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Portuguese Bridge

Portuguese Bridge: Our most recommended tours and activities

Addis Ababa: Cave Church, Blue Nile Gorge & Endemic Wildlife

1. Addis Ababa: Cave Church, Blue Nile Gorge & Endemic Wildlife

Visit the impressive Debre Libanos Monastery, the famed Portuguese Bridge, the spectacular Blue Nile Gorge, and the haunting Saint Teklehaimanot Cave Church in just one day with an English-speaking guide. Marvel at breathtaking mountain landscapes and endemic wildlife, like bleeding-heart gelada baboons. After pickup at your hotel or at the airport in Addis Ababa, drive 100 kilometers (68 miles) to the north and pass over undulating mountain ranges that shelter the famous bleeding-heart baboons, as well as various endemic birds. Arrive at Debre Libanos, a monastery complex founded by Ethiopian Saint Abune Tekle Haymanot in 1284 that sits on a terrace between a cliff and the gorge of one of the tributaries to the Blue Nile River (Jamma River). Then, experience the breathtaking views of the Blue Nile Gorge, often compared with Arizona’s Grand Canyon. Admire the Portuguese Bridge, built by Ras Darge in the 1890s in a classic Portuguese style. Enjoy the scenic views, interact with the Oromo people, and trek to the Saint Teklehaimanot Cave Church where around 300 monks were slaughtered in 1936 by Italian invaders. On the way back to Addis Ababa, make a stop at the Entoto Mountain for panoramic views of Addis Ababa from 3,300 meters (10,827 feet) above sea level. The tour concludes with drop-off at the airport or your hotel

Addis Ababa: Monasteries, Wildlife, & Hike Private Day Trip

2. Addis Ababa: Monasteries, Wildlife, & Hike Private Day Trip

We will pick you from Addis Ababa Bole Int airport or any hotel in Addis Ababa or houses then drive to north Ethiopia passing through the wonderful chain mountains and densely tree forest of Mount Entoto then after a two hours driving we will be arriving at one of the respected monastery of Ethiopia Debre Libanos is a monastery in Ethiopia which is lying northwest of Addis Ababa and it was Founded in the 13th century by Saint Tekle Haymanot and visit the museums that have a lot of ancient bible books collection with religious crosses later take a visit internal parts of the church with the tombs of the founder of the monastery then we will have a 10 min hiking to the cave(served like a praying area for the founder of the monastery ST Tekle Haymanot) finally take a walk and a hiking to the portugse bridge lying at the Blue Nile George to see the wonderful landscapes and Ethiopian endemic baboons which is called the Chelada Baboon and have a chance of seeing Ethiopian Birds. In the evening be transferred to the airport for your departure.

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What people are saying about Portuguese Bridge

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 6 reviews

This was the perfect way to spend my only free day in Addis Ababa - outside of the big smoke. I shared the tour with one other intrepid business traveler, and with our driver Tarmrat and tour-guide Alex we made a fine four. I was picked up from my hotel and the tour began with a short trip around some Addis landmarks, with Alex explaining the importance of Ethiopia and Ethiopian culture in the region and on the continent. Alex was also very knowledgeable as we pinged off random questions about this and that throughout the day. We experienced everything this tour promised - this spectacular baboon and his 20 or so family members, not to mention some live action as he chased away some wannabees, monasteries with surprising and frankly the most beautiful modern stain-glassed windows I have seen, spectacular scenery from the top of the Rift Valley, and some very lovely walks including to a cave chapel. Lunch was great; vegetarian if you wished, and finished with a perfect coffee ceremony

A fantastic, eye opening day to a lovely waterfall beside the Portuguese Bridge. The falls on shear cliffs over the Jamma River valley with green terraces far below is a scene you will remember for a long time. Zerefa the guide and Tamrat our expert driver made the day smooth and memorable. Knowledgeable and conscientious guides. We also visited an Omoro house and passed through villages and rolling countryside populated by goats, donkeys, and cattle. Along the road to the monastery and church (note these are not the ancient churches dug into the ground, which are farther north) we also encountered a troupe of baboons. The best part of the day was a detour we took to get back into Addis due to traffic along the normal route. Traversing steep neighborhoods of outer Addis gave a window into the street life of Addis. Beautiful and humbling trip

I only had a 16 hour layover in Ethiopia and this was the best way to spend my day. My guide and driver were absolutely amazing, always trying to make sure that I was getting the most of the experience. They explained so much of Ethiopia's culture and history to me. It felt like I was there for more than just a day. They really helped me with not getting bad deals from locals who wanted to charge more to foreigners. I wish I would have called them as soon as I arrived from the airport instead just taking a taxi outside of the airport because they definitely charged me way too much. At the end of the day this tour helped me to just relish in the moment and enjoy some of the best parts of Addis Ababa!

We had a very good time on our trip. The activity was safe and there was real attention to our interests.

The driver was a genius in traffic and the guide as honest and informative as you can be. Thanks somuch