Tours/Addis Ababa/Monastic Marvels Exploring the beauty of Debre Libanos Monastery
Monastic Marvels Exploring the beauty of Debre Libanos Monastery
5.0(5)Addis Ababa9 hours
VIATOR5.0(1)TRIPADVISOR5.0(4)
+4 photos
At a glance
Duration
9 hours
Price from
$140 / person
Location
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Rating
5.0 / 5 · 5 reviews
Languages
EN
Group
Small group, up to 25
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Confirmation
Instant
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operator
Ethio Top Land Tours
Meeting point
Go to street in bole international airport and turn to in the left in circle area and you look the guide in front of the hotel!
Description
Depart Addis Ababa at 07:30 AM. At slightly over 100 km from Addis Ababa, Debre Libanos is one of the best day trips from the Ethiopian capital. The church is monumental and pretty awful on the outside, but the stained-glass windows are attractive. Debre Libanos has one of the most interesting church museums in Ethiopia. Besides the usual ecclesiastical items, there are Italian guns, giant cooking pots, crowns of past emperors and their wives, musical instruments, and old wooden shackles. Fifteen minutes up the hills from the monastery is the cave of Tekla Haimanot, the monastery founder, where the saint is said to have done all his praying. It is also the source of Debre Libanos' famed holy water.
Finally, we will take you to the Portuguese Bridge located at the Blue Nile Gorge, where you can admire the stunning landscapes and observe the unique Ethiopian endemic baboons known as Chelada Baboons. You'll also have the opportunity to spot various Ethiopian birds.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Start times
21 times a day, 7:00 AM–5:00 PM
Next available
Sun, Oct 11
Adult (ages 20–39)
$140
Senior (ages 40–57)
$145
Youth (ages 13–19)
$130
Child (ages 5–12)
$90
Infant (ages 0–1)
$80
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 10.
Tour Options
Monastic Marvels Exploring the beauty of Debre Libanos Monastery
Pickup included
Itinerary
Debre Libanos Orthodox Church
Admission included420 min
Depart Addis Ababa at 07:30 AM. At slightly over 100 km from Addis Ababa, Debre Libanos is one of the best day trips from the Ethiopian capital. The church is monumental and pretty awful on the outside, but the stained-glass windows are attractive. Debre Libanos has one of the most interesting church museums in Ethiopia. Besides the usual ecclesiastical items, there are Italian guns, giant cooking pots, crowns of past emperors and their wives, musical instruments, and old wooden shackles. Fifteen minutes up the hills from the monastery is the cave of Tekla Haimanot, the monastery founder, where the saint is said to have done all his praying. It is also the source of Debre Libanos' famed holy water.
Portuguese Bridge
Admission included120 min
Finally, we will take you to the Portuguese Bridge located at the Blue Nile Gorge, where you can admire the stunning landscapes and observe the unique Ethiopian endemic baboons known as Chelada Baboons. You'll also have the opportunity to spot various Ethiopian birds.
What's included
Included
Private transportation
Lunch ( Local food)
Local guide
Government tax
Hotel pick-up and drop off.
All Entrance fee
Bottles of water
Coffee or Tea
Not included
personal expense like, shopping any alcoholic Drink
Tips
Pickup Locations & Times
Dear customer, we will pick you at bole airport or any specific Hotel that you mentioned to us .
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
5.0
5 reviews
5
5
4
0
3
0
2
0
1
0
How it compares in Addis Ababa
Starting price $140 is close to the typical $130 for tours of similar length in Addis Ababa
Excurgo comparison of 559 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does this tour take?
Monastic Marvels Exploring the beauty of Debre Libanos Monastery lasts about 9 hours. The itinerary has 2 stops.
How much does this tour cost?
Prices start at $140 per person for this Addis Ababa experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does this tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, with 21 departures a day between 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
How much does this tour cost for children?
Children aged 5–12 pay from $90, adults from $140.
Can I cancel this tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. Dear customer, we will pick you at bole airport or any specific Hotel that you mentioned to us . Pickup points include Bole Airport.
What languages is this tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 25 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Specialized infant seats are available
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is this tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 5 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Ethio Top Land Tours.
Reviews(5)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
N
nelsondJ226MZ
September 25, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Visit Debre Libanos and Portuguese bridge
I had a great visit of Debre Libanos and Portuguese bridge with the Ethio Top Land Tour on 19 September 2025. The visit includes the Monastery of Debre Libanos, a stopover for Geladas Baboon, and visit of the portuguese bridge and the waterfall.
Operator response
Dear Nelson!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with Ethio Top Land Tours! It’s good to hear you are pleased by our services. we hope to welcome you back In the future for more adventures tour in Ethiopia!!
A
Angie l
March 27, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
It was a great experience to do; the tour guide was very knowledgeable and experienced in every topic
Pleasant tour to the countryside of Ethiopia
Definitely a must do for a first timers here in Ethiopia
The tour was super good
Operator response
Hello Angie!
Thank you very much for your positive reviews.
S
SHARON_M
February 25, 2025 · via Viator
A Great Day Trip Outside Addis
If you have an extra day in Addis and would like to get out of town, this is a great day trip to visit a historic monastery and take a short hike to visit the picturesque Portuguese Bridge. Ethio Top Land Tours did an excellent job – the guide Lamesgn and driver were both very professional, knowledgeable, and pleasant to be around. A delicious traditional Ethiopian lunch was included as well. And the price they offered for this tour was much more economical than other providers I looked at (for the exact same itinerary). All in all I would definitely recommend this provider and this day tour.
Operator response
Dear Sharon!
Thank you once again for your kind review and for choosing Ethio Top Land Tours for your Debere Libanos Monastery tour we hope to welcome you back In the future for more adventures in Ethiopia!!
S
SharonM342
February 25, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
A Great Day Trip Near Addis
If you have an extra day in Addis and would like to get out of town, this is a great day trip to visit a historic monastery and take a short hike to visit the picturesque Portuguese Bridge. Ethio Top Land Tours did an excellent job – the guide Lamesgn and driver were both very professional, knowledgeable, and pleasant to be around. A nice traditional Ethiopian lunch was included as well. And the price they offered for this tour was MUCH more economical than other providers I looked at (for the exact same itinerary!). All in all I would definitely recommend this provider and this day tour.
Operator response
Dear Sharon! Thank you once again for your kind review and for choosing Ethio Top Land Tours for your Debere Libanos Monastery tour we hope to welcome you back In the future for more adventures in Ethiopia!!
A
ambosem
January 4, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
unforgettable tours!!
One of the most memorable aspects of our visit was Debre Libanos Monastery.Our guide Lamesgn was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the history of Debre Libanos. it was an unforgettable experience that left us with a deeper appreciation for Ethiopian culture and spirituality. Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or simply looking for a peaceful retreat, this monastery should not be missed. We left feeling rejuvenated and inspired, and we can’t recommend it highly enough!
1 people found this helpful
Operator response
Thank you once again for your kind review and for choosing Ethio Top Land Tours for your Debere Libanos tour we hope to welcome you back In the future for more adventures in Ethiopia!!
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Monastic Marvels Exploring the beauty of Debre Libanos Monastery
