On this day trip to Debre Libanos Monastery, we’ll leave Addis Ababa behind and delve into Ethiopia’s Christian history. We’ll visit one of the country’s most sacred pilgrimage sites and the spectacular Jemma River canyon.
Visiting Debre Libanos Monastery
We’ll pick you up from your hotel in Addis Ababa and head north. After an approximately 3-hour road journey, we’ll reach our main destination: Debre Libanos Monastery.
Once there, we’ll take a guided tour of the main church. We’ll admire its famous stained glass windows and learn more about the history of this sacred site, founded in the 13th century by Saint Tekle Haymanot. We’ll also visit the monastery museum, which houses religious relics and ancient manuscripts of incalculable value.
We’ll continue the day with a short walk to the Cave of Tekle Haymanot. In this place of prayer, where the saint is said to have meditated for years, we’ll see the holy water spring that local worshippers believe has healing properties. We’ll share all the details with you!
Our next stop will be the iconic Portuguese Bridge, built in the 16th century. From here, we’ll enjoy amazing views of the Jemma River canyon, a geological formation so impressive that it’s known as the “Little Grand Canyon” of Ethiopia. If we’re very lucky, we may spot some of the animals that inhabit the area from afar, such as the gelada monkey or the bearded vulture.
Around midday, you’ll have 2 hours of free time to have lunch at a local restaurant with panoramic views or enjoy your own picnic in a unique natural setting.
We’ll end the day by dropping you off back at your hotel in Addis Ababa approximately 11.5 hours later.