2-Day Private Tour to Lalibela Rock-Hewn Churches

Medieval churches carved a thousand years into red volcanic rock

A 2-day private tour from Addis Ababa to Lalibela with flights, guide, accommodation and meals included. You explore rock-hewn churches and hidden crypts carved into the Lasta Mountains at 2,630 metres, starting with Bet Giyorgis (St George's), the most photographed and best-preserved of the cluster. The second morning leaves time to walk Lalibela's cobbled streets lined with two-story circular stone buildings before the return flight.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Flight to Lalibela and church visit

• Fly from Addis Ababa to Lalibela
• Explore Bet Giyorgis church
• Lunch
• Dinner

Day 2: Lalibela walk and return flight

• Walk through Lalibela cobbled streets
• Fly back to Addis Ababa
• Check in hotel for day use
• Explore Addis Ababa markets and shops
• Breakfast

The experience

An early morning flight from Addis Ababa takes roughly an hour to reach Lalibela, where you stay for two nights. The town sits isolated in the Lasta Mountains, but it holds Ethiopia's most famous architectural site: rock-hewn churches carved almost a millennium ago from the red volcanic rock beneath the town. Bet Giyorgis stands apart from the main northern cluster, carved in the form of a Greek cross and so well-preserved it is probably the most visually perfect of them all.

Your guide leads you through the medieval churches and the hidden crypts and grottoes carved into the stone. The architecture here has been called the Eighth Wonder of the World, and the scale of what was cut from the rock becomes clear as you move through each one. On the second morning, you have free time to walk the cobbled streets of Lalibela itself, where the homes are unlike anything else in Ethiopia: two-story circular stone buildings huddled together on steep slopes among craggy mountains and rocky escarpments.

The return flight to Addis Ababa takes approximately 1.5 hours. You check back into your hotel for day use and spend the afternoon exploring the city's markets and shops before your onward travel.

What’s included

• Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• accommodation for two nights in Lalibela.
• round-trip flights from Addis Ababa.
• private guide in English or German.
• car transfer to and from the airport.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 to 80 years) · Infant (1 to 11 years): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and German

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 3 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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Ethio Target Tours

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want a guided walk through Lalibela's rock churches over two days at a measured pace. The 2,630-metre altitude means you'll be walking uphill in thin air, so pick it only if you're comfortable with sustained elevation.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (1 to 11 years): free.

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.

What are the rock-hewn churches at Lalibela actually like?

The churches at Lalibela are carved into red volcanic rock, with Bet Giyorgis (St George's) the most famous: shaped like a Greek cross and exceptionally well-preserved. The site also includes hidden crypts and grottoes cut into the stone, built almost a thousand years ago.

What flights are included in the 2-day tour?

The tour includes a flight from Addis Ababa to Lalibela (approximately 1 hour) on day one and a return flight to Addis Ababa (approximately 1.5 hours) on day two, with accommodation and meals in Lalibela for two nights.