3 Day Addis Abba Exploration

Welcome to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital city and diplomatic capital of Africa!

Our representative will collect you from the Bole International Airport and transfer you to your Hotel. 

After you have had a little rest, your you will be collected for a half day introductory tour of Addis. First you will drive to Entoto Hills – the best introduction to Addis Ababa. Mt. Entoto is the highest peak in Addis Ababa, giving the chance to catch stunning views over the city and the surrounding area from the summit. It is the first settlement in Addis Ababa where Emperor Menelik II resided and built his palace in 1887; a unique place which offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of Ethiopia’s distinct culture.

The compound at the peak hosts the Entoto Mariam church, an Ethiopian artefact museum as well as Menelik II’s palace, which you will visit.                                                                                                             

As one drives up the hill there is an appreciable drop in temperature and the air is filled with the scent of the Eucalyptus trees which line the road. Roadside stalls offer fresh Ethiopian coffee.  Afterwards, visit Shero Meda Market, where there is a wide variety of beautiful fabrics, shawls, scarves, dresses, tops and jewelry, offering good ideas for gifts.

In the late afternoon you will be dropped back at your hotel. 

After breakfast your guide will collect you to continue your exploration of the city.

No visit to Addis Ababa is complete without a trip to the National Museum of Ethiopia, which ranks among the most important museums in sub-Saharan Africa, and is famous for its paleontological and pre-historic exhibitions. Here you will get to view the famous 3.5 million-year-old bones of Lucy. Established in 1944, the National Museum of Ethiopia was born when archeological research was started in collaboration with a team of French scientists, and it became evident how important it was to organize, preserve and exhibit the collections.  Exhibits of the National Museum comprise:

• Paleontology and pre-history: Lucy and other fossils including stone tools.
• Historical and Archaeological: Findings that depict the early history from the pre-Axumite times to the 16th century AD.
• Ethnography: Traditional and ceremonial costumes, jewelry etc. reflecting the diversified cultures of the various ethnic groups.
• Modern Art: Selected paintings and sculptures from different Ethiopian artists, including the celebanted Maître Artist Laureate Afework Tekle.

Another interesting excursion will be to the Ethnographic Museum of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies. Situated in the old palace, Genente Leul, of the late Emperor Heile Selassie, the museum featuress the bedroom and bathroom of the late emperor, an art gallery and an imppressive selection of artifacts depitting the country’s culture, historic and natural heritage. The layout follows the story of life from birth to death, and beyond, and how the different stages of life are viewed and experienced by different ethnic groups in Ethiopia.

You will also visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral, built in 1945, this cathedral is renowned for its stunning stain-glassed windows which depict scenes from the Old and New Testament of the Holy Bible.  The Trinity Cathedral also houses the tombs of the late emperor, Haile Selassie, and his family; as well as the tomb of English feminist Sylvia Pankhurst. 

You will break for lunch at the popular Lucy’s Restaurant, which is famous for boho-chic ambience and great selection of Ethiopian and western cuisine.

After lunch you will visit the famous open-air market, Mercato, covering several square miles and employing an estimated 13,000 people in 7,100 business entities.

Return to your hotel in the late afternoon.

Today after breakfast you will depart early in the morning to south of Ethiopia to visit Adadi Mariam Church and the Tiya Stelae Field.

First visit Adadi Mariam which is 57km from Addis Ababa, Adadai Maraiam is a subterranean rock-hewn church similar to those of Lalibela. This church is unique as it is the southern-most church of its type, and stands alone – no other rock-hewn churches are in the area. It has been surmised that King Lalibela ordered the construction of Adida Mariam for his visit to southern Ethiopia. The site dates to the 13th century, but is still an active site of worship, then drive 30km to visit Tiya Stele Field.

Tiya Stelae Field, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is among the most important of the roughly 160 archaeological sites discovered so far in the Soddo region, south of Addis Ababa. The site contains 36 monuments, including 32 carved stelae covered with symbols, most of which are difficult to decipher. They are the remains of an ancient Ethiopian culture whose age has not yet been precisely determined.

You will have a picnic lunch and return to Addis in the afternoon. Once you have freshened up you will enjoy a memorable  dinner at one of Addis Ababa’s finest cultural restaurants.

For dinner we recommend 2000 Habesha. Their Ethiopian buffet is excellent, and there is a cultural show with traditional songs & dance. You can also opt for Yod Abyssinia. Discuss with your guide which option you prefer.

After dinner you will be transferred to the Bole Intnerational Airport for  your international departure flight.