Ethiopia is a country whose ancient cultures and magnificent landscapes reflect an extraordinary past that has left an indelible mark on the land, the people and their monuments. It has a past that began at the beginning of time- in the very birthplace of mankind.

Ethiopia is old beyond imagination, dating to the very beginning of mankind. It is also the land of the Queen of Sheba, a place of legendary rulers, fabulous kingdoms and ancient mysteries.

Ethiopia, the oldest independent nation in Africa, has a heritage dating back to the first century AD. Traders from Greece, Rome, Persia and Egypt knew of the riches of what is now Ethiopia, and by the first century AD, Axum was the capital of a great empire. This realm became one of the first Christian lands of Africa. Late in the 10th Century, Axum declined and a new Zagwe dynasty, centered in what is now Lalibela, ruled the land. Axum, Lalibela Gondar, Bahir Dar and Harer now provide the greatest historical legacy

Religion has always been a major influence in Ethiopia. Certainly no country in Sub-Saharan Africa can trace its origins as far back. Ethiopia is mentioned thirty-three times in the Bible and many times in Quran. This is the reason why so many visitors retrace the ‘historic route’, drawn by colorful stories and fantastic tales to the land once know as Abyssinia.

The well-defined ‘historic route’ through northern Ethiopia forms the core of the Ethiopia’s tourist industry. It is probably no exaggeration to say that 98% of travelers to Ethiopia base the bulk of their itinerary around this circuit, and rightly so. There is nothing in Sub-Saharan Africa and in a sense nothing else in the world that prepares the visitor for the wealth of historical and cultural treasure, both ancient and living, contained in Northern Ethiopia. The Circuit pivots around four cities in the North and walled city of Harer in the east, all very different to others.
Bahir Dar
The city of Bair Dar which is presently acting s a capital for he Amhara regional state is mainly taken as the first stop in the Historic circuit.
It is a bustling commercial center set on the Southern shore of Lake Tana, the largest water body in Ethiopia and official source of the Blue Nile River. In addition to hosting a fascinating and very traditional daily open-air market, and a rich bird life, Bahir dar forms the obvious base for several day trips: to the sensational Blue Nile falls, and to a multitude of atmospheric medieval monasteries dotted around the forested island and peninsulas of Lake Tana.
The rapidly growing city of Bahir Dar is quite modern along this route with much more flourishing building, hotels, restaurants and other infrastructures.
Gondar
Gondar is located to the north of Lake Tana, which is regarded as a popular second stop on the historic circuit. It has served as Ethiopia's capital for almost 300 years from 1635 on wards, and is today noted for its impressive 17th century castles as well as the beautiful decorated church of Debre Birhan Selassie. To the North of Gondar, traditionally the preserve of hardened trekkers and hikers, lie the staggeringly scenic Simien Mountain National Park, home to the country’s main concentrations of the endemic Gelada Baboon and Walia Ibex. Following the recent construction of a rough road in to the Simien Mountains, this lovely range forms a feasible day or overnight trip out of Gondar. In 7Kms drive from Gondar, one of the most visited village of Woleka, where one can see the descending Ethiopian Jewish literally called Felasha and their pottery works can be arranged.
Visiting Gondar and its attractions would demand one full day.
Axum

A common third stop on the historic circuit is the ancient capital of Axum, which lies close to the Eritrean border at the heart of the former Axumite Empire, the dominant economic and political force in the region for about a millennium prior to its collapse around 700 AD.
Axum is best known today for the giant engraved obelisks (stele) that tower over the north-east of the town. But the entire city stands above a fascinating miscellany of ancient relics- dingy Catacombs, ruined palaces, rock engravings and inscribed tablets- that pay collective testament to the enterprise and complexity of what is perhaps the most enigmatic of all the ancient civilizations of the old world.
This enigma is amplified when one visits the nearby Yeha Temple, estimated to have been constructed 2,500 years ago. The site is regarded to be a religious worship spot for the moon god of South Arabia before the introduction of Christianity in the region.

Axum's St. marry of Zion church - believed to be repository of the Biblical Ark of the covenant- has for more than 1,600 years lain at the spiritual heart of the Ethiopian Orthodox church. The Axumite architectural legacy lives on in several ancient churches, notably the male- only cliff top gem that is the monastery of Debre-Damo.
One full day is enough to visit all the attractions in Axum but spending more days will allow one to see the surrounding attractions of Yeha Temple, Debre-Damo Monastery and other rock-churches built earlier in the 4ht to 10th century.
Lalibela
For most visitors to Ethiopia, the highlight of the northern circuit is the medieval capital of Lalibela, where high in the chilly mountains of Wollo stands a complex of a dozen rock-hewn churches often and justifiably ranked as the eighth wonder of the ancient world.
The churches stand today as an inspirational and active shrine to a Christian civilization that predates its northern European equivalent by centuries.
The rock hewn churches of Lalibela built in the early 12th century by one of the its renowned king, Lalibela are still places of worship by its followers. The place is highly croded during the colorful festivals of Ethiopian X-mass normally falling on January 7 and also Timket, epiphany falling around 18th-20th January.
In a short time schedule it takes one full day to explore the 11 complex of churches which are grouped in to three but for people having more time spending two days is wise to explore the churches in detail and also include the surrounding churches.
Harar

The other historical destination set apart to the east of the country is the walled city of Harer, well known for its Islamic learning and scholarship, as well as its handicraft, including weaving, basket-making, and book-binding.
A bright splash of color is provided by the Harari women strolling through town, often dressed in red, purple, or black dresses with velvet trousers and bright orange shawls.

Places of interest inside the walled city of Harer include

- The impressive centuries-old walls themselves, which had five gates until 1889, when Emperor Menelik II built two more.
- Also of interest is Ras Makonnen’s (father of the last king of Ethiopia) stately old palace.
- The Jami mosque, which dates back to the 17th century among the other 89 mosques.
- The colorful Adere house.
- The Museum of Harer.
- Near by the mosque is a house believed to be a residence for the famous French poet Arthur Rimbaud.
- Also the colorful Christian and Muslim markets are places of interest to spend time.
 
 
To see the itnerary for the Historic Ethiopia tour program click here