Tours to Lalibela
Most visitors combine tours of Lalibela with other destinations along Ethiopia's historic north circuit.
Lalibela is easily accessible via domestic flight from Addis Ababa, and many of the cities in the north.
A typical tour of Lalibela is 2-3 days, depending on your schedule and wider interests. Most people explore the rock-hewn churches over the course of 2 days, but they can all be visited in a day if you like to move quickly.
The highlands around Lalibela are home to even older monasteries and churches, in particular Yemrehana Krestos, Asheton Maryam, and Na'akuto La'ab. Optional hikes can be done to visit these monasteries, and you can combine hiking with vehicle transfers if you don't want to do too much walking
Further afield in the surrounding highlands you will find the community trekking routes. Community trekking in Ethiopia got its start in Lalibela, and these hikes take you from guesthouse to guesthouse, through rural villages and across sweeping plateaus. Community trekking is typically a 2-3 night affair, in addition to the 2 nights you will spend in central Lalibela.
Discover more of Lalibela
Community Trekking in Lalibela
Community trekking in Lalibela (often called eco trekking) takes you across the highlands around the town with overnights at locally run guesthouses. An sustainable tourism …
Rock-hewn Churches of Lalibela
When King Lalibela decided to re-create Jerusalem in Ethiopia in the 12th century, he carved it from the volcanic rock beneath his feet. And he didn’t stop with one church, today…
Church of Saint George
Set apart from the rest of churches in Lalibela, the church of Saint George has become an icon of Ethiopia. The church, carved into the volcanic rock centuries ago, represents the …
When to visit Lalibela
The best time to visit Lalibela is between October and March. Lalibela experiences a rainy season from June to early September, but it is still possible to visit during these …
Highlands around Lalibela
After exploring the ancient rock churches in the centre of the town, head up into the surrounding mountains and discover a world of breathtaking views, charming lodges, welcoming …
Accommodation in Lalibela
Lalibela is one of Ethiopia's most popular destinations, and the selection of hotels has improved dramatically over the years. There are now a number of great options in the centre…
