Itinerary

1. Full day City Tour of Addis Ababa & Around

   Full day City Tour of Addis Ababa & Around

   • We start at 8:30 with a pick-up from your hotel and drive north up to Mount Entoto. In 1881, Emperor Menelik II made his permanent camp there after the remains of an old town (believed to have been the capital of 16th-century monarch Lebna Dengel) were discovered, which Menelik thought was a divine and auspicious sign. Addis Ababa, at between 2300 and 2500 meters, is the third highest capital in the world, and Entoto is a few hundred meters higher. 
   • As we drive up the hill there is an appreciable drop in altitude and the air is filled with the scent of the Eucalyptus trees which line the road. From the top, there is a panoramic view of the capital and surrounding countryside.
   • Then, we descend to Addis Ababa, stopping off at the National Archaeological Museum. Here visitors can see exhibits ranging from the 3.5 million-year-old bones of Lucy, through the Axumite and Gonderian periods to the monarchs Tewodros and Menelik.
   • After lunch, we will visit the Ethnographic Museum of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies, where we can see clothing from different regions, along with artifacts, household utensils and in a separate section, paintings reflecting the history and culture of the country.
   • Our next stop will be Trinity Cathedral, where many patriots of the war against the Italian invaders are buried, then passing Menelik’s Palace we proceed to Africa Hall in the headquarters of the Economic Commission for Africa, for a look at the large stained glass artwork designed by Ethiopian artist Afewerk Tekle.
   • We then move to the Merkato, the largest open air market area in Africa, where virtually every possible commodity is on sale. there is a huge selection of Ethiopian arts and crafts.
                                                                                  End of the city tour