3 Day Private Meskel Festival, Addis Ababa City and Debre Libanos Monastery Tour

Overview

Day by day itinerary

1. 1Trip To Debre Libanos & Blue Nile Gorge (September 25)⌄

   Debre Libanos is an important monastic center for Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity. The monastery was founded by the renowned 13th century mystic, St Teklehaimanot. Before driving back to Addis, we will stop at the Jemma River Gorge. The Jemma River is one of the tributaries of the Nile, and there is a drop of nearly 1000 metros to the valley below. We will walk downhill to the 17th century Portuguese Bridge. Here we can expect to see plenty of birdlife including the Banded Barbet, the Black headed forest oriole, the White billed starling, the Red Billed starling, the White winged cliff chat, the White backed black tit, white cheeked Turaco and Hemprich's hornbill.

   Portuguese bridge near Debre Libanos was erected by the Portuguese in the 16th century; it was actually built at the turn of the 19th century by Ethiopians, albeit in the old Portuguese style. The narrow span makes a pretty picture and the gushing (in the rainy season) cascade just below it is even more impressive. We will also see one of Ethiopia's endemic mammals, the Gelada or bleeding heart baboon. Leaving the Gorge we drive back to Addis Ababa.

   Meals: Lunch

   Overnight: Overnight Caravan or Denver Hotel

2. 2Addis Ababa City Tour and Meskel Festival (September 26)⌄

   We offer the city walking or car with driver/guide where you’ll meet the local and visit all the best sightseeing with coffee and lunch breaks on your way, which will lead by a tour guide, as an escort. Start the day looking down on Addis Ababa from Entoto Mountain, the capital of Ethiopia before Addis Ababa. Here you will have panoramic views of the city with fresh air from the eucalyptus forests.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch

   Overnight: Overnight Caravan or Denver Hotel

3. 3Trip to Adadi Mariyam, Tiya and Melka kunture (September 27)⌄

   The tour starts with a pick up from airport or your hotel, and then drive to Tiya Stelae. This full day excursion southwest of Addis Ababa gives visitors the chance to visit archeological sites as well as the intact rock-hewn church of Adadi Mariam. Believed to be constructed the famous king Lalibela.