The Asmara Road
Gateway to the Great Rift Valley Escarpment
Northeast to the Ancient Capital
Following the road northeast from Addis Ababa, this route eventually leads to Asmara, the capital of Eritrea. For travelers today, it serves as a path into the rugged history of the Kingdom of Shoa and offers some of the most breathtaking escarpment views in the country.
Ankober: The Former Capital
Before Menelik II moved the seat of power to Entoto, Ankober served as the capital of the Kingdom of Shoa. Perched at 3,000 meters, it acted as the historic gate to the Ethiopian Highlands.
Cultural Crossroads
Visit Aliyo Amba, a marketplace where Christian highlanders and Islamic pastoralists have traded for centuries.
At 170 km (3.5 hours) from Addis, we recommend staying at the Ankober Palace Lodge to fully explore the area by mule, horse, or foot.
Koremash Royal Arsenal
A small detour leads to this horseshoe-shaped complex of 150-year-old buildings. Once a royal arsenal for Menelik II, it now offers extraordinary views over the Great Rift Valley plains below.
Endemic Birding
Ankober is a pilgrimage site for birders seeking the Ankober Serin, a very local endemic species found specifically along these high cliffs.