Addis Ababa: Kirkos Monastery & Wonchi Lake Day Trip

Discover Kirkos Monastery and Wonchi Crater Lake on a day trip from Addis Ababa. Enjoy a local family lunch, learn about kocho preparation, and hike to the crater lake.
Begin with a pickup from your hotel or residence in Addis Ababa by a woman driver. Meet your woman guide and review the day’s plan. Arrive at Kirkos Monastery area after about 1.5–2 hours, depending on traffic and exact start point.

Take a short hike or walk to the monastery. Enjoy a guided tour and explanation of the site, history, and religious practices. Next, depart Kirkos and drive toward Wonchi Crater Lake area. Stop for a restroom or refreshment break en route as needed.

Arrive at Wonchi crater rim village. Have lunch with a local family featuring Ethiopian dishes (injera/ wat, tibs or other stews) or a picnic you bring. After lunch, meet local women who will demonstrate and involve you in kocho preparation (the enset-based flatbread).

Learn how enset is scraped, fermented dough handled, shaped, and cooked on a mitad or open pan. Afterward, take a guided hike down to the crater lake. Alternatively, arrange a horse for descent/ascent if available and you prefer.

Spend time at Wonchi lake. Visit the island church (if open), enjoy views, take photos, relax, or boat if available. Finally, hike or ride back to the rim and depart for Addis.

To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.

This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 24 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 24 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.