Discover Debre Libanos Monastery, Portuguese Bridge and Jimma Valley

5.0
(2 reviews)

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10 hours (approximately)
Pickup offered
Offered in: English and 1 more

We will visit one of the most important sites in the history of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Admire stunning views of the Gur River from the Portuguese Bridge, as it plunges into a waterfall hundreds of meters high. You will also see a cave where Gelada baboons sleep at night. Look out for the endemic birds including banded barbet, Abyssinian woodpecker, Ruppell's black chat and white-winged cliff chat. Then, descend to the Blue Nile gorge, often compared to the Grand Canyon and cited as "the largest canyon in Africa."

What's Included

Private transportation
Lunch
Alcoholic Beverages
Gratuities

Meeting and pickup

Pickup points
You can choose a pickup location at checkout (multiple pickup locations are available).
Pickup details:

Customers can meet us at our office which is within the compound of the Taitu Hotel, or we can pick up customers from any hotel within 6km of the Taitu Hotel.

OR
Meeting point
Venture Ethiopia

Customers can meet us at our office which is within the compound of the Taitu Hotel, or we can pick up customers from any hotel within 6km of the Taitu Hotel.

End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Duration: 10 hours (approximately)
  • 1
    Debre Libanos Orthodox Church

    Founded in 1284 by Abuna Tekle Haymanot, Debre Libanos Monastery served as the centre of the Ethiopian Church for almost 500 years. Today, the site has a calm, tranquil feel, situated amongst pleasant woodland and streams, but in 1937 this was the site of one of the worst atrocities of the Italian occupation. Fascist troops attacked and destroyed the monastery, killing 297 monks, more than 100 deacons and at least 400 lay people. Although a new church was constructed on the site in the 1950s, it never regained the same status it previously held as a centre of religious learning. It does, however, remain an important pilgrimage site for Orthodox Christians, who come to pay homage to the bones of the massacred monks.

    3 hours • Admission ticket included
  • 2
    Portuguese Bridge

    There is controversy about the origins of the so-called Portuguese Bridge. According to some, it was built in the 16th century by the Portuguese, but others say that it was built by Ras Darge (Emperor Menelik II’s uncle) in the 19th century. After crossing the Portuguese Bridge, walk a short way along the side of the river until and you'll reach a large rock from where you can see a magnificent 600m waterfall. The waterfall is at its most impressive during the rainy season (July-September). You may also see endemic Galada Baboons here.

    3 hours • Admission ticket included

Additional info

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Supplied by Venture Ethiopia

Tags

Day Trips
Full-day Tours
Bus Tours
Private Sightseeing Tours
Cultural Tours
Historical Tours
Zombie
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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Rating

5.0 Based on 2 2 reviews
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