2-day Lalibela church tour: 11 rock-hewn churches

The churches are carved directly into the mountainside, not built on top of it.

A 2-day tour of the Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Ethiopia's highlands. You fly from Addis Ababa, stay overnight in Lalibela, and explore 11 monolithic churches carved from volcanic tuff over two days with an English-speaking guide. Hotel accommodation with breakfast, airport pickup and entrance fees are included. The tour ends with an early-morning mass service before the second day's exploration.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Fly to Lalibela and church tour

• Fly from Addis Ababa to Lalibela
• Tour rock-hewn churches
• Overnight at hotel

Day 2: Morning mass and church visit

• Attend early morning mass
• Explore second group of churches
• Drive back to Lalibela
• Fly back to Addis Ababa

The experience

The tour starts with a flight north from Addis Ababa to Lalibela, 700 kilometers away. On arrival, you begin touring the rock-hewn churches: a complex of 11 monolithic and semi-monolithic structures carved directly into the stone of the mountainside at least 800 years ago. The site contains the largest monolithic church in the world, along with a maze of passageways and tunnels, intricately carved reliefs, and icon paintings. You stay overnight at a hotel in Lalibela with breakfast included.

Day two starts early: you wake to attend a mass service at one of the best churches, then continue exploring the second group of churches. Bete Amanuel, Bete Marqorewos, Bete Abba Libanos, Bete Gabriel-Rufael, and Bet Giyorgis, which is described as the most elegant of all Lalibela churches. After exploring, you drive back to Lalibela and fly back to Addis Ababa the same day.

An English-speaking guide leads both days. Airport pickup and drop-off in Addis Ababa, accommodation with breakfast, and the 100 USD entrance fee per person are all included in the price. Lunch and dinner are not covered, nor is the domestic flight itself: that is a separate cost.

What’s included

• Airport pickup and drop-off in Addis Ababa.
• one night's hotel accommodation in Lalibela with breakfast.
• entrance fee to the Rock-Hewn Churches (100 USD per person).
• English-speaking guide for both days.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (11 to 13 years) · Senior (14 to 97 years) · Youth (9 to 10 years) · Child (5 to 8 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupUp to 4

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Enat Ethiopia Tours

Is this one for you?The tour requires an early start on day two to attend the mass service, and involves substantial walking through carved passageways and tunnels to explore all 11 churches. Plan for a full, active day of exploration rather than a leisurely pace.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (9 to 10 years); Child (5 to 8 years); Infant (under 5).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How many churches will I actually see on this 2-day tour?

The tour covers all 11 monolithic churches of Lalibela across the two days. Day one introduces the first group and the largest monolithic church in the world. Day two focuses on the second group of five churches, ending at Bet Giyorgis.

What time does the second day start, and why?

Day two begins very early in the morning so you can attend a mass service at one of the best churches before continuing to explore the remaining churches. This timing is built into the itinerary.

Do I need to arrange my own flights to and from Lalibela?

The tour includes flights on Ethiopian Airlines from Addis Ababa to Lalibela on day one and back to Addis Ababa on day two, but you pay for the domestic flight separately. It is not included in the tour price.

What is included in the accommodation?

Your overnight stay in Lalibela includes a hotel room and breakfast. Lunch and dinner are not included, so you will need to arrange and pay for those meals separately.

Is there a guide with me the whole time, and what language do they speak?

An English-speaking guide leads the tour throughout both days, explaining the churches and their history as you explore the carved passageways and reliefs.