Explore Ethiopia’s ancient heritage: Visit Melka Kunture, Adadi Mariam Church, and UNESCO-listed Tiya stellae. Unearth history and culture on this captivating tour.
Explore Ethiopia’s ancient heritage: Visit Melka Kunture, Adadi Mariam Church, and UNESCO-listed Tiya stellae. Unearth history and culture on this captivating tour.
- Adadi Maryam - Located 60km southwest of Addis Ababa, Melka-Kunture is a renowned archaeological site where fossils and stone tools dating back 1.5 million years have been found. A short drive from here leads to the Adadi Mariam Cave Church, believed to date back to the 13th century, offering a glimpse into the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela from…
- Adadi Maryam - Located 60km southwest of Addis Ababa, Melka-Kunture is a renowned archaeological site where fossils and stone tools dating back 1.5 million years have been found. A short drive from here leads to the Adadi Mariam Cave Church, believed to date back to the 13th century, offering a glimpse into the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela from the 12th century.
- Tiya World Heritage Site - Recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1972, the site remained undisturbed for centuries until several stone stelae were uncovered at the turn of the last century. Since then, over 40 monuments have been discovered, with many more still hidden. This site holds the largest and most representative collection of such monoliths in Africa. Despite their size and description, little is known about these monuments. Small stone carvings around the tooth-shaped stones depict the trials and tribulations of those buried beneath, including etchings of battles, famine, and hardship, hinting at the fate of those interred below.
- Private transportation
- Snacks
- All fees and/or taxes
- Private transportation
- Snacks
- All fees and/or taxes
Pick up after breakfast, and we then head south-west on the Jimma road, before turning due south on to the Butajira Road. Melka Kunture lies near the Awash River Gorge and is one of the most important neolithic sites in Ethiopia. Hand axes and various other implements have been found here. There is a museum at the site. About 5 km further on the…
Pick up after breakfast, and we then head south-west on the Jimma road, before turning due south on to the Butajira Road. Melka Kunture lies near the Awash River Gorge and is one of the most important neolithic sites in Ethiopia. Hand axes and various other implements have been found here. There is a museum at the site. About 5 km further on the Butajira Road, is the rock hewn church of Adadi Mariam, contemporaneous with those of Lalibela - in fact local tradition ascribes it to King Lalibela who is said to have had it built on his visit to Mount Zuqwala in 1106. Damaged during the wars with Ahmed Gragn in the 16th century, it fell into disuse and was only reopened in the time of Menelik II. It is today in regular use. Our final stop today is at Tiya, classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, where we can see the northernmost example of a peculiar type of engraved, standing stellae which stretch across parts of southern Ethiopia.
- Travel time is included in the total duration of the tour. (3 hours is driving round trip)
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.
