Your day begins with a morning pickup from your hotel in Addis Ababa, followed by a scenic 2.5-hour drive through the Entoto Mountains and into the rolling highlands of north-central Ethiopia. Your first stop is Debre Libanos Monastery, a spiritual site surrounded by lush cliffs and home to a community of monks. After visiting the monastery and its adjacent museum, take a short walk to the Portuguese Bridge, offering sweeping views of the Jemma River Gorge and the chance to spot endemic birds or even Gelada baboons.

From there, continue driving toward the Blue Nile Gorge, a spectacular geological formation carved deep into the highland plateau. You’ll stop at one or more viewpoints to enjoy the dramatic landscape and take in the sheer scale of the gorge. After a picnic-style or local lunch, return to Addis Ababa, arriving in the late afternoon or early evening, with drop-off at your hotel.