ETHIOPIA
Ethiopia's standouts.
The 10 most popular monastery & cave church tours in Ethiopia. What each one actually involves, who guides it, and what it costs.
Addis Ababa day trip to Debre Libanos and Portuguese Bridge, with Blue Nile Gorge views, gelada monkeys, birds, coffee, and lunch.
“We had a wonderful trip with a great guide, Sissay! The sightseeing, guide, and food were beyond our expectations. I strongly recommend this trip with Sissay.”
Day trip from Addis to Debre Libanos, Blue Nile Gorge, Portuguese Bridge, and a cave church, with endemic primates, lunch, and views.
“The guide Gabru was very good, knowledege of the area, kind and very entertaining. the scenery was amazing. worth the trip.”
Entoto Mountains day trip from Addis Ababa: Debre Libanos, Portuguese Bridge, wildlife and church stops, pickup and lunch included.
“Teka was a great guide. The churches, baboons, and waterfall were well worth the bumpy ride. Would definitely recommend.”
A $81 day trip from Addis Ababa to Debre Libanos monastery, the 16th-century Portuguese Bridge, and a chance to spot Gelada monkeys.
“Great day tour from Addis! Abe was a great tour guide—extremely knowledgeable about early human history and Ethiopian religious history. We learned so much!”
Private 2-day Lalibela tour with transfers: northern rock churches, museum, Yemrehana Krestos cave church with mummies, and St. George.
“Unfortunately Chris wasn't available when we were at Lalibela but he arranged another guide for us. The first day he told us a lot and we really enjoyed the tour but the second day we had to ask questions instead to get more information. OverRead more”
Private day tour from Addis Ababa to Debre Libanos Monastery and Portuguese Bridge, with Oromo coffee and Gelada baboons.
“Excellent tour to Debre Libros Monastery and the Jemma River Gorge. Also included a stop at a farm. My guides were Abem and Biruk. They were very professional and knowledgeable about the culture and history of Ethiopia. I was picked uRead more”
Lalibela rock-hewn churches, an early Bet Medhane Alem service, and the Yemrehane Kirstos cave church on a private guided day.
“Our group enjoyed stay in Lalibela with Daniel. All places you go are well worth visiting - churches on town, cave monastery etc.”
Private day trip from Bahir Dar to Lake Tana monasteries and Blue Nile Falls, with pickup, flexible timing, and fewer crowds.
“Mass, the guide, now friend is one of a kind. The places are mesmerising, got lucky to see a huge snake and birds blooming in color, geese with chicks, some traditional stuff I chose, (my request, nothing is forced upon you), met great pRead more”
Day trip from Addis Ababa to Debre Libanos monastery and Portuguese Bridge, with wildlife sightings, Ethiopian lunch, and coffee ceremony.
“Prior attempts to make email contact to confirm pick up location were unsuccessful. Upon arriving at Bole International Airport I had no phone service and so was assisted to contact tour company first by information desk in terminal, then hoRead more”
Debre Libanos monastery and Portuguese Bridge waterfalls with bird spotting, mountain drive, coffee ceremony, and lunch. Pickup from Addis.
“I had a two-day stop over in Addis and contacted Yonas to set up some tours. On Sunday, he arranged for a trip to the Blue Nile Gorge, a couple of hours outside Addis. My driver/guide, Adisu, expertly navigated the Addis traffic and in no timRead more”
