National Museum of Ethiopia

You will start your city tour of Addis Ababa with the National Museum of Ethiopia. This is one of the best museums in quality and diversity of the exhibits. Archeological exhibits include the 3.5 million-year-old fossil of Lucy (or Dinkinesh – ‘thou art wonderful’- in the native language), a hominoid woman of the specious of Australopithecus Afarensis. The discovery of Lucy’s fossil in 1974 forced a complete rethink of human genealogy, providing that our ancestors were walking 2.5 million years earlier than had been supposed. The National Museum also contains many wonderful artifacts dating back to pre-Axumite civilization.

Meyazia 27 Square Monument

Myazia 27 Square Monument or Dillachin ( Victory Monument ) The historic monument depicts a Lion of Judah and a circle of relief figures and monumental panels celebrating the liberation of Ethiopia.

Yekatit 12 Martyrs Square

Yekatit 12 Martyrs Square Monument is located near the Addis Ababa University and the Lion Zoo. This place has a significant historical background.

We continue our tour of Addis Ababa with visit to the Ethnographic Museum which is found inside the compound of the Addis Ababa University. The Museum used to be a palace for the Emperor Haile Selasie and called '' Genete Leuel '' ( Heaven of The Prince ) and This museum is very different to the National Museum, but equally absorbing, this museum exhibit, a varied array of artifacts and daily objects related to most ethnic groups living in Ethiopia.

Chiromeda Market

Before Moving up to mount entoto we will pass by Chiromeda market. The market has a variety of traditional clothing like Dress, Shawl, Scarf, Bed Cover, Napkins, Mens Shirt, etc... all locally hand made product are being sold here. Stooping here is optional.

Mount Entoto

Entoto Hill is the highest pick in Addis Ababa, It reaches up to 3,200m above the sea level. The mountain is densely covered by eucalyptus trees that were imported from Australia during the reign of Menelik II, Thus, it is sometimes referred to as the "lung of Addis Ababa". Here we will see the panoramic view of Addis Ababa. after spending sometimes in the mountain drive back to the city and Lunch at one of the best restaurant in Addis That serves the local cuisine. 50 Minute Lunch Break entrance fee to Entoto Park is not included.

After having a good lunch, we will drive to Tomoca coffee where we will have the best coffee in Addis Ababa. Coffee beans and powder is also available for purchase

Merkato is the largest open air market in Africa, covering several square miles and employing an estimated 13,000 people in 7,100 business entities. Walk around Merkato and witness how the local entrepreneurs are contributing for the Environment.

Lion of Judah

The monument to the Lion of Judah is a statue of the Lion of Judah, symbol of Ethiopian Emperors and Ethiopia.

Drive by Minilik II Square and see the emperor's monument

St. George's Cathedral

St. George Cathedral is one of the oldest cathedral in Addis Ababa. The church was constructed by the order of Emperor Minilik to commemorate the battle of Adawa, The Battle with the Italian colonialist.

Debre Libanos Orthodox Church

Pick up from the hotel is at 8.00 am or earlier and we then head north on the Gojjam road to Debre Libanos, about 110 km from Addis Ababa or approximately two hours’ drive. Arrive in Debre Libanos, Debre Libanos is an important monastic center for Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, the monastery there was founded by the renowned 13th century mystic, Saint Teclehaimanot. there is a small cave near the church After the church visitors can make the climb to the cave of St Teklehaimanot. Near the cave monks may show visitors the remains of some 300 monks, slaughtered in 1936 by the Italian invaders. Mussolini and the fascist authorities saw the Ethiopian Orthodox Church as one of the key elements of an independent Ethiopian identity, and thought that by carrying out the massacre they would cow the Church and by extension the Ethiopian people into submission. Rather, this atrocity fed the flames of resistance.

Drive to the nearest hotel where we will have a quick lunch. while having a lunch see the Jemma River, which is one of the tributaries of the Nile, and there is a drop of nearly 1000 metres to the valley below.

Portuguese Bridge

after lunch walk about 300m and see the famous 16th century the bridge is known by the tourists as Portuguese bridge, the narrow span makes it to look like the Portuguese style but it was actually built by the Ethiopians. the gushing (in the rainy season) cascade just below it is even more impressive. We will also see one of Ethiopia’s endemic mammals, the Gelada or bleeding heart baboon. (In the gorge we will see a variety of vultures – Lamergeyer’s, Ruppell’s and Lappet faced vultures.) After Visiting this places drive back to Addis Ababa arrive in addis around 5:30pm