How to spend top weekend in Addis Ababa - ideas on extraordinary attractions and sites

Sunset on the rising city: Addis Ababa

Walking Tour in the Simien Mountains

Simien Mountains is the location of a fabulous national park that is a very interesting place to explore. You can make a hiking tour that will reach a border of a giant rift fault and ancient caravan routes. As a rule, all tours end with a climb to the highest mountain in whole Ethiopia - Ras Dashen Peak, the height of which is 4620 meters. The Simien Mountains National Park has many routes, and visitors can easily find the most suitable one depending on their physical training level.
A choice of hotels with romantic atmosphere in Addis Ababa is also quite large. Capital Hotel & Spa would be ideal for couples. Besides romantically decorated rooms with pleasant lighting … Open
During the hiking tour, there will be a local guide together with you. Some of your belongings will wait for you at the end of the journey, so you will not have to walk with a heavy backpack. On your way to the top, you will see breath-taking landscapes of mountain peaks, high cliffs with steep flanks, and picturesque African fields and valleys. You will be also able to see exotic animals, such as gelada (baboons that live only on the mountain plateau in Ethiopia).
It is a fantastic chance to get acquainted with ancient cultural traditions of the Ethiopians because during your stay you will live in the only ethnic hotel, Simien Lodge. This hotel has 20 apartments that are reminiscent of the traditional Ethiopian huts of local people. You will dine in the restaurant that serves local cuisine dishes. Simien Lodge is the starting point of your hiking tour. Copyright www.orangesmile.com
A colourful Merkato market operates in the city. On weekends it turns into the real Tower of Babel. You can literally buy everything here, from popular spices and sweets to dozens of … Open

Volcano Adventure

From Addis Ababa, you will head to the Danakil Desert that is often recalled as the hottest place in the world. The air is often as hot as 63C, while the earth can be 70C. This is the place where the Afar lives. This nation has a semi-nomad lifestyle. You will have a tour to Erta Ale volcano. Its name literally means “a Smoking Head” when translated from Ethiopian. However, many people who saw the volcano give it another name – a road to hell.
When starting the journey, you must be prepared for a bad quality road. At the beginning, you will cross the area that is often covered with rain-water. Then you will reach a lava field and stop at the basic camp. You will have a dinner there and continue a hiking tour to the volcano. As a rule, the walk is approximately 3 hours long, depending on the physical training of you and other participants of the excursion.
The city is a large industrial and economic center of Ethiopia, which is also known as a famous resort rich in historic sights. The cultural program offered to guests of Addis Ababa is … Open
Erta Ale is one of the five volcanos that have a lava lake, but Erta Ale has not one but two lakes! You will be able to reach the edge and see the lake full of burning lava – a truly unique view! The volcano has been in this state for more than 40 years already. You will spend a night in the camp at Erta Ale and go back when the new day starts.

Air-balloon Ride

In order to see Addis Ababa and its surroundings from a bird’s eye view, you can always make a ride on a hot air balloon. There is only one main condition of the ride – the weather must be good. Season or the day of the week is not important. You also need to think of the right outfit in advance – choose the clothes that are comfortable for the flight. Comfy casual or sports apparel is the best in this case. You will also need a hat.
Addis-Ababa is a typical colonial city with many preserved historical buildings. It is not so easy to find interesting entertainments for children. Nevertheless, you can organize an … Open
You can order an individual tour or participate in a group flight. Hot air balloons are quite big and have enough space for up to 35 passengers. Flights start early in the morning, approximately on 5:20 am. The staff of the company, which organizes excursions in the air, will take you from the hotel before the dawn. The location of the beginning and the landing of the flight is not fixed and depends on the wind.
While flying, you will not feel any wind because the hot air balloon moves at the same speed with it. As a rule, the flight lasts 60 minutes and will be at a different height, with 1000 meters being the highest spot. Needless to say, this is a true one-of-a-kind experience. You will return to Addis Ababa approximately on 8:30 and will have your breakfast, thinking of how you were flying above the city and admired its landmarks.
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Notable celebrations and festivals in Ethiopia

Meskel is a holiday that is widely celebrated in Addis Ababa on the square with the same name, as well as in Gondar, Aksum, and Lalibela. This celebration commemorates the discovery of the True Cross. Meskel falls to the end of September. On the night before the holiday, people make fires on the central squares of their towns. They decorate a wooden cross with yellow flowers and install it above the fire. Participants and witnesses sing and dance around the cross. Some believe that the direction of the smoke is a prediction for the next year. When the fire dies, people take cinder and draw crosses on their foreheads as a sign of their pure faith. … Open

Visiting neighbours of Addis Ababa for exclusive entertainment

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