THE FAR EAST

Addis Abeba
African capital

Cosmopolitan metropolis, high Addis Ababa has established itself over time as the capital of the entire continent, but this seat of major pan-African institutions holds curiosities that only reveal themselves to the attentive traveler.
After welcoming you at the airport and taking you to your hotel to drop off your luggage and freshen up, we will begin exploring this multifaceted city. Obviously, we will start with the National Museum, where the unmissable Lucy, our common ancestor, can be found. We will then go to the Ethnographic Museum in the former palace of Negus Haile Selassie at the heart of the current university, then to the Holy Trinity Cathedral where he is buried. In the afternoon, we will gain altitude to enjoy the formidable viewpoint offered by Entoto Hill at the origin of the city’s creation and its wonderful rehabilitated park. We will end this day at Sheger Park, a true green lung resurrected in the heart of the city that inaugurates a new era. From this green enclave, you can observe the rise of this irresistible and modern Addis, all of vertiginous skyscrapers, concrete and polished glass.
Night at Nexus Hotel

Addis Abeba/Awash
A preserved wild expanse

The northeast of this region is famous for Awash National Park bordered by the Awash River and its spectacular waterfalls that flow into a gigantic gorge. The semi-dormant Fantale volcano rises to 2007 meters altitude. The slopes of the volcano include a vast area of basins, a crater lake and mineral hot springs surrounded by palm trees. An extraordinary feature of the volcano is the series of rocky formations that, elsewhere in the world, can only be seen in Hawaii. The park’s wildlife, common wild variety of East Africa, includes hippos, crocodiles, lions, oryx, waterbucks, baboons and warthogs, as well as more than 400 bird species.

Night at Doho lodge

Awash/Dire Dawa
A railway gem

The city of Dire Dawa exudes a particular atmosphere unlike any other in Ethiopia that is not solely due to its architectural and industrial uniqueness. The former French presence is still deeply felt. At first glance the city seems asleep, frozen in the too-fresh past of its brilliant railway. In this mushroom city built around its railway that connected Djibouti to Addis Ababa slumbers an astonishing place not to be missed under any circumstances, the fascinating and unique train cemetery, an open-air museum where machines from all eras stand side by side

Night at Samrat Hotel

Dire Dawa/Harar
The legendary citadel

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Harar is a mythical city, fourth holy city of Islam, which seems to have been spared by the centuries and remains a fantasy that brings travelers from all four corners of the world.
Muslim city founded in the 8th century, powerfully fortified in the 16th, capital of the Sultanate of Adal, rebellious and rival of the Christian empire, Harar only became definitively Ethiopian under the reign of Menelik II at the end of the 19th century. From then on, Harar became for European adventurers, including an obscure French merchant, a certain Arthur Rimbaud, the gateway to distant and inaccessible Abyssinia….
We invite you this evening to two dinners, one of the most normal: yours and the other of the strangest and most mysterious, that of the hyenas that come sneaking behind the city walls, at nightfall, to feast on the piles of meat reserved for them by a curious restaurateur-sorcerer.

Night at Royal Sunshine

Harar
Surroundings with fantastic appearances

This morning we invite you for a journey even further back in time. The walls of the tiny village of Koremi, located on top of a cliff 19 km southeast of Harar, date back to the 12th century and have remained unchanged since.
Continuing towards Jijiga, on the route of Wonders, you could believe yourself somewhere in Cappadocia and its fantastic and famous fairy chimneys. Indeed, the elements have sculpted these imposing rocks and some stand in a fragile balance that defies all laws of physics. And to add to the wonder, crossing the elephant sanctuary of Babille you may have the chance to cross paths with one of these rare and discreet pachyderms. Return within the immemorial walls of Harar for a moonlit stroll.

Night at Royal Sunshine

Harar/Nazareth
Capital of the Oromo province

We will take the road to the pleasant capital Nazareth also known by its Oromo name of Adama. Despite its administrative importance, a pleasant and relaxed provincial town atmosphere reigns in the city. You will not fail to notice the magnificent trees that embellish the city and are the pride of the entire region. Many visitors seeking relaxation and serenity flock to the small town of Sodore, not far from Nazareth. Natural hot springs feed vast and comfortable pools. We offer you a invigorating dip after all these hours on the road.

Night at Halie Resort

Langano/Debre Zeit
A lake city

After Adama, we will take you to another city of lakes. Bishoftu, otherwise called Debre Zeit, and its many lakes, is located at 1900m altitude, enjoys a mild climate. In the Quaternary era, violent volcanic eruptions shaped, to the east, Mount Yerer, and to the southwest, the volcanic cone of Mount Zuauala, numerous lava cones and a group of crater lakes that are a tourist curiosity. Seven of them house magnificent small lakes fed by rains and underground springs.

Night at Liezak Resort

Return to the capital
See you soon

After a morning stroll in the pleasant city of Debre Zeit, we will take you back to the capital which is one hour away by road. We wish to show you the metropolis you have already glimpsed through a completely different angle, that of craftsmen and artists, far from the usual souvenir shops. Indeed, we will take you directly to places of production and creation (potteries, tanneries, art galleries).
And to end the trip beautifully? we invite you to a traditional restaurant where you will have the chance to attend a music and dance show.

Courtesy room at your disposal