Great Rift Valley Lakes 2-day tour: Tiya & Adadi Mariam

Two days crossing Ethiopia's Rift Valley: ancient churches, stone monuments and hippo-filled lakes

A 2-day tour from Addis Ababa through Ethiopia's Great Rift Valley with a professional guide, private minivan and overnight stay. Day one covers 235 km south to Lake Langano, stopping at the 13th-century rock-carved church of Adadi Mariam, the UNESCO World Heritage stelae cemetery at Tiya, and an Oromo village. Day two explores Abiyatta Shalla Lakes National Park, then takes a boat ride on Lake Ziway to see hippo families and water birds before returning to Addis Ababa via Bishoftu's crater lakes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Addis Ababa to Lake Langano via historic sites

• Meet at accommodation in Addis Ababa
• Drive 235 km south to Lake Langano
• Stop at Great Rift Valley outlook
• Cross Awash River and drive 12 km on dirt road
• Visit Adadi Mariam rock-hewn church
• Drive 42 km to Stelaes of Tiya UNESCO site
• Lunch in Butajira town
• Drive 90 km to Lake Langano
• Visit Oromo village and interact with locals
• Enjoy swimming and bird watching at Lake Langano
• Watch sunset over Lake Langano

Day 2: Wildlife and lakes tour to Addis Ababa

• Breakfast at accommodation
• Drive 15 minutes to Abiyatta Shalla Lakes National Park
• Walk 30 minutes to see wildlife and birds
• Drive 5 km to viewpoint of Abiyatta and Shalla lakes
• Visit natural hot springs (seasonal)
• Lunch near Lake Langano
• Drive 40 km north to Lake Ziway
• Take one-hour boat trip on Lake Ziway to see hippos and birds
• Drive back to Addis Ababa via Bishoftu crater lakes

The experience

Adadi Mariam sits alone in the southern highlands, a subterranean church chiseled from a single rock outcrop in the 13th century by King Lalibela. The first day's drive south from Addis Ababa crosses the Awash River and climbs into the Rift Valley, stopping at an outlook over the escarpment before reaching the church. From there, the route continues 42 km to Tiya, where 32 carved stelae stand among 36 monuments erected between the 12th and 14th centuries as grave markers for local warriors and heroes. The stelae are covered in symbols whose meanings remain largely undeciphered, making the site one of Ethiopia's most important archaeological records.

The afternoon drive covers 90 km to Lake Langano, where you swim and watch water birds at sunset. Along the way, a stop at an Oromo village gives time to talk with locals about their daily life in the Rift Valley. Overnight is at Sabana Beach Resort on the lakeshore. On day two, a 15-minute drive reaches Abiyatta Shalla Lakes National Park, where a half-hour walk brings ostriches, gazelles, warthogs and lowland bird species into view. Lake Shalla is Ethiopia's deepest lake and a breeding ground for seasonal flamingos. If your tour runs September to June, a natural hot spring stop follows, where locals use the mineral waters for skin ailments. After lunch, a one-hour boat ride on Lake Ziway lets you watch hippo families and spot great white pelicans, African fish eagles, marabou storks and other water birds. The return to Addis Ababa passes through Bishoftu's crater lakes.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French or another language.
• all entrance fees to Adadi Mariam, Tiya, Abiyatta Shalla Lakes National Park and Lake Ziway.
• breakfast.
• unlimited bottled water.
• overnight stay at Sabana Beach Resort.
• private air-conditioned Land Cruiser.
• hotel pickup in Addis Ababa.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (15 to 70 years) · Under 15: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by WALK IN ETHIOPIA TOUR AND TRAVEL

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a two-day loop from Addis Ababa with an overnight at Lake Langano: the itinerary covers five lakes, two ancient sites, and lowland wildlife without needing to arrange separate transport or guides.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

What is the rock-carved church of Adadi Mariam like?

Adadi Mariam is a subterranean church chiseled from a single piece of rock in the 13th century, ordered by King Lalibela. It stands alone in the southern highlands with no other rock-hewn churches nearby, making it the southernmost church of its type in Ethiopia, and it remains an active site of worship today.

What will I see on the boat ride at Lake Ziway?

The one-hour boat trip on Lake Ziway lets you watch families of hippos and spot lowland water birds including great white pelicans, marabou storks, African fish eagles, sacred ibis and hammer kops.

How far is the drive from Addis Ababa on the first day?

The first day covers 235 km south from Addis Ababa to Lake Langano, with stops at Adadi Mariam church, the Tiya stelae cemetery and an Oromo village along the way.

What happens at Abiyatta Shalla Lakes National Park?

After a 15-minute drive from Lake Langano, a half-hour walk through the park lets you see ostriches, gazelles, warthogs and lowland bird species. A viewpoint shows the twin lakes of Abiyatta and Shalla, where Lake Shalla is Ethiopia's deepest lake and a breeding ground for seasonal flamingos. If your tour runs September to June, you also visit natural hot spring waters that locals use for healing skin conditions.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes a professional guide, all entrance fees, breakfast, unlimited bottled water, overnight accommodation at Sabana Beach Resort, and transport in a late-model air-conditioned Land Cruiser with hotel pickup in Addis Ababa.