Addis Ababa: Debre Libanos, Blue Nile Gorge, and Cave Tour
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
On this popular road trip, you will pass through beautiful countryside scenery and the real Ethiopian way of life in action - farmers, rural communities, towns cut off from each other. At the destinations, you will visit the ancient Debre Libanos Monastery (and its cave church), the famed ‘Portuguese Bridge’ built in the 1890s, the Nile Gorge with its abundant endemic birdlife and gelada baboons and enjoy a view of Addis Ababa from a viewpoint set at 3,300 meters above sea level (Entoto Mountain).
Please note spotting the Gelada Baboons can be a matter of luck, as they live in an open park.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Minimum age is 7 years
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Local guides
Ground transportation including a car, fuel and a driver
Pickup and dropoff at any location in Addis Ababa (either Hotel or Airport)
Lunch, including a bottle of water and hot drinks
Museum and Church Entrance Fees
Accompanying English speaking tour guide
Alcoholic beverages
Personal expenses
Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Debre Libanos Orthodox Church
Founded by Ethiopian Saint Abune Tekle Haymanot, within a steep riverine canyon in 1284, Debre Libanos later became the political centre of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and is where Emperor Lebna Dengal received the first Portuguese mission to Ethiopia in 1520. The Italian army destroyed the original church in a 1937 massacre that claimed the lives of 800 monks, deacons and lay worshippers. The modern church, its domed roof decorated with stained-glass windows, remains an important pilgrimage site.
Portuguese Bridge
Although the locals believe the stone-arch Portuguese bridge was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, it was actually built in the 1890s by Ras Darge in the old Portuguese style. The narrow span makes a spectacular picture and the gushing (in the rainy season) cascade just below it is very impressive.
Options
Addis Ababa: Debre Libanos, Blue Nile Gorge, and Cave Tour
Pickup included
Reviews
241 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Super guide
B629TIkevins,
Dec 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing guide! Abiy was super nice and he knew everything. Had an amazing time in Ethiopia! Everything was perfectly organized and planned. Abiy and his colleague ( our driver ) were super friendly.
Good way to see area north of Addis
KateNY 12,
Nov 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00This was a good way to see a lot of the area north of Ethiopia and Abbi is a good guide. The driver was also a good, safe driver. So I recommend it. My only caveat is that it was a much longer drive than I had expected. We left earlier because it was popular and more people had signed up, so left at 7:30 and arrived back at 6 pm. Longer than I had realized but I should have asked..
Nice experience
O2586RImatheusc,
Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had a really nice time in this tour with Abiy, who was friendly and helpful throughout the day. Nice day out of Addis, seeing the country side and landscapes
Great day trip from...
Meggan I,
Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great day trip from Addis. A well paced and interesting itinerary, an excellent and informative guide, and beautiful scenery!
Great daytrip outside of Addis
304axeln,
Oct 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00The trip was good and we formed many great memories. I would recommend this trip. Our guide Abiy was a warm person and lovely to listen to. Our driver Dereje drove safely. What took way from our experience this trip was: - The lack of AC in the car, although advertised. - The lunch place was without a view, although it was advertised. We stopped by a roadside restaurant instead. The bathroom was also not sanitary at the lunch place. The food was good though. - We only stopped by the Entoto Maryam Church, we didn’t even enter the yard. I would recommend in the future that guests are told in advanced about available toilets and breaks. I would also recommend that the guide either has a microphone or speaks directly to guests in the car, everyone had a hard time hearing what was said.
Beautiful
Raphael B,
Sep 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Many thanks to Mickias (English speaking guide) with whom I could still talk and understand (because my English is not great). For his explanations, his smile and his good humor. Not to mention this magnificent outing-discovery that is not about to be forgotten.
Best day trip to see outside the capital
Christian W,
Aug 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A great way to see Ethiopia outside of Addis Ababa. The drive itself is very interesting observing agricultural life. Tour guide Netsanet was very knowledgeable answering any questions you had both about the tour and Ethiopia in general.
Qi
Road33677941856,
Aug 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Starting the journey at 8:30, headed to the entoto mountain area, which is a rich area of land, the car is comfortable, the guide and the officer function to do their job, share with us the status quo of the city now in Ezechosophy, to arrive in the Eastern Orthodox Church, there is a small museum introduction, then before lunch there is a chance to let us see the lion's tail, and walk through the Portuguese bridge, the spectacular waterfall, recommended. Lunch is typical Ecosopian food.
Excellent nature excursion and touring mountain villages that live ancestrally at 3500 m above sea level.
FGgp,
Jul 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A very special experience touring mountain villages with people so different from us, living ancestrally and simply. People who can teach us that to be happy you don't have to be materialistic. People who can teach us how to share both lunch and home by making you feel part of their magic. How happy he made me meet these people. Spectacular the Orthodox church of Debre Lebanese, it really struck me. The Portuguese bridge built in the 17th century is unmissable with a striking waterfall that drifts under it and visited by the local baboons adorning a unique and seductive landscape in the world. You can't miss this excursion
DayTrip65301737756,
Jul 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great , Abiy ( the guide ) and Muse ( the driver ) were super nice and we make this day trip amazing! I had fun and loved the experience.
From US$92.00
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