Journey Through the Historic North

Gondar, or Gonder, is a city in northern Ethiopia. It's known for the walled Fasil Ghebbi fortress and palace compound, once the seat of Ethiopian emperors. Dominating it is the immense 17th-century castle of Emperor Fasilides, which combines Portuguese, Indian and local architectural styles.

Lalibela is a town in the Amhara region of northern Ethiopia. It's known for its distinctive rock-cut churches dating from the 12th and 13th centuries, which are pilgrimage sites for Coptic Christians. Carved out of rock, the subterranean monoliths include cross-shaped Bete Giyorgis.

The Simien Mountains, in northern Ethiopia, north east of Gondar in Amhara region, are part of the Ethiopian Highlands. They are a World Heritage Site and include the Simien Mountains National Park. The mountains consist of plateaus separated by valleys and rising to pinnacles.

The Blue Nile, is a river originating at Lake Tana in Ethiopia. It travels for approximately 1,450 km through Ethiopia and Sudan. Along with the White Nile, it is one of the two major tributaries of the Nile, and supplies about 80% of the water in the Nile during the rainy season.

Aksum is a city in northern Ethiopia. It's known for its tall, carved obelisks, relics of the ancient Kingdom of Aksum. Most are in the northern Stelae Park, including a huge fallen pillar, now in pieces. Centuries-old St. Mary of Zion is a Christian church and pilgrimage site believed to have housed the biblical Ark of the Covenant.

The Danakil Depression is a unique geological region in northeastern Ethiopia. It is known for its extreme heat, colorful sulfur springs, salt flats, and active volcanoes like Erta Ale. The area features dramatic landscapes shaped by volcanic activity and mineral deposits, making it one of the most striking and otherworldly places on Earth.

Gondar, or Gonder, is a city in northern Ethiopia. It is known for the walled Fasil Ghebbi fortress and palace complex, once the seat of Ethiopian emperors. The city features impressive 17th-century castles, historic churches, and a rich cultural heritage.