Taking in the view at the Blue Nile Gorge

Discover Debre Libanos Monastery, Portuguese Bridge and Jimma Valley

How to Get Around
Digital
600 minutes
English

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."

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Discover Debre Libanos Monastery, Portuguese Bridge and Jimma Valley

Pickup included

From$160.86Per Person

What's included in Discover Debre Libanos Monastery, Portuguese Bridge and Jimma Valley

(Subject to Option Inclusions)

Itinerary

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.

Admission Ticket Included

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.

Admission Ticket Included

Inclusions

  • Private transportation
  • Lunch
  • Alcoholic Beverages
  • Gratuities
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Meet

Pickup and Dropoff

You can choose to be picked up from a list of locations, or alternatively, have the choice to make your own way to the meeting points

Please arrive at the pick up point 30 minutes before departure time.

Additional Information

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.

Meeting / End Points

  • 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.

Redeem

Ticket Redemption

Direct access

Please show this ticket to your guide at the start of your tour

Operator

Venture Ethiopia