Addis Ababa Day Tour: Historic Monastery, Scenic Nature, and Unique Wildlife Experience
4.9
261 Ratings
Debre Libanos
Immerse yourself in the rich history and natural beauty of Addis Ababa on this unique day tour. Discover ancient monasteries, encounter rare wildlife, taste delicious Ethiopian cuisine, and marvel at breathtaking waterfalls. Book now!
Duration: 9 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Debre Libanos - Its one of the ancient and historical monastery in Ethiopia,Which is lying on northwest of Addis Ababa. The monastery was founded in the 13th century by Saint Tekle Haymanot, according to tradition; he meditated in a cave for 29 years. The monastery’s chief abbot, called the Ichege, was the second most powerful official in the Ethiopian Church after the Abuna.

The monastery complex sits on a terrace between a cliff and the gorge of one of the tributaries of the Abbay River. None of the original buildings of Debre Libanos survive, although David Buxton suspected “there are interesting things still to be found among the neighboring cliffs.” Current buildings include the church over Tekle Haymanot’s tomb, which Emperor Haile Selassie ordered constructed in 1961; a slightly older Church of the Cross, where Buxton was told a fragment of the True Cross is preserved; and five religious schools. The cave where the saint lived is in the nearby cliffs, which one travel guide describes as a five-minute walk away. This cave contains a spring, whose water is considered holy and is the object of pilgrimages.

What's Included
  • Tea and coffee provided
  • Complimentary bottled water
  • All attractions fees included
  • Lunch included
What's Not Included
  • Dinner and hotel
Additional Information

What Sets This Tour Apart:

  • Opportunity to delve into Ethiopia’s historical background
  • Chance to spot the native Ethiopian baboons, known as Chilada
  • Opportunity to observe rare bird species endemic only to Ethiopia, especially in Debre Libanos
  • Opportunity to savor authentic Ethiopian cuisine
  • Chance to enjoy hiking near the beautiful Blue Nile Gorge & Jemma Valley
  • Visit to one of Ethiopia’s most ancient monasteries and its museums
  • Experience traditional rural life by visiting local grass huts found in the countryside
  • Enjoy the breathtaking waterfalls at the Portuguese bridge, which is among the oldest bridges in Ethiopia, built by Portuguese explorers
  • Minimum age is 6
  • Dress code is formal
Location
Debre Libanos
Ethiopia German lodge , Addis Ababa
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(261 Ratings)
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1 star
Navin
Mar 31, 2024
Incredible Ethiopia and our tour guide Sisay - From the bustling streets of Addis Ababa to the breathtaking landscapes that lie beyond, our tour guide Sisay transformed what could have been just another sightseeing trip into an unforgettable adventure. During a lengthy three-hour drive from the capital, Sisay went above and beyond to keep us engaged, sharing stories, facts, and insights that deepened our appreciation for the rich tapestry of Ethiopian culture and history. But what truly set Sisay apart was his thoughtful attention to our comfort and enjoyment. Knowing we were far from home and out of our element, he provided a Wi-Fi hotspot so we could stay connected with loved ones and share moments from our journey in real time. Even more remarkably, Sisay lent us his own phone, allowing us to fill the air with the familiar melodies of Indian music, a gesture that made the miles fly by and brought a sense of home to our hearts. Beyond the impeccable service, Sisay’s wealth of knowledge and passion for Ethiopia shone through in every story he told and every site we visited. It was clear he wasn’t just a guide but a proud ambassador for his country, eager to share its beauty, history, and culture with the world. To anyone looking to explore Ethiopia, I cannot recommend Sisay enough. His professionalism, warmth, and dedication to ensuring a great experience are what make him stand out. With Sisay, you’re not just signing up for a tour; you’re embarking on a journey filled with learning, laughter, and memories that will last a lifetime.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
James_a
Mar 8, 2024
Excellent very good - Excellent trip and driver. Rift Valley and Portuguese bridge stunning. Great to see outside of abbiss Freya driver was great and provided lots of information
Review provided by Viator
939tamars
Feb 28, 2024
Wonderful day trip from Addis - My guide was Abe - he was very friendly and knowledgeable. The driver George was also very nice and helpful. It's a scenic drive of about 100KM to reach the place - an opportunity to see the countryside and some local villages and towns. When visiting the monastery's church and the attached museum, the guide there was a sweet local monk who was genuinely eager and happy to show and explain everything. The Portuguese bridge is a truly beautiful spot, watching over the great Jemma river canyon. We had a simple and tasty Ethiopian vegetarian lunch, eaten in front of a great view, with a couple of beautiful Turaco birds paying us a visit. I had a great time. If you have some time to spend in Addis - don't miss it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marlono423
Feb 27, 2024
Amazing Tour! - This was an amazing tour! My guide Freaw was very friendly and knowledgeable. He really taught me a lot about the history of Ethiopia. I got to explore historic monastery, Blue Nile Gorge, and the Portuguese Bridge. I also enjoyed local coffee and traditional dish. Very enjoyable!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ofer_s
Feb 20, 2024
Highly Recommended - The guide Abe was very friendly and knowledgeable, and the driver George was also very nice. The Portuguese bridge with the Jemma river canyon view is a beautiful place. A tasty Ethiopian vegetarian lunch eaten in front of the view was also a very nice experience. Personally, I didn't find the church and the attached museum very interesting, but the guide there was a sweet local monk who was genuinely eager and happy to show and explain everything. If you have some time to spend in Addis - don't miss it!
Review provided by Viator
Solomon
Jan 29, 2024
A great day trip with amazing guides - A fantastic day out - a great taste of Ethiopian countryside and a nice day trip out of Addis. The guides were a real highlight. Yihun was great - a very enthusiastic and knowledgable guide, speaking great English and explaining everything clearly with lots of added history and other knowledge. George our driver was also very friendly and got us there safely. Thanks so much!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ddai1018
Jan 9, 2024
Best Experience in Ethiopia - I was so lucky to spend a day with Yoseph and George to explore the nature and historical sides in the countryside. During the long drive, I witnessed how rural life is. The meal provided is healthy. Thank you for the team Yoseph and George.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Voyager26711690138
Jan 4, 2024
Wonderful daytrip enjoying nature and beautiful views just outside of Addis - Spent a great day outside of Addis. Enjoyed the amazing views as we drove through the countryside. The monestry was impressive and the short tour insightful. Views on the Portuguese Bridge were very beautiful. Unfortunately I wasn't feeling well enough to cross the bridge and spot some animals but I'll come back for that. Thanks to Yihun and Sisa for taking such good care of me even when I wasn't feeling the best. Both were lovely company. Special thanks to Yihun for advising me to go on this tour and guiding us from start to finish with interesting background stories of the places we visited.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chineloa84
Nov 21, 2023
I would recommend this tour - I would recommend this tour. This was a day tour. We traveled from Addis Ababa to parts of Ethiopia's southern region. I was guided by Mehammed and George. This team was very patient. Mehammed was particularly knowledgeable. There is so much to learn regarding the rich heritage of Ethiopia, and this tour was an advent for learning the vast information. I am looking forward to experiencing a tour of other regions of Ethiopia in the future.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Megane118
Nov 20, 2023
Great tours to Wenchi Crater & Adadi Mariam - I booked 2 day trips with Aman Ethiopia to see Wenchi Crater Lake one day and Adadi Mariam/Tiya Stones the second day. The trips were both fantastic. My guide Yihun was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and welcoming. He went out of his way to ensure we saw everything, including going above and beyond to source a horse and cart to finish the trip to Adadi Mariam when the road was blocked due to mud. Though this could have been the end of the day, instead it became an incredible memory. Thanks, Yihun and the two drivers – Sis and George – for their professionalism and warm welcome. I hope to visit again!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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