Addis Ababa is the third highest capital of the world, at an altitude of 2300-2500m, and the fourth diplomatic city of the world after New York, Geneva, and the Hague. It lies at the bottom of the eucalyptus clad Entoto mountains and was founded by Emperor Menelik and Queen Taitu in 1886.
This standard package tour includes museums, cathedral, and market.
Morning (AM): A tour driver or guide will pick you up from your hotel. Then you will drive to National Museum, known for its best composition & collection in sub-sharan Africa. It is divided in to four sections. The first section shows the full human evolution time line discovered in Ethiopia specifically known for Lucy, the fossilized hominid discovered in 1974 by Prof. Donald Johnson. The second section, exhibit the artifacts of the Axumite, Solomonic and Gondarian period of the country, and the third section display Ethiopian art ranging from parchment to 20th –century canvas oil paintings by leading modern artists Afework Tekele. The last section exhibit the superb artifacts and handicrafts from the peoples of Ethiopia,
Entoto Mountains (St. Mary Zion Church, Museum and Emperor Menelik II palace)
The Octagonal Entoto Maryam Church was founded by Emperor Menelik II (1889 – 1913) at the end of the 19th century and has historical value because it is the oldest church of Addis Ababa. The museum in the compound contains a large collection of religious garb, crowns and crosses dating from the Emperor Menelik. At the backside of the church you can see the “palace” where emperor Menelik and his family were living before they went down to Filwoha hot springs to build a new palace.
Afternoon (PM)
The Holy Trinity cathedral (founded by Emperor Haile Selassie in 1933) is the biggest Orthodox Church in the country. With its large dome and spindly pinnacles, it’s one of the landmarks of the city and. In this church emperor Haile Selassie is reburied and you can visit the tombs of Haile Selassie and his wife.
If you like markets, a visit to Merkato –the biggest open-air market of Africa- is a must! It is a quarter with many bazaars with small shops where you can buy literally everything….very crowded, colourful and dirty….(and beware for pickpockets!). You can visit Merkato also on your last afternoon in Addis.
Night: A happy end of the day is a traditional Injera dinner in a cultural restaurant where you can enjoy life cultural music and dance.