
Explore the Ethiopian Rift Valley Lakes and the UNESCO Site of Steles of Tiya
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 3 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Explore the Ethiopian Rift Valley Lakes and the UNESCO Site of Steles of Tiya worth booking?
Explore the Ethiopian Rift Valley Lakes and the UNESCO Site of Steles of Tiya is a 10-hour experience in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from $375 per person. It scores 55 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 3 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 55 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (3)
- Duration
- 10 hours
- From
- $375 per person
Enjoy discovering few of Ethiopian Rift Valley Lakes and visiting the Steles of Tiya (14th Century AD and a UNESCO World Heritage). This is about 11 hours day trip from Addis to visit bird watching and spotting hippos, l
What you get
- Private comfortable Toyota Minivan or Corolla equipped with air conditioning and seat belts
- Local family visiting and attending a coffee ceremony fee
- Air port pickup and drop-off
- Bottled water and local snacks in the van
- Professional experienced English speaking tour guide
About this experience
Enjoy discovering few of Ethiopian Rift Valley Lakes and visiting the Steles of Tiya (14th Century AD and a UNESCO World Heritage). This is about 11 hours day trip from Addis to visit bird watching and spotting hippos, local family of the Oromo people, have great scenery of the Ethiopian part of the Great East African Rift Valley, and visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Steles of Tiya which date back to the 14th Century, located south of Addis Ababa. It is a great outing from Addis Ababa: - - Enjoy spotting various lowland water birds by walking around Lake Ziway (if lucky few hippos). - Appreciate the superb scenery of the Rift Valley - Experience the way of life of the countryside people of Oromo. - Attend a typical Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony. - Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tiya Cemetery. Tour price includes private comfortable Toyota Minivan, fuel (gasoline), family visiting fee, bottled water, coffee, and professional experienced English speaking tour guide.
What's included
Included
- Private comfortable Toyota Minivan or Corolla equipped with air conditioning and seat belts
- Local family visiting and attending a coffee ceremony fee
- Air port pickup and drop-off
- Bottled water and local snacks in the van
- Professional experienced English speaking tour guide
Not included
- Meals
- Admission (entrance) fees
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- And, any expense which is not mentioned in the "Included" list above
What you'll see and do
Tiya World Heritage Site
At Tiya Steles, visit about 42 huge stone Steles erected between the 12th and 14th Century AD in honor of local warriors.
45 minutes here · Admission not included
Lake Ziway
Walk by Lake Ziway for 30 minutes to an hour on Lake Ziway to spot a number of water birds species like Marabou Storks, Malachite Kingfisher, Sacred Ibis, African Fish Eagle, Hammerkobs, etc
60 minutes here · Admission included
Butajira
Have lunch at Butajira and stop at a couple of viewpoints to enjoy the great scenery of the Ethiopian part of the Great East African Rift Valley
60 minutes here
Bishoftu
Enjoy the picturesque view of one of the five crater lakes of Bishoftu (Debre Ziet). You will also have a short visit of a village of the Oromo people around Bishoftu.
30 minutes here
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
- de, en
- 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 pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- As June, July and August are the rainy season, dress accordingly and get umbrellas.
Photos






Good to know
- Duration
- 10 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
- 1
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 55
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Explore the Ethiopian Rift Valley Lakes and the UNESCO Site of Steles of Tiya: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Addis Ababa.
How much does Explore the Ethiopian Rift Valley Lakes and the UNESCO Site of Steles of Tiya cost?
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Prices start at $375 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 Explore the Ethiopian Rift Valley Lakes and the UNESCO Site of Steles of Tiya take?
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Plan for about 10 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 Explore the Ethiopian Rift Valley Lakes and the UNESCO Site of Steles of Tiya worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 55 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 3 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 Explore the Ethiopian Rift Valley Lakes and the UNESCO Site of Steles of Tiya?
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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 Explore the Ethiopian Rift Valley Lakes and the UNESCO Site of Steles of Tiya suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 10-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Explore the Ethiopian Rift Valley Lakes and the UNESCO Site of Steles of Tiya?
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Around 1 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 10-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Explore the Ethiopian Rift Valley Lakes and the UNESCO Site of Steles of Tiya 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, Full Day Tour of Addis Ababa with Hotel Pickup and Drop-off, Day Trip From Addis Ababa See Historical Monastery,Stunning Nature,Animals,Birds. 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.
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