Private Tour

Day-Trip Church of Adadi Mariam from Addis Ababa

Overview

Available languages

English

French

Spanish

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

- 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‘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

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

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.

1 hour • Admission Not Included

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.

1 hour • Admission Not Included

Options

Day-Trip Church of Adadi Mariam from Addis Ababa

Pickup included

Reviews

4.91

11 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Memorable Day
vals529,
Oct 3, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We 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
5.00
Picked 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
5.00
This 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
5.00
My 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
5.00
We 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
5.00
Nicely 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
5.00
I 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.
An Excellent Tour From A Superb English Speaking Guide
Mark L,
Dec 20, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
If you are looking to see and understand more about the Ethiopia outside of Addis then look no further. Muluken is a very experienced guide who understands exactly what his guests require to give them an enjoyable trip. You won't go wrong if you choose this chap.
A nicely-tailored day trip out of Addis Ababa
RichardMarceau,
Nov 20, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
We (my partner, her mother and I) went out of Addis Ababa for a day. We visited the Adadi Mariam Church, which was interesting and where I learned the story of the Jewish Queen Yodit Gudith, about which I knew nothing despite being well-versed in Jewish history. In the same trip we visited the Tiya Stelae, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but which was less interesting. We also visited a local market, which was so out of our comfort zone that it made it fascinating and very instructive. Finally, we had coffee and a lunch in the house of a local family, again learning much more being there than I could have had in the many books I read. The biggest reason that it was a success is the guide who was with us: Muluken Girma. Muluken is very knowledgeable, smart, willing to answer questions on any subject (history, culture, geography, food, fauna, etc.) Muluken's demeanor is calm, engaged and engaging. He has very good English, and flexible. I would highly recommend hiring Muluken.
Day Trip from Addis
vwb276,
Mar 13, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Muluken was a great guide on our day trip from Addis. We saw the historical sites, stopped for beautiful scenery pictures and enjoyed a coffee ceremony with locals. I recommend Muluken for any trips around Addis.