The Northern part of Ethiopia is endowed with number of historical site or site of historical importance in the long and rich history of Ethiopia. BJ Tours and Trekking is pleased to take its respected tourists though the timeline that Ethiopia had gone. We are specialized in combining these historical tours packages with trekking or excursions in the Siemen National Park.

Axum is always considered as the first capital of ancient Ethiopia. According to the local legend it was also the seat of Queen of Sheba her son Menelik I by King Solomon, Menelik I was accountable for bringing the legendary the Arc of the Covenant to Axum. In its heydays (c.100 BC- 7th century AD), Axum was believed to be one of the five strong empires in the world this is witnessed today by millennia-old steles, tombs of kings and number of inscriptions. Many archeologists agree that only nine percent of what could be found in Axum was unearthed. Around the first half of 4th century king Ezana adopted Christianity and built the fist Ethiopian Orthodox Church of Saint Marry Zion. The evangelization had continued onwards, during the second half of 6th century by the so called Nine Saints who came from present day Syria these religious fathers are credited for carving of number of churches in the area and they are considered saints of Ethiopian Orthodox church.

Lalibela is a town set at the Northern highlands of Lasta. The region was once the seat of Zegwé Dynasty which interrupted the Solomonic Dynasty from (1137-1270 AD). Among the seven kings of the Zegwé Dynasty three kings namely King Yemrhane Kiristos, King Na’akuto La’ab and King Lalibela are attributed for constructions of magnificent rock-hewn and cave-built up churches symbolizing Jerusalem in the African soil. According to the local tradition it was in king Lalibela’s vision that God appeared and ordered him carve eleven churches from a blocks of rock and that had avoided numerous difficulties traveling for pilgrimages crossing the desert to Holy land Jerusalem.

The city of Gondar is sometimes nicknamed “The Camelot of Africa” for its attractive groups of royal castles dating back to 17th century. Gondar was served as the major trade centre and had been the capital of Ethiopia for over two centuries. The city is also considered as Ethiopian renascences as art and literature was flourished earlier in 17th century thus today other than the castle compounds of Gondarine kings one also witness ancient and beautifully decorated Ethiopian Orthodox churches.

Set at some 120 kilometers from the city of Gondar is The Siemen Mountain National Park constitutes spectacular and the major African Massifs (average altitude 3500 meters). The park is the natural world heritage site of Ethiopia by the UNSECO besides it is the last refuge for the rarest and exclusive Walia Ibex, Gelada Baboon, some Ethiopian wolves; number of endemic birds and it is botanically paradise of mountains that Ethiopia has to offer! BJ Tours and Trekking is proud to announce that we have been successfully operating so many trekking adventures to the Siemen Mountain and Mountain Trekking is one of our Specialties. We would like to welcome opportunity of joining our mountain trekking packages and various adventures. Our long experience made us perfect.

BJ Tours and Trekking will make you feel like The Mountains are your comfortable home!

Discover the antique Ethiopia! The Islands of Lake Tana and The Monasteries, Tana is the biggest Lake of the country hiding the ancient but well preserved traditional Ethiopian Orthodox circular churches. Take a day tip crossing this enormous lake by boat or take an excursion visiting the magnificent churches with beautiful mural painting depicting stories from the holy books, monasteries….. And witness the unique Ethiopian ecclesiastical wealth well kept as they were but they are aged centuries. Observe the lifestyle of the islands’ people and fishers sailing the Lake Tana by papyrus ferry. We take to the breathtaking Blue Nile Falls; one of Africa’s biggest rivers falls on the longest river of the world crossing number of countries in East, central and after joining the White Nile to northeastern Africa. The two Niles meet at Khartoum and make the big Nile which ends its long journey in Mediterranean Sea..

Ethiopia follows Julian calendar which is 7 year before the Gregorian one. Here a year counts 13 months (12 months of 30 days and 13th month is the leap year of 5 in four years 6 days). Ethiopians celebrate number of festivals and religious ceremonies.

Enkutatash: 11 September marks, the New Year’s Day in Ethiopia. This is the end of the rainy season and Beginning of the flowering season. People make wishes by exchanging gifts.
 

Meskel: 27 September is another most colorful celebration in the month to commemorate the finding of the true cross by Queen Helen, the mother of King Constantine around 4th century. At this occasion thousand of Ethiopian Christians gather at Meskel Square to celebrate the feast and for the lit up ceremony of the Bonfire.

Gena: 7 January, on this day falls Ethiopian Christmas. it is celebrated by colorful Ethiopian orthodox church service all through the night

Timket: 19 January (Feast commemorating the baptism of Jesus Christ) This is the most vibrant feast of Ethiopian orthodox church at the eve of the colorful high priests carry Tabot (replicas of the Ark of covenant) from each church walk chanting in procession to a place where everyone can be accommodated usually to a gathering place of villagers where there is a water for the baptism ceremonies.

Easter: The most sacred feast of Ethiopian Orthodox Church, followers fast Lent 2 months before the day of the feast. Priests pray and make a mass all night long at this occasion..

Right on the way to the southern part of Ethiopia, one comes always to notice that Ethiopia is really a country of many contrasts. The Southern part of the country is a little bit more cultural, with total differences in climate so as of course, in vegetation and landscape. Here the appearance of the people is also different; the southern Ethiopia is a multi-cultural mosque.

We welcome you to the evergreen land of Kambatta; Hadiya, Gurague, Wolytta and take through the cracks of the Great African Rift valley, explore the region of sparkling lakes, animals and birds. Then we take to the seemingly the living African museum of amazing cultural assortment of different people.

One of the world’s top ethnically diverse regions, The Lower Omo Valley, which is inhabited by ethnic groups such as Tsemai, Hamar, Bena, Aari, Mursi, Nyangatom, Dasench, and Erbore. Traveling through the territories of the pastoral Borenas bring you back through the Coffee-growing region of the Sidamo, Gedieo and Guggi people.

The Ethiopia Part of the Great Rift Valley is unique in its formation dating back to several million years and its immensity, comprising deserts and semi arid plains (north eastern part), acacia woodland alongside being spotted by different lakes at center as well as in the south, The Rift Valley is one of the most visible topographic regions of the earth from the moon.

Most of the rift valley lakes offer the countries natural attractions thus Lake Langano, Lake Zeway, Lake Abaya, Lake Chamo for their hippopotamus and crocodile population and numerous water birds Abyatta-Shalla National park, Nechsar National park are also inhabited by many mammals.

The Tribes and ethnic groups live in the omo valley, Ethiopian triangle of frontiers with the Sudan and Kenya. In this ethnical assortment of people some are numbering several thousand and some even less all in one area was once emanated from Africans crossroad where different tribes met. The Hamar, Bena, Mursi, Aari, Karo, Nyangatom and Dasench. The Omo Valley is the home of most of these people is still with intellect of the body painting, scarification and different ritual ceremonies which they practice to this day.

BJ Tours and trekking pleased to let you explore the Omo valley villages offering you the best cultural adventure packages.