Cultural · Wildlife · Private
Debre Libanos & the Jemma Gorge
A thirteenth-century monastery on a cliff ledge, gorge views, and gelada monkeys on the rim — a day north of Addis.
The Journey
A single day, designed around the hours that matter
A hundred kilometres north of the capital, the great monastery founded by Saint Tekle Haymanot sits between a cliff and the gorge of a Blue Nile tributary. We pair it with short walks to the gorge viewpoints and the old stone bridge. It can also run as an overnight at a lodge on the rim.
Places
- Debre Libanos
- Jemma Gorge
Tailor-made journey
Priced to your plans
Quoted individually once we know your dates, lodges and group size.
- Duration
- 1 Day
- Best season
- Oct – May
- Group size
- 2 – 8 guests
- Style
- Cultural · Wildlife · Private
Final pricing depends on season, room category and group size. No deposit is taken until the itinerary is right.
Day by Day
The itinerary, as it usually runs
A working draft rather than a fixed schedule — we move days around for weather, festivals and how you are feeling.
Morning
North across the plateau
Out of Addis and north across the farmland of the Shewa plateau, arriving at Debre Libanos by mid-morning.
Midday
The monastery
The monastery founded in 1284 by Tekle Haymanot, its church, its museum, and the terrace between the cliffs and the gorge — still a place of pilgrimage.
Afternoon
The Jemma gorge & the bridge
Short walks to the gorge viewpoints and the stone bridge built in the 1890s by Ras Darge, with gelada monkeys grazing along the rim. Back in Addis by evening.
What Is Included
- A private vehicle and guide for the day
- Monastery and museum entry
- A local guide for the gorge walks
- Lunch on the gorge rim
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Addis Ababa
Not Included
- Travel insurance (required)
- An optional overnight at the rim (on request)
- Church donations and gratuities
Enquire
Make Debre Libanos & the Jemma Gorge yours
Send us your dates and we will confirm availability, quote precisely, and suggest the two or three changes we would make if it were our own trip.
Runs Oct – May · 2 – 8 guests · priced to your plans
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Speak With a Designer
Questions before you enquire?
Altitude, road time, how hard the walking really is, whether the children will cope. Ask us anything — a designer will answer honestly.
Or call us directly on +1909-450-7246