Ethiopia & East Africa · office in Gondar · Open daily · 8:00 - 18:00 (East Africa Time)
Southern & Eastern Ethiopia
A cliff-hanging medieval monastery above the Blue Nile gorge, tucked beneath forested cliffs an easy day north of Addis Ababa.
Debre Libanos is one of Ethiopia's holiest monasteries, founded in the 13th century and rebuilt after a fire in modern times. It sits beneath a towering sandstone cliff that the locals call the 'hand of god'.
Beyond the church, a path leads along the cliff to the Tisieyat waterfall, where the Qechim River drops from the plateau into a forested bowl — often accompanied by a troop of gelada baboons.
It is a perfect half-to-full day escape from the capital, combining religion, geology and highland scenery.
Trecento royal patronage and vivid modern murals in a cliff-shadowed compound.
A hidden cascade reached by a cliff path through juniper forest.
Gelada troops graze the grasslands where the road meets the escarpment.
Most travellers arrive through Addis Ababa's Bole International Airport, then fly or drive north. We arrange every flight, transfer and road leg as part of your itinerary.
Read the transport guideDomestic flights link the capital with Gondar, Lalibela, Axum and Bahir Dar across the northern circuit.
We arrange airport and hotel transfers as part of every itinerary.
The northern circuit can be driven between sites by private 4x4, which we arrange for you.
See a functioning medieval monastery beneath a 100-metre cliff.
Walk the gorge to the hidden Tisieyat waterfall.
Meet gelada baboons along the escarpment road.
Stand on the rim of the Blue Nile gorge's largest tributary canyon.
Monastery, gorge waterfall and mountain views in a day
A guided day north of Addis to the cliffside monastery of Debre Libanos, its sacred waterfall and the deep Blue Nile gorge — then back for the night.
The astonishing history of Ethiopia — the rock churches of Lalibela, castles of Gondar, stelae of Axum, monasteries of Lake Tana and the walled city of Harar.
Learn more
Guided multi-day treks across Ethiopia's great highlands — from the Simien escarpment and Ras Dashen to the Bale Mountains — fully supported with local guides.
Learn moreYes — the main path is broad and gentle; the very last stretch to the gorge rim is optional.
Most travellers combine this destination with another — the northern circuit, the Danakil, the Omo Valley or beyond. See which places fit your route.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the crown of the Ethiopian highlands — the 'Roof of Africa' — where sheer escarpments fall thousands of metres.
The 'Camelot of Africa' — an imperial city of castles, churches and a rich royal history in Ethiopia's northwest highlands.
Home to the extraordinary rock-hewn churches of Lalibela — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa's great pilgrimage destinations.
Send us an inquiry and we'll help you build the perfect itinerary — tours, timing and logistics included.
