Day Trip Adadi Mariam, Tiya and Melka Kunture

We did a day trip from Addis Ababa to Adadi Mariam and Tiya, and it turned out to be a really interesting day. Adadi Mariam was the first stop. The church itself is quite amazing, especially when you realize that it was carved directly into the rock. We had seen pictures before coming, but standing there and seeing the structure and the details inside was much more impressive. It was also nice to get away from the busy city for a while. Our guide explained the history of the church and the area, which made the visit much more interesting than simply walking around and looking at the rocks. We took our time there and didn't feel rushed. From Adadi Mariam we continued to Tiya. The landscape along the way was beautiful and very different from Addis. Tiya was probably the part we knew the least about before the trip. Seeing the stone stelae standing in the field was fascinating, especially learning about how old they are and the different symbols carved into them. It was one of those places where we kept wondering who built them and what life must have been like there so many centuries ago. The drive was also enjoyable because we got to see countryside, small villages and people going about their daily lives. It was a nice contrast to Addis. The whole day was relaxed and we had enough time at both sites without feeling like we were running from one place to another. Adadi Mariam and Tiya are quite different from the usual Addis sightseeing, so we're glad we added them to our Ethiopia trip. If you have an extra day and are interested in history and archaeology, we'd definitely recommend making the trip. A simple but really memorable day, and a good chance to see a completely different side of Ethiopia outside the capital.

We had a wonderful day visiting Adadi Mariam and the Tiya archaeological site, and the whole experience was very well organized from beginning to end. Our guide, Belete, was excellent. He was knowledgeable, friendly, patient, and explained the history and cultural importance of each place in a way that was easy to understand. At Adadi Mariam, he gave us a fascinating explanation of the rock-hewn church, its history, and its importance to the local community. At Tiya, he also explained the meaning and background of the ancient stone stelae and helped us understand why the site is such an important part of Ethiopia’s history. Our driver, Nati, was also great. He drove carefully and professionally, and the vehicle was comfortable throughout the trip. He was always punctual and made sure we were comfortable and had everything we needed during the journey. What we appreciated most was that the tour never felt rushed. We had enough time to explore, take photos, ask questions, and enjoy the scenery along the way. Visiting these two historical sites gave us a different perspective on Ethiopia beyond the usual tourist destinations. Thank you to Belete, Nati, and Danakil Depression Tours for arranging such a memorable and enjoyable experience. We would definitely recommend this tour to anyone interested in Ethiopia’s history, culture, archaeology, and beautiful countryside.