Duration: Full Day

1. Morning: Exploring the Old City (Harar Jugol)

Meet at Hotel / Starting Point

• Introduction to Harar’s rich history, culture, and architecture.

Harar Jugol (The Walled City)

• Begin the tour by walking through Harar Jugol, the old city surrounded by 16th-century walls.
• Explore the five gates: symbolic entrances to Harar.
• Wander through narrow alleyways with over 82 mosques, colorful houses, and traditional Harari architecture.

Visit the Harari Cultural Houses

• Explore the unique Harari homes, famous for their colorful interiors and decorations.
• Visit the Rimbaud House, a beautifully restored house named after the French poet Arthur Rimbaud, who lived in Harar in the late 19th century.

Jamia Mosque

• See the Grand Mosque (Jamia Mosque), one of Harar’s oldest and most important Islamic structures.
• Learn about the city’s significance as a major center of Islamic culture and learning.

Local Markets

• Visit the Harar Spice Market and Shoa Gate Market.
• Experience the vibrant local trade of spices, incense, baskets, and handwoven textiles.
• Optional: Try chat (khat), a plant popular in Harar for its cultural and social significance.

Lunch Break

• Enjoy traditional Harari cuisine at a local restaurant such as Fresh Touch Restaurant or Zubeyda Restaurant.
• Try Harari Injera, spicy stews, or local snacks.

2. Afternoon: Historical and Cultural Sites

Harar Museum (Abadir Museum)

• Visit the Harar Museum, located inside the old city.
• Explore exhibits showcasing Harari culture, manuscripts, artifacts, and traditional tools.

Emperor Haile Selassie’s House

• Explore Haile Selassie’s House, where the emperor spent part of his childhood.
• Learn about the city’s connection to Ethiopia’s royal history.

The Hyena Feeding Experience

• Visit the outskirts of Harar to witness the Hyena Men of Harar.
• This unique tradition involves feeding wild hyenas, a practice passed down through generations.
• Option to participate by feeding the hyenas yourself (if you dare!).

3. Late Afternoon: Sunset and Leisure

Coffee Experience

• Enjoy a traditional Harari coffee ceremony, as Harar is known for producing some of Ethiopia’s finest coffee.
• Taste freshly brewed coffee and learn about its cultural importance.

Harar City Viewpoint

• Head to a viewpoint to watch the sunset over Harar Jugol and the surrounding hills.
• Capture beautiful photographs of the old city bathed in golden light.

Return to Hotel / End of Tour