Amhara Region

Castles and Kings

The city of Gondar is often called the Camelot of Africa, thanks to the stone castles of Fasil Ghebbi raised by seventeenth century emperors. Nearby, the sunken churches and painted ceilings of Debre Berhan Selassie reward anyone who lingers. This was once the beating heart of imperial Ethiopia, and the grandeur still echoes through the stonework.

Rock Hewn Wonders

At Lalibela, eleven medieval churches were carved downward into solid rock, forming one of the most remarkable pilgrimage sites on Earth. Worshippers in white robes still fill these hushed passageways, especially during the great religious festivals. It is a place that rewards quiet wonder and an early start to beat the crowds.

Roof of Ethiopia

To the north rise the Simien Mountains, a jagged wonderland of pinnacles and plateaus that shelters gelada monkeys and the elusive Ethiopian wolf. Ras Dashen, the highest peak in the country, crowns the range at well over four thousand metres. Trekkers who brave the thin air are rewarded with some of the most dramatic views on the continent.