The Blue Nile Gorge, often called Ethiopia’s own Grand Canyon, is 213 km north of Addis Ababa. This majestic and enormous gorge is known for its magnificent physical size and alluring natural beauty. After visiting the gorge, we visit Debre Libanos Monastery. Debre Libanos is an important monastic center for Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity. The monastery was founded by the renowned 13th century mystic, St. Teklehaimanot.

Before driving back to Addis Ababa, we will stop at the Jemma River Gorge. The Jemma River is one of the tributaries of the Nile, and there is a drop of nearly 1000 m to the valley below. We will then walk downhill to the 17th century Portuguese Bridge.

Here we can expect to see plenty of birdlife including the Banded Barbet, the Black-Headed Forest Oriole, the White-Billed Starling, the Red-Billed Starling, the White-Winged Cliff Chat, the White-Backed Black Tit, the White-Cheeked Turaco, and Hemprich's Hornbill. We will also see one of Ethiopia's endemic mammals, the Gelada or "Bleeding-Heart" Baboon. Leaving the gorge, we drive back to Addis Ababa to arrive back late in the afternoon.