Axum, Ethiopia's most ancient city and capital of the historic Axumite kingdom – once one of the four kingdoms of the world, is the site of many remarkable monolithic stone obelisks, legends and birth place of Ethiopia.

Obelisks

There are three most important being decorated to represent multi-storied buildings, complete with doors and windows. The largest obelisk, which was 35 meters long and weighed 500 tons, is the biggest piece of stone ever cut by humanity anywhere in the world but today it lies broken on the ground. Near it stands a smaller but nevertheless most impressive 24m high obelisk - the pride of Ethiopia. A somewhat larger obelisk was taken to Rome, on the orders of the Italian fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, in 1937, and came back to Axum recently, re-erected on which it was. Axum, in its glory days, was a great commercial centre, issuing its own currency and trading with Egypt, Arabia, Persia, India & Israel.

Queen Makeda (Queen of Sheba)

Axum was home to the Queen Makeda, widely known as Queen of Sheba whose ruined palace and bathing pool can still be found in and near the town.
The Ark of the Covenant & Church of St Mary of Zion
Axum is the location of the Church of St Mary of Zion, where The Ark of the Covenant, which housed the Ten Commandments of the Bible is said to have been placed by MenelikI (Ibin Hakim), son of King Solomon, 3000 years ago; a connection with the legendary Queen of Sheba (based  on book of  glory of kings)  or transported from Jerusalem – Elephantine island, in Mediterranean sea – Cherkos Monastery on Lake Tana and finally from Cherkos Monastery  to Axum by the command of  first Christian King Ezana (4th Century) as it is explained  in the book of The Sign & the Seal written Graham Hancook, a British journalist and travel writer.  St. Mary of Zion Church is the oldest of all churches in Ethiopia, rich for its historic and ecclesiastical relics. The Ark of the Covenant- is apparently stored in the Church of St Mary of Zion, but only one living person (monk), the guardian of the Ark is allowed to see it. The story in connection with the Ark; any Ethiopian Orthodox Christian and some scholars like Graham Hancook assure you it is true!

Lalibela

Lalibela is a small town, which is secluded by mountains in the northern tip of Wello. It was a seat of the Zagwe Dynasty who ruled the country for about two centuries following the decline and fall of Axum. The term "Zagwe" means of the dynasty of the Agew people. The homeland of these rulers was one of the most important strongholds of the Agew people. Formerly known as Roha, the town of Lalibela bears the name of its most famous king "Lalibela" (1118 - 1221 A.D) Lalibela is renowned for its rock-hewn churches, which are sometimes called “The eighth wonder of the world.”

There are 11 rock-hewn churches in Lalibela. All of them believed to have been built by king Lalibela himself. Some of these churches are monolithic, architecturally unique buildings, finely curved and some of them decorated with beautiful paintings. These churches have been kept alive by hundreds of priests who guarded its precious religious and artistic treasures.
The churches stand in two groups on either side of a river, which is known as river Jordan. Some of the churches are Bete Medhane Alem, home to Lalibela Cross and believed to be the largest monolithic church in the world), Bete Mariam (house of the Virgin Mary), Bete Golgotha, Abba Libanos and Bete Michael. According to legend, anyone, who enters Bete Golgotha, will go to heaven as it contains Lalibela's tomb and personal treasures. It also contains a recumbent figure of Christ.Bete Georgis is the most photographed church in the area. The church is curved in the form of a Greek cross.

The Castles of Gondar

Gondar is located 750 kilometers north Addis Ababa. It had been capital of Ethiopia for two centuries (1632- 1855). The city's unique imperial precinct contains a number of castles built by various emperors during that era, which in African context is quite an achievement. Although Emperor Fasiledas (1632-1655) built the earliest of these castles just after the expulsion of the Portuguese, the architecture at first sight seems to reflect Moorish - European influence. However, closer scrutiny reveals interesting architectural features of Axumite tradition and a strong affinity with contemporary styles of building fashionable in southern Arabia. Aura of mystery still shrouds the intellectual parentage of the ideas and skills behind those magnificent castles.
Outside the main palace compound, 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 interior decorations well preserved. It was in Gondar that a rich and distinct expression of architecture, art, music and literature flourished for the first time in history of the country.

Bahir Dar

Bahir Dar is an attractive town situated on southern tip of Lake Tana. It is 563km, away from Addis Ababa. It is also a capital of the Amhara Regional National State. The Bahir Dar area with Lake Tana basin is a rare environment in northern Ethiopia. Endowed with rich ecological resources, it feels promising and beautiful. The lake and its islands represent a unique natural area for bird life. Some of the birds are: pelican, heron and African darter. There 27 monasteries, some dating back to the 13th century. The lake and its islands have been a secret place to hide the nation's priceless treasures during times of war such as the destruction of Axum by Gudit and the devastation of the Christian highlands by Gragn Ahmed.It is largely believed that The Ark of The Covenant was kept in the Monastery of Tana Cherkos for 800 years and taken to Axum in 4th Century. Now; there are three Judaic sacrificial pillars on it that are claimed to support the legend that this island was used to store the Ark of Covenant.

Lake Tana

Lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia, is the source and from where the famed Blue Nile starts its long journey to Khartoum, and into the Mediterranean Sea. The 37 islands that are scattered the surface of the lake shelter fascinating churches and monasteries. Some of which have histories dating back to the 13th century. A sail on Lake Tana is one of the most pleasant excursions for visitors in Ethiopia. Along the lake shore bird life, both local and migratory visitors, make the site an ideal place for bird-watchers. Bird lovers will not want to miss these islands, which are especially famous as an important wetland. The whole of the Lake Tana region and the Blue Nile gorge host a wide variety of birds both endemic and migratory visitors. The variety of habitats, from rocky crags to riverain forests and important wetlands, ensure that many other different species should be spotted.

Gishen Mariam

Is located 483 kilometers north of Addis Ababa in Wollo Region. Gishen Mariam Church is situated in a marvelous landscape. A fragment from the original True Cross is buried underneath this church. Because of this, this shrine is one of the most sacred churches in the country.
According to tradition, Empress Helena lit incense and prayed for assistance to guide her. The smoke drifted towards the direction of the buried cross. She dug and found three crosses; one of them was the True Cross used to crucify Jesus Christ. Empress Helena then gave a piece of the True Cross to all churches. This piece was then brought to Gishen Mariam, Ethiopia. The monastery of Gishen Mariam holds a volume of a book which records the story of the True Cross of Christ and how it was acquired. Along with, Mekedala Escarmpents, and Lake Kayke can be reached.

Harar

Harar, which has no airport, is 523 km from Addis Ababa, 332 km. from Awash station and 55 km. from Dire Dawa (Town have an Airport). It can be reached by a good, scenic asphalt road.
The ancient city of Harar, which was established between 7th and 9th centuries, has remained a center of Islamic religions from the early days of the Islamic expansion until 1887, when the authority of the central government was restored by Emperor MenelikII. Harar with its 99 mosques and shrines, is considered the forth most sacred center of the Islamic world. The town of Harar is surrounded by a great defensive wall made of a strong stones and mud. This wall was believed to have been built in 1550's by Amir Nur, the nephew of the great Imam Ahmad Ibn Ibrahim Alghazi  ( Gragne Mohammed as Ethiopians referred  him) of Ethiopia. The city of Harar has five large gates. Part of the city, which is encircled by the wall, is known as 'Jegol'. Places of interest to be visited in Harar are the "Rimbaud House" which is named after the famous French poet who chose Harar as his city of exile from French.In addition to this, the rich and exciting marketing places, the house of Ras Mekonnen and the Harari house with unique architectural features deserve to be seen. The Harari and Oromo women in Harar have been known for their unique customs and basket works. They still wave intricate creation from colored fibers and grasses. Harar is also known for its "Hyena Man" who feeds his wild friends, the hyenas, with meat and bones every evening in the open air.

Dallol/Danakil Depression

Resulted from faulting and cracking on its eastern side, the Great Rift Valley, which extends from the Middle East to Mozambique, passing in a north-south direction right through Ethiopia. This shearing of the earth's surface occurred at the same time that the Arabian
Peninsula, geologically a part of Africa, was sundered from the rest of the continent.
Volcanic activity, which has continued until today, finds expression in volcanoes in Ethiopia's Danakil Depression, as well as in the hot springs in many parts of the country.
Earth tremors are often felt, and exposed cones of old volcanic plugs are seen throughout the plateau. After the Rift opened, much of this area was flooded by the inrushing waters of the red Sea, a flood that was subsequently stemmed by fresh volcanic activity that raised barriers of basaltic lava. Behind these barriers the trapped inland sea that had formed began to evaporate under the fierce heat of the tropical sun - a process that is almost complete today. Only a few scattered, highly saline lakes - Gamarri, Affambo, Bario, and Abbe remain. Elsewhere, there are huge beds of natural salt - which, at points, are calculated to be several thousands of meters thick.

The Rift Valley

 Much of Africa's volcanic activity is concentrated along the immense 6000 km long crack in the earth's surface known as the Great Rift Valley. Great Rift Valley is great because it is extensive and it was formed by the sinking and tearing apart of the earth. The largest valley on the earth, the Great Rift Valley is one of the planet's most outstanding features. The Great Rift Valley is not just a subject on the geographical maps. It has already entered into the history looks as it holds the key to our past and the existence of early man on the continent. It is in the Alluvial Gorge (Kenya). In Melka Kunture and Hadar (Afar region) that the bones of our earliest ancestors like "Lucy" were found. It is as if the land broke apart in a rift to display its riches. Ethiopia is often referred to as the “water tower" of eastern Africa because of the many rivers that pour of its high tableland. The Rift valley's passage through Ethiopia marked by chain of seven lakes fed by different rivers. Each of the seven lakes has its own attractions. The lakes shelter different species of birds and many wild animals. The rift valley is also a habitat for a variety of flora and fauna.

OMO Valley

The Omo valley is situated in the south & southwest of Addis Ababa, which passes through the Great Rift Valley and offers the most attractive and beautiful landscape scenery in the region.
The Omo region is home for most nomadic and semi-nomadic people with different fascinating ethnic groups like the Hammer, Mursi, Karo, Dassenech, Surma, Bena, Ari, Tsemay, Bodi and others.

Langano

Langano is located 212Km South of Addis Ababa. It is a sand beach that attracts many visitors. Along the road to Langano, one can see beautiful landscapes. As you continue driving, the first lake to be seen among the rift valley lakes is Lake Zeway. It is a shelter for a variety of birds and fish. Proceeding further to the South, Lake Abiyata and Lake Shala can be reached. These lakes are breeding places for Flamingos and ideal for bird watching. Nearby is Lake Langano, a resort area and a paradise for holiday & Honeymoon makers. Lodges are available her.  

Wondo Genet wetland ecosystem

Wondo Genet is Located southeast of Shashemene, at an elevation of 1723 meters. The main attractions of the site includes: the hot spring water for bathing and swimming; the forested landscape, streams, birds and other wildlife in the surrounding; and the cafeteria, bar and bedroom services.