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Debre Libanos Monastery and Jemma River Gorge: Breathtaking Day Tour from Addis Ababa
4.9
19 Ratings
Addis Ababa
Embark on a breathtaking day tour from Addis Ababa to Debre Libanos Monastery and Jemma River Gorge. Explore Ethiopia’s biggest monastery, witness stunning views, encounter wildlife, and immerse in the local culture.
Embark on a breathtaking day tour from Addis Ababa to Debre Libanos Monastery and Jemma River Gorge. Explore Ethiopia’s biggest monastery, witness stunning views, encounter wildlife, and immerse in the local culture.
Duration:
9 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Debre Libanos - Drive 100 km north of Addis Ababa to Debre Libanos Monastery - the biggest monastery of the Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity in Ethiopia founded in the 13th Century AD.
- Portuguese Bridge - Visit the Portuguese Bridge (16th Century AD), explore the spectacular scenery of the Jemma River Gorge, indulge in the local culture of…
- Debre Libanos - Drive 100 km north of Addis Ababa to Debre Libanos Monastery - the biggest monastery of the Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity in Ethiopia founded in the 13th Century AD.
- Portuguese Bridge - Visit the Portuguese Bridge (16th Century AD), explore the spectacular scenery of the Jemma River Gorge, indulge in the local culture of the Oromo people, and see the Ethiopian endemic mammal - Gelada Baboon,
What's Included
- Private transportation
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Local on-site guides
- Local family visits
- Bottled water
- Professional experienced English-speaking tour guide
- Lunch included
- Experience Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony
- Private transportation
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Local on-site guides
- Local family visits
- Bottled water
- Professional experienced English-speaking tour guide
- Lunch included
- Experience Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony
What's Not Included
- Entrance fees and any other expenses not mentioned in the “Included” list above
- Entrance fees and any other expenses not mentioned in the “Included” list above
Additional Information
Join a knowledgeable tour guide for a private full-day excursion from Addis Ababa, spanning nine hours. Take in the stunning landscapes, visit the largest monastery in Ethiopia, immerse yourself in a distinct culture and encounter local wildlife.
Destinations and activities involve: -
- Exploring Debre Libanos Monastery
- Soaking up the grandeur of the…
Join a knowledgeable tour guide for a private full-day excursion from Addis Ababa, spanning nine hours. Take in the stunning landscapes, visit the largest monastery in Ethiopia, immerse yourself in a distinct culture and encounter local wildlife.
Destinations and activities involve: -
- Exploring Debre Libanos Monastery
- Soaking up the grandeur of the Jemma River Gorge
- Marveling at the 16th-century Portuguese Bridge
- Spotting indigenous Gelada Baboons
- Participating in a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony
- Wandering through native villages
Complimentary pick-up service from your hotel or the airport, then depart on a 100 km journey towards Debre Libanos Monastery. Get insightful information about the rituals of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church while being guided around the monastery and its content-rich museum.
Partake in a delicious Ethiopian meal for lunch, all while enjoying the panoramic vistas of the Jemma River Gorge.
The tour package includes private transportation in a cozy vehicle, hotel pick-up/drop-off, expert guide, lunch, Coffee Ceremony, bottled water, on-site tour guides, local family visits, and all associated taxes.
Please note, entrance fees and similar expenses are not incorporated into the price.
- If you are visiting between June and September, expect wet weather and be prepared accordingly
- If you are not eating Ethiopian food at small local restaurants, please bring packed lunch with you
- Women are expected to be fully dressed and cover hairs when visiting the Debre Libanos Monastery
Location
Adwa 00 Museum
If you don't want a pick up from your location, we meet you at the North Gate of Adwa 00 Museum
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(19 Ratings)
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Goplaces20458733775
Apr 13, 2024
Biruk was wonderful and full of knowledge and patience - Thanks for your help and sending Biruk to guide us through your beautiful country and people. Trip to the monastery was great and lot of historical information was given at the museum. Portuguese bridge was wonderful and we walked down to see the waterfall. The full day city tour next day to the museums was very informative.
Good luck
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Travel26439427120
Mar 14, 2023
Monastery and Gorge Tour - Excellent tour to Debre Libros Monastery and the Jemma River Gorge. Also included a stop at a farm. My guides were Abem and Biruk. They were very professional and knowledgeable about the culture and history of Ethiopia. I was picked up at the airport promptly at the designated time. Great communication from Muluken prior to my arrival in Ethiopia and with Biruk once I arrived. Ethiopia is beautiful and I wish I had more time to spend there. The tour was well worth the money. Beautiful scenery and fascinating history. The lunch and coffee at the Portuguese Bridge was really delicious and authentic. I enjoyed this tour and wouldn’t hesitate to use this company again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Guendalina71
Mar 7, 2023
Amazing experience! - I had the pleasure to experience and get to know Ethiopia with an amazing guided tour!
A special mention to my guide Mr. Biruk, the whole day was just AMAZING. Everything was perfect and way better that I’ve could possibly imagined.
The tour was really well organised, probably the best that I’ve experienced in my life. A great balance of nature, culture and local experience.
Thank you very much.
Guendalina
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Barryh822
Feb 15, 2023
Highly recommend this company - Very knowledgeable guide not just about sights but Ethiopian history, culture, people, politics. In my travels I depend on my guide to be a window into the country I am visiting. Muluken was a great help in this regard. I highly recommend him and his company Merit Ethiopia Experience Tours
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kenji
Jan 12, 2023
A Wonderful, Memorable Day - I would highly recommend this day trip from Addis Ababa, which has given us many meaningful memories from start to finish. From the intimate coffee ceremony with an Oromo family, a scenic and informative drive (I even used my Bluetooth to bump some of my favorite road trip tunes – Wagon Wheel, Industry Baby...), and visits to the beautiful monastery, scenic outlook, and Portuguese bridge – all were highlights of our travel in-country. Muluken knew all the best places to pop out for a landscape photograph, to spot rare wildlife or cultural activities, or to duck aside for a bathroom break.
The monastery portion commends itself for the Afewerk Tekle stained glass, the passionate monk (quite passionate about the Lord!) describing the life of the faith community, and the active pilgrims visiting the church for prayer and healing. I will never forget arriving and standing in front of the site entrance, like a rock in a stream flanked by moving waters, as passed by us throngs of worshipping elders in mottled robes, with prayer sticks and weathered faces – the scent of incense and crisp mountain breeze hanging in the air.
Ethiopia is a land of tremendous mystery and contradiction, both human and natural. By all accounts, you should not miss this opportunity to spend less than a day encountering some of the nation's most beautiful sights and sounds from sacred histories stretching back many centuries. And there is no one better than the well-prepared Muluken as your guide (we also loved having a nice long chat with our driver Jamal)!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
993jellee
Nov 30, 2022
Excelent - The tour was buetifull we went out with Biruk, he really did his best during the tour, we felt very welcome during the tour and the tourguide and driver did everything they could to help us and have a confortable tour. Please be awere that visiting the Portugese bridge has some physical obstacles (you need to clime up and down) but outside of that it was a lovely tour!
I would recommend everyone to do this tour and watch the buetifull views offerd during this tour, we even saw Baboons (a lot) and some special birds! I would do this tour again!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rolatamim
Nov 25, 2022
Amazing experience - Woww. The entire trip was amazing. From the airport pickup to the drop off. Both Biruk & Amush were super nice, very polite, very informative, and actually went out of their way to answer every question and request and trust me I had many😁 the trip is a little too long but they both made sure to make it worth it. Everything was perfect the coffee ceremony, the breathtaking views at the Portuguese Bridge, the church, the food and above all the baboons. Check the pics. Highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Andre
Nov 13, 2022
A fantastic day in Ethiopia - Simply the best experience, we had an amazing day. Driving country roads, meeting a farming family and being taken into their home and seeing their way of life. A real eye opener. Jemma River Gorge has the most outstanding scenery along with the Portuguese Bridge. Our guide was brilliant. This is a must do experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Camerontravels11
May 9, 2022
Remarkable Trip to Debre Libanos - Muluken is such a kind and genuine person. Something about his energy and attitude made my day trip to Debre Libanos so enjoyable. I highly recommend using him for your trip to Ethiopia.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Denverconcrete
Jan 31, 2022
Debre Libanos Monastery Tour - It was a great day traveling out though the countryside , got to see everything we talked about, great job you guys.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
