The trip starts with a city tour of Addis Ababa, visiting the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Merkato market, Entoto Mountain, and the National Museum, which houses Lucy’s remains.
The next day, travelers explore Debre Libanos, hiking through deep gorges, crossing an old bridge, and visiting waterfalls.
They also see the 13th-century monastery and its museum. On the third day, they travel to Menagesha Suba Forest Park, one of Ethiopia’s oldest conservation areas, where they hike through forests filled with unique plants and wildlife.
The trip ends with a farewell dinner featuring Ethiopian cuisine and cultural performances before heading to the airport.
Day 1: Addis Ababa City Tour
You will be picked up from the airport or your hotel by our guide for a full-day tour of Addis Ababa.
We will visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral, one of the most important religious sites in Ethiopia. From there, we will head to Merkato, the largest open-air market in Africa. Here, you will get a glimpse of how business is conducted in the Ethiopian capital. The market supplies almost every commodity needed by the locals, and you will also find a section dedicated to arts and culture where you can buy souvenirs.
Next, we will drive to Entoto Mountain, where you will enjoy panoramic views of Addis Ababa. We will also visit the National Museum, which houses the remains of Lucy, the oldest Homo sapiens, believed to have lived over 3 million years ago.
During our drive around the city, you will see several historical monuments that play an important role in the history of both Addis Ababa and Ethiopia.
Day 2: Day Trip to Debre Libanos
Today, we will explore the highlands north of Addis Ababa, passing through remote villages. The landscape here is breathtaking, featuring highlands and deep gorges that reach depths of 1,000 meters. We will take a two-hour hike to explore the gorges and observe the rich birdlife in the area.
We will then cross an old commercial bridge, built during the early days of trade and exploration. From here, we will head to waterfalls and caves, which are home to the Gelada baboons.
In the afternoon, we will visit the Monastery of Debre Azbo (Debre Libanos), founded in the 13th century. The monastery was damaged during the Italian invasion of 1937. Another must-see attraction is the octagonal church, known for its beautiful stained-glass windows designed by Afework Tekle, a famous Ethiopian artist.
There is also a newly built museum that houses historical artifacts from the monastery, including relics that survived the Italian invasion.
After our visit, we will return to Addis Ababa.
Day 3: Day Trip to Menagesha Suba Forest Park
Today, we will travel west of Addis Ababa, stopping 30 kilometers from the city for a hike to Menagesha Suba Forest Park. This is one of the oldest conservation areas in Ethiopia.
We will take a two-hour hike through the forest, where you will see unique plant species, including giant junipers, giant lobelias, heather, and giant ragweed. The forest is also home to diverse wildlife and bird species.
After our hike, we will return to Addis Ababa for an overnight stay.
In the evening, we will have a farewell dinner, where you will enjoy traditional Ethiopian cuisine, listen to Ethiopian music, and watch cultural performances by local artists.
Later, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight.
