Day Trip From Addis Ababa See Historical Monastery,Stunning Nature,Animals,Birds
Description
Day Trip to Debre Libanos Monastery & Portuguese Bridge with Aman Ethiopia Tours Discover the spiritual and historical heart of Ethiopia on a full-day trip to Debre Libanos Monastery and the Portuguese Bridge, expertly organized by Aman Ethiopia Tours. Explore the monastery, founded in the 13th century, and learn about its importance in Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity. Enjoy serene surroundings, stunning views of the Jemma River Gorge, and insights into local traditions. Visit the Portuguese Bridge, a 16th-century architectural marvel, adding a unique historical perspective. With Aman Ethiopia Tours, benefit from comfortable transport, knowledgeable guides, and personalized attention. What makes this tour special is our focus on authentic experiences, connecting travelers with Ethiopia’s spiritual, cultural, and natural heritage in one memorable, well-planned day.
Tour Options
Itinerary
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 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 neighbouring 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.
Portuguese bridge near Debre Libanos was erected by the Portuguese in the 16th century; it was actually built at the turn of the 19th century by Ethiopians, albeit in the old Portuguese style. The narrow span makes a pretty picture and the gushing (in the rainy season) cascade just below it is even more impressive
Jemma River into a large gorge beside Debre Libanos and Fiche. The Jemma joins the Wenchit before reaching the Abbay (Blue Nile) River. Jemma Valley and the surrounding area are well known for the bird watching tours. The main target for bird watcher is the endemic and range restricted Harwood’s Francolin and other possible to spot are; Banded Barbet, the Black-headed Forest Oriole, the White-billed Starling, the Red-billed Starling, the White-winged Cliff Chat, the White-backed Black Tit, the White-cheeked Turaco and Hemprich’s Hornbill. You will also see one of Ethiopia’s endemic mammals, the Gelada or bleeding heart baboon. (In the gorge we will see a variety of vultures - Lamergeyer’s, Ruppell’s and Lappet faced vultures.)
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
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 ...
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Minimum age is 6
- Dress code is formal
Reviews(347)
We had a great experience. Our guide, Barch, picked us up on time, made sure we were comfortable, took care of everything for us and was very knowledgeable. We would go with him again.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that you had such a great experience with us. It means a lot to know that Barch made your journey comfortable, well-organized, and enjoyable while sharing his knowledge along the way. Your kind words are truly appreciated, and we look forward to welcoming you back to Ethiopia for another unforgettable adventure. Warm regards, Aman Ethiopia Tours and Travel
Very fun experience! Outside of the initial cost, there was no admission fee to be had. It turned out to be an all day trip, which the listing said upfront. Our guide, Barch, and all the other guides were very friendly and hospitable. The monastery had a decent crowd since our tour was right before their Mass started, though inside did not have anyone else aside from the Monk guiding us. The weather was perfect for the rest of the trip as well; bright and sunny, perfect for our hike to see the baboons and the Portuguese Bridge. If you're interested in history and love hiking, it's a perfect tour for you!
Dear Guest, Thank you very much for sharing your wonderful experience with us. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the full-day adventure and found the tour both enjoyable and rewarding. It is especially gratifying to know that Barch and our local guides made you feel welcome through their friendliness and hospitality. The monastery, the scenic hike, the Gelada baboons, and the historic Portuguese Bridge together create one of the most memorable experiences near Addis Ababa, and we are pleased that the weather and timing made your visit even more special. Your kind words and recommendation mean a great deal to our team. We truly appreciate your support and hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable journey in Ethiopia. Warm regards, Aman Ethiopia Tours & Travel
I highly recommend this tour! Barch was a great driver; he navigated all traffic & challenging roads with ease. Barch was an also an excellent guide - friendly, professional, & informative. He clearly loves his country & is eager to share his knowledge & perspectives.
Dear Valued Guest, Thank you very much for your wonderful review and recommendation. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your day trip from Addis Ababa and that Barch contributed to making your experience memorable. Your kind words about his driving skills, professionalism, friendliness, and extensive knowledge mean a great deal to us. At Aman Ethiopia Tours and Travel, we take great pride in showcasing the beauty, culture, and history of Ethiopia through dedicated guides and drivers who are passionate about their country. We are pleased that Barch's enthusiasm and expertise enhanced your journey. Thank you for choosing Aman Ethiopia Tours and Travel. We truly appreciate your feedback and look forward to welcoming you back to Ethiopia for another unforgettable experience. Warm regards, Aman Ethiopia Tours and Travel
I highly recommend this tour company for anyone planning to visit Ethiopia. The overall organization was highly professional, and my itinerary went perfectly smoothly. A special shoutout to my guide, Yihun, and my driver, Niko. They were an absolutely fantastic team and took excellent care of me from start to finish! Yihun is incredibly knowledgeable; he explained the deep and complex history of Ethiopia in a way that was both easy to understand and engaging. Niko is an excellent and careful driver, navigating the roads expertly while ensuring I was comfortable at all times. Most importantly, traveling alone in Ethiopia can seem challenging, but having Yihun and Niko with me made me feel 100% safe and secure throughout the entire trip. If you are coming to Ethiopia, I highly recommend booking with this company and specifically requesting Yihun as your guide and Niko as your driver. You will be in great hands!
Thank you very much for your wonderful review and for choosing us for your Ethiopia trip. We are truly happy to hear that you had a smooth and enjoyable experience. Your kind words about Yihun and Niko mean a lot to us. We will be very pleased to share your appreciation with them. We are especially glad to know you felt safe, comfortable, and well taken care of throughout your journey. We sincerely appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back to Ethiopia again in the future. Best Regards,
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.
Abi and Abe were wonderful guides to the monastery and the Portuguese bridge. They were friendly and welcoming, the ride was comfortable and they answered all our questions. The tour even includes added local guides who were knowledgeable and helpful. The lunch is at a lovely spot with an amazing view of the canyon. Just a note that it is a long drive - no fault to the guides - but if you’re not used to being in a car for long periods of time, this is a heads-up!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us. We’re really happy to hear you enjoyed the trip to Debre Libanos Monastery and the Portuguese Bridge, and that Abi and Abe made your day comfortable and memorable. It means a lot to us that you appreciated the local guides and the lunch spot with the canyon view. We also appreciate your note about the driving time—this is very helpful for future travelers to plan accordingly. Thank you again for choosing Aman Ethiopia Tours and Travel. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure in Ethiopia soon.
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!
The tour was great, they picked us up from hotel and the drive was smooth. The guides (abe and george) knew all the history of ethiopia and could provide context everywhere we went. Very friendly people and would recommend to everyone!
Thank you very much for sharing your experience with us. We’re glad to hear everything went smoothly from the hotel pickup to the end of the tour. It’s always our goal to make the journey comfortable and well organized from start to finish. Your kind words about Abe and George mean a lot. We’re proud to have guides who truly understand Ethiopia’s history and can explain it in a clear and engaging way while keeping the experience friendly and enjoyable. Thank you again for your recommendation. We truly appreciate it and hope to welcome you back for another journey in Ethiopia. Warm regards, Aman Ethiopia Tours and Travel
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.
