The monastery founded by the renowned 13th century mystic, Saint Teclehaimanot, Debre Libanos, is an important monastic center for Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, there was and there is a small cave near the church where he is said to have stood for seven years on one leg and pray until the other wasted away and dropped off.

On the tour to Debrelibanos, visitors can combine history, culture and nature with some good bird watching, as the road takes you through the Sululta Plain there is a chance to see Black-winged plovers, Wattled Ibis, Blue-winged geese, Common Cranes and Wheat ears.

On arrival at Debre Libanos, we will first stop at the Jemma River gorge and enjoy a drop of nearly 1000 meters to the valley below. Here at the gorge (and in the forest around the church) we can expect to see different species of birds and one of Ethiopia’s endemic mammals, the Gelada or bleeding-heart baboon.

Leaving the Gorge proceed to the church. After the visit to church and Museum visitors can either make the climb to the cave of St Teklehaimanot or hike to the 16th C Portuguese bridge.

 Lunch at local restaurant Ethiopian traditional Coffee ceremony and in the early afternoon leave and returning to Addis Ababa in the early evening.