Attractions

The Bale Mountains , in the Oromia Region of southeast Ethiopia, south of the Awash River, are part of the Ethiopian Highlands. They include Tullu Demtu, the second-highest mountain in Ethiopia (4377 meters), and Mount Batu (4307 meters).

Gondar, the fourth biggest city found in the foothills of the Simien Mountains. Gondar became the capital during the reign of Emperor Fasilidas (1632-1667), who built the first of a number of castle-like palaces to be found here. He established a tradition that was followed by most of his successors, whose buildings greatly enhanced the city’s grandeur. The great city of Gondar was a capital until mid 19th century and it is the best hub to celebrate the most colorful holiday of Ethiopian Epiphany – Timket on January 19.

Lalibela, formerly known as Keyit then Roha, is one of Ethiopia’s holiest places, dating back to the 12th century. Lalibela was one of the members of the Zagwe Dynasty, known by chiseling the eleven rock-hewn churches within 23 years to bring the second Jerusalem. It is the UNESCO site in Ethiopia and also consider as the eighth wonder of the world. A complex and amazing labyrinth of tunnels and narrow passage ways connects them all. Lalibela is the best hub to celebrate the colorful Ethiopian Christmas on January 07.

Axum, the beginning of ancient civilization, is the prime capital of Ethiopia.The kingdom of Axsum officially adopted Christianity in the 4th century by King Ezana, thus making it the first Christian state in the history of the world, and began actively converting the population to Christianity. The Queen of Sheba was born in Axum, but traveled to Israel to meet King Solomon. They had a son named Menelik, who later became the first emperor of Ethiopia. Menelik brought the original Ark of the Covenant back to Ethiopia from Israel. Today, the Arc, which once housed the Ten Commandments, remains well hidden in Axum. It is guarded by a select group of monks, whose sole commitment is to protect the sacred vessel.

Yeha is a large Bronze Age archaeological site located about 50 km from Axum. Yeha is the largest and most impressive site in the Horn of Africa. Beside the remarkable temple, a church dedicated to Abba Aftse, one of the famous nine saints who came to Ethiopia in the 6th century from the east Roman Empire to teach the Gospel.

The Semien Mountains lie in northern Ethiopia, north east of Gondar. The mountains consist of plateaux separated by valleys and rising to pinnacles having the tallest peak Ras Dashen (4,543 m); other notable heights include Mounts Biuat (4,437 m).

Geraltha Clusters

The Geraltha Cluster churches found in the Tigray region where over 120 Rock-Hewn Churches are found which are similar in design with those 11 churches found in Lalibela dating from the 5th and 6th century A.D.

Erta Ale

Erta Ale is a continuously active basaltic shield volcano in the Afar Region of north-eastern Ethiopia, the most active volcano in Ethiopia. It is 613 metres (2,011 ft) high, with one or sometimes two active lava lakes at the summit which occasionally overflow on the south side of the volcano. It is notable for being the longest-existing lava lake, present since the early years of the twentieth century.

Harar

Harar is a walled city which stands on the eastern wall of the Great Rift Valley and is the provincial capital of Ethiopia’s largest administrative region, Hararge. With its 99 mosques, including the 16th century Grand Mosque with is beautiful twin towers and slender minaret, it is considered to be the fourth most holy city in Islam after Mecca, Medina and the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem.

Danakil Depression

The Afar Depression (also called the Danakil Depression or the Afar Triangle) is a geological depression, covered by salt which is a major source of income for many Afar tribes. Afar is well known as one of the cradles of hominids.
The Afar Depression includes the Danakil Desert and the lowest point in Africa, Lake Asal (155 metres / 509 feet below sea level). Dallol is also part of the Depression, one of the hottest places year-round anywhere on Earth, with a shaded air-temperature record of 64.4 °C (148 °F).

Dire Dawa

Dire Dawa is city known by commercial and industrial center was founded in 1902 when the railroad from Djibouti reached the area, and its growth has resulted largely from trade brought by the railroad. The city has a rich wealth of pre-historic cave paintings some of which have achieved international recognition through the efforts of the French and American Geologists that have studied them several times in the last 75 years, while there are still other caves that have never been studied so far.