Duration – 2 nights and 3 days
Transport – air, surface and trek
Accommodation – 2 star hotel or good accommodation
Tour Code: ATT-CHT-004
Tour Highlight
Axum was ones to be one of the big 4 powers of the world, which manifested in the history of the well known Queen of Sheba, Menelik I, Ark of the Covenant and Saint Mary Zion, Saint Yared and the great kingdom of the Aksum itself. This journey will take you to this ancient old city of Axum and the monasteries of Aba Penteleon and Aba Likanos. Trekking and walking will be part of the tour.
DAY 1 – AXUM CITY TOUR
After a morning breakfast, visit Axum, Recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980, Axum is a testament to the rich and glorious past of the mighty Kingdom of Axum (2nd C. BC-700 A.D.). This morning the visit will start with the famous Stelae field with its Axumite stelae in various sizes and shapes. The archaeological museum is nearby and it offers an opportunity to bring context to relics on view today.
In the afternoon, you will visit the Kaleb and Gebremeskel tombs, dating to the 6th century A.D and on the way to town, the Ezana inscription (Ethiopia’s Rosetta stone) is worth visiting. Tradition has it that the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Ethiopia in the 10th century BC by Menelik I and later Ethiopian kings and emperors would proclaim their legitimacy to rule by their lineage to King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. Through the day we will discuss the development of Christianity in Ethiopia and its relation to the Ark, and the story of Queen of Sheba too.
DAY 2 – TREK TO ABUNE PENTELEON AND ABUNE LIKANOS
After a morning breakfast, take a gentle walk to Abune Penatleon: The church was built on top of a pre- Christian times podium and dedicated to Abune Pentaleon one of the nine saints .And the area was under the influence of the pre-Aksumite sabean period .There is said to be a stone staircase in side it, but accessible to all but the priests. More over, the church has a nice view and ladies are not allowed to climb on the top but they can visit the abundant treasuries of the church below. Later, continue trekking to Abune Liqanos :This church found west of Abune Liqanos was built and dedicated to Abune Liqanos one of the nine saints .Similarly it was under the influence of the pre-Christian elements like the Abune pentaleon and has nice view on the top.
After a lunch, visit the old town: This is also known as Melaka Aksum /the foot hill of Bete-Giorgis/,Addi-Kilte/southern part of the town and Debtera/along May hija Northern part of the town/. It consists of traditional rectangular and circular stone houses with at least one-storey and under ground rooms. The houses are very much important for their architectural significance representing the old Ethiopian traditional architecture in general and that of the Tigrean in particular.
DAY 3 – FLY OR DRIVE OUT
