This route forms the backbone of Ethiopia’s tourism, encompassing historic, cultural and natural treasures. Ethiopia has an ancient history from the 9th century Zagwe Dynasty until 1974 when Emperor Haile Selassie was deposed. The northern circuit has many historical attractions. A tour begins and ends in Addis Ababa, visiting the National Museum of Ethiopia – famous for paleontological and pre-historic exhibits like 3.5 million-year-old ‘Lucy’. Established in 1944, the museum organizes, preserves and exhibits collections in four sections: Paleontology and pre-history, Historical and Archaeological, Ethnography and Modern Art. Another excursion is to the Ethnographic Museum of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies in Emperor Haile Selassie’s old palace featuring the emperor’s bedroom, an art gallery and artifacts depicting Ethiopia’s culture and heritage. Mount Entoto offers views of Addis Ababa, where Emperor Menelik II built his palace in 1887, hosting the Entoto Mariam church and an artifact museum.