Ethiopia is a diverse nation that is home to some of Africa’s lesser-known wildlife, beautiful natural scenery, and a history that has left its varied landscapes laden with historical treasures like 17th-century castles, ancient tombs, and obelisks. Ancient customs and tribal communities, colourful festivals, panoramic views, astounding biodiversity, and the best coffee you’ve ever had can all be found in this region. With this all-inclusive package from Tripfinder, embark on a captivating journey through Ethiopia, discovering the natural splendour, cultural diversity, and historical significance of Addis Abeba and the surrounding regions.
Arrive at the Intercontinental Hotel or another 4-star establishment, where you can spend a relaxing four nights with daily breakfast. Visit famous sites like the Holy Trinity Church, the Ethnographic Museum, and outdoor markets by taking a guided city tour.
Enjoy the tranquil monastic life at Debre Libanos Monastery while discovering the wonders of Debre Libanos, the Blue Nile Gorge, and the cave monastery. From Entoto Hill, take a quick hike to the Portuguese Bridge with its stone arches and take in the expansive views of Addis Abeba.
Visit Tiya, Adadi Mariam, and Melka Kunture on a private tour to learn more about Ethiopia’s fascinating history. Explore Melka Kunture, a prehistoric site, as well as Tiya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the cave churches of Adadi Mariam.
Participate in local affairs and take part in Gurage culture’s traditional village life. English-speaking tour guides will offer insightful commentary and guarantee a memorable experience.
Departure Date | Adult | Single | Child (6 - 11yr) | Child (2 - 5yr) | Infant | Seats | Book |
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Arrive in Addis Ababa, meet and greet the representative, and get assigned to the hotel. The shuttle to the hotel is free; the rest of the day is free at Leisure. Overnight stay at a hotel in Addis Ababa.
After breakfast, take a sightseeing tour of Addis Ababa with a knowledgeable English-speaking guide. Visit the Hailie Selassie tombs, the Ethnographic Museum, and Holy Trinity Church. Admire the views from Mount Entoto and then explore the outdoor markets.
Get picked up from your Addis Abeba hotel or meet your English-speaking guide in the Arrivals Hall of Bole International Airport.
After a short period of refreshment, start your Addis Abeba guided sightseeing tour.
Drive up Mount Entoto first for breathtaking 360-degree views of the city. Mount Entoto, sacred in Addis Ababa, was Emperor Menelik II’s residence and home to monasteries and churches.
The Ethiopian Heritage Trust is converting it into a 1,300-hectare natural park, serving as a watershed and an observatory. Pass by the National Museum on your way down, where you can see the fossil of “Lucy,” the earliest known ancestor of modern humans. Lucy, a 3.2 million-year-old ape, was the first Australopithecus afarensis skeleton found, only 40% complete.
Visit the magnificent Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox ancient churches that were constructed after World War II. Head over to the Ethnographic Museum, which was formerly Emperor Hailie Selassie’s palace. This enormous, elaborate cathedral is Ethiopia’s second-most significant house of worship (ranking behind the Old Church of St. Mary of Zion in Aksum. Additionally, it serves as the revered resting place of both he and his wife, Empress Menen Asfaw.
Visit the tombs of Emperor Hailie Selassie after lunch and marvel at the breathtaking murals and church frescoes. Haile Selassie, a prominent Ethiopian leader, was exiled during the Italian occupation but returned to help restore control. The tour should be concluded with a stroll through the impressive open-air markets, which are the largest in East Africa. Return to your hotel or the airport in the evening in time for your flight.
Breakfast at the hotel. The Debre Libanos Monastery, established in 1284 within a narrow river canyon, offers a glimpse into monastic life. One of Ethiopia’s most fascinating church museums is located in Debre Libanos. Italian guns, enormous pots, crowns of former emperors and their wives, musical instruments, and an old wooden shackle are among the other ecclesiastical items present.
Admire the Blue Nile Gorge’s stunning vistas and settings. The Gorge, a 1500-meter-deep gash in the northern Ethiopian plateau, is the toughest single stage, though. Cycling the Gorge, the second-largest canyon in the world is like climbing a mountain backwards on a beautiful but difficult road.
To reach the Portuguese Bridge’s stone arches, take a quick hike.
Explore the area’s wildlife, which includes birds and the endemic bleeding-heart aboon.
Enjoy the expansive views of Addis Ababa from the 3,300-meter-high Entoto Hill. The Ethiopian Emperor Menline II built a palace on the hill during his reign. On the hill, in addition to the Royal Palace, are a few churches.
On a tour from Addis Ababa, take in the breathtaking rural vistas and the rural Ethiopian way of life. Explore the Portuguese Bridge, the Nile Gorge’s endemic baboons, and a cave monastery.
In a single day, travel with an English-speaking guide to the magnificent Debre Libanos Monastery, the renowned Portuguese Bridge, the breathtaking Blue Nile Gorge, and the eerie Saint Teklehaimanot Cave Church. Admire the stunning mountain scenery and endemic wildlife, including the heartbreaking Gelada baboons. The only graminivorous (grass-eating) primate, Geladas, eats a diet more resembling that of ungulates. Due to the unusually reddish skin colour on their chests, geladas are also known as bleeding-heart baboons.
Drive 100 kilometres (68 miles) to the north after being picked up at your hotel or the airport in Addis Ababa. Along the way, you’ll pass through undulating mountain ranges that are home to the renowned bleeding-heart baboons and a number of endemic birds. Arrive at Debre Libanos, a complex of monasteries built by the Ethiopian Saint Abune Tekle Haymanot in 1284. It is situated on a terrace between a cliff and the Gorge of one of the Blue Nile River’s tributaries (Jamma River).
Then, take in the Blue Nile Gorge’s breathtaking views, which are frequently compared to Arizona’s Grand Canyon. Admire the Portuguese Bridge, which Ras Darge constructed in the 1890s using traditional Portuguese architecture. Trek to the Saint Teklehaimanot Cave Church, where about 300 monks were murdered in 1936 by Italian invaders, and take in the beautiful scenery and Oromo culture. Staying the night in a hotel in Addis Ababa.
After breakfast at the hotel, depart on a private day trip from Bole to the archaeological and UNESCO World Heritage sites that are closest to Addis Abeba. With the free entry tickets provided, visit Tiya, Adadi Mariam, and Melka Kunture.
Highlights of the day:
This private day trip from Addis Abeba takes you to the distinctive rock-carved church of Adadi Mariam, the ancient grave site of Tiya (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and gives you a chance to interact with locals by visiting their families.
The archaeological site near Tiya features large stone pillars with decoration, including the largest collection of stelae dating back to the tenth and fifteenth centuries. Enjoy unique locations and experiences like the Adadi Mariam church, which is still in use today and was carved out of a single rock in the 13th century, the Tiya ancient cemetery, and an Oromo village.
Adadi Mariam church, which is a rock-hewn church, that dates back 600 years and represents the arrival of Christianity in Adadi Mariam’s southern region, was strengthened and restored with the help of Switzerland. It is a 600-year-old sanctuary built in the northern region of Ethiopia’s building tradition.
One of the earliest democracies was founded by the Oromo people. The system, which is based on an eight-yearly election of all political, military, economic, religious, and social administrations, is regarded as one of the first democracies in history.
Enjoy the stunning scenery of the Ethiopian portion of the Great East African Rift Valley while also learning how to make the Ethiopian pancake, Enjera. There is a six-person maximum on this tour. This tour lasts for nine hours, after which you’ll be taken to the airport to fly home. Staying the night in a hotel in Addis Ababa.
DAY 05: DEPARTURE
Breakfast at the hotel, check out and fly back home after a wonderful trip.
Package Includes
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Rates are dependent on availability.
No reservations have been made as of the time of this quote.
On certain dates, peak season surcharges might be necessary.
The itinerary is subject to substitution or change without prior notice.
For any unused services or sightseeing, there won’t be a refund.
Any damages, losses, lost baggage, injuries, accidents, fatalities, breakdowns, or irregularities that may arise during the course of the tour arrangement due to weather conditions, strikes, war, quarantine, or any other cause, are not our responsibility and must be covered by the travellers.
In the event that the hotels mentioned are not available, alternative lodging will be arranged in a hotel of comparable calibre.
Any meals and services not mentioned in the itinerary are not included.
You are fully responsible for verifying and obtaining the documents required for your trip and visa.
Check-in to the hotel is always 1400–1500 hours, and checkout is always 1100–1200 hours. Early check-in and late checkout are subject to availability unless otherwise specified in the inclusion column.
No refund is provided by the hotel for late check-in or early checkout.
Activities are optional. Ex: Paragliding, skiing, etc.
A strict cancellation policy will apply, and no waivers or refunds are possible in cases of deportation or any other reason for a no-show.
Visa costs are excluded.
Note: – Rates are subject to availability at the time of confirmation. Passports and UAE Residence visas must be valid for up to 6 Months from the date of travel. Visa approvals are subject to the embassy’s description.