Lalibela Rock Churches Guided Tour
Description
One can say that every tourist who decides to visit our country comes here and sees these quite remarkable and also strange monolithic, semi-monolithic and cave 'buildings, churches of Lalibela' which still leave the scientists puzzled about their possible creation process and are therefore often called the 8th wonder of the world. The style of the excavation is unique: most of the churches are below ground level. Roha - Lalibelas old name - is around 800 years old and after Axum the second holiest city in Ethiopia. It is a medieval town and one of the greatest historical sites in the Christian world. For the Ethiopian Christmas in January there are tens of thousands of pilgrims in town, sometimes walking for a month to reach the churches. In 1978 Lalibela, which lays at an altitude of 2520m, was listed as a world heritage site...
Tour Options
Itinerary
The tour company
A guide from our team will meet you at Lalibela airport arrival with a car to bring you to your Hotel. The drive from the Airport to Laibela town (your hotel) would be 24 k/m, and takes around 30 minutes. After check-in, start your tour to the UNESCO World Heritage site rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, visiting the Northwestern Cluster of churches, which is built by the symbol of the earthly Jerusalem: -Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, Bet Mikael & Bet Golgotha (entry not permitted for Women). From 12 - 2pm the churches are closed and the key -man will go for lunch break. We also will take you to one of the best restaurant for lunch (7olives Hotel). In the afternoon, after lunch continue with the South-eastern Cluster of churches, built by the symbol of heavenly Jerusalem: –Bet Gabriel-Rufael, Bet Merkorios, Bet Amanual, and Bet Abba Libanos. Finally, you will visit the most famous of all the churches –Bet Giyorgis (St George), constructed in honour of the patron Saint George. After having visited all the churches, we take you to the villages where you will be able to see the way life of the locals very closely, and get invited for our famous traditional coffee ceremony. In the Evening after dinner in Kana restaurant, we will invite you to try our famous home-made Honey wine, in one of the best traditional bar we have in town called Torpido. There you will also have the chance to see the Amhara tribes dance and enjoy our traditional music live. Then we bring you to your hotel. Next day morning transfer to the airport. * If you arrive in the afternoon in Lalibela, you will visit some of the churches from 2pm -5pm, then visit the rest of the churches before your departure to the airport. We also organize an amazing ECO trekking tour to the highlands above Lalibela, Contact us for details or see our listed tour here on Tripadvisor Experience
The famous cross shaped church of St. George is one of the highlight of Lalibela churches.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
From the airport and any hotels in Lalibela
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(16)
The experience was a 10. The company manager, Daniel, was very clear from the beginning and complied with everything agreed. Arriving in Lalibela, Abbaba, our local guide, was waiting for us. Your knowledge and warmth made it an amazing 3 days stay. We went to all the churches, explained every detail, brought us closer to the culture and customs of the place, We did an incredible traking of a whole day until no monastery! It was an experience of 10 worth living!! Thanks Daniel and Abbab!!!
The guide I had was incredibly knowledgeable about the history and about the importance of Christianity in the area. I could not have expected better. The guide and driver were also accommodating to my needs of a slower pace due to an injury, and they were wonderful every time I was walking a bit slower or needed a break.
Hello dear Jennifer, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your kind and positive review. It truly means a lot to us! It was an absolute pleasure having you on our Lalibela tour. We would be delighted to welcome you again on another unforgettable journey through Ethiopia. There’s still so much beauty and culture to explore, and we’d love to be part of your next adventure. Thanks once again for choosing Highland Ethiopia Tours. your trust and support are deeply appreciated. Warmest regards, Daniel
An absolutely amazing experience. From the moment I arrived at the airport I was met by the driver who showed nothing but hospitality. We dropped my luggage to the hotel and proceeded to the churches. The site was magnificent and the guides were very knowledgeable about the history and architecture . I would recommend this company to anyone wishing to visit
I spent two days & nights in Lalibela exploring the rock-hewn churches and the surrounding mountains under the care and guidance of Highland Eco Tours & Trekking. It included the history and overview of the churches, a 14K day trek up to one of the churches in the mountains, lunch with my guide and his family in his home (the best) . I absolutely loved the whole experience. I felt safe (as a woman traveling alone), cared for and comfortable that I had the best possible experience and that I had not missed anything AND that I still want to come back for more.
I had a 2 day tour (April 29-30) of the Lalibela churches with Achenef Enegdaw as my tour guide. I saw several churches when I arrived. Stayed over night and saw the remainder the next morning before I flew back to Addis Ababa. He was an outstanding tour guide steeped in the history and religion of the churches. He was excellent and filled me with information as we walked through and around the 11 rock hewn churches. It was one of the great experiences of my adult life. I have been traveling in Africa for almost 30 years, and have never has such a profound emotional and spiritual experience as I did in Lalibela.
Very friendly and knowledgeable guide 'Baby'. The churches themselves are incredible and this is a great way to visit on a short time frame
Perhaps the most important visit of Ethiopia the churches of Lalibela is a World Heritage Site and takes us back to times when the construction of these works carved in rock from top to bottom makes us think how far the human being can go when he sets out to achieve one thing when he really wants it
I had the most incredible day exploring the churches with a really informed and professional guide. I learned so much and would definitely do it again. excellent choice!!!
Our guide Ababa is quite the historian of the rock hewn churches and lalabela region, which made for a very immersive and interesting tour experience. Over the course of two days we visited every church and learned about its construction, unique particularities of each and other facts that only a local would be able to provide. Ababa is personable, kind, well spoken with a gentle voice that adds to the reverence of the experience.
Don't try to see Lalibela without a guide! At first I thought I would. I grew up in a religious family so know lots about church symbolism, stories etc and I've travelled a lot, especially in Africa, so not worried about doing things without a guide, in fact, mostly I don't like to have a guide. BUT, for Lalibela, there is just so much to see and discover, so much information you never get from books, pathways and places with the best views, secret entrances, wonderful local information and stories. If you don't have a guide you will miss at least half of everything. So don't miss the opportunity to have a guide. My guide was Daniel from Highland Eco Trekking, an absolute fount of knowledge, very kind and considerate. He made my time in Lalibela unfogettable.
