Day trip to Debre Libanose and Portuguese Bridge.

Visit the Debre Libanos Monastery and the Portuguese Bridge on a day tour. Learn about the history of the monastery and its role in spreading Christianity.
Discover the Debre Libanos Monastery and the Portuguese Bridge on a day tour from Addis Ababa. Visit the monastery, which played an important role in spreading Christianity in central Ethiopia, and see the bridge, which was built in the 19th century.

Founded in 1284 by the legendary Ethiopian saint Abuna Tekle Haimanot, the Debre Libanos Monastery played an important part in spreading Christianity in central Ethiopia. The church and its surrounds witnessed many historic events, including the arrival of the first Portuguese mission to Ethiopia in 1520, resistance of the Ethiopian patriots during the Italian invasion of 1936 – 1941, and much more.

The modern church was built in 1950, by King Haile Selassie to replace the one destroyed by the fascists. It is located in a small wooded gorge, 3 km off the main road. The landscape around the church is beautiful and serene, with wooded hills boosted by several streams and waterfalls.

Visit the cave where St. Tekle Haimanot prayed until his death at the age of 98. See the Portuguese Bridge, which was not as its name suggests built by the Portuguese but was in fact built in the 19th century by an Ethiopian, called Ras Dargein. It was built in the style of the 17th century bridges around the Nile.

Admire the breathtaking view in this area, with a waterfall and a deep gorge leading down to the Jemma River valley. Keep an eye out for several rare birds, such as the lammergeyer, Abyssinian ground hornbill, endemic banded barbet, Abyssinian woodpecker, and more. Spot the endemic Gelada baboons.

To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.

This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 24 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 24 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.