual home of Ethiopian Christianity. In terms of its sanctity as well as the greatness of its empire, Aksum is like Jerusalem and Rome combined. In essence, Aksum is faith, holiness, history, and tranquility all wrapped in one.

Ancient city of axum

 

Tour Details

Start and end in Addis Ababa! With the hiking & trekking tour The Simien Mountains Trek, you have a 9 day tour package taking you through Aksum, Ethiopia. This Tour includes 

  • cook & cooking materials
  • mule(s) & mule handler
  • sleeping bags & mattresses
  • all park entrance fees
  • plenty of food & bottled mineral water and more.

Departure & Return Location

Addis Ababa, Bole International Airport

Departure Time

3 Hours Before Flight Time

Price Includes

  • Air fares
  • 3 Nights Hotel Accomodation
  • Tour Guide
  • Entrance Fees
  • All transportation in destination location

Price Excludes

  • Guide Service Fee
  • Driver Service Fee
  • Any Private Expenses
  • Room Service Fees

Complementaries

  • Umbrella
  • Sunscreen
  • T-Shirt
  • Entrance Fees
Itinerary

Day 1 Addis Ababa – Axum (Local Flight)

visit the mystic city, the famous stelaes of Axumite kingdom (1th century B.C up to 10th century A.D), and the most important church of Ethiopian Orthodox which shelters the Ark of The covenant which has been brought by king Menilik I son of king Salomon of Israel. The inscription of king Ezana 4th century ruins of palace of queen Sheba, and the extensive archeological sites on the outskirts of the town. Night at Axum

Day 2 Axum – Mekelle

Cross the high plateaus of the Tigray region the massif mountains of Adwa the place where the battle of Ethio and Italia held on in 1896, visit the site of YEHA conserved temple of the 5th century B.C and converted into a church by one of the nine saints who came as a missionary, and the 4th century rock-hewn church of Wukro Cherkos.  Night at Mekelle

Hotel

Day 3Mekelle – Lalibela

Continue to the southern direction of the country crossing the mountains of Abergele enjoying the changing beautiful scenery quitting the Tigray region and we arrive at the Amhara region on road visit traditional houses. Night at Lalibela

Hotel

Day 4Lalibela

Explore the town of Llibela ancient name Roha which is considered as the second Jerusalem by the time when king Lalibela in the early of 13th century constructed these fascinating eleven rock-hewn churches which has been excavated from a single rock, after receiving the vision from God it took him 23 years to finish the churches, the churches are classified into three groups according to location. Night at Lalibela

Hotel

Day 5Lalibela – Gondar

Journey to Gondar on the way panoramic view of the Amhara region via a small town of Gashena, visit the famous and unique society of Awramba a village where the equality of men and women practiced, no religion believe in hard working and extreme good will, meet the founder and the leader of the society. Night at Gondar.

Day 6Gondar – Debark – Gondar

Leave early to the Semien National park a day trip in the park where there are a collection of mountains one of Africa’s highest ranges with the altitude of above 4000m, and the highest peak of the country is Ras Dashen it stands 4537m above sea level. Wildlife three of Ethiopia’s endemic large mammals are resident in the Semiens. The Gelada baboon is the most common, the Ethiopian wolf and the Walia ibex. 180 species of birds recorded. Night at Gondar

Day 7Gondar – Bahir dar

In the morning discover the city of Gondar the well known castles of Gondar from the 17th century built by Emperor Fasiladas and the bath of the emperor recently served as ceremonially rather than royal leisure, the principal ceremony of Ethiopian Christians called Timkat or epiphany (between 18 and 20 January), and the original church of Debre Brihan Selasie(the hill of the light of the TRINITY) famous by its interior and ceiling paintings. The afternoon continue to Bahir Dar. Night at Bahir dar

Day 8Bahir dar

It’s a large town on the southern shore of Lake Tana, in the morning boat ride to cross the lake to visit the penisula of Zega and its famous church of Ura Kidanemiheret. The coffee farm of the peninsula, and coffee ceremony. The afternoon roll to the falls of Tis isat or Nile falls. Night at Bahir dar

Day 9Bahir dar – Addis Ababa (local flight)

 Visit of the capital city, national museum and shopping. Spectacular dinner, transfer to the airport.

Map

Download the Trip Itinerary Download Iternary

Photos