Private Tour
Day-Trip Church of Adadi Mariam from Addis Ababa
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
It is about 8-hours guided day tour from Addis Ababa by drive with private vehicle. The tour includes: -
- Scenic stops at best viewpoints to see the Great East African Rift Valley
- Visiting the unique rock church of Adadi Mariam (13th Century AD)
- Exploring the ancient grave site of Tiya (UNESCO World Heritage from 14th Century AD)
- Learning Ethiopian history as you see the huge carved grave stones of Tiya
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- Visiting villages of locals for cultural experience to learn how to make Enjera (Ethiopian bread)
- Experiencing traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony and learn how Coffee is enjoyed with a ceremony
This private day tour from Addis Ababa is limited to a maximum of 6 people.
Day Tour to Adadi Mariam Rock Church and Steles of Tiya takes 8 to 9 hours. The day tour is with professional experienced French or English-speaking local tour guide.
We use private comfortable air-conditioned vehicle for the day tour from Addis Ababa. Total driving distance is about 200 km.
Additional Info
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Dress code is formal and women are advised to cover hairs when visiting churches
If the tour is taken in June, July or August, please be prepared for the rainy weather and bring raincoat/umbrellas
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Vegetarian and Gluten-free options are available, please advise at time of booking if required
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Adadi Maryam
Drive 62 south of Addis Ababa to Adadi Mariam. On the way stop at viewpoints to see the Geat East African Rift Valley. At Adadi Mariam, visit the unique still functional church which was carved out of a single piece of rock in the 13th Century AD by the famous King Lalibela.
Tiya World Heritage Site
At Tiya World Heritage Site, visit about 40 huge stone grave markers erected in memory of local heros between the 12th to the 14th Century AD.
What‘s Included
Local snacks, tea, and coffee
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Typical Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony attendance and Coffee
Air-conditioned vehicle
Lunch at a local Ethiopian restaurant
Local family visits
Professional experienced English speaking tour guide
This payment is for entrance fee to visit Adadi Mariam Rock Church and Tiya Cemetery
Pickup points
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Day-Trip Church of Adadi Mariam from Addis Ababa
Pickup included
Reviews
13 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great expirience
Coastal67000578689,Mar 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an excellent experience during our tour in Addis Ababa, specifically the “Day Trip to Adadi Mariam Rock Church, Rift Valley and Tiya Cemetery.” Our guide, Biruk, was very professional at all times—punctual, friendly, and extremely knowledgeable about the history and culture of each place we visited. He answered all our questions and made every stop interesting and engaging. We would also like to highlight our driver, Bekele, who did a fantastic job. He drove safely and made the whole journey comfortable and smooth. The organization of the tour was impeccable, allowing us to make the most of the day without any worries. Thanks to their dedication and positive attitude, we had a very enjoyable and fulfilling day. We would definitely recommend this tour to anyone who wants to explore the surroundings of Addis Ababa in a comfortable, informative, and well-organized way.
Authentic Cultural Experiences with a Knowledgeable Guide
Exploration440662,Mar 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Mullen Girma is an excellent tour guide. He is hospitable, courteous, and knowledgeable. His knowledge extends to local tribal cultures and also to the ancient beliefs and practices of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. He also provided us with a authentic experiences such as watching a local villager make bread from a banana tree, which we were then able to taste together. I highly recommend his tour for an authentic cultural experience.
Great tour
randallm844,Mar 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A great tour. Brook is a great guide. He knows his material. He was flexible with our schedule to spend time where we were most interested. I highly recommend this company!
Memorable Day
vals529,Oct 3, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We took the day trip to the Church of Adadi Mariam. Our driver and guide Henok arrived promptly at 7 am to pick us up. The vehicle was spacious and very clean, our driver excellent and very attentive. Our guide was very interesting and you could tell that he really enjoyed his job. We made several stops on the way to the church, the countryside is very beautiful, and the people friendly. after visiting the church we visited Tiya, here we visited a local home where cooking skills were demonstrated, a great experience and lovely food. We also took part in a coffee ceremony, great coffee and a big thank-you to the local people who made us feel so welcome in their homes. We had a memorable day thanks to our amazing driver and guide
Informative and interesting day.
joni101,Sep 28, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Picked on time at our hotel by our guide Henok and our driver Sirak. Provided with water and some local snacks. Henok very friendly and knowledgeable. Obviously knows his trade and loves his country. Amazing driver Sirak. Such a lovely and caring man. Enjoyed the Church and our visit to the community to try local food and coffee
Great tour when you have more then one day in Addis Ababa, Great guiding by Biruk
4worldexplorer,Dec 3, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This Trip is a absolute must. Our guide Birku was awesome. We were very lucky because we were able to attend a mass in the church. That was even for Biruk something special. The following walk across the local market was also an absolute highlight. The following lunch in a local restaurant was also a very good. Biruk was extremely attentative and realised when something was not our main interest and changed immediately to what was of more interest. Birku has a broad knowledge in many subjects and we got plenty of information about Ethiopia, the church and the market. He is a very fine person and it was great having him as a guide. Thank you!
Fantastic experience & excellent guide!
alisonwK5397LU,Sep 23, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My friend and I took this tour prior to a work conference and it was marvelous. Our guide, Biruk, was friendly, interesting, informative and engaging. The communications and service before, during and after the tour were excellent. We learned quite a bit about each of the historic and archeological sites we went to visit but also so much more about the country, its capital and culture from Biruk during the drives. I look forward to coming back to Ethiopia and doing another tour with Biruk and this tour service!
Beautiful days out
julians917,Jun 11, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had two days stopover in AA and arranged two trips with Merit. One to the cave church and stelae and the other to Debre monastery and the Portuguese bridge. We decided not to book a day tour of AA but managed to see some of the AA sites at the beginning and end of the day trips. Both guides zele and Biruk were excellent. biruk took us to show his typical Ethiopian home and also arrange us to meet a family making false banana bread in their garden for sale at the market. The actual destination sites were maybe not worth the long drive on bumpy roads in a minibus but we enjoyed the chance to see the countryside and learn about daily life in Ethiopia plus Zele’s side trips for birdwatching (he is a great ornithologist). I would recommend the company but would have preferred a SUV!
Good day trip from Addis Ababa
MPLANJNGP,Nov 13, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Nicely tailored day trip. Muluken my tour organizer and guide was amazing. I just told him my preference and he created the itinerary. Enjoyed the tour. Highly recommend Muluken as your guide. He speaks very nice english and he is super helpful.
Great Time
franz212021,Jun 12, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had a great time and was well provided for by Muluken. We had an amazing time, and this was an amazing value considering what we did in one day. We had enough time to enjoy a spectacular view along the way to the Tiya stones, as well as the impressive rock-hewn church (Adadi Mariam), a museum showing ancient hominid tools discovered nearby, and even stop in to a local hut to enjoy an amazing fresh cheese dish with injera made by locals (including coffee). Culminating in learning about the Tiya stones, it was all in all a very fulfilling experience and we felt safe bringing our young kids along. Muluken is very knowledgeable about Ethiopia and makes plenty of pit stops for food and water. He will answer any questions you have along the way. I would have had more photos of the church we visited but I lost my phone several days later! Definitely recommend! His English is also better than other tour guides I have had.
Related Experiences
Operated by Merit Ethiopian Experience Tours