Axum Stelae
Photo: A. Davey from Where I Live Now: Pacific Northwest / CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Ethiopia Tigray Region 3 tours

Axum Stelae

Ancient capital of the Axumite Empire — granite obelisks and the Ark of the Covenant tradition.

Country

Ethiopia

Region

Tigray Region

Best time

October–March

About Axum Stelae

Axum was the capital of one of antiquity's great civilisations — its granite stelae, the tomb of King Bazen, and the Chapel of the Tablet (claimed home of the Ark of the Covenant) are UNESCO-listed.

Highlights

  • Giant granite stelae
  • Queen of Sheba's palace
  • St Mary of Zion Church
  • Mythical Ark tradition

Best time to visit

October–March

Itineraries

Tours that visit Axum Stelae

Choose a curated departure or use any of these as a starting point — we'll tailor the itinerary, dates and pace to you.

Ethiopia Historic Circuit — 10 Days
Photo: Schweizerische Lokomotiv- und Maschinenfabrik / CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Ethiopia
From
$3290/pp
10 days / 9 nights
Cultural & Heritage Moderate

Ethiopia Historic Circuit — 10 Days

Addis → Bahir Dar → Gondar → Simien → Lalibela — the full UNESCO northern loop.

  • 5 internal domestic flights (Ethiopian Airlines — Addis–Bahir Dar, Bahir Dar–Gondar, Gondar–Axum, Axum–Lalibela, Lalibela–Addis)
  • 9 nights accommodation in 3- and 4-star hotels and lodges
  • English-speaking licensed cultural guide throughout
Lalibela + Axum Heritage Intensive — 5 Days
Photo: A. Davey from Where I Live Now: Pacific Northwest / CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Ethiopia
From
$1890/pp
5 days / 4 nights
Cultural & Heritage Easy

Lalibela + Axum Heritage Intensive — 5 Days

Ethiopia's two UNESCO jewels side-by-side: the rock-hewn churches + the ancient Axum stelae.

  • 3 domestic flights: Addis Ababa → Lalibela → Axum → Addis Ababa
  • 4 nights accommodation in 3- and 4-star heritage or boutique hotels
  • Licensed Ethiopian Orthodox cultural guide throughout
Ethiopia Timkat Festival Journey — 8 Days
Photo: Eyasusetegn / CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Ethiopia
From
$2690/pp
8 days / 7 nights
Cultural & Heritage Easy

Ethiopia Timkat Festival Journey — 8 Days

Witness Epiphany processions in Lalibela and Gondar — Ethiopia's greatest festival.

  • Return domestic flights on the historic route (Addis–Gondar, Axum–Lalibela, Lalibela–Addis)
  • 7 nights accommodation in comfortable heritage or boutique hotels, on a bed-and-breakfast basis
  • Timkat ceremony access and positioning guidance with your English-speaking guide