Tiya megalithic stelae field UNESCO world heritage site

Tiya is located in the Soddo Region of Ethiopia. It is best known for its archaeological site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site remarkable for its large stone pillars, many of which bear some form of decoration of which are engraved with enigmatic symbols, notably swords," mark a large, prehistoric burial complex Tiya is among the most important of the roughly 160 archaeological sites discovered so far in the region, The site contains 36 monuments, including 32 carved stelae covered with symbols, most of which are difficult to decipher. They are the remains of an ancient Ethiopian culture whose age has not yet been precisely determined, but believed to have been erected between the 12th and 14th centuries and are almost certainly grave markers. Recent excavations at Tiya have revealed the remains of young people of both sexes, aged between 18 -30 and buried in fetal positions. Tiya archeological site was classified as a World Heritage Site in 1980.

Debre Libanos monastery, Portuguese Bridge & Blue Nile Gorge

A Drive 110 kms north from Addis over the Entoto Mountains passing through the Sululta Plains take you to the Monastery of Debre Libanos monastery founded in the 13th century by Abune Tekle Haymanot, located at an ideal location looking overlooking Jema River Gorge, a tributary of the Blue Nile, the monastery owns ecclesiastical, cultural and historical relics, and boasts a rare grove of trees that have disappeared from elsewhere in the region. Walk to the 16th century Bridge still in use today and said to have been built by Portuguese, Proceed to Blue Nile Gorge which is over a mile wide and deeper than the Grand Canyon of the United States of America. View the old and new bridges built on the river.

Menagesha Suba Forest

The magnificent Menagesha Suba Forest located at 42km west of the capital is a jewel to have near the city incorporate some 2,500 hectare land of natural rainforest along with 1,300 hectare of exotic plantation forest at an altitude ranging from 2,300 meter to 3000 meter on the southern and western slopes of mount Wechecha, once the site for the modern emperor Menelik II. Dominated and covered by tall juniper, Hygenia and Podocarpus trees, which protects the most substantial remaining patch of indigenous forest in the Addis Ababa region. Above the forest line, there is the 3,385meter high Mount Wechecha, an extinct volcano support a cover of afro alpine moorland dominated by Erica and Helichoysum species. The forest is the home and inhabited by various large mammals including the endemic Menelik’s Bushbuck, and large predator including Leopard and offer endemic forest birds like Black Winged Lovebird, Abyssinian Woodpecker, Ethiopian Oriole, Banded Barbet, Yellow fronted Lovebird, Abyssinian Catbird and more forest associated birds.

Addis Alem Mariam Church

Originally built as Menelik's palace and known for its murals. The church owns many important relics and artifacts bequeathed to it by the Emperor which are on display in the Church museum.

 

Wonchi Crater Lake

Wonchi is situated some 152km southwest of Addis Ababa; it is picturesque, highland Crater Lake covers an area of 560 hectares, with a unique shape and clear crystal water lying in a deep basin. The circular slopes covered with green alpine vegetation, its scenic beauty, various flora and fauna with island and peninsulas, and the surrounding climate is worth seeing, falls to be admire and also small monastery by boat trip in the lake add to the fascinating view with various Flora and Funa.