Day-Trip Church of Adadi Mariam from Addis Ababa
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 15 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Day-Trip Church of Adadi Mariam from Addis Ababa worth booking?
Day-Trip Church of Adadi Mariam from Addis Ababa is a 7-hour experience in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from $315 per person. It scores 63 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 15 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 63 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (15)
- Duration
- 7 hours
- From
- $315 per person
It is about 8-hours guided day tour from Addis Ababa by drive with private vehicle. The tour includes: - - Scenic stops at best viewpoints to see the Great East African Rift Valley - Visiting the unique rock church of Adadi Mariam (13th Century AD) - Exploring the ancient grave site of Tiya (UNESCO World Heritage from 14th Century AD) - Learning Ethiopian history as you see the huge carved grave stones of Tiya - - Visiting villages of locals for cultural experience to learn how to make Enjera (Ethiopian bread) - Experiencing traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony and learn how Coffee is enjoyed with a ceremony This private day tour from Addis Ababa is limited to a maximum of 6 people. Day Tour to Adadi Mariam Rock Church and Steles of Tiya takes 8 to 9 hours. The day tour is with professional experienced French or English-speaking local tour guide. We use private comfortable air-conditioned vehicle for the day tour from Addis Ababa. Total driving distance is about 200 km.
What you get
About this experience
It is about 8-hours guided day tour from Addis Ababa by drive with private vehicle. The tour includes: - - Scenic stops at best viewpoints to see the Great East African Rift Valley - Visiting the unique rock church of Adadi Mariam (13th Century AD) - Exploring the ancient grave site of Tiya (UNESCO World Heritage from 14th Century AD) - Learning Ethiopian history as you see the huge carved grave stones of Tiya - - Visiting villages of locals for cultural experience to learn how to make Enjera (Ethiopian bread) - Experiencing traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony and learn how Coffee is enjoyed with a ceremony This private day tour from Addis Ababa is limited to a maximum of 6 people. Day Tour to Adadi Mariam Rock Church and Steles of Tiya takes 8 to 9 hours. The day tour is with professional experienced French or English-speaking local tour guide. We use private comfortable air-conditioned vehicle for the day tour from Addis Ababa. Total driving distance is about 200 km.
What's included
Included
- Bottled water
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Typical Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony attendance and Coffee
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Lunch
- Local family visits
- Professional experienced English speaking tour guide
Not included
- Entrance fees
What you'll see and do
Adadi Maryam
Drive 62 south of Addis Ababa to Adadi Mariam. On the way stop at viewpoints to see the Geat East African Rift Valley. At Adadi Mariam, visit the unique still functional church which was carved out of a single piece of rock in the 13th Century AD by the famous King Lalibela.
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Tiya World Heritage Site
At Tiya World Heritage Site, visit about 40 huge stone grave markers erected in memory of local heros between the 12th to the 14th Century AD.
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Melka Kunture
Take a guided tour to visit exhibits of ancient stone tools and fossils displayed in four sections. Focus of the exhibits and archaeological findings are on Prehistoric Africa, Geology, Paleoanthropology, and Prehistory of Melka Kunture. Visit also the “Open Air Museum’, actual excavation site, which is older than 800,000 years.
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Merit Ethiopian Experience Tours
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Dress code is formal and women are advised to cover hairs when visiting churches
- If the tour is taken in June, July or August, please be prepared for the rainy weather and bring raincoat/umbrellas
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Vegetarian and Gluten-free options are available, please advise at time of booking if required
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 15 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
10 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
3 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
15 verified traveler reviews for Day-Trip Church of Adadi Mariam from Addis Ababa. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
More than just a tour!
This was a fantastic experience that, thanks to Henok (our guide), became a memorable trip as he spend time talking about aspects you would miss as a tourist. Henok would translate the local context to help us understand Ethiopian traditions from their own perspective.
Response from the operator: Hello Dear Antonio, This is Muluken. Thank you so much for your day tour from Addis Ababa to the rock-church of Adadi Mariam and the local market with us! I am excited to hear that Henok made such a positive impression. We believe that a great tour should go beyond just seeing the sites; it’s about understanding the "why" behind our traditions. I’m glad Henok was able to provide that local perspective and translate the rich context of our culture for you. We truly appreciate you choosing Merit Ethiopian Experience Tours. It was a pleasure having you, and we hope to welcome you back for another wonderful tour in Ethiopia someday! Warmest regards, Muluken Girma Merit Ethiopian Experience Tours (MEET)
via Tripadvisor
Great expirience
We had an excellent experience during our tour in Addis Ababa, specifically the “Day Trip to Adadi Mariam Rock Church, Rift Valley and Tiya Cemetery.” Our guide, Biruk, was very professional at all times—punctual, friendly, and extremely knowledgeable about the history and culture of each place we visited. He answered all our questions and made every stop interesting and engaging. We would also like to highlight our driver, Bekele, who did a fantastic job. He drove safely and made the whole journey comfortable and smooth. The organization of the tour was impeccable, allowing us to make the most of the day without any worries. Thanks to their dedication and positive attitude, we had a very enjoyable and fulfilling day. We would definitely recommend this tour to anyone who wants to explore the surroundings of Addis Ababa in a comfortable, informative, and well-organized way.
Response from the operator: Hello, This is Muluken from Merit Ethiopian Experience Tours. Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re glad you had a great experience and enjoyable day exploring the historic surroundings of Addis Ababa with us. Yes, our guides are passionate about sharing Ethiopia’s history, so it’s wonderful to hear that Biruk showed it during your day tour from Addis Ababa to the Adadi Mariam Rock Church and Tiya. I’ll share your review with Biruk! We’re also pleased you felt comfortable and safe throughout the journey with driver Bekele. Safety on tours is always a top priority for us at Merit Ethiopian Experience Tours. Thank you for mentioning the flexible pace of the tour and recommending our travel services to visit sites around Addis Ababa! Lastly, we’d love to see a couple of photos you took during the tour. Feel free to upload it to our gallery for other travelers to see! Many thanks and warmest regards, Muluken Girma Merit Ethiopian Experience Tours (MEET)
via Tripadvisor
Authentic Cultural Experiences with a Knowledgeable Guide
Mullen Girma is an excellent tour guide. He is hospitable, courteous, and knowledgeable. His knowledge extends to local tribal cultures and also to the ancient beliefs and practices of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. He also provided us with a authentic experiences such as watching a local villager make bread from a banana tree, which we were then able to taste together. I highly recommend his tour for an authentic cultural experience.
Response from the operator: Dear Guest, This is Muluken from Merit Ethiopian Experience Tours. Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It is always a pleasure to guide guests and know they had such a great experience. Thank you for booking your private day trip near Addis Ababa to visit Adadi Maryam Rock-Hewn Church, Tiya Cemetery and the cultural experiences along the way. We also appreciate you taking the time to share your tour with me as your tour guide! I’m very proud to know my knowledge of Ethiopian traditions, including the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, helped make your experience more meaningful. I’m truly happy you enjoyed the authentic process of seeing local bread made from the Enset (false banana) and tasting it together. Those are the kinds of genuine cultural connections we, at Merit Ethiopian Experience Tours, love to share. Thank you again for your recommendation. We hope to welcome you back for more unforgettable experiences in Ethiopia! Wishing you all the best, Muluken Girma Merit Ethiopian Experience Tours
via Tripadvisor
Great tour
A great tour. Brook is a great guide. He knows his material. He was flexible with our schedule to spend time where we were most interested. I highly recommend this company!
Response from the operator: Hello Randall, Thank you so much for booking our day trip from Addis Ababa to visit the rock church of Adadi Mariam and the cemetery site at Tiya! I’m very glad you finding it a ‘great tour’. Thank you also for taking time to share your experience with us on TripAdvisor! We appreciate that you mentioned Biruk’s performance on his guiding and the flexibility you enjoyed during the tour. Yes, offering personalised, flexible tours with professional guidance is among our top goals at Merit Ethiopian Experience Tours. Thank you again for recommending our company! We look forward to taking you on a multi days tour in Ethiopia someday All the best, Muluken Girma Merit Ethiopian Experience Tours (MEET)
via Tripadvisor
Memorable Day
We took the day trip to the Church of Adadi Mariam. Our driver and guide Henok arrived promptly at 7 am to pick us up. The vehicle was spacious and very clean, our driver excellent and very attentive. Our guide was very interesting and you could tell that he really enjoyed his job. We made several stops on the way to the church, the countryside is very beautiful, and the people friendly. after visiting the church we visited Tiya, here we visited a local home where cooking skills were demonstrated, a great experience and lovely food. We also took part in a coffee ceremony, great coffee and a big thank-you to the local people who made us feel so welcome in their homes. We had a memorable day thanks to our amazing driver and guide
Response from the operator: Hello! We are so grateful that you booked the day trip from Addis Ababa to Adadi and Tiya with Merit Ethiopian Experience Tours! It is really a great pleasure to read such a detailed and wonderful review from really satisfied guest. Thank you so much for your feedback on TripAdvisor!! Honestly, you mentioned the most important qualities we value at Merit Ethiopian Tours. It is wonderful to know that you enjoyed your experience with guide Henok and driver Sirak. I loved the title you used to express your tour - Memorable Day! Thanks a lot once again! All the best, Muluken Girma Merit Ethiopian Experience Tours
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 5
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Merit Ethiopian Experience Tours, who run 7 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 62.3.
See everything Merit Ethiopian Experience Tours runsWhy this scores 63
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Day-Trip Church of Adadi Mariam from Addis Ababa: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Addis Ababa.
How much does Day-Trip Church of Adadi Mariam from Addis Ababa cost?
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Prices start at $315 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Addis Ababa usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Day-Trip Church of Adadi Mariam from Addis Ababa take?
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Plan for about 7 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Addis Ababa is not rushed.
Is Day-Trip Church of Adadi Mariam from Addis Ababa worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 63 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 15 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Addis Ababa, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Day-Trip Church of Adadi Mariam from Addis Ababa?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Day-Trip Church of Adadi Mariam from Addis Ababa suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Day-Trip Church of Adadi Mariam from Addis Ababa?
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Around 5 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Addis Ababa can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Addis Ababa and add a light layer if any part of the 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Day-Trip Church of Adadi Mariam from Addis Ababa start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Addis Ababa within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Addis Ababa?
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On Outty we rank every Addis Ababa experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Addis Ababa Authentic Private City Tour, Addis Ababa Guided City Tour With Airport & Hotel Pick Up, Full Day Tour of Addis Ababa with Hotel Pickup and Drop-off. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Addis Ababa?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Addis Ababa?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Day-Trip Church of Adadi Mariam from Addis Ababa?
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Included: Bottled water; Hotel pickup and drop-off; Typical Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony attendance and Coffee; In-vehicle air conditioning; and Lunch. Not included: Entrance fees. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Day-Trip Church of Adadi Mariam from Addis Ababa include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 362 listed pickup locations in and around Addis Ababa. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Day-Trip Church of Adadi Mariam from Addis Ababa offered in?
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It is offered in English, French and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Day-Trip Church of Adadi Mariam from Addis Ababa?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Day-Trip Church of Adadi Mariam from Addis Ababa wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Day-Trip Church of Adadi Mariam from Addis Ababa if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Addis Ababa. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Day-Trip Church of Adadi Mariam from Addis Ababa?
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Across 15 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, organization. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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