Tour Highlights
- Discover Debre Berhan, the 15th-century capital founded by Emperor Zera Yacob.
- Visit Ankober, the former mountain capital of the Shoan Kingdom.
- Explore the ruins of the palace of Emperor Menelik II.
- Witness spectacular views overlooking the Great Ethiopian Rift Valley.
Travel Itinerary
Full Day: The Royal Trail to Ankober
In the morning, we drive north on the Dessie Road to the historical city of Debre Berhan, located 130 km from Addis Ababa. Emperor Zera Yacob (1434–1468) made his imperial capital here after seeing a “heavenly light,” which he took as a divine sign. After exploring the town’s history, we continue to Ankober, which traces its roots to the 12th century. It served as the capital for the Shoan rulers until the founding of Addis Ababa in 1886. Here, you will visit the ruins of the Menelik Palace and an ancient Christian monastery while enjoying a spectacular view of the Great Ethiopian Rift Valley. After the visit, we drive back to Addis Ababa with a quick stop in Debre Berhan for coffee, arriving in the late afternoon.
