Got a long layover between flights at the Addis Ababa Airport? Or perhaps you're staying in Addis for a few days for a conference or a business meeting. Let Scopia LLC's local partner in Ethiopia take you for a private tour in the city or to such beautiful nearby places as Tiya and the Monastery at Debre Libanos. The prices are valid for 2024 yet there is always a chance for changes due to many unforeseeable reasons, so Please contact Scopia LLC for up-to-date prices and bookings. You will be referred directly to the contact in Ethiopia to book a tour.

Important notes:

1. All payments are in cash in US dollars, to be paid directly to the guide in Ethiopia.
2. A visa to enter Ethiopia is required. Click here.
3. A yellow fever vaccination is required. Click here for CDC information.

Important Information About Guide Referrals:

On occasion, Scopia LLC refers interested parties directly to guides, for the purpose of more efficient correspondence and less expensive touring. This is usually the case when the requesting party is interested in a day or more of private touring, and not in an all-inclusive tour of the destination country. With these referrals, Scopia LLC is not in any way involved in the transaction between the party and the guide, nor does Scopia LLC profit from this transaction. Therefore, Scopia LLC assumes no responsibility or liability, implied or not, for any aspect of the touring. Any disputes arising from the touring are to be settled directly between the requesting party and the guide. By proceeding to contact the referred guide(s), the requesting party agrees to this waiver of responsibility and liability as it pertains to Scopia LLC.

VIEW OUR MAIN ETHIOPIA PAGE FOR OTHER SAMPLE ITINERARIES

Includes:

• Pick up/drop off at the Addis Ababa Airport or your hotel in the city
• 3-4 Hours of touring in an air-conditioned van with the services of a local driver and an expert guide
• Entrance fees to the sites mentioned in the itinerary

Not Included:

• Tips to the guide and driver
• Any entrance fees or expenses not mentioned above as included
• Overtime for the guide and driver, in case you would like to continue the tour for longer.
  

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Itinerary:

Upon Arrival in Addis you will be met by our representative for a half day city tour of Addis Ababa (3-4 hours). First you drive to the Trinity Cathedral to visit this church built by Emperor Haile-Sillasse (ruled 1930-1975). The church is the burial place of the Emperor and influential Ethiopians. Then visit the National Museum, where the most important collection is the 3.2-million-year-old fossil of Lucy, who was discovered in 1974 in Afar (northeast Ethiopia). Other collections include archaeological finds, paintings, traditional vestments, tools and household belongings. Your third stop will be the Entoto view point, which offers a panoramic view over the city of Addis Ababa. On the way back to town you will stop at Shiro Meda market, famous for its traditional hand-woven cotton textiles. Optionally, and if there is time, drive through the Merkato, the largest open-air market in Africa. 

Includes:

• Pick up/drop off at the Addis Ababa Airport or your hotel in the city
• 8-9 Hours of touring in an air-conditioned van with the services of a local driver and an expert guide
• Entrance fees to the sites mentioned in the itinerary
• Lunch at the Dashen Restaurant

Not Included:

• Tips to the guide and driver
• Any entrance fees or expenses not mentioned above as included
• Overtime for the guide and driver, in case you would like to continue the tour for longer.
  
• Soft drinks or alcoholic drinks during lunch
  

​Itinerary:
Upon Arrival in Addis you will be met by our representative for a full day city tour of Addis Ababa (8-9 hours). First you drive to the Trinity Cathedral to visit this church built by Emperor Haile-Sillasse (ruled 1930-1975). The church is the burial place of the Emperor and influential Ethiopians. Then visit the National Museum, where the most important collection is the 3.2-million-year-old fossil of Lucy, who was discovered in 1974 in Afar (northeast Ethiopia). Other collections include archaeological finds, paintings, traditional vestments, tools and household belongings. Stop for lunch at Dashen Ethiopian Restaurant to enjoy Injera, the staple food in Ethiopia. Ingera is made out of teff, a tiny grain mainly grown in Ethiopia. After lunch 

Your third stop will be the Entoto viewpoint, which offers a panoramic view over the city of Addis Ababa. On the way back to town you will stop at Shiro Meda market, famous for its traditional hand-woven cotton textiles. On the way back to town you will stop at Shiro Meda market, famous for its traditional hand-woven cotton textiles. From here, drive to the Ethnographic Museum located in the former palace of Emperor Haile Sillasse. The collection includes ethnographic materials from different corners of Ethiopia, icons, crosses and musical instruments. The bedroom of Haile-Sillasse is also open for visitors. Then, drive to the Merkato, to experience the largest open-air market in Africa. Stop at Meskel Square, the main square in Addis. Annually, the Ethiopian Orthodox Christians make bonfires here to mark the discovery of the True Cross by Queen Elena, the mother of Constantine the Great. The square is also the site of athletic activities. At the end of the touring day you will be dropped off back at the airport or at your hotel.

Includes:

• Pick up/drop off at the Addis Ababa Airport or your hotel in the city
• 8-9 Hours of touring in an air-conditioned van with the services of a local driver and an expert guide
• Entrance fees to the sites mentioned in the itinerary
• Picnic lunch

Not Included:

• Tips to the guide and driver
• Any entrance fees or expenses not mentioned above as included
• Overtime for the guide and driver, in case you would like to continue the tour for longer.
• Soft drinks or alcoholic drinks during lunch
  

​Itinerary:
Upon Arrival in Addis you will be met by our representative drive out of Addis toward the southwest. The drive takes you to the land of the Oromo people, the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia. Your first stop will be Melka Kunture, a stone-age site more than one million years old. Continue to Adadi Maryam, a church carved out of rock in the 12th century. After a picnic lunch on the way, continue to Tiya, a grave yard from the 12th century and one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sties in Ethiopia. On the way back to Addis, stop to visit the home of an Ethiopian family, to experience a bit of local life. Upon your return in Addis, you will be dropped off at the airport or at your hotel.

Includes:

• Pick up/drop off at the Addis Ababa Airport or your hotel in the city
• Full day touring in an air-conditioned van with the services of a local driver and an expert guide
• Entrance fees to the sites mentioned in the itinerary
• Picnic lunch

Not Included:

• Tips to the guide and driver
• Any entrance fees or expenses not mentioned above as included
• Overtime for the guide and driver, in case you would like to continue the tour for longer.
• Soft drinks or alcoholic drinks during lunch
  

​Itinerary:

Upon Arrival in Addis you will be met by our representative and drive out of Addis to the Monastery of Debre Libanos, about 100 km (60 miles) north of the city. The drive takes you across the fertile highlands of central Ethiopia. On the way, stop to visit an Oromo family to experience their agriculture-based life. You then arrive at the 12th century monastery, considered to be one of the most revered in the country. Visit the church built in the era of Emperor Haile Sillasse (ruled 1930-1975). You also visit the church museum which houses age-old parchment manuscripts and other church paraphernalia. Later, a 30-minute walk (each way) leads to the cave where the founder of the monastery, Father Tekle-Haymanot, used to pray in the 12th century. Drive to a view point and enjoy a picnic lunch. Afterwards, visit a bridge said to have been built by the Portuguese in the 17th century. Nearby there is a good chance of seeing Gelada Baboons (found only in Ethiopia). Drive back to Addis. Upon arrival, you will be dropped off at the airport or at your hotel.