Private Tour

Day Trip From Addis Ababa To Debre Libanos & Portuguese Bridge

Overview

Available languages

English

Mobile ticket

This Tour will give a partial view of the Ethiopian Rural area like experiencing the local hut or grass houses of the countryside and chance of learning about the history of Ethiopia, the Life in the monastery and its museums, and also you will have a chance of seeing the Ethiopian endemic baboons called Chilada, variety of bird life which are abundant to this Place and also seeing the fabulous waterfalls at the Portuguese bridge(which is one of the oldest bridge in Ethiopia built by the Portugal people).

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

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

What‘s Included

Driver Allowance

Bottled water

Air-conditioned vehicle

Fuel surcharge

All Entrance Fees

Guide at the sites

All not Mentioned on The Inclusion

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

Debre Libanos Orthodox Church

Debre Libanos is an important monastic center for Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity. The monastery was founded by the renowned 13th century mystic, St Teklehaimanot. Before driving back to Addis, we will stop at the Jemma River Gorge. The Jemma River is one of the tributaries of the Nile, and there is a drop of nearly 1000 metros to the valley below. We will walk downhill to the 17th century Portuguese Bridge. Here we can expect to see plenty of birdlife including 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, white cheeked Turaco and Hemprich's hornbill. We will also see one of Ethiopia's endemic mammals, the Gelada or bleeding heart baboon. Leaving the Gorge we drive back to Addis Ababa.

6 hours • Admission Included

Portuguese Bridge

Portuguese bridge near Debre Libanos was erected by the Portuguese in the 16th century; it was actually built at the turn of the 19th century by Ethiopians, albeit in the old Portuguese style. The narrow span makes a pretty picture and the gushing (in the rainy season) cascade just below it is even more impressive

1 hour • Admission Included

Options

Day Trip To Debre Libanos & Blue Nile Gorge

Pickup included

Reviews

4.66

67 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Wholesome!
cikuk2025,
Oct 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It was wholesome for me to see the countryside of Ethiopia. I got picked up in the hotel in the morning and we had a scenic drive to the monastery. It was very interesting, ladies have to cover up their hair, if you don’t have a scarf they sell one to you. The architecture and the stained glass that carries history was amazing!!! There were also a few rules to determine if you can enter the monastery. And we went to the Portuguese brigde. It was low season so the waterfall didn’t have much water but the views are to die for! So gorgeous. Had lunch at a local place and came back to the hotel. I was well taken care of by Tomas and Gabru.
Ethiopia - the ultimate cultural and historical holiday travel
carolaV1215NK,
Oct 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I have just returned from a 2-week trip to Ethiopia, a country that has long been on my list of must-see places. Eskinder Hailu of Highway Tours has made this dream a reality. As a long-term professional tour operator, he planned the perfect trip, taking into account my own travel preferences (and age) and his intimate knowledge of the country and what it has to offer. The trip included a complete tour of the vibrant capital, Addis Ababa, followed by a a fascinating excursion to the South Omo Valley. The driver to the Omo Valley region, Bereket, was an expert at rough-road driving, as well as knowledgable about the tribes we were to visit, so the fit was good and we shared many a good laugh. The guides witihin the tribes were experienced and I was relieved that the various tribes seemed happy to share their daily lives with us (and yes of course, they were also happy to receive the tourist dollars for the purchase of their various articles on sale). What a pleasure it was to visit with the Konso terraced agriculture plots, to see the Dorze young weavers and to down a timble of honey liquor, or to watch the Bena boys on stilts prancing around, to have my face painted as a lion by the Karo. It was a thrill and honour to watch a young Hamer tribe man run on the back of several bull cows as a test of his manhood, or to watch a Mursi woman insert lip and ear plates to show that she was a desirable wife. Dorze, Karo, Bena, Ari, Hamer, and Mursi tribes, each with its own special qualities and character. While their own huts were of make-shift bamboo or grass, Eskinder ensured that all my lodgings in the area were excellent. The return trip to Addis Ababa was a stopover where I took a a short flight to Lalibela in the north to visit the rock churches. Two days was sufficient to go through the various churches and to marvel at the archectural ingenuity and genius of King Lalibela. Again, the driver and guide were top quality, friendly, well-informed, with perfect English. Eskinder continued his insistence on providing top quality hotels and Lalibelea was no exception. At the conclusion of this unforgetable trip, thanks to asute planning by Eskinder I was able to attend the Meskel Fesival in Addis Ababa, a choral celebration of church choirs in search of the lost cross. This was a mass expression of Ethiopian people's religious belief and devotion. The trip to Ethiopia was magnificent. Eskinder deserves 5 stars for his attention to detail, to his knowledge of what is the most interesting places to visit, to his organisational skills in making sure that everything flows smoothly and that the visitor has only to sit back and bask in the wonders of this beautiful, often mis-understood paradise. I owe a huge debt to Eskinder for never giving up on my wish to visit Ethiopia and his belief that I would eventually make it. So at 81 years old, that wish has finally been realised. For all of you who wish to "walk on a road less travelled", or "walk on the wild side" (sorry two poor puns), Ethiopia is just waiting to welcome you, to astonish you and to take a piece of your heart. I honestly recommend Eskinder Hailu of Highway Tours as the person most likely to create a custom-made visit to his country that will rate as one of the most astonishing places you have ever visited.
Don’t Miss This Tour
Robert K,
Jul 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Yeab was a spectacular tour guide and our driver was excellent. They made the day very special and I would strongly recommend them and the tour. The sights on the tour were remarkable and well worth the drive. 5 stars!!!
Great tour and insightful guide
anuvindk2022,
Feb 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It was an amazing tour but the best part was our guide Haben. He was only only informative but a great person to talk with. If you get a chance to have him as your guide, you are lucky!
Highly recommended!
Footprints95530,
Dec 4, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a very short time in Ethiopia and this trip was absolutely amazing. Eyob was a great guide, very helpful, informative and kind.
Great day tour with Haben (ETT)
tztoy,
Sep 29, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Went on 2 tours with ETT (Danakil will be reviewed separately). the day tour to Debre Libanos was amazing, with numerous Gelada monkeys to add to the miraculous experience. my guide was Haben (+251934824414 ). An amazing, funny guide, passionate about his country and a steady hand to use, when walking down the slippery Portuguese bridge :) It was a great and ease start to my travelling in Ethiopia. Definitely a great day tour from Addis! especially if you want to see the monkeys, but cannot go to Semien mountains
The professional planner
KOTA K,
Sep 9, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
my guide "Haben" made his best effort. even though the original plan has suspended by an official travel guidance and alert, he proposed an alternative plan. I had a lot of fun moments in Addis Ababa. Introducing history, driving in Merkato and talking are very professional. lunch and coffee break are also highlights. everyone should enjoy the time.
Good experience
jinhachoi815,
Aug 21, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It was good tour with guide Haben. It was very good experience about Ethiopian culture, food and history studying with tour company.
Fantastic Day Trip to Debre Libanos
V1185FMrogerh,
Aug 12, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Fantastic day out with Haben our guide. Hotel collection was well organized and I only made the booking the night before, good transport with an experienced driver, water and refreshments provided for the roughly 2 1/2 hour drive to Debre Libanos. Access to the monastery was organized as soon as we arrived along with a guide and tour of the museum. Portuguese Bridge and the waterfalls is fantastic. Traditional meal and coffee on the return journey was a great experience. Absolutely no complaints.
Debre Libanos
836priteshl,
Jul 22, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Eyob was amazing in planning and driver was great. Great experience of the old Monastery, lucky to see the Baboons and the Portuguese Bridge. Highly recommend this trip.