Embark on a day trip from Addis Ababa to the Debre Libanos Monastery, a sacred Ethiopian destination. Explore this ancient site and visit the tomb of the saint who founded the monastery. Admire the architectural wonder of the church built by Haile Selassie. Descend into a cave to view a holy water spring and see the Gur River cascade into a canyon. Enjoy hotel or airport transfers for added convenience.
Highlights of this excursion include:
- Exploring a 13th-century monastery
- Discovering Ethiopia’s rich religious heritage
- Admiring a breathtaking waterfall
- Enjoying a personalized small-group experience
- All admission fees and transportation included
Itinerary
Day 1 :
Addis Ababa to Debre Libanos
After an early breakfast, drive outside of Addis Ababa to the site of a 13th century monastery, Debre Libanos, built by the Ethiopian saint, Abune Teklehaimanot. Although the original church was destroyed by Mussolini's forces, it is still a important pilgrimage site for the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. As an added bonus, packs of the the endemic Gelada Baboon are often seen nearby. A nearby overlook provides outstanding views of the famous Blue Nile Gorge, which is on par with Arizona’s Grand Canyon.
Enjoy a picnic lunch while enjoying the sights and songs of many of the native birds. Return to Addis through one of the famous teff growing regions of Ethiopia. (Teff is the grain from which the staple of Ethiopian cuisine, injera, is made.)
