
Private Full-Day Stone Age and Medieval Tour from Addis Ababa
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 3 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Full-Day Stone Age and Medieval Tour from Addis Ababa worth booking?
Private Full-Day Stone Age and Medieval Tour from Addis Ababa is a 8-hour experience in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from $162 per person. It scores 58 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
- 58 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (3)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $162 per person
Delve into Ethiopia's early history from the stone age through to rock-hewn churches and the mysterious medieval stelae field of Tiya. Visit an open-air excavation, a prehistoric animal butchering site and see artifacts excavated from across Ethiopia at the Melka Kunture museum. Step back in time at the Adadi Mariam rock-hewn church and explore the mysterious stelae field at Tiya.
What you get
About this experience
Delve into Ethiopia's early history from the stone age through to rock-hewn churches and the mysterious medieval stelae field of Tiya. Visit an open-air excavation, a prehistoric animal butchering site and see artifacts excavated from across Ethiopia at the Melka Kunture museum. Step back in time at the Adadi Mariam rock-hewn church and explore the mysterious stelae field at Tiya.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- Lunch
Not included
- Gratuities
- Alcoholic beverages
What you'll see and do
The journey to Melka Kunture prehistoric site takes just over an hour. Here, you will be shown round the museum and excavations by a local guide.
90 minutes here · Admission included
Adadi Maryam
The drive to see the rock-hewn church of Adadi Mariam takes you deep into the countryside, where people still live and work the land in very traditional ways. After a guided tour of the church of Adadi Mariam, you will have lunch in a local cafe, where there will be the chance to try some traditional dishes.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Tiya World Heritage Site
After lunch, you'll continue your journey on to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Tiya. A small museum explains the history and significance of the site, along with other stellae fields across the country. You will then return to Addis Ababa in the late afternoon.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Addis Ababa
Customers can meet us at our office which is within the compound of the Taitu Hotel, or we can pick up customers from any hotel within 6km of the Taitu Hotel.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations.
Ends at
Customers can meet us at our office which is within the compound of the Taitu Hotel, or we can pick up customers from any hotel within 6km of the Taitu Hotel.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, fr
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Venture Ethiopia
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 3 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
1 mentionPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Food and drink
1 mentionThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
3 verified traveler reviews for Private Full-Day Stone Age and Medieval Tour from Addis Ababa. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Exemplary!
The guide was very knowledgeable, not only about history of the sites but also the local cultures of Ethiopia. He answered our many questions, and prioritized our safety when we ventured in the merkato (not for the faint of heart!). What an ambassador to Ethiopian tourism!
via Tripadvisor
Beautiful country with rich history
Great experience with a great guide who explained everything to us and answered all our questions. We enjoyed the trip and everything we saw. Ethiopia has so much to offer! Greetings! :)
Response from the operator: Thanks for the lovely review and for adding some photos. Good to hear you had an interesting and enjoyable time. Safe travels!
via Tripadvisor
A perfect day trip for short-term visitors to Addis Ababa
My girlfriend was coming to Ethiopia for the first time for one week so I needed to plan things almost every day in order to get the most out of her trip. I did my research and found this day trip route taking guests to a Melka Kunturé, Adadi Mariam, and Tiya. After comparing a few agencies, I chose Venture Ethiopia's package. Safe to say I made a great choice. First, Biruk, the guide and owner of Venture Ethiopia, planned the trip and informed me of the agenda beforehand so I know what to expect. He is very accommodating and flexible and will adapt the trip to the client's preference. He has extensive experience in the tourism industry in Ethiopia and is a wealth of knowledge. He is passionate about his profession. While I can speak Amarigna, my girlfriend cannot so it was helpful that he could speak both English and French. The trip starts promptly (he is very punctual) in the morning and breakfast and coffee is had on a stop before we leave Addis. Biruk is knowledgeable about the roads/routes and he is up to date on all possible situations/circumstances in the areas you are visiting. To get the local perspective, a local guide is used in all the spots and they are experienced (not random people trying to make a quick buck). At Melka Kunturé (1st stop), you get to see the archeological sites where prehistoric man butchered its kill; you will be guided through the small museum showing the excavation being conducted in that location as well as the artifacts unearthed. The next destination is Adadi Mariam, a church/monastery believed to have been built by King Lalibela. Here's too, the local guide provides a thorough tour of the entire structure and its history and context in Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity. We had lunch at a nice restaurant before heading to our final destination. Tiya is pre and post Christianity burial site; the structures marking the graves of local leaders and warriors are stone steles with engravings on them. It is fascinating how this historical site ties in with the previous (Adadi Mariam) and the area is beautiful with rolling mountain ranges and cool, constant breeze. The trip started in the morning around 7:45 a.m. and we were back home easily before 7:00 p.m. I cannot recommend this trip enough. If you have only one day and want a trip that encapsulates many splendors of Ethiopia, you should take this opportunity. Biruk/Venture Ethiopia have the experience to make this a smooth and pleasant trip and they are very trustworthy and reliable. I wholeheartedly recommend this agency.
Response from the operator: Thank you for this excellent review. It's so nice to hear that you and your girlfriend had such a great time, and that you found it interesting and informative, even though you're already very familiar with Ethiopian culture. Please do remember us if you'd like to take any other trips in the future :)
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $162 to $226
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Venture Ethiopia, who run 5 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 52.7.
See everything Venture Ethiopia runsWhy this scores 58
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Full-Day Stone Age and Medieval Tour from Addis Ababa: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Addis Ababa.
How much does Private Full-Day Stone Age and Medieval Tour from Addis Ababa cost?
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Prices start at $162 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 Private Full-Day Stone Age and Medieval Tour from Addis Ababa take?
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Plan for about 8 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 Private Full-Day Stone Age and Medieval Tour from Addis Ababa worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 58 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 Private Full-Day Stone Age and Medieval Tour 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 Private Full-Day Stone Age and Medieval Tour from Addis Ababa suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Full-Day Stone Age and Medieval Tour from Addis Ababa?
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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 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Full-Day Stone Age and Medieval Tour 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 Private Full-Day Stone Age and Medieval Tour from Addis Ababa?
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Included: Private transportation; and Lunch. Not included: Gratuities; and Alcoholic beverages. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Private Full-Day Stone Age and Medieval Tour from Addis Ababa include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 123 listed pickup locations in and around Addis Ababa.
What languages is Private Full-Day Stone Age and Medieval Tour from Addis Ababa offered in?
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It is offered in English and French. 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 Private Full-Day Stone Age and Medieval Tour 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.
What happens to Private Full-Day Stone Age and Medieval Tour 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 Private Full-Day Stone Age and Medieval Tour from Addis Ababa?
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Across 3 reviews averaging 5.0 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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