Tiya Stelae & Adadi Maryam churches tour from Addis Ababa

Two ancient Ethiopian sites in one morning drive south of the capital

A guided day tour from Addis Ababa to Tiya Stelae and Adadi Maryam churches, 70 kilometers south, with English-speaking guide, entrance fees, lunch and hotel or airport pickup. You walk among 32 carved stelae at the UNESCO-registered Tiya site, then explore the rock-hewn churches of Adadi Maryam, built in the 12th and 13th centuries in connection with St. Lalibela's visit to the sacred mountain of Ziquala.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Adadi Maryam and Tiya Stelae

• Meet at Addis Ababa airport
• Drive 70km south to Adadi Maryam Church
• Explore 12th-13th century rock-hewn church
• Visit UNESCO Tiya Stelae archaeological site
• Transfer to airport for departure

The experience

You arrive at Addis Ababa airport or your hotel and meet your driver and English-speaking guide for the 70-kilometer drive south. The route takes you out of the capital toward the Soddo region, where two distinct archaeological sites sit within reach of a single day. The tour is built around seeing both before returning to the city.

Tiya Stelae is a UNESCO-registered archaeological site containing 36 monuments, including 32 carved stelae covered with symbols whose meanings remain largely undeciphered. They are the remains of an ancient Ethiopian culture whose precise age has not yet been determined. You walk the site with your guide, who explains what is known of the carved markers and the culture that left them. Lunch and a bottle of water are provided before you move on.

Adadi Maryam, built around the 12th and 13th centuries, is a rock-hewn church whose establishment connects to St. Lalibela's visit to the sacred mountain of Ziquala. You explore the carved churches and their setting before the driver transfers you back to the airport or your hotel for the rest of your day.

What’s included

• Lunch with a bottle of water.
• car with driver.
• English-speaking guide.
• entrance fees to both archaeological sites.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (14 to 90 years) · Child (6 to 13 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Aman Ethiopia Tours And Travel Agent

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English and four other languages, so you follow the commentary comfortably whether you are traveling alone, with family, or in a group. The fixed 70-kilometer route and two-site structure fit inside a single morning and afternoon, leaving your evening free in Addis Ababa.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

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

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 13 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What are the carved stelae at Tiya, and why are they important?

Tiya Stelae is a UNESCO-registered site holding 36 monuments, including 32 carved stelae marked with symbols that remain difficult to decipher. They are the remains of an ancient Ethiopian culture whose age has not yet been precisely determined, making them one of the most important archaeological discoveries in the Soddo region.

When was Adadi Maryam church built, and what is its connection to St. Lalibela?

Adadi Maryam was built around the 12th and 13th centuries as a rock-hewn church. Its establishment is connected to St. Lalibela's visit to the sacred mountain of Ziquala in the 12th century, when he built the church as a commemoration of St. Mary.

How far is the drive from Addis Ababa, and what is included in the tour?

The drive south to both sites is 70 kilometers from Addis Ababa. The tour includes an English-speaking guide, entrance fees to both sites, lunch with a bottle of water, and a car with driver for the full day.