ADDIS ABABA & ITS SURROUNDINGS
With a population of more than four million people, Addis Ababa is not only the political capital but also the economic and social nerve-center of Ethiopia. Founded by Emperor Menelik in 1887, this big, sprawling, hospitable city still bears the stamp of his exuberant personality. More than 21,000 hectares in area, Addis Ababa is situated in the foothills of the 3,000 meters Entoto Mountains and rambles pleasantly across many wooded hillsides and gullies cut through with fast flowing streams.
Like any other capital in the world, there is more than enough for anybody to do in Addis. Addis Ababa is as cosmopolitan as any of the world's great metropolises, and the architecture is as varied as the city itself. There is no designated 'city centre' because, until very recently, there was no urban planning. Addis Ababa simply grew in a natural, organic way, and its present appearance reflects this unforced and unstructured evolution.
Beside this city, in which any guest has enough to visit, there are five main roads leaving for short or long distant tourist destinations. Each direction has its own character and its own points of natural, cultural, historical or event interest. Northwest and northeast roads lead to the central plateau with gorge and valley characteristics. The western and southwestern roads take you to marvelous sceneries and to the origin of coffee region while the road to south and southeast leads to tourist destinations like the great Rift Valley lakes, Afar, Harar, Bale, and Omo most of which are the results of volcanic actions and having natural hot water and crater lakes.
Addis City Tour
Duration: Half day Tour Code: 0001
Morning/Afternoon depending on the international flight schedule meet your guide at the lobby of your hotel; get a brief program detail on what you are going to see from your guide. Visit the very famous church of Ethiopian Orthodox Church “trinity cathedral” (built by Emperor Haileselassie I in 1941 after he came back from exile defeating the Italians), the national museum which hosts different types animals & human remains including “Lucy” & finally go to “Merkato” to visit the largest open market in Africa.
Addis City Tour
Duration: Full day Tour Code: 0002
Morning, meet your guide at the lobby of your hotel; get a brief program detail on what you are going to see from your guide. Start visiting from the very famous & historically significant church of Ethiopian Orthodox Church “trinity cathedral”, built by Emperor Haileselassie I in 1941 after he came back from exile defeating the Italians, after the church proceed to the national museum which hosts different types animal & humans remains including “Lucy” & then to wind up the morning tour visit “Merkato” /the largest open market in Africa/. Afternoon, visit the Ethnographic museum of Addis Ababa University, The old palace of Menelik II at entoto & finally enjoy the panoramic view of Addis from Entoto view point. Late afternoon drive back to hotel
Addis – Debre Libanos
Duration: One day Tour Code: 0003
Morning, drive about 106kms to the northern parts of Ethiopia to a place called Debre libanos, built & founded by Abba libanos who came to Ethiopia with the nine saints of the 6th century A.D & visit the modern church built by Emperor Hailesellassie I & the ancient cave where Abune Tekelehaimanot lost his one leg praying for 22years. And it is now serving as a place where people get holy water for their treatment and they get cured from many diseases. After lunch, visit the Portuguese bridge built by the Portuguese in the 17th century. Late afternoon, drive back to the city of Addis.
Addis – Langano
Duration: One day Tour Code: 0004
Morning drive to the southern part of the country through the rift valley lakes of ziway, langano & Abijata-Shalla to visit the different types of animals& birds. Late afternoon drive back to Addis.
Addis – Addadi Mariam
Duration: One day Tour Code: 0005
Morning drive about 74kms to the south-western part of the country, to visit the rock hewn church of Addadi Mariam, believed to have been the last work of King Lalibela, and the stelae field of Tiya. Late afternoon, drive back to Addis.
Addis – Wonchi
Duration: 2 days 1 night Tour Code: 0006
Day1. Morning drive to the city of Ambo, the former capital city of north west Shoa province, for refreshment, then proceed to the very beautiful, interesting & breathtaking crater lake “WONCHI” through the magnificent landscapes of north western shoa high lands. Visit the lake with activities like walking, horse riding & boat trip. Late afternoon drive to the city of Welisso & overnight Lodge
Day2. Enjoy the different types of endemic trees, bird's sound on the endemic trees & gravy’s monkey. Afternoon, drive back to the city of Addis.
Addis – Abijata-Shalla
Duration: 2 days 1 night Tour Code: 0007
Day1. Morning drive to the southern part of the country through the rift valley lakes of ziway, langano & Abijata-Shalla to visit the different types of animals/hippos, warthog, gazzel, …/ & birds/flamingoes, Hammer kop, king fisher …/. Late afternoon drive to the city of Hawassa. Overnight hotel
Day2. Morning visit the fish market, make a boat trip on Lake Hawassa & drive back to Addis. On the way make a stop over at Debrezeit.
Addis – Ankober
Duration: 2 days 1 night Tour Code: 0008
Day1. Morning, drive about 130kms to the city of Debrebirhan the capital city of king/Atse Zerayakob founded in 1445. Afternoon, drive about 40kms graveled road to visit the former Menelik’s II seat of government. Ankober Palace
Day2. Morning, after visiting the surrounding areas of Ankober, Drive back to Addis.