2 Day Tours to Lalibela

Lalibela - Two Days private tour to visit the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, Ethiopia by flight from Addis Ababa

 2-Days/1-Night private guided trip from Addis Ababa by flight to visit Lalibela monolithic churches

Explore the Timeless Majesty of Lalibela: A 2-Day Journey from Addis Ababa

Your Perfect Private Tour to the Legendary Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela

Discover the awe-inspiring rock churches of Lalibela on a meticulously crafted 2-day private tour from Addis Ababa by flight. Marvel at the architectural genius and spiritual grandeur of 11 monolithic churches, delve into local culture with village visits, and savor traditional Ethiopian experiences like the coffee ceremony and honey wine tasting.

VISIT THE 11 ROCK CUT CHURCHES OF LALIBELA IN 2 DAYS BY FLIGHT FROM ADDIS ABABA

✹Private Tour ✹Flexible Schedule ✹Expert Guide

"Fantastic experience with Merit Ethiopian Tours in Lalibela"

"I did the 2-day Lalibela tour with Merit Ethiopian Experience Tours, and I found it to be an exciting, well-organized tour.

Airport pick-up and drop off at both Addis and Lalibela were on time, with courteous drivers. The hotel at Lalibela was comfortable. The coffee ceremony was absolutely extraordinary.

The tour of the churches both on the first day and on the second were thrilling. The guide was knowledgeable and courteous. He answered all our questions and was a pleasure to be with.

Overall, I recommend Merit Ethiopian Experience Tours.

So much so, that my son did a one-day Addis tour with them after the Lalibela experience!"

Tripadvisor review: Merit Ethiopian Experience Tours

Review by: Monique Clesca on March 08, 2023

Please read more recent reviews below

Merit Ethiopian Experience Tours offers 2 days private guided tours to Lalibela rock churches.

DAY ❶ - ADDIS ABABA - LALIBELA
Fly from Addis Ababa to Lalibela on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET120, with a departure time of 10:15 AM and an arrival time of 11:30 AM. Meet your guide at Lalibela Airport. Drive with private minivan to Lalibella town.

Visit 6 of the monolithic underground churches of Lalibela. Experience the Ethiopian Coffee Culture and try Ethiopian cuisine. Spend the night at one of the best hotels in Lalibela. Overnight at Top Twelve Hotel

NOTE - If you want to upgrade the accommodation in Lalibela, check out best hotels in Lalibela. And, contact us with your choice.

DAY ❷ - LALIBELA – ADDIS ABABA
Visit the remaining 5 churches with a tour guide. Get a private transportation to Lalibela Airport. Fly back to Addis Ababa.

UNESCO declared these incredible churches as World Heritages in 1978. Lalibela Rock churches date back to the 12th and 13th Century AD. All the 11 churches are active (still serve as churches). The rock-churches of Lalibela are the most remarkable tourist destination in Ethiopia.

Update: A new local flight from Addis Ababa to Lalibela will begin operating in May 2023, making it easy for this tour. You can take the ET 122 (08:20 – 10:40) from Addis to Lalibela with a stopover in Gondar or the ET 120 (11:35 – 12:50) direct flight from Addis Ababa to Lalibela.

On day two, fly ET121 (12:00 – 13:15) from Lalibela to Addis Ababa.

Contact us on WhatsApp for any questions you may have about tours to Lalibela. 

Lalibela (ላሊበላ) town is about 650 km north of Addis Ababa. “Roha” (ሮሃ) was the former name of Lalibela. It is famous for its amazing churches chiseled out of a single piece of rock. Lalibela rock churches were dug out of rock by the famous Saint Lalibela (ቅዱስ ላሊበላ) OR King Lalibela (ንጉስ ላሊበላ).

King Lalibela, who commissioned the foundation of the churches, ruled Ethiopia from 1181 to 1221. The name changed to Roha (ሮሃ) after King Lalibela founded the rock churches. King Lalibela was one of the most prominent rulers of the Zagwe Dynasty.

Things to do in 2-days Lalibela tours from Addis Ababa:-

• Discover the eleven rock hewn churches of Lalibela
• Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Lasta Mountains 
• Attend a traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony
• Experience daily life with a family visit to learn the local culture in Lalibela

Duration – 2 Days/1 Night

Means of Travel – Flight from Addis Ababa to Lalibela and back - Bombardier DASH 8 (Q-400)

In Addis Ababa, for Hotel-Airport Transfers, we use Toyota Corolla for 1 or 2 people.

In Lalibela, we use Private Toyota Minibus for all groups (1 to 6 people). It is a comfortable 2017 Model Van with air-conditioned and seat belts.

ITINERARY

Day 1 – Fly Addis Ababa – Lalibela

Take a private shuttle service from your hotel/place of stay to Addis Ababa Airport. Next, we'll drive you to Lalibela Airport where you'll board Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 121, scheduled to depart at 12:00 and arrive in Addis Ababa at 13:15.

NOTE - There is a possibility of taking another flight which arrives at Lalibela at 10:20 with a stopover at Gondar.

Check-in to your hotel in Lalibela (Top Twelve Hotel or Sora Lodge). Have lunch at Ben Abeba Restaurant. Ben Abeba is a great outlook to the magnificent views of the mountainous landscape.

With a walking tour in Lalibela, learn what makes these religious edifices among the tour architectural wonders of the world.

At Lalibela visit the incredible hand carved rock churches of Lalibela (UNESCO World Heritage Site and 13th Century AD). This afternoon, you will visit seven rock churches of Lalibela - the “First Group”. Complete today's guided tour in Lalibela with visiting the “Third Group”.  The renowned cross-shaped church of Saint George is the only rock church in the third group.

The 11 churches of Lalibela are grouped as First Group, Second Group and Third Group.  A small stream - "Jordan River" - separates the three clusters of Lalibela rock churches. YES, Lalibela's plan to carve these churches here was to establish the "New Jerusalem".

Note: - Women are advised to be fully dressed and cover hairs when visiting the churches at Lalibela.

At the end of the day, attend a traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony. Taste the Ethiopian Honey Wine known as “Tej” which Lalibela is most famous for.

Overnight at Top Twelve Hotel

The other best places to stay at Lalibela town are Mezena Resort & SPA (Lodge) and Mountain View Hotel. 

Day 2 – Fly Lalibela – Addis Ababa

With an early start, visit four rock churches of the “Second Group” of Lalibela churches. If lucky, attend an Ethiopian Orthodox Church service at one of the churches.

Interested visitors may pass through a 15 meters tunnel which leads from the First Group to the Second Group. Locals believe that walking in the tunnel to the other end without using any light would lead one’s soul to heaven at the end of earthly life.

Then, drive to Lalibela Airport for your flight ET 121 (13:10 – 14:10) back to Addis Ababa. Along the way to Lalibela Airport, take few minutes to stop at a local village. Experience the traditions and lifeways of the Amhara people.

In Addis Ababa, meet your driver at the airport, and transfer in to your hotel.

The 2 days private tour in Lalibela from Addis Ababa is customizable. We organize this trip to fit with how long you spend exploring Lalibela churches and sites around. Contact us to customize this trip to Lalibela.

Recent review about our two days private tour to the rock churches of Lalibela

“Excellent and well organized tours to Addis and Lalibela!”

My husband and I took the City tour, 2 day trip to Lalibela rock churches and a trip to Debre Libanos Monastery and Portuguese bridge. All trips were well organized and comfortable. The guides, Biruk and Driver Sirak were very knowledgeable. And they always concerned about our comfort during both the city tour and monastery tour.

Our trip to Lalibela with tour guide Destaw was excellent. He gave clear and good explanations and was always concerned about our comfort.

Muluken agreed to change the itinerary to also visit Yemrehane Kirstos cave monastery 42 kms from Lalibela. And we thoroughly enjoyed this experience.

Review on TripAdvisor by Leela Dahal on Mar 19, 2023

“Amazing Lalibela Experience!”

We did the 2 day Lalibela tour which is not shown on trip advisor but you can email him about it. It was spectacular! Muluken was the most responsive from start to finish and took care of every step of the way.

In Lalibela we had an amazing guide, Abay, who is from there and took us to see all the hewn churches and we even got to see a holy day with hundreds of locals. We upgraded to Mezena Resort which I highly recommend!

This tour is definitely worth the trip and with Muluken’s help, you'll have everything well planned!

TripAdvisor review: Merit Ethiopian Experience Tours

On May 30, 2023 by Daniella

Common questions about Lalibela and quick answers

Where is Lalibela?

Lalibela (ላሊበላ) is a small town in the northern part of Ethiopia. Lalibela is located 650 km north of Addis Ababa. It takes 1-hour flight from Addis Ababa to Lalibela, Ethiopia.

What is Lalibela known for?

Lalibela (ላሊበላ) is famed for its spectacular churches, which are carved out of one piece of volcanic rock. There are 11 underground stone churches in Lalibela town which date back to the 13th Century. Local worshipers and pilgrims use all the rock churches of Lalibela for regular church purposes. The most famous of the rock churches at Lalibela is the Church of Saint George.

St. George church (Bete Giorgis Lalibela) is world renowned for its gorgeous cross shaped architecture. Lalibela’s Saint George church is a great example of a monolithic rock-church. It is completely sculpted out of the ground.

The church of Saint George is detached from the mother rock with wide trench. All parts of the church – the doors, windows, domes, pillars, etc. were chiseled out a natural rock by hand. Bet Giorgis (House of Saint George) church is formed out of a single large block of stone.

Who carved the churches of Lalibela?
Lalibela churches are not built. They were carved out of a single piece of rock in the medieval times. The rock hewn churches of Lalibela were chiseled out of massive rocks by Ethiopian people known as AGEW.

The Ethiopian Dynasty in which the churches of Lalibela were carved in is the ZAGWE DYNASTY. ‘Zagwe’ means of Agew people or related to Agew (Agow) people. King Lalibela was one of the four kings of the Z’agwe Dynasty.

How old are the rock churches of Lalibela in Ethiopia?

The Ethiopian Emperor - Lalibela has carved the eleven rock churches of Lalibela. Lalibela underground rock churches were engraved with the orders of King-Saint Lalibela. Emperor Lalibela reigned from 1181 to 1221. That means the Ethiopian churches of Lalibela are older than 800 years.

When is the best time to visit Lalibela churches?

The optimal time to experience these UNESCO World Heritage sites is in January. Visits to Lalibela churches on January 6th and 7th offer a unique experience.

Jan 06 and 07 align with Ethiopian Christmas, or 'Genna,' celebrated colorfully at Lalibela. You’ll witness vibrant religious ceremonies, a key aspect of Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, alongside your Lalibela tour.

Timket, or Ethiopian Epiphany, that marks Jesus' baptism, is a profoundly important celebration. In Lalibela, on January 18th and 19th, the festival brings the rock-hewn churches to life with colorful processions and sacred rituals.

Read our detailed guide to this significant Ethiopian religious event: Epiphany in Ethiopia — Timket Religious Festival in Lalibela

So, January marks the peak tourist season for Lalibela churches. Expect larger crowds, and therefore, early planning for your Lalibela tour package is strongly recommended.

 

How many days to visit Lalibela churches and around?

Ideally, 1 day is enough to visit the 11 rock churches at the town of Lalibela. Plan three days for a complete tour of Lalibela churches and nearby. You’ll make 1-day trips with start and end at Lalibela to visit other fascinating sites around.

What are other interesting places to visit around Lalibela?

If you have more time, don't miss Yemrehane Kirstos Cave Built up Church. Yemrehane Kirstos is 42 km from Lalibela. It is a famous pilgrimage site around Lalibela. It dates back to the 11th Century AD.

Asheton Mariam (Asheton Maryam Monastery) is another exciting place to visit with a day trip from Lalibela. Asheton Mariam is a semi-monolithic rock church from the 13th Century AD. The view from the top of the hill at Asheton Maryam is fantastic. It is more fun if you take a mule back ride from Lalibela to Asheton Mariam Monastery.

Ne'akuto Le'ab Monastery is the nearest attraction to visit with a day tour from Lalibela. You can extend your 2-days tour to Lalibela from Addis in exploring other rock-hewn churches near Lalibela. Genete Mariam and Arbatu Ensessa rock churches are worth-visiting sites around Lalibela, Ethiopia.

If you are interested in some trekking activities, you can take a day out from Lalibela to Mount Abune Yosef. Drive about 60km and trek to the peak of Abune Yosef Mountain. With an elevation of 4,260 meters (13,980 feet), Abune Yoseph is one of the highest peaks in Ethiopia.

If you have some extra days available, consider exploring the nearby attractions. The Simien Mountains National Park and the Danakil Depression are highly recommended for their breathtaking landscapes and unique geological features.

How to organize best Lalibela tour from Addis Ababa?

The best way to visit Lalibela churches from Addis Ababa is by using the domestic flights of the Ethiopian Airlines.

We customize this two-day private tour from Addis Ababa to Lalibela. We organize it to suit the time visitors want to spend in and around Lalibela. Let us combine this tour using other means of travel. We revise tour prices considering visitors' requests.

Every year in January, pilgrims and worshipers flock to Lalibela.  On January 6th and 7th, the Ethiopian Christmas (Genna) is very colorful at Lalibela.

What's so unique about the rock cut churches of Lalibela? What makes Lalibela rock-hewn churches special?

Lalibela of northern Ethiopia is world-famous for its ancient rock churches. Here are some of the reasons Lalibela rock churches are special and unique.

• All the rock churches in Lalibela were hand-carved from one solid piece of stone.
• Out of over 200 rock cut Ethiopian churches, the Lalibela churches are the best in architectural features.
• In Lalibela, regular church services of Ethiopian Orthodox Christians were and are still held in rock churches.
• Bete Medhane Alem the biggest monolithic underground rock church in the world. It measures 11.5 meters in height and covering an area of about 800 square meters.
• Each of the rock churches at Lalibela has a unique design and architectural style.
• The churches at Lalibela were not carved into the sides of cliffs, but were dug into the ground and detached from the mother rock by trenches.
• Among the most important pilgrimage destinations in Ethiopia are the churches of Lalibela. Pilgrims and worshippers flock to Lalibela for the Ethiopian Christmas (Genna) held on January 6th and 7th every year.
• Ethiopia's most popular tourist destination is the rock churches at Lalibela.
• UNESCO has registered 13 sites in Ethiopia as World Heritage Sites – the largest number of UNESCO World Heritage sites in Africa. From the Ethiopian Heritages, Lalibela rock cut churches were the first to be designated World Heritage Sites by UNESCO (1978).
• Bete Giorgis church (or Church of Saint George) at Lalibela has a design of a Greek cross.
• Carving of all the 11 rock churches of Lalibela took only 23 years (late 12th and early 13th Century AD).

Explore Lalibela's Wonders! WhatsApp Us for Details!

What are the 11 rock churches of Lalibela, Ethiopia?

Lalibela's eleven rock churches belong to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Christianity. All the 11 churches in the northern Ethiopian town of Lalibela are carved in natural rock.

These religious and historical landmarks shine not only Ethiopia’s, but African history. Their architecture sophistication is other-worldly. Lalibela churches are of course among the top pilgrimage destination and religious tourism in Africa.

The names of 11 rock churches in Lalibela, as well as their meanings, are listed here. The table also lists the unique characteristics of Lalibela's rock-hewn churches, as well as which group they belong to.

List of Lalibela rock churches

No	Name of rock church	Name meaning (Dedication)	Special Feature of the rock church	Group the rock church belongs to
1	Bete Medhane Alem (ቤተ መድሃኔ ዓለም)	House of the Savior of the World	☀ World’s biggest monolithic rock church ☀ Surrounded with external pillars	Group 1
2	Bete Maryam ( ቤተ ማርያም)	House of Saint Mary	☀ The first rock church carved in Lalibela ☀ Decorated with 15th Century Paintings (frescoes)	Group 1
3	Bete Meskel (ቤተ መስቀል)	House of the Cross	Semi-monolithic rock church with only the front side detached from the main rock	Group 1
4	Bete Denagel (ቤተ ደናግል)	House of Virgins		Group 1
5	Bete Golgotha (ቤተ ሚካኤል)	House of Golgotha Mikael	☀ It is a twin rock church (two churches in one building) ☀ The tomb of Lalibela is found at Bete Golgotha.	Group 1
6	Bete Gabriel-Rafael (ቤተ ገብርኤል ሩፋኤል)	House of Gabriel Raphael	It was not originally carved for church purpose. It was probably a palace or prison.	Group 2
7	Bete Amanuel (ቤተ አማኑኤል)	House of Emmanuel	The only truly monolithic church from the second group, and artistically refined.	Group 2
8	Bete Lehem (ቤተ ልሄም)	House of Holy Bread	It is not used as a church now.	Group 2
9	Bete Mercoreos (ቤተ መርቆሬዎስ)	House of St. Mercoreos		Group 2
10	Bete Abba Libanos (ቤተ አባ ሊባኖስ)	House of Abbot Libanos	☀ It is unique that only its roof is connected with the living rock ☀ It is believed to be carved by the wife of King Lalibela (Meskel Kibra).	Group 2
11	Bete Giorgis (ቤተ ጊዮርጊስ)	House of St. George	☀ The most famous rock church of Lalibela ☀ Unique for its cross shaped architecture ☀ The last church carved by King Lalibela	Group 3

Note – Lalibela rock churches are clustered into three groups – Group 1 (The Northern Group), Group 2 (The Eastern Group), and Group 3 (The Western Group).

FURTHER INFORMATION - If you are planning your travels to Lalibela by yourself, read this helpful Travel Guide to Lalibela Rock-Hewn Churches.

Please, check other two day trips from Addis Ababa with Merit Ethiopian Experience Tours. If you have other expectations and questions, we customize our tours to suit you. Contact us and plan your tour in Ethiopia with us including this two-days tour to Lalibela churches from Addis Ababa.

Have you booked a tour with Merit Ethiopian Experience Tours? Would you recommend our tours in Addis Ababa or Lalibela to a friend or family member? Please share your feedback on TripAdvisor using the following link. Thank you!

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Book your private two days tour to Lalibela with Merit Ethiopian Experience Tours!