A Day Trip to Debre Libanos Monastery and Portuguese bridge

Overview

Available languages

English

Mobile ticket

The renowned mystic Saint Teclehaimanot founded the monastery at Debre Libanos, a significant center for Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity. There's a small cave near the recently constructed church where he is said to have stood for seven years on one leg until the other wasted away and fell off.

Upon reaching Debre Libanos, our first destination will be the Jemma Gorge. One of the Nile's tributaries, the Jemma River descends to a valley that is almost a thousand meters below the surface. We may anticipate to observe the Black-headed woodland Oriole, the Red-billed Starling, the White-billed Starling, and the Banded Barbet here in the gorge as well as in the surrounding woodland.

Additional Info

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

Wheelchair accessible

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

The destination is 100 km from the capital and there will be 3 hours round trip

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Private transportation

water

pick up and drop off

Lunch

All Fees and Taxes

the service of local guide

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Addis Regency Hotel

K. 03/19 H. no 504, St. George Roundabout Addis Ababa Ethiopia

Harmony Hotel

Cameroon Street, Near Edna Mall Addis Ababa Ethiopia

Radisson Blu Hotel, Addis Ababa

Kazanchis Business District, Kirkos Subcity 17/18 Addis Ababa Ethiopia

Bole Airport

Addis Ababa Ethiopia

Jupiter International Hotel Cazanchise

Tito Street, Cazanchise, Kirkos Addis Ababa Ethiopia

Hilton Addis Ababa

Menelik II Avenue, Addis Ababa Ethiopia

addis ababa

What To Expect

Debre Libanos

Debre Libanos is an important monastic center for Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity. The monastery there was founded by the renowned 13th-century mystic, Saint Teclehaimanot, and there is a small cave near the church (which is of recent construction) where he is said to have stood for seven years on one leg, until the other was wasted away and dropped off. On this tour, visitors can combine history and culture with some good bird watching. As we pass through the Sululta Plain, we can visit the Oromo people's roundhouse to experience the local life. Also, you will see birds like black-winged plovers, wattled ibis, blue-winged geese, common cranes, and wheat ears.

2 hours • Admission Not Applicable

Portuguese Bridge

The Jemma River is one of the Nile's tributaries, and the valley below has a drop of nearly 1000 meters. Here at the gorge (and in the forest around the church), we can expect to see the Banded Barbet, the Black-headed Forest Oriole, the White-billed Starling, the Red-billed Starling, the White-winged Cliff Chat, the White-backed Black Tit, the White-cheeked Turaco, and Hemprich’s Hornbill. We will also see one of Ethiopia’s endemic mammals, the Gelada, or bleeding heart baboon. (In the gorge, we will see a variety of vultures: Lamergeyer’s, Ruppell's, and Lappet-faced vultures.)

3 hours • Admission Included

Options

Debre Libanos

Pickup included

Reviews

5.00

2 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Very enjoyable and experience of the " real" Ethiopia
EcotripsToronto,
Oct 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was an all day trip which takes about 2 or 2.5 hours each way from Addis. The very sacred Church, which is visited by many Orthodox people from all around, is very interesting , with a historical museum attached, and the Portuguese Bridge is very scenic and striking with cliffs, waterfalls and a troop of Gelada Baboons which are a fascinating endemic family of Baboons which are very peaceful and acclimatized to people. Of course , like any wild animal viewing you have to be lucky in order to have them appear during your visit. I wasn't lucky but the very helpful guide send me photos and videos from a couple of days prior when they were present. The guide and driver were excellent and very attentive and provided useful information. women, be prepared to use squat toilets on the way and the walk to the Bridge and cliffs is very rocky and steep at times. A walking stick is a good idea if you not young and fit! However the guide was great about finding less steep options and lending a hand for balance. The rural markets, people herding their animals, and the farmland was scenic and very typical of most of Ethiopia outside of Addis, including sites of the traditional conical grass roofed houses and Teff and wheat fields. It was super fun to have a delicious lunch at a local restaurant with no cutlery or napkins, so be prepared with wet wipes and women with TP!
very good
eldhoek,
Aug 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
very good ..nature and country side trip with professional guide. recommended if you are looking for an outside tour of addis

From US$90.00