Addis Ababa
is Africa's political centre
is colourful celebrations
Welcome to Addis Ababa
Since its establishment in the 19th century, Addis Ababa (አዲስ አበባ) has always seemed like a magical portal, a gateway to another world. For the rural masses of Ethiopia it was, and is, a city whose streets are paved in gold; for a foreign visitor, the gateway of Addis Ababa is at the verge of an ancient and mystical world. And yet, Addis – Africa’s fourth-largest city and its diplomatic capital – is also a traffic-choked, sprawling city of no discernible beauty that many foreign visitors try to transit as quickly as possible. But take note: by skipping out on the contradictions of this complex city you run the risk of failing to understand Ethiopia altogether. And apart from anything else, Addis is the best place in the country to sample Ethiopian food, and has some wonderful museums and places to stay.
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Addis Ababa activities
Addis Ababa City Tour
The tour starts with a pick up from Bole International Airport or at your hotel, and drive to Trinity Cathedral Church which has unique architectural style. Then, you will be taken to the National Museum of Ethiopia for visiting the long age history of Ethiopia and the oldest human ancestor, Lucy. After lunch, we will go to the ethnographic museum and admire the country's different nationalities cultural materials. Finish the tour with shopping in Merkato, the local marketplace which is said to be Africa’s largest open-air market.
Debre Libanos Monastery and Nile Gorge from Addis Ababa
You will be picked up from your hotel between 7:30am and 8am. Accompanied by a tour guide and a driver, you will start your journey to Entoto Mountains. Once at the mountains, you will be given enough time to enjoy the stunning view point of Addis Ababa, the beautiful landscape and to socialize with locals. After Entoto, you will head directly to Debre Libanos Monastery. Once you get to the Monastery, first you will visit the old and historic churches, and later move on to the recently opened Museum. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to do a cultural visit with the Oromo people and to experience the local life. See a bit of wildlife: several endemic birds as well as the Gelada baboons in the Gorge.After the museum tour is concluded, you will head to a restaurant with breathtaking views of the Jemma River Gorge for a late lunch. After lunch, you will take a short walk to Ras Darge's bridge ("Portugese Bridge"). Time permitting, you can visit the Blue Nile Gorge or, at the very minimum, enjoy a stunning view of it from distance. Climb to the cave of St. Teklehaimanot for a short tour by the monks there. Then drive back to Addis to be dropped off at your hotel.
Day-Trip Church of Adadi Mariam from Addis Ababa
Start driving the total of 192 km, with a private Toyota Minivan equipped with air conditioning and seat belts, south of Addis Ababa through the scenic Rift Valley. The first stop along the way is at an outlook to enjoy and take a photo of the Rift Valley, and then cross the bridge over the Awash River (an inbound river which doesn’t reach the sea) by walking. After driving 62 km, of which 12 is on a gravel road, visit the ancient rock-carved church of Adadi Mariam which was founded in the 13th Century by King Lalibela. If the day is Thursday or Sunday, visit the colorful cultural weekly held market of the Oromo people at Adadi town. On the way back to the main road, stop at a local family house to take part in a typical Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony and to learn how to cook Enjera. Then, head to the Steles of Tiya to visit about 40 stone grave markers which are decorated with carvings and erected in the 14th Century AD in honor of a local hero. It is one of the sites of Ethiopia included the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. En route back to Addis Ababa, visit the prehistoric archaeological site of Melka Kunture to visit ancient fossils of animals and humans and some of the oldest stone tools humankind ever used. This is a private tour for up to 6 visitors in a group for the same price including the private comfortable Toyota Minivan with fuel (gasoline) and driver’s allowance, family visit and coffee ceremony attendance, professional experience English speaking tour guide and all related government taxes.
Lalibela Rock Churches Guided Tour
Your tour to Lalibela churches can start straight away after your arrival and check in to your hotel. The 11 rock cut churches in Lalibela own needs an at least one full day to visit them all. Your guide will wait you at the airport arrival with a car. Drive 22 k/m to the town of Lalibela. After check-in drive to the first group of churches, which are 6. After your visit, we bring you for lunch to one of the best restaurant we have in town. You will have 2hrs to rest till the churches are reopened at 2pm. 2pm, drive to the 1nd group of churches, which are 4, and at the end the famous church of St' George (Bete Georgies). After you are done with visit the churches, we take you to the town where you get invited for the famous Traditional coffee and see the way life of the locals, maybe take part in their daily activities, like baking Injera, making coffee or even cooking. In the evening, if still not tiered we go to the best traditional bar, where you test our traditional Honey Wine, Music and dance. On the next day, we bring you to the airport, or if you still have in Lalibela, we can organize a best trekking tour to the surrounding mountains, like: to Bilbala St. George rock hewn church, Monastery of Na’akuto La’ab and Asheton Maryam Monastery
Market Tour and Cooking Class with a Coffee Ceremony at a Home in Addis Ababa
Daniel and his wife Tigist are from the Oromia region of Ethiopia but love to cook dishes from around the country, so prepare to be served pan-Ethiopian cuisine. Tigist learned to cook helping her mother around the house as a child and ran her own kitchen after marrying Daniel, who has a master's degree in Social Anthropology and is a tourism professional - he has led trips around Ethiopia for over a decade! Daniel speaks perfect English and enjoys discussing diverse subjects from food and history to politics. He loves meeting people from different cultural backgrounds and sharing his rich heritage with them. They are blessed with three handsome boys who may join you during your experience if it's on a weekend. While the market is open on all days, Wednesdays and Saturdays are especially good for visits. Saturday is considered market day all over the country and the market teems with life and people. This is a unique opportunity to learn from locals and experience authentic Ethiopia with its traditions and cuisine - so join these great hosts and leave with a full stomach and new memories to share with your loved ones at home! If there is a particular dish you are interested in cooking, please include it in advance when making your booking.
Full-Day Private City Tour of Addis Ababa
You will be met at your hotel in Addis Ababa, and received a brief about Ethiopia in general and the tour for about 10 minutes. Then, you will drive to the National Archaeological Musem of Ethiopia to visit the fossil remains of Lucy. Next you drive for about 30 minutes to the peak of Mount Entoto to have a panoramic view of Addis, and we visit St. Raguel church which is the oldest in Addis (138 years old) and it is famous for its beautiful hand painted wall paintings which is as old as the church. Then, you descend the mountains and head to Merkato which is the largest open air market in Africa. At Merkato you spend about an hour visiting the spice, secondhand, and basket sections. You will then have a lunch break at one of the best traditional Ethiopian restaurants in Addis where you will taste delicious Ethiopian meals. Finally, visit Holy Trinity Cathedral and drive on the main streets of Addis to visit the historical monuments before heading back to the hotel.