Lalibela 2-day tour: Rock churches and cave mummies

Two days inside Ethiopia's carved New Jerusalem, from the Northern churches to St. George

This 2-day guided tour covers 11 monolithic churches carved from rock in 12th-century Lalibela, plus the 80-year-older Yimrehane Krestos church built inside a cave, where mummified remains of 5,500 pilgrims line the back wall. Airport pickup, hotel drops, and a guide in English, French or German are included. Children from age 4 are welcome. Entry fees to the rock churches and museum are separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Northern group of churches and museum

• Pick up at airport and drive to hotel
• Lunch on your own at hotel
• Visit Northern group of churches
• Visit museum
• Return to hotel

Day 2: Cave church and Southeastern churches

• Drive 42 km to Yimrehane Krestos cave church
• See mummified pilgrims in cave
• Return to hotel for lunch
• Tour Southeastern cluster of churches
• Visit St. George church

The experience

Day one starts with airport pickup and a drive to your hotel for lunch on your own. In the afternoon, a guide takes you through the Northern group of churches (carved entirely from single blocks of stone), then to the museum. The guide walks you through the history and art of each church, explaining how they were built as a New Jerusalem when the actual city was unreachable.

Day two begins after breakfast with a 42-kilometer drive to Yimrehane Krestos, a church built of wood and stone inside a cave that predates Lalibela's rock-hewn churches by about 80 years. At the back of the cave are the mummified remains of centuries-old pilgrims, 5,500 of them. After returning to your hotel for lunch, the afternoon tour covers the Southeastern cluster of churches and Bet Giyorgis, the cross-shaped monolithic church built in honor of St. George, Ethiopia's patron saint. The following morning, pickup occurs after breakfast for transfer to the airport.

What’s included

• Airport pickup and hotel drop-off both days.
• air-conditioned vehicle throughout.
• professional guide in English, French or German.
• access to the Northern group of churches, the museum, Yimrehane Krestos cave church, the Southeastern cluster, and Bet Giyorgis.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (19 to 65 years) · Senior (66 to 93 years) · Youth (13 to 18 years) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French and German

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 8 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 8 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Chris Lalibela Tours

Is this one for you?The two-day structure lets you see both the Northern and Southeastern clusters of Lalibela's churches plus the older cave church at Yimrehane Krestos in a single trip, which a one-day tour cannot fit. If you have only one day, the single-day option covers the main churches in Lalibela itself.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French and German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 18 years); Child (4 to 12 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

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 exactly are the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela?

The rock-hewn churches of Lalibela are 11 monolithic structures carved entirely from single blocks of stone in the 12th century. They were built as a New Jerusalem at a time when Jerusalem itself was inaccessible to pilgrims, and each church is carved downward into the rock rather than built upward.

What will I see at Yimrehane Krestos on day two?

Yimrehane Krestos is a church built of wood and stone inside a cave, located 42 kilometers from Lalibela. It predates the rock-hewn churches by about 80 years, and at the back of the cave you will see the mummified remains of 5,500 pilgrims from centuries past.

Does the tour include meals and accommodation?

The tour includes airport pickup, hotel drops, and a guide. Meals and accommodation are on your own. You have time for lunch at your hotel both days, and entry fees to the rock churches, museum, and Yimrehane Krestos are paid separately.