Day Trip From Addis Ababa See Historical Monastery,Stunning Nature,Animals,Birds
Recommended by 99% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- 8 to 9 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Explore Ethiopia’s nature and culture on this guided excursion. After a airport pickup, visit one of the country’s oldest monasteries, Debre Libanos, and see its tombs, museum, and the nearby cave where its founding saint prayed. Head to the Blue Nile Gorge and admire amazing views while watching for Ethiopia’s endemic Gelada monkey. Enjoy a traditional coffee ceremony and a delicious dinner to finish your day of exploring.
- Visit Debre Libanos monastery and Blue Nile Gorge in a day
- Enjoy delicious coffee, a traditional dinner, and a folk dancing event
- See Gelada monkeys and marvel at the Ethiopia’s amazing natural environment
- Hassle-free tour with entrance fees and transport included
What's Included
- LunchEthiopian Lunch For Vegan & Veterinarian
- Bottled water
- Coffee and/or TeaYou Will Have A Chance Of Experiencing Ethiopian Coffee
- All Attraction Fee Is Included
- Dinner and hotel
- Any Alcoholic Drinks
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup point
- Bole AirportAddis Ababa Ethiopia
Pickup details
We will pick all clients from the hotel,guest house and any other accommodation requested for pick up We will pick all our clients also from Addis Ababa Bole Int Airport based on the flight time We will pick any guests stays in Addis Ababa either from their home or home stays ...
Itinerary
1
Debre Libanos Orthodox Church
2 hours • Admission Ticket Included
2
Portuguese Bridge
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
3
Portuguese Bridge
1 minute • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Minimum age is 6
- Dress code is formal
- Service animals allowed
- Infant seats available
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.9
based on 355 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
This tour was the highlight of our trip! We felt extremely safe and comfortable. We started off at the monastery, then we saw the baboons. Then we saw the Portuguese bridge and waterfalls and had a delicious lunch with a beautiful view. It was a nice, relaxing way to get out of the city. Our guide Barch was great, he went above and beyond to give us a perfect day.
It was really cool to see the countryside and what things are like outside the city. Our guide Niko was excellent. He explained things to us as we drove to the destinations, and shared about Ethiopia. He even brought us to some places to shop for coffee after we got back to Addis. He took us to local places to eat and try the local beer/liquor which was really cool because we never would have done that ourselves.
The church had so much history and was beautiful. A priest showed us around and took us through the museum. The Portuguese bridge was stunning. The waterfall and the views from the top were beautiful.
I would definitely recommend!
Had a great time! Amazing views and our guide Abe was great and very knowledgeable! The lunch was also delicious and had an amazing view. The only think I would have liked was to stop at Entoto to see the view on the way back.
The staff was very nice and we had a good conversation about Ethiopian history with the tour guide. Also, it is a good opportunity to explore the rural area outside the capital in Ethiopia.
Dagi and driver George treated me to a wonderful day trip to the Debre Libanos monastery and nearby sights. Fantastic tour. Wonderful Ethiopian hospitality. Highly recommended!
A really great trip that will be a highlight of my time in Addis Ababa. Dagi was a great guide who made sure everything ran smoothly and answered any questions we had.
We got to see all the highlights, including the monastery and geladas, but the long-ish drive each way was a real insight into how many millions of Ethiopians live their lives, an experience that was really valuable to my overall trip and that I would not have gotten were it not for this tour taking me outside the Addis city centre.
This was such a lovely trip! Abe and George were so fun to travel with. Super informative, knowledgeable, interesting, kind and helpful. And the trip itself was incredible to Debre Libanos, through amazing countryside, seeing Gelada monkeys and having lunch in one of the prettiest places I’ve ever been. Would strongly recommend the trip, and would go anywhere with Abe and George!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you so much for the wonderful feedback. We’re really happy to hear you enjoyed the trip to Debre Libanos and the beautiful countryside along the way. Abe and George will be especially pleased to read your kind words. They truly love what they do, and it means a lot to know their knowledge, care, and enthusiasm made your experience special. Seeing the Gelada monkeys and enjoying lunch in such a scenic place is always a highlight, and we’re glad it left a strong impression on you.
We truly appreciate your recommendation and would be honored to welcome you again for another journey in Ethiopia with Aman Ethiopia Tours and Travel.
We had a great experience with our tour guide, Aman, and driver, George. They took such good care of us. Aman was very knowledgeable and thorough with information of the area. They were both kind and thoughtful every step of the way. All of the stops were of great interest to us, and we had a great time.
Very good tour bring good walking shoes but the guys abe and george were great they made it a good experience the gelada monkeys were awesome listen to the monks at the ortodox church they will change your life.
Visit st. Teclas Tomb at Debres Libanos Church , and the biggest Monastery in Ethiopia, watch frolicking gelada baboons and lammingeier birds hover over the Blue Nille Gorge while having lunch
We really enjoyed our day trip with Dagi as guide and George as driver. The history of the Debre Libanos Monastery and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church was fascinating. The icons and stained glass inside the monastery are revealing—we see that we are a small world…
Great tour. Yihun a knowledgeable and wonderful guide. Would recommend this tour. Thank you to him and Abyi the very skillful driver.
We had a fantastic experience in Addis Ababa. Our guide Niko was very punctual and extremely kind. He explained a lot and was very helpful.
We saw native Ethiopian monkeys, visited a historic monastery, and explored the magnificent Blue Nile Gorge.
We highly recommend this tour and the guide to anyone visiting Ethiopia.
What an amazing experience! First time in Ethiopia and thanks to Joseph, it won't be the last!
As a solo female traveller, I was initially a bit nervous to go on this tour but after a few minutes talking to Joseph, I felt comfortable, safe and ready for the adventure.
The coffee, the cultural aspect were both incredible but the nature was completely breathtaking. Every minute of the tour was very worth it!
The listing doesn’t do this trip justice. We’re from Washington State—one of the most beautiful places in the world—and we were absolutely floored by the natural beauty we got to see on this tour, which matches or exceeds anything we’ve seen. The driving time sounded long, but the scenery was so picturesque, the villages so fascinating and diverse and the highway so scenic that we genuinely enjoyed the drive as much as the destinations. The day was an incredible mix of wildlife viewing, hiking, history/religion, culture, food (home cooked at a family-owned restaurant high in the mountains), coffee and great company. I can’t say enough good things about our experience.
This was due in great part to our guide, Joseph, who is warm, intelligent, funny, wise and particularly gifted for this work. I appreciated the deep respect and affection with which he treated all the people he encountered—from our driver to the village kids to the woman who cooked our lunch to the monks at the monastery—and he never seemed to tire of our endless questions about the things we saw and Ethiopian life and culture. He speaks and understands perfect English, somehow kept on schedule without ever rushing, and went above and beyond to make it an unforgettable day.
Five hours in a mini bus might have been rough except for our wonderful driver, George. He was part of the group, kind and thoughtful and an excellent driver who made sure we were comfortable. Driving in Cairo and the Ethiopian countryside is no joke and George is top notch, effortlessly avoiding cows, funeral processions, giant potholes, religious pilgrims, village children, and goats (among other things) while safely navigating mountain roads. He cheerfully stayed with our things at every stop, chatted over coffee, and even volunteered to snap our photos. Lovely guy.
Tours, from my experience, can be hit or miss, and Joseph, George, and the incredible itinerary made this one a 10 out of 10.
Dagi was a great guide. He was very knowledgeable and could answer all questions. He gave a good overview of each stop and arranged a private, thorough tour of Debre Libanos monastery by a local monk.
He also worked hard to find the geladas for me. They weren’t in their normal spot but he still found them with the help of some locals who knew we were looking for them and joined in the lookout. This was awesome because I was really hoping to see them even though it isn’t the best season for them.
Finally, he showed me the best scenic views near the Portuguese bridge, which are not on the main path. I’m not even sure other guides know about these spots because other groups we passed didn’t go there.
Our driver, George, also did an amazing job. He skillfully and safely got us through massive traffic and rough roads. He was also very friendly.
Overall, a great day packed with education and sightseeing that still started and ended at a reasonable time. Highly recommended!
I had a great day with Sis. This day tour gives you a glimpse at what Ethiopian daily life can be in the countryside around Addis. You get to learn a lot about the history and the culture of this beautiful country. Sis is also very knowledgeable and fun to be with.
We really enjoyed our trip to the monastery and hike to the bridge. Our guide, Sis, was really friendly and took great care of us.
We stopped for coffee in a little village and it was truly the best coffee we've ever had.
One note - the hike is over hilly, rocky terrain - wear appropriate shoes!
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Dear Valued Guest, Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with Aman Ethiopia Tours & Travel! It’s incredible to hear you are happy with our service & our arrangements clearly made it a memorable experiences!
We look forward to hosting you again.
We had a wonderful trip with a great guide, Sissay!
The sightseeing, guide, and food were beyond our expectations.
I strongly recommend this trip with Sissay.
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Dear Valued Guest, Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with Aman Ethiopia Tours & Travel! It’s incredible to hear you are happy with our service & our arrangements clearly made it a memorable experiences!
We look forward to hosting you again.
Sis was a great tour guide, very knowledgeable, friendly and a good driver. He was very attentive and I would definitely recommend this tour to others. The drive is very pleasant and interesting snd the destination is spectacular. The church, the gorge, the monkeys, and the Portuguese bridge are all well worth it!
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Dear Valued Guest, Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with Aman Ethiopia Tours & Travel! It’s incredible to hear you are happy with our service & our arrangements clearly made it a memorable experiences!
We look forward to hosting you again.
At every moment our guide Sis was very very friendly, knowledgeable & helpful. The tour is definitely worthwhile! The company was very organized and helpful along the way.
The next day we also did the city tour where Dagim & George went above and beyond to make our experience special. Victor has 3 very special employees that have proven themselves valuable.
Thanks again!
Robi
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Dear Valued Guest, Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with Aman Ethiopia Tours & Travel! It’s incredible to hear you are happy with our service & our arrangements clearly made it a memorable experiences!
We look forward to hosting you again.
Superb driving skills of our driver George. Two and a half hours of atrocious roads and traffic. Our driver avoided all obstacles and potential hazards. Well done.
The intensive knowledge of Ethiopia, past and present, of our tour guide Joseph, was impressive. He supplied all answers to our questions.
The pleasant and informal attitude of both George and Joseph went a long way in making a long day outing enjoyable for 2 senior newcomers to Ethiopia.
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Dear Valued Guest, Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with Aman Ethiopia Tours & Travel! It’s incredible to hear you are happy with our service & our arrangements clearly made it a memorable experiences!
We look forward to hosting you.
Monastery was nice, beautiful country and views, seeing monkeys and hike to Portuguese bridge and waterfalls. Guide and driver excellent and knowledgeable and made the trip memorable. Highly recommend
Our guide Sis was incredible tour guide :) Thanks to this great guide, Debre Libanos , Ethiopia was one of best memories in our honeymoon trips!
Thanks guys, we had a great trip out. It is a special thing you do to allow tourists an insight into the rural areas and day to day of ethiopian life. Thanks again. 😊👍
I cannot recommend this tour enough. I am a solo female traveler and had a one day layover in Addis. I was picked up promptly from the airport and the team was so friendly and accommodated my requests. Not only did I learn so much about the church, but also about the city and Ethiopian culture. The drive to the church was so beautiful and the lunch was exceptional. The church is a very important sacred site in Ethiopia and the waterfall and bridge nearby offer amazing viewpoints. This tour left me wanting to come back for longer!
Breathtaking scenery in the area around the monastery and the Portuguese bridge, and Sis was an extremely friendly and knowledgeable guide who went out of his way to make the experience as enjoyable as possible. Seeing the baboons up close and personal with the valley in the background was spectacular as well.
without djelada baboons, what I mostly wanted to see, it didn't make sense. nobody told us that is a bad season to see these monkeys. entoto we didn't see; the guide told that nothing interesting there; Portugeese bridge - i am disappointed - under reconstruction; among animals - only goats
Great tour. Would definitely recommend. Sis was an excellent guide. He was very knowledgeable, accommodating, and made the experience super pleasant. Would recommend requesting him if you choose this tour.
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
Member Pricing
From
$95.00
per personWas $100.00(-5%)
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Day Trip From Addis Ababa See Historical Monastery,Stunning Nature,Animals,Birds
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