The Blue Nile River (Abay River)

The river Nile is the most important river in the world.

In Ethiopia, The Blue Nile is called Abay Wenz or Abay River. Only the foreigner calls it Blue Nile.  In the Bible at genesis Chapter 2, Verse 13; Abay River has been referred as   “Gi’hon” - “The name of the second river is Gi’hon;   it is the one encircling the entire Land of Cush” a name associated with Ethiopia. In all Gojam Region of Ethiopia, People call it Gi’hon or Ghion Wenz.

The Source of Abay Wenze / River/ is at Gish Abay Town, in ‘Sekela administrative Wereda’ (Zone), near Bahir Dar City.  The Gish Abay town is named after the nearby Mount named Gish and the Abay River (Blue Nile) whose source is in the foothills of the mountain.

It is also known as Felege Ghion in Ge'ez, the Orthodox Church language of Ethiopia. The Language Ge’ez was the state language during Axumite empire.  Felege Ghion consists of three small springs found within a diameter of about 20 meters. These waters are believed to have a healing power and considered holy by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

At about 40km flow at Tis Issat – the smoking Fire in Amharic Language, Abay Wenz creates an amazing waterfalls, the best tourist destination site.

At about 400km of Journey,   Abay River enters in an amazing canyon, called Abay Bereha (Abay Gorge). Wonderful sightseeing! The Gorge depth is often comparable to the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River in the United States.

The distance of Abay or Gi’hoh or Gihon, or Ghion River from its Sours (Lake Tana) to Sudan Border is about 800km.  86% of Nile River Water comes from Ethiopia.

At Khartoum, Abay Wenz / River merge into White Nile that originated from Lake Victoria, renamed as The Great Nile River, the longest river of the world draining into the Mediterranean Sea after a total of at least 1600km Journey.

The Abay Wenz in Ethiopia, The Nile River in Egypt is about history, Legend and life even today.

Ethiopia is constructing Grand Renaissance Dam for hydroelectric power, first filling; “phase one” is successfully accomplished after 4.7 billion cubic meter of protected water as artificial lake in 2020.  Abay Wenz is becoming both River and Lake in Ethiopia as well.

Visit The old City of Axum

Visit Historic Routes of Ethiopia

Explore Churches in Tigray: Yeha Temple, Axum, Lioness of Gobedra, Abba Pantaleon, Abba Ubanos, the Monastery of Abba Garima at Madera, Dabra Damo Monastery, Abuna Yemata Guh, Maryam Korkor, Dugem Selassie, Debre Tsion, Abuna Abraham, Yohannis Maikudi, Michael Minda’e, Abraha We Atsbeha, Adi Chewa Arbuta Insesa, Petros & Paulos, Michael Melehayzenghi, Medhane Alem Adi Kasho, Al Nejashi Mosque, Wukro Cherkos, Mikael Barka, Mikael Imba, Mikael Debre Selam….

Axum

Axum, Ethiopia's most ancient city and capital of the historic Axumite kingdom – once one of the four kingdoms of the world, is the site of many remarkable monolithic stone obelisks, legends and birth place of Ethiopia.

Obelisks

There are three most important being decorated to represent multi-storied buildings, complete with doors and windows. The largest obelisk, which was 35 meters long and weighed 500 tons, is the biggest piece of stone ever cut by humanity anywhere in the world but today it lies broken on the ground. Near it stands a smaller but nevertheless most impressive 24m high obelisk - the pride of Ethiopia. A somewhat larger obelisk was taken to Rome, on the orders of the Italian fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, in 1937, and came back to Axum recently, re-erected on which it was. Axum, in its glory days, was a great commercial centre, issuing its own currency and trading with Egypt, Arabia, Persia, India & Israel.

Queen Makeda (Queen of Sheba)

Axum was home to the Queen Makeda, widely known as Queen of Sheba whose ruined palace and bathing pool can still be found in and near the town.

Lalibela Churches, Abuna Yosef 4 Days

Lalibela Churches, Abuna Yosef Itinerary Program: Trek Tour Code: Trek Lalibela 04 Duration: 3 Nights/4 Days  Tour starts: Addis…

Lalibela Churches, Abuna Yosef

Lalibela Churches, Abuna Yosef

Itinerary

Program: Trek

Tour Code: Trek Lalibela 04

Duration: 3 Nights/4 Days 

Tour starts: Addis Ababa

Tour ends: Addis Ababa

Day 1: Arrive to Addis Ababa

Morning, arrive to Addis Ababa Bole International Airport & meet with us and transfer and check-in hotel. Then City tour of Addis Ababa: driving to the Entoto Mountain (3300m) for a panoramic view of Addis, Entoto Museum with historical and royal exhibit, The Church of St. Mary, built in 1885 and the old palace of emperor MenelikII. Take some images at Mount Entoto and drive back to Addis for Ethnological Museum that exhibits the culture and handicrafts of various Ethiopian ethnic groups, the National Museum in which you are visiting different archaeological findings (including Lucy’s replica Skeleton). After lunch, visit the Trinity Cathedral, Mausoleum of emperor MenelikII at Bààta Church and finally Merkato – the largest open market in Africa.  Overnight –Hotel– Addis

Day2: Lalibela Churches 

Morning, fly from Addis Ababa to Lalibela and after lunch, Visit the first group of six churches: 1.Bet Golgotha, 2.Bet Mikael, 3.Bet Mariam, 4.Bet Meskel, 5.Bet Danaghel and 6.Bet Medhane Alem. Bet Medhane Alem is the largest monolithic rock hewn church in the world, built like a Greek temple! In a corner there are three empty graves symbolically dug for biblical patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 7.Bete Amanuel, 8.Bete Marqorewos, 9.Bete Abba Libanos, 10.Bete Gabriel -Rufael and 11. Bet Giyorgis is the most elegant of all Lalibela churches, which lies somewhat isolated in the southwest part of the town on a sloping rock terrace. Also visit Nakuto Làabe Cave Church (5km from Lalibela).

Late afternoon, drive to Degosach Eco Lodge, walk for about 25 minutes. Overlook the surroundings (best scenery), stunning sunset; close look the countryside communities and live dances in campfire. Overnight – at Degosach Eco lodge

Day 3: Abune Yosef Park

Trek to Mount Abune yosef for spectacular view.  Possible chances are Chilada Zinjero (Gelada baboons), Abyssinian fox, Birds and Fauna and flora. Abune yosef Mount rim Gedel (4300m). Overnight – at Degosach Eco lodge

Day 4: Drive back to Lalibela – Addis Ababa – Departure

Trek and drive to Lalibela Airport and fly back to Addis Ababa. Dinner at best national restaurant with live multi tribal dances (Habesha Restaurant or Yod Abyssinia restaurant). Transfer to Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (end of the trip)

Notice: This itinerary can be amended up on request