English
DeutschExplore the capital of Ethiopia ~
- Entoto Hills with Mariam Church;
- National Museum of Ehtiopia;
- Ethnographic Museum of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies;
- Holy Trinity Cathedral;
- Adadi Mariam Church and Tiya Stelae Field;
- Explore Markets;
Best time to travel:
In Addis Ababa, the climate is almost the same along the year and the temperatures are around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
| Accommodation | Destination | Basis | Room Type | Duration | |
| Golden Tulip Addis Ababa Hotel | Addis Ababa | FB+ | 1x Standard Room | 2 Nights |
Key
FB+: Full Board Plus – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
Price
US$1,369.- per person, sharing occupancy
To stay at the Sheraton, please add US$477.-pp
Inquire for medium budget price level.
Included
Accommodation and meals as per package, airport welcome and transfers, transportation in air-conditioned vehicle for the tours, professional english speaking escort-guide for a three days, entrance fees,
Excluded
International flight to Addis Ababa, travel and evacuation insurance, visa
Day 1: Golden Tulip Addis Ababa Hotel, Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Situated in the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia boasts extraordinary natural features, a vast range of wildlife, and a captivating historical and cultural heritage. An increasing number of visitors are frequenting this treasure trove filled with unique attractions. Popular attractions include: the medieval castles of Gondar; the walled city of Harar; and Lalibela, a pilgrimage site known for its ancient monolithic churches, hewn into the area’s steep rocky hillsides. Ethiopia’s stunning natural landscapes are the real tourist drawcard. From the lush Simien Mountains to the sulphur vents of the Danakil Depression, the country’s outstanding natural environment is unforgettable. Bahir Dar, located on Lake Tana, is popular as a base from which to explore the fascinating monasteries situated on the numerous islands dotted around the lake, as well as the Blue Nile Falls, which are arguably the most spectacular falls in North Africa.
Addis Ababa
Located in the highlands fringing the Great Rift Valley, Addis Ababa serves as the political, cultural and commercial centre of Ethiopia. This sprawling city rests in the foothills of the Entoto Mountains and features a mix of traditional homes, elegant villas, and tall office buildings. Visitors can look forward to a selection of wonderful activities including: visiting the National Museum, displaying local art, traditional crafts and prehistoric fossils; exploring the copper-domed Holy Trinity Cathedral, a Neo-Baroque architectural landmark; and sampling rich Ethiopian coffee as well as the memorable cuisine featuring spicy stews and Ethiopia’s signature Injera bread.
Day Itinerary
Activities
Entoto Hills and Shero Medo Market
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.
Overnight: Golden Tulip Addis Ababa Hotel
Conveniently located one kilometre away from Bole International Airport, the Golden Tulip Addis Ababa Hotel is only minutes from many international organisations and embassies. The hotel offers airy rooms and suites with flat-screen TVs. The on-site restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and grab and go meals are available for guests who are in a hurry. The hotel also offers two bars, a fitness centre, and an airport shuttle service.
Basis
Full Board Plus – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
Day 2: Golden Tulip Addis Ababa Hotel, Addis Ababa
Day Itinerary
Activities:
Full Day City Tour
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.
Basis
Full Board Plus – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
Day 3: Full day tour
Day Itinerary
Activities
Day Excursion to Adadi Mariam Church &Tiya Stelae
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 International Airport for your international departure flight.
Basis
Full Board
