Full-Day Debre Libanos Monastery & Portuguese Bridge Tour

Visit the Debre Libanos Monastery

Spot a Baboon near a Gur River

Travel from Addis Ababa to Debre Libanos Monastery & Portuguese Bridge

Go to some of the other major landmarks of Ethiopia

Highlights

Explore Debre Libanos Monastery

Walk on the famous Portuguese Bridge

Addis Ababa

nature, historical, sightseeing

Private Tour

1 Day

Easy

English

Description

Visit the historic Debre Libanos, a 13th-century monastery of Ethiopia in the Oromia Region and learn about its role in the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian religious history. Also, see the 20th century Portuguese Bridge, covering the Gur River and marvel at the beauty of nature from there.

Itinerary

Debre Libanos Monastery & Portuguese Bridge
- Depart Addis Ababa in the morning with your Ethiopian guide.
- Go to Debre Libanos Monastery and church.
- Enjoy a short walk to the Portuguese Bridge.
- Drive back to Addis Ababa.

What's Included

Lunch

All ground transportation, transfer in and out including fuel and driver allowance using brand new Coaster Bus (10-20 pax)

All entrance, local guide and scout fees

English-speaking Ethiopian guide

What's Excluded

Alcoholic beverages

Tips and gratuities

Personal expenses

Know Before You Go

The guide can arrange a tour based on your interests.

Debre Libanos is a monastery in Ethiopia, lying northwest of Addis Ababa in the Oromia Region. Founded in the thirteenth century by Saint Tekle Haymanot, the monastery’s chief abbot, called the Ichege, was the second most powerful official in the Ethiopian Church after the Abuna. The monastery complex sits on a terrace between a cliff and the gorge of one of the tributaries of the Abbay River (the Blue Nile). Slightly over 104 km from Addis Ababa, Debre Libanos is one of the best day trips from the Ethiopian capital. The monastery and church, northwest of the city, has played an important role in Ethiopian Orthodox Christian religious history and are reminders of Ethiopia’s struggle against the Italian occupation. In addition to its religious significance, Debre Libanos impresses all visitors with the surrounding landscape. Debre Libanos is located directly on the escarpment looking down into the canyon, providing spectacular views – a perfect location to stop and enjoy the surroundings.

Portuguese Bridge was built around the turn of the 20th century. The bridge spans the small Gur River which, just a few meters farther, pours into a 600-meter high waterfall down into the canyon.