Cultural · Private
The Southern Heritage Road
A million years of human history in a single day south of Addis — early tools, a rock-hewn church, and the carved stelae of Tiya.
The Journey
A single day, designed around the hours that matter
One road, three chapters of the past. The prehistoric site of Melka Kunture, the rock-hewn church of Adadi Mariam, and the World Heritage stelae field at Tiya, with the farmland of the upper Awash valley in between. An easy, rewarding day from the capital.
Places
- Melka Kunture
- Adadi Mariam
- Tiya & Adadi Mariam
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 · 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
Melka Kunture
About fifty kilometres out of the city, the prehistoric site on the upper Awash River, where obsidian tools more than 1.2 million years old have been found.
Midday
Adadi Mariam
The rock-hewn church 73 kilometres from Addis, attributed by tradition to King Lalibela's era — simpler than Lalibela, still in use, and rarely busy.
Afternoon
The stelae of Tiya
The World Heritage stelae field: 36 monuments, 32 of them carved with swords and symbols never fully explained. Back in Addis by early evening.
What Is Included
- A private vehicle and guide for the day
- Entry to Melka Kunture, Adadi Mariam and Tiya
- A packed or local lunch
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Addis Ababa
Not Included
- Travel insurance (required)
- Church donations and gratuities
Enquire
Make The Southern Heritage Road 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