Ethiopia is historically, culturally and naturally fascinating for travelers. A trip to Debre Libanos Monastery combines all of this. The history of orthodox Christianity in Ethiopia is displayed there - to this day, Debre Libanos Monastry is considered one of Ethiopia's holy sites. The monastery is nestled in a magnificent landscape: the Jemma Valley. Rock faces rise up around the Jemma River, often overgrown with green plants, where rare, grazing Jelada baboons live. Finally, on one of the small rivers that flow into the valley, you will find a historic work of architecture: the Portuguese Bridge, which makes an enchanting photo opportunity.
Leaving in the early morning from your hotel or the airport, we will drive towards Debre Libanos, visiting a local village on the way to see local lifestyle and housing, we proceed and stop at a viewpoint giving as a great view on the Jemma river valley, finally we reach Debre Libanos, where we first visit the Teklehaimanot Monastry Church and enjoy a local lunch afterwards. After lunch we will do a 2 hour trekking tour, exploring the montainous landscape and its wildlife inhabitants, like the grazing Jelada Baboons or rare birds like the nectare eating Malachite and Tacazze Sunbirds, the Lanner Falcon or the impressive Lammergeier. We then come to the Portugese bridge with the first waterfall under the bridge and the next waterfall and swimming opportunity just 20 minutes walking away (swimming until mid to end of October), and a third waterfall just some more walking minutes more. After this refreshing walk, we drive back to Addis Ababa, where we arrive in the evening around 6 to 7 pm at your hotel or the airport.
Optionally you can book the traditional dinner with local danse show on top of this tour.