Axum day trip: Obelisks, royal tombs & Ark of the Covenant

Step inside Ethiopia’s holiest church, guarding the mysterious Ark of the Covenant

A guided day trip through Axum explores the ruins of the ancient Axumite Civilization on the Tigray Plateau, including monolithic obelisks, royal tombs and palace ruins dating to the 6th and 7th centuries AD, plus the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion, claimed to contain the Ark of the Covenant. The tour runs 7 to 9 hours with a live English-speaking guide, hotel pickup, lunch, bottled water and air-conditioned transport included. Children from age 3 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Axum's ancient sites

• Visit Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion
• Explore ruins of ancient city of Aksum

The experience

Axum sits at the heart of Ethiopia's ancient history. The ruins here mark where the Kingdom of Aksum once rivaled the Eastern Roman Empire and Persia in power. You'll walk among massive monolithic obelisks and stelae, explore royal tombs and wander the remains of ancient castles that date from between the 1st and 13th centuries AD. The scale of what survived (and what was lost) becomes clear as you move through the site with your guide.

The Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion anchors the spiritual side of the day. This Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is claimed to contain the Ark of the Covenant, and it stands as a living center of pilgrimage and worship in Axum itself. Your guide will walk you through the church and explain its significance to Ethiopian Christianity and to the broader history of the region.

The tour includes pickup from your hotel, lunch and bottled water throughout the day, and travel in an air-conditioned vehicle. A live English-speaking guide leads the entire experience, so you're not navigating the ruins alone or trying to piece together the history from a map.

What’s included

• Pickup from your hotel.
• lunch and bottled water throughout the day.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport.
• coffee and/or tea.
• live English-speaking guide for the full 7 to 9 hours.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (19 and older) · Youth (11 to 14 years) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 7 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Ethio Travel And Tours

Is this one for you?The 7 to 9 hour commitment means you'll see both the monolithic obelisks and royal tombs of ancient Aksum and the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion in a single day, though it leaves little room for other activities in Axum itself. This works best if the ruins and the church are your main focus for the day.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 14 years); Child (3 to 10 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What are the monolithic obelisks of Aksum?

The obelisks are massive stone monuments erected in ancient Aksum, some dating to the 1st century AD. They mark royal burial sites and stand as some of the most impressive surviving structures from the kingdom's height of power between the Eastern Roman Empire and Persia.

Is the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion open to visitors on this tour?

Yes, the church is included in the day trip. Your guide will take you through the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, which is located in Axum and is claimed to contain the Ark of the Covenant.

How long does this tour take and what's included in the price?

The tour runs 7 to 9 hours and includes hotel pickup, lunch, bottled water, an air-conditioned vehicle and a live English-speaking guide for the entire day.