Addis Ababa and Surroundings

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Overview of Addis Ababa

City of Addis
Ethiopia is rich in natural features, thanks to its highland location which makes it unique in Africa. But it can also proudly look back to more than 3000 years of history. The country has been for 2000 years, until 1974, an empire whose emperors have always claimed descent from the very King Solomon of Israel.
The name of this sprawling capital city means “New Flower.” Founded by Emperor Menelik II in 1887 and situated at between 2300 – 2500 meters. Addis Ababa is the third highest capital in the world. Today it’s one of African’s largest cities with a population of about 4 million and the continent’s premier diplomatic center as the headquarters for African Union located here. Impressive monuments of colonial architecture are scattered among stretches of sun-bleached shacks. Addis Ababa, besides its many attractive sites, lies at the center of an area rich in places of interest, most of which can be visited either as a half or full day trips.

Tour Code: DLE- 001
Title: City Tour of Addis Ababa
Duration: Full Day
Transportation: Surface
Highlights: St.Trinity cathedral/National Museum/Ethnographic Museum/Merkato/Entoto Mountain

In the Morning, start your city tour of Addis Ababa with the Holy trinity cathedral, one of the most attractive and well-designed church in the city. Proceed to the National Museum, the best museum in quality and diversity of the exhibits. We continue tour to the Ethnographic Museum which is found inside the compound of the Addis Ababa University the former royal palace of Emperor Haile Silassie. Lunch in Lucy Gazebo Restaurant.

After lunch, City tour of Addis Ababa continues with the visit to Merkato, the largest open-air market in Africa, where almost every possible commodity is on sale. Resume driving uphill to Entoto Mountain, where we will visit the Saint Marry church and the place which once was Emperor Minilik II’s palace from the top, there is a panoramic view of the capital and surrounding countryside. Enjoy the expansive views of the city and the Entoto Mountain Range.

Tour Code: DLE- 002
Title: Day trip to Debre Libanos Monastery & Blue Nile Gorge (205Km)
Duration: Full Day
Transportation: Surface
Highlights: Debre Libanos Monastery/Blue Nile Gorge

Early in the morning, start driving to the 13th century monastery of Debre Libanos built by the Ethiopian saint called Abune Tekle-Haymanot. and the museum Further down, 100 km later enjoy the famous Blue Nile Gorge for which people suggest that it is even greater than the “Grand Cannon” of USA.
Picnic lunch in the gorge nearby the bridge where you listen to the songs of varies species of birds. Drive back to Addis through one of the famous Teff growing areas & beautiful sceneries, Depending on your program you will be transferred to the airport in the evening or in the next morning.

Tour Code: DLE – 003
Title: Day trip to Melka-Kunture archeological site
Duration: Full Day
Transportation: Surface/Road
Highlights: Melka-Kunture archaeological site/Adadi Mariam rock –hewn/Tiya Unique Steles

After breakfast drive to Melka-Kunture archaeological site, then to Adadi Mariam rock-hewn church, proceed to Tiya to visit the 12th century unique steles. Will have picnic lunch and drive back to Addis, Depending on your program you will be transferred to the airport in the evening or in the next morning.

Tour Code: DLE – 004
Title: Excursion to Wenchi Creator Lake
Duration: Full Day
Transportation: Surface/ Road
Highlights: Wenchi Creator Lake/Ambo/Guder Falls

Early morning drive to Ambo and proceed to Wenchi to observe the captivating Crater Lake and make a boat ride to visit the old monastery. Picnic lunch and proceed to Guder Falls and drive back to Addis, Depending on your program you will be transferred to the airport in the evening or in the next morning.

Tour Code:  DLE – 005
Title: Excursion to Menagesha Suba Forest
Duration: Full Day
Transport: Surface/Road
Highlights: Menagesha Suba Forest

In the morning after breakfast drive to the western outskirt of Addis Ababa to Menagesha forest. It is the mountainous area having the shape of an upside down pudding basin and is covered more or less entirely in thick heath and on the other side it is fully covered with indigenous trees which becomes a habitat for endemic species of birds and animals. Late afternoon drive back to Addis depending on your program you will be transferred to the airport in the evening or in the next morning.

Tour Code:  DLE – 006
Duration: 1 Night /2 Days
Title: One night to Rift Valley Lakes
Transportation: Surface/ Road
Highlights: Rift valley Lakes of Ziway, Langano, Abiyata & Shalla

Day 1: Drive to Langano the Rift Valley, passing through Debrezeit and by the lakes of Koka and Ziway, a stop at Ziway can be arranged for birders, Lake Langano is bilharzias and crocodile free, and visitors can go for a swim, walk along the shores of the lake or go bird watching in the Acacia forests along the lakeshores. Later in the afternoon we will visit the Lake of Abiyata and Shalla, overnight in Langano.

Day 2: You will spend the morning relaxing by the lake, After lunch in the hotel , leave for Addis Ababa midafternoon. Depending on your program you will be transferred to the airport in the evening or in the next morning.

Tour Code: DLE – 007
Title: One Night in Awash National Park
Duration: 1 Night & 2 Days
Transportation: Surface/ Road
Highlights: Awash National Park /Awash Palm Spring

Day 1: After breakfast, drive to Awash National Park and enjoy a game drive in park and you will have a game drive to visit mammals and birds. In the afternoon, visit the Awash River Falls and on the way, game viewing. Overnight in a Lodge

Day 2: After early morning game watching, visit the wonderful Awash Palm Spring, and enjoy Swimming in the hot springs water. After lunch drive back to Addis Ababa.