3-days lalibela churches tour

Lalibela is one of the World heritage and most visited historical destination in Ethiopia. 

The still active Rock-cut churches of the 12th Century attracts so many visitors and it sometimes consider as the 8th wonder of the world.

The churches are excavated from a sloping mass of red volcanic scoria under laid by dark grey basalt and interconnected by a maze of tunnels and passages with openings to hermit caves and catacombs the rock-hewn churches give the impression of an underground city. But not only have the rock-churches survived until today. Something far older has, too. 

The churches are for at least 900 years the religious and spiritual center of the region.

Access Eco Trekking Ethiopia Tours invites the world to visit the churches of Lalibela and its surrounding with only three days tour from Addis Ababa.

Day: 1

Morning:-

Arrival at Lalibela Airport and transfer to your Hotel.

Lunch could be at your Hotel or Seven Olives Hotel.

Afternoon:-

-UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE CHURCHES OF LALIBELA


This afternoon will be the time to visit the first group of Lalibela churches Namey Bete Medhane Alem, Bete Maryam, Bete Meskel, Bete Danaghel, Bete Mikael and Bete Golgotha which are connected through an underground tunnels.

Overnight: Hotel in Lalibela. (L, D)


Day: 2


Morning:-


- ASHETON MARYAM MONASTERY CHURCH


A popular goal for a day-trip, the Asheton Maryam Monastery is one of the highest in Ethiopia, set at an elevation of almost 3700m to the southeast of Lalibela. Carved into a cliff face, it was most probably founded by Kind Lalibela, who also built the UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE CHURCHES OF LALIBELA. The small and unadorned church harbours a few impressive crosses, illuminated manuscripts and other treasures, though arguably the most remarkable aspect of a visit to Asheton Maryam is its magnificent setting and the stunning views as you ascend.


Evening:-


After getting washed and having your Dinner at the Hotel, if you are interested we will go out this evening to spend sometime in “Torpido Teji House” a local bar with the Ethiopian honey wine and live traditional dance which is a great opportunity to see the night life of Lalibela Town with its local community.

Overnight: Hotel in Lalibela. (B, L, D)


Day: 3

Morning:-


- YEMREHANNA KRISTOS CHURCH.

At the morning, About a 90-minute drive from the town of Lalibela and driving through totally magnificent scenery one finds a church that is built inside a cave. Yemrehanna Kristos dates back to 1100 to 1200 AD period in Ethiopia's history; the church predates about 80 years even the rock hewn churches of Lalibela itself.

The steep walk up to Yemrehanna Kristos and the cave is quite rough on the old lungs because of the altitude, but stopping to get your breath back every few minutes or so and one is rewarded with a rather interesting find.

Inside the cave, a beautiful church presents itself, built the traditional way (not like the churches of Lalibela) this church is laid out on a foundation of Africa Olive Wood. While the main structure is a combination of wooden and granite struts. Once inside the church, it is the wooden ceiling that is spellbinding - the attention to detail is extraordinary.

The strangest part of the cave is the area where there are 3000's of mummified human bodies just lying behind a fence who come from Syria and Egypt to visit and rest in peace at the church.

The small village where we will park our vehicle is a great spot to buy a cool drink, coffee or water!

Afternoon:-

-UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE CHURCHES OF LALIBELA

Having lunch and taking a rest, your guide will wait you at the reception of your Hotel at 2:00pm to let you visit the the rest of Lalibela churches which are the Second and Third groups. 

Overnight: Hotel in Lalibela. (B, L, D)

End of Tour.