Spend Only 4 Days in Ethiopian History

If you arrive early enough—i.e. in the morning, there will be enough time to rest briefly, freshen up and tour the Ethiopian capital. The collection on show at the National Museum is ranked among the most important in sub-Saharan Africa. Far and away the highlight is the palaeontological exhibition in the basement, the home of world-famous Lucy. Her 1974 discovery in the Afar region of northwestern Ethiopia changed our understanding of human origins forever. This section is well labelled in English, so if your time is limited spend most of it here.

High on Entoto Mountain, there’s a terrific but windy panoramic view of Ethiopia's modern capital spread out below through the towering eucalyptus trees.

This massive and ornate cathedral is the second-most important place of worship in Ethiopia (ranking behind the Old Church of St Mary of Zion in Aksum). It’s also the celebrated final resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie and his wife Empress Menen Asfaw. Their massive Aksumite-style granite tombs sit inside and are a sight indeed. The solemnity of the interior design contrasts sharply with highly the charged emotions of many pilgrims. It's a fascinating place.

Today you will fly from Addis to Lalibela after breakfast. Lalibela is a religious center that is home to 11 famous rock-hewn churches. The 11 spectacular chiseled churches, carved both inside and out from a single rock some centuries ago, are Lalibela’s pride and tourists (and pilgrims) visit here in thousands. Visit the site to see the incredible architectural spectacle. Of the 11, Bet Medhane Alem is the largest monolithic rock hewn church in the world. It was built like a Greek temple. In a corner, there are three empty graves symbolically dug for biblical patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Bet Giyorgis is deemed the most elegant of all Lalibela churches, it lies somewhat isolated in the southwest part of the town on a sloping rock terrace.

Despite the dizzying grandeur of the numerous rock needles reaching for the stars, it’s what’s under your feet here that’s most important. Amazingly, about 90% of the field hasn’t yet been dug, so no matter where you walk, there’s a good chance there’s an undiscovered tomb with untold treasures beneath. This is part of Aksum’s appeal: the thought that fascinating finds and secrets lurk in the depths. That said, these are some of the ancient world's most striking monuments.

The rectangular, men-only old church at the southern end of the complex of churches here is a remarkable example of traditional architecture built by the Emperor Fasiladas, the founder of Gonder, in 1665. Inside there are fine original murals, including a painting of the Nine Saints. Some say the foundation on which it sits may belong to Africa’s first church, supposedly erected by King Ezana in the 4th century and destroyed in the 9th century during Queen Gudit’s devastating raid.

The structure at Dungur is popularly known as Queen of Sheba’s Palace, though archaeologists are divided over whether it was the great woman's palace or the 6th-century-AD mansion of a nobleman. Most leaned towards the latter, but the find during recent excavations of a relief carving depicting a beautiful woman (in the museum at St Mary of Zion Church) has caused some to wonder whether her palace may lie beneath the current ruins.

Today you’ll return to Addis Ababa preparatory to your departure. If your departure time still allows you some time for leisure, you will have a farewell dinner combined with folk dances in one of the capital's traditional restaurant before leaving Ethiopia.