Two Days Trip in Axum and its Surroundings

Axum was the center of the marine trading power known as the Aksumite Kingdom, which predated the earliest mentions in Roman era writings. Around 356, its ruler was converted to Christianity by Frumentius. Later, under the reign of Kaleb, Axum was a quasi-ally of Byzantium against the Persian Empire. The historical record is unclear, with ancient church records the primary contemporary sources.

Itinerary

Day 1: Axum Obelisk and City Tour

Stop At: The Ruins of Aksum, Axum Ethiopia
Up on arrival, meet representative of Gelila Ethiopia Tours then check in to your hotel, and you will have a city tour in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Legends narrate in the Kebre Nagast (Book of Kings) how the city of Axum as early as the 10th century B.C. was already the city where the Queen of Sheba resided. It is told that the son of Queen of Sheba and King Solomon, Menelik, brought the Ark of the Covenant from Jerusalem to Axum and it remained there to this day, preserved in a sanctuary. Famous long before the time of Christ, Axum was the capital of the long Axumite reign, one of the oldest African empires and represented a crucial trade connecting-point between Africa and Asia for almost a thousand years. Visit the Granite stone Stele of Axum, the Tombs of King Kaleb and his son King G/Meskel, the Ezana’s stone inscriptions, Queen of Sheba’s palace and Swimming pool, and the Church of Zion, the final resting place of the True Ark of Covenant.
Duration: 9 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 2: Visit Axum City Surroundings

Stop At: Axum, Axum, Tigray Region
VISIT GOBO DURA, THE QUARY SITE

This morning, you will visit Gobo Dura. This is important quarry for the Great stele of Aksum in which we found evidences of the unfinished stele and some marks on how the people quarried and transported the huge ones to the present location. At Gobo Dura tourists also can enjoy birds, monkeys /seasonally/,vegetation types, farming and generally the life of the rural society. Also, you will visit the lioness of Gobo Dura where a lioness is carved in a big granite stone.

After a lunch a break, you will have a gentle walk on the old town of Axum. You will witness the change and continuity of the Axumite Empire through time. The old town is best place to enjoy an authentic Ethiopian coffee ceremony which is one of the most enjoyable events you can attend at an Ethiopian private house. The coffee is taken through its full life cycle of preparation in front of you in a ceremonial manner. Coffee is called ‘Bunna’ (boo-na) by the Ethiopians.
Duration: 8 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.