Portuguese Bridge Tickets and Tours

Historical and Nature Day Trip To Debre Libanos Monastery

A must-do day trip from Addis Ababa!!

We had a fabulous day A must-do day trip from Addis! We had a fabulous day with our guide Kiru and driver Grum who created a perfect escape from the city. You’ll have to put up with the three-hour drive over bumpy roads but what you’ll see is worth it! On the way you’ll have views of Ethiopian towns and rural life as well as, on the return trip, the expanding modern city. Our first stop was the Debre Libanos Monastery founded in 1941 on a site made holy by the 18th C hermit Saint Tekle Haymanot. Our visit was during the holy days around the Assumption of St Mary and there were hundreds of pilgrims trudging up the long hill to pray. One of the monks, whom Kiru knew, gave us a tour so we learned the history of the place and visited the museum, which exhibits artifacts from the monastery’s long history. Immediately afterwards we headed to a fruit and spice market spread out under an amazing centuries-old tree, where we wandered, practiced our ‘Salaam walloo’ and bought some tea and bananas. We loved seeing this slice of Ethiopian country life. A bit further on we stopped to spend an hour with the Gelada baboons that live in the cliffs over the Blue Nile. How amazing to watch up close the interactions in the baboon families. We couldn’t believe how close we were able to observe! Then it was on to the real highlight of the day, the Blue Nile Gorge. Make sure you wear hiking shoes! We (two 70-year olds) found the rocky hike down to the Portuguese Bridge and the hike up the other side along the river to the falls challenging. But the breathtaking view of the dramatic falls when we got up to the precipice was so worth the effort. Our fatigue was rewarded afterwards with a nice cold beer and nice lunch at the home of Meseret where we enjoyed the view of the magnificent gorge and learned about Ethiopian cuisine. On the way back down we stopped at the ‘Cool Bar and Restaurant’ a roadside shanty for the traditional coffee ceremony and delicious coffee. I enthusiastically recommend this exhilarating experience and these engaging informed and fun guides. our guide Kiru and driver Grum who created a perfect escape from the city. You’ll have to put up with the three-hour drive over bumpy roads but what you’ll see is worth it! On the way you’ll have views of Ethiopian towns and rural life as well as, on the return trip, the expanding modern city. Our first stop was the Debre Libanos Monastery founded in 1941 on a site made holy by the 18th C hermit Saint Tekle Haymanot. Our visit was during the holy days around the Assumption of St Mary and there were hundreds of pilgrims trudging up the long hill to pray. One of the monks, whom Kiru knew, gave us a tour so we learned the history of the place and visited the museum, which exhibits artifacts from the monastery’s long history. Immediately afterwards we headed to a fruit and spice market spread out under an amazing centuries-old tree, where we wandered, practiced our ‘Salaam walloo’ and bought some tea and bananas. We loved seeing this slice of Ethiopian country life. A bit further on we stopped to spend an hour with the Gelada baboons that live in the cliffs over the Blue Nile. How amazing to watch up close the interactions in the baboon families. We couldn’t believe how close we were able to observe! Then it was on to the real highlight of the day, the Blue Nile Gorge. Make sure you wear hiking shoes! We (two 70-year olds) found the rocky hike down to the Portuguese Bridge and the hike up the other side along the river to the falls challenging. But the breathtaking view of the dramatic falls when we got up to the precipice was so worth the effort. Our fatigue was rewarded afterwards with a nice cold beer and nice lunch at the home of Meseret where we enjoyed the view of the magnificent gorge and learned about Ethiopian cuisine. On the way back down we stopped at the ‘Cool Bar and Restaurant’ a roadside shanty for the traditional coffee ceremony and delicious coffee. I enthusiastically recommend this exhilarating experience and these engaging informed and fun guides.

Same-day adventure of Debre Libanos & Jema Gorge excursions

The road trip to an amazing view and nature

I had an unforgettable experience. If you love nature, breathtaking panoramic views, hiking, and scenic road trips, this tour is truly a must. Our guide was professional, knowledgeable, and passionate, making every stop even more memorable. You can afford to miss everything—but not this tour. Highly recommended!

Debre Libanos Monastery and Portuguese Bridge Day Trip

The journey to Debres Libanos.

Henok was the perfect tour guide. He kept in touch prior to the pick up. He narrated most of the trip for us and answered all of our questions. The driver negotiated the path of the massive corridor project seamlessly. Henok arranged the tour through the monastery and the museum. He arranged a pasta lunch when we told him that we preferred something different from the fasting menu at lunch. We had a lovely hike down to the valley and the bridge. We strongly recommend Henok and this tour. The journey is just as captivating as the destination.