15 Full-Day Trips in Ethiopia to Build a Day Around

1.Day Trip From Addis Ababa See Historical Monastery,Stunning Nature,Animals,Birds

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 303 reviews · from $90Our pick

From Bole Airport, travel with a guide such as Sisay, Yihun, or Freaw to Debre Libanos, the Portuguese Bridge, and the Jemma Gorge. Expect monastery history, rocky walking, Gelada sightings, birdlife, Ethiopian coffee, lunch, and wide mountain views. The small group can include up to 15 people.

“During our tour with Sisay around Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, we were captivated by the stunning natural beauty, including a breathtaking waterfall. The landscapes, mountains, and unique sights left us in awe, and Sisay's expertise made the experience unforgettable. We can't wait to return to explore more of this captivating country.”

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2.Day Trip From Addis Ababa To Debre Libanos & Portuguese Bridge

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 64 reviews · from $100

Leave Addis Ababa at 9 a.m. for Debre Libanos Monastery, the Jemma River Gorge, and Portuguese Bridge. You’ll ride in an air-conditioned vehicle, walk downhill to the bridge, watch for geladas and birds, and learn about Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity with a guide such as Kenaw or Eyob. The private tour lasts about 6 to 8 hours.

“Despite the the fact that the way we left the city and met other members of our trip was a little bit sophisticated, I really enjoyed the tour. The panoramas, view points, dinner, baboons (!!!!!)... It was really exciting! We also had a traditional coffee stop) The best way to spend a day in Addis Ababa if you're waiting for your flight. Highly recommended!”

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3.Day trip Debre Libanos, Bule nile George &Portugal Bridge

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 25 reviews · 9 hours · from $90

Travel privately from Addis Ababa to Debre Libanos, Saint Tekle Haymanot’s monastery, then continue to the 16th-century Portuguese Bridge, Jamma River, and Blue Nile Gorge. Your English-speaking guide handles transport, entry fees, and local customs. Expect about five hours on the road, striking views, wildlife, and a full day outside the capital.

“Excelente y recomendada experiencia, algo diferente al pasep de ciudad y metropolitana, valió absolutamente la pena , Es largo y cansador Pero lo vale”

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4.Day trip to Adadi Mariyam and Melka kunture

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 20 reviews · from $100

Travel from Addis Ababa in an air-conditioned vehicle with a guide and up to five other participants. See fossils and Stone Age tools at Melka Kunture, then enter Adadi Maryam, a 12th-century rock-hewn church known for its stonework and interior artwork. Admission, bottled water, taxes, and hotel transfers are included.

“The day trip was really amazing. The church is beautiful, particularly inside. really amazing artwork and stonework to create a very unique place. The archaeological site we were meant to visit was closed for maintenance, but the tour guidRead more”

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6.Escape From Addis – Day Trip To Debre Libanos And The Portuguese Bridge

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · from $195

Leave Addis at 7:00 a.m. with an English-speaking guide such as Beki or Alex for Debre Libanos, a thirteenth-century monastery, church, museum, and cave linked to St. Tekle Haymanot. Continue to the Blue Nile Gorge, Portuguese Bridge, waterfall, and Gelada baboon habitat before lunch and a late-afternoon return.

“Beki - very engaged and responsible guide. The car was clean , driving safe. Friendly atmosphere in Debre Libanos. Recommend to everyone!”

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7.Day trip on Bahir dar. To visit lake tana monasteries and Blue Nile Falls.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · from $250

Start at 7:00 am with Mass Ethiopia Tours for a private Bahir Dar outing to Lake Tana monasteries, ancient wall paintings, Bahir Dar Market, and Blue Nile Falls. Mass can adjust the day around your interests, including traditional sights, nature, art, and wildlife. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

“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”

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8.Day Trip to Rock Hewn Churches of Lalibela

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · from $45Best value

Meet your private guide at Lalibela Airport for an approximately eight-hour visit to Ethiopia’s extraordinary rock-cut churches. Spend about six hours at Bete Medhani Alem, Bete Mariam, Bete Meskel, and nearby sites, with live explanations of local history, culture, and birdlife. Admission, lunch, and shuttle costs are extra.

“It was a amazing tour of one of the most beautiful historical and religious areas in the world The tour guide was knowledgeable about the history of the region”

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9.Day Trip to Debre Zeit/ Bishoftu

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 14 reviews · from $150

Leave Addis Ababa with a private guide and air-conditioned vehicle for Bishoftu’s crater lakes. Walk beside Lake Hora, enjoy views of Bishoftu Lake, then take a boat on Lake Babogaya near Viewpoint Lodge Resort. Lunch, bottled water, coffee, and tea are included. Guide Beleta is one named guide associated with the experience.

“The lakes are nice and worth the trip, which was pleasant and without any delays or problems. The tourist guide was nice, however I encourage him to be more sharing with the group about surrounding information etc”

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10.Day Trip To See Monastrys,Amazing landscapes & Animals

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · from $120

Travel 105 km from Addis Ababa to Debre Libanos with an English-speaking guide, visiting its ancient monastery, museum, St Tekle Haymanot Church, Portuguese Bridge, waterfall, and Gelada monkey habitat. Joseph may guide you and George may drive. Lunch, transfers, entrance fees, coffee, and water are included.

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11.Day Trip to Gheralta’s Cliffside Churches, “Sacred Heights”

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · from $205

Set out from Axum at 8:30 a.m. with Arre Tours and guide Arre for a private hike through Gheralta’s dramatic cliffs. Visit Abune Yemata Guh, a church dating back about 1,400 years, then trek toward Maryam Korkor and Daniel Korkor near Megab. Transport and fees are included, but lunch is not.

“Solomon and his brother Arre are great tour operators with a vast network of people to assist you with all possible requests and schedule adjustments in your travels in Ethiopia.”

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12.DAY TRIP TO Debre Libanos Monastery Cave Church Nature and Wildlife

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 12 reviews · from $275

Travel privately from Addis Ababa across the Entoto Mountains to Debre Libanos, a major Ethiopian Orthodox pilgrimage site founded by Saint Tekle Haimanot. Walk to the church and holy-water spring, see baboons and waterfalls, cross the Portuguese Bridge, then enjoy Ethiopian lunch and a coffee ceremony. Guides may include Melaku, Birnabu, or Seya.

“I highly recommend this tour! A complete 10/10. My tour guide Melaku was professional and knowledgeable and as a plus he speaks perfect English, which was helpful as I am a U.S. traveler. Additionally, I am a solo female traveler and I felt 100Read more”

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13.Day Trip To Menagesha Suba Forest

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · from $100

Leave Addis Ababa at 9:00 am for Menagesha Suba Forest Park, a 2,500-hectare refuge of juniper, Erica trees, endemic birds, and Minilk bushbuck. An English-speaking guide, air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, park fees, and pickup from your hotel or airport are included. Expect a 7 to 9-hour day with some demanding walking.

“Finally reaching the waterfall after a difficult hike-a sense of accomplishment.this trip like my previous one with you shows the natural beauty of your amazing and unique country.”

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14.DAY TRIP TO THE UNESCO HERITAGE SITE TIYA & Melka Kunture

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 10 reviews · from $265

Travel from Addis Ababa in an air-conditioned vehicle to three remarkable sites: the UNESCO-listed Tiya stones, prehistoric Melka Kunture, and Adadi Maryam, a rock-hewn church linked to King Lalibela. A private English-speaking guide, driver, lunch, and bottled water are included.

“I booked this last minute (the night before), and am glad I did. I went with Walk In Ethiopia Tour Travel & Car Rental. My guide spoke perfect English, he and the driver were very friendly and solicitous, and pointed out lots of sites along the waRead more”

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15.Private Day Trip to Debre Libanos Portuguese Bridge Galada Baboon

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $199

Leave Addis Ababa for Debre Libanos monastery, the Portuguese Bridge, Jemma River Gorge, and Gelada baboons. This small-group trip includes transport, entrance fees, bottled water, and site guides. You will also taste tej in Sululta and finish with views from Mount Entoto. Guides such as Luel and Samuel are praised for friendly, flexible service.

“After our business trip, my colleagues and I took a day off and ventured outside the city to immerse ourselves in the local surroundings. Guided by Luel, we had a wonderfully comfortable and enjoyable experience. The team's professionalism aRead more”

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