AXUM
The Ancient Kingdom

Axum is Ethiopian oldest urban settlement. The Axumite kingdom was one of the greatest African civilizations after Egypt and Meroe; it was flourished in the first millennia BC. Axum was the capital and major religion center; it remains the site of many remarkable antiquities, including the famous monolithic obelisks, or stelae, Ancient stone inscriptions, the ruins of very old palace of Queen of Sheba and graves of Axumite kings and ancient gold, silver and bronze coins. Axum, in its heyday, was a great commercial centre, issuing its own currency, and trading with Egypt, Arabia, Persia, India, and even Ceylon.
The three giant monolithic stelae are carved to represent multistoried buildings with a pseudo-door, different type of windows and the so-called ‘monkey-heads’ in Axumite architectural style. The largest obelisk, which was 32.6 meters long and weighed 517 tons, is the biggest piece of stone ever hewn out by man from the quarries of the ancient world.

Church of St Mary of Zion
Axum is also famous for its St. Mary of Zion Church, is the oldest of all churches in Ethiopia, rich for its historic and ecclesiastical relics as well as the original Ark of the Covenant is housed in. The Ethiopian epic, the Kibre Negest (Glory of the Kings) tells us that Menelik I, the son of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon, brought the original Ark of the Covenant from Jerusalem to Axum and thereby established one of the world’s longest known and uninterrupted monarchical dynasties. Impressive ruins, monuments and archaeological artifacts abound in and around Axum attesting to the solid, articulate, confident, literate and resourceful strength of this civilization.
The Ark of the Covenant is believed still to be kept in the Church of St. Mary of Zion erected on the original location of the oldest church of Ethiopia. The Axumite Kingdom's conversion to Christianity in the 4th century makes Ethiopia, after Armenia and Georgia, the third oldest Christian country.

Gondar

The Camelot of Africa

It is situated in the Southern foothill of the Semien Mountains with an average altitude of 2,200 m. above sea level. "The City of the Castles" is one of Ethiopia's most fascinating cities, founded by Emperor Fasilidas in 1636, following the establishment of the city several castles were built in the royal enclosure; each is unique in size and architecture. Gondar was Ethiopia’s capital for 250 years; it was a center for social, administrative, military, and religious activities until the rise of Emperor Tewodros II in 1855.

During the long years when it was a capital the settlement emerged as one of the largest, and most populous, cities in the realm. It was the center of fine art, music, religion as well as a great commercial centre, trading with the rich lands south of the Blue Nile, as well as with Sudan, to the West, and to the north-east, the Red sea port of Massawa. Though predominantly Christian, and the abode of the highest church dignitaries in the land, the town’s inhabitants included many rich Muslim Merchants, as well as a number of Felasha, or Ethiopian Jewish, also called Beta Israel, who were predominantly weavers, blacksmiths, and potters, as well as palace, and church, builders.

Gondar is famous by its castles and palaces, dating from the 17th century. Besides the famous palaces, in the royal compound, visitors should inspect the so-called Bathing pool of Emperor Fasilidas, which is still used for the annual Timket Festivals, or Ethiopian Epiphany celebration. Outside the royal enclosure, another important building constructed during Iyasu's reign is the church of Debre Berhan Selassie or "light of the Trinity", which stands on raised ground to the northwest of the city. Its inner walls are marvelously painted from top to bottom with innumerable scenes of Biblical lore and medieval history. Today the church still stands with its remarkable interior decorations.

Rock hewn Churches of Tigray

The Tigray region is the major playground of rock hewn churches in Ethiopia. The churches are older than the rock hewn churches of Lalibela. Most churches are carved out of the rocky walls of pre-existing caves and often only accessible after a long and steep climb up the rocks. Local tradition attributes most of the churches excavated by the famous Axumite kings of Abreha and Atsbeha around the fourth century.

A cluster of churches can be found near Hawzien on the impressive Gheralta rock formation, it seems to be a kind of Ethiopian Arizona. Here also a quite comfortable accommodation can be found: the Gheralta Lodge. One of the most famous of the churches, Abuna Yemata Guh, may be reached only after a climb of about an hour. The willingness to undertake this is said to be a “proof that you truly believe in God”. The church is famous for its extraordinary view and for the splendid frescoes it contains dating from the 16th and 17th centuries, which are well preserved.

Abreha Atsbeha and Wukero Cherkos are two of the best accessible churches near the main road. The former is dedicated to the twin brothers Abreha and Atsbeha, the mythical kings of the Axumite kingdom. The church is noteworthy for its structure and the fine frescoes it contains.

For all our trips we use private transportation with fully equipped Land Cruisers, Coaster Mini Buses - air conditioned with the following general specifications. 

We believe disability is not a hindrance for many persons to accomplish what they envision. We arrange special touring programs for the disabled. In order to make their travel comfortable and at ease, we require to receive detailed information on the interests and conditions of the traveler.

Adults above eighteen year old can travel independently. It is advisable if children accompanied by others are above 15 years old. There are no upper age limits to come on board of our tour programs. For the elderly, mostly above the age of 70, we require to receive medical report stating their being fit to be involved in tours requiring travelling long distance by foot, extensive driving as well as hiking.  

Yes, Why not?  For tourists and other foreign travelers that require safe journey, particularly in Africa, Ethiopia is a country that in most instances meets the criteria that its guests need to enjoy. You can travel either with a tour guide or alone. But it is advisable to get prior information about the current security before making travel decision to specific places.

We accept tourist that are organized and included in small medium and large groups. However, we require having prior information on the number of persons in the group so as to enable us arrange accommodation ahead of time at sites as well as arrange appropriate transport facilities.

Yes we do. We can organize trips to individuals based on their interest and requirements they put in place. We can do this on the basis of the information that our visitors provide and indicating in detail what their visit should look like and the provisions of services that we need to cater for them.