Lalibela & Abune Yosef: Trekking tour with local guide

Summary

Trek Ethiopia’s highlands, visit Lalibela churches, share coffee in mountain villages

You’ll trek Ethiopia’s highlands with a local guide, share coffee in a mountain village, spot gelada baboons near Abune Yosef, and explore Lalibela’s ancient churches up close. Expect warm welcomes and quiet moments you’ll remember long after the trip ends.

What’s the experience like?

“You can’t rush the mountain,” our guide Tesfaye said, grinning as he adjusted the donkey’s load outside the little office in Lalibela. I’d barely finished my first cup of buna when we set off, boots crunching on red dust. The city faded behind us fast — just a patchwork of tin roofs and distant church bells — and suddenly it was only us, Tesfaye, and the porter winding up into the Lasta mountains. The air felt sharper up there; I could smell eucalyptus and wood smoke drifting from somewhere below. At one point, Tesfaye pointed out the faint outline of St. George’s church carved straight into the earth — I had to squint to see it through the haze.

The first real pause came after a couple hours, at this tiny village perched at 3,300 meters. Some kids waved shyly from behind a stone wall. We were invited inside a farmer’s house for an Ethiopian coffee ceremony — honestly, I didn’t expect to feel so welcome so quickly. The beans roasted right there on open coals filled the room with this deep, almost chocolatey smell. I tried to say thank you in Amharic; everyone laughed (in a kind way). Later, climbing again toward Asheton Maryam monastery, my legs started to complain but then we spotted gelada baboons picking their way across the rocks below. Lunch was simple bread and fruit at the top — wind whipping around us — but that view over Lalibela is still stuck in my head.

The next day was tougher: more than 18 kilometers trekking up toward Mount Abune Yosef itself (4,200 meters). There were moments where conversation just dropped away because all you could hear was your own breath and maybe a distant bird call — Tesfaye said that huge shadow overhead was a lammergeier vulture but I’m still not sure. Nights at Ade Medhamialem lodge were quiet except for goat bells and laughter from neighboring houses; sharing injera with local farmers felt less like tourism and more like being let in on something ordinary but special.

On our last morning we walked back down toward Lalibela city — knees wobbly by then — and after lunch finally visited those UNESCO rock-hewn churches up close. It’s strange how they look almost modest from above but inside they’re cool and echoing, full of candle smoke and whispered prayers. I kept thinking about Tesfaye saying you can’t rush these places; maybe that’s true for all of it here.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Trek to Ade Medhamialem Village

• Eco trekking to Asheton Monastery and Ade Medhamialem village, including coffee ceremony and wildlife spotting

Day 2 — Trekking Mount Abune Yosef

• Trek to Tegu Kebele, Ziget mountains, and summit Mount Abune Yosef

Day 3 — Return to Lalibela and Church Visit

• Walk back to Lalibela and visit UNESCO World Heritage churches including St. George

Top questions

How long is the trek from Lalibela to Mount Abune Yosef?

The total trekking distance is about 45 km over three days.

Is hotel pickup included for this Lalibela trekking tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in your booking.

What altitude will we reach during the Abune Yosef trek?

You’ll reach up to 4,200 meters at Mount Abune Yosef.

Are meals or drinks provided during the tour?

You’ll have breakfast at the lodge each morning; water is included. Lunch is provided during trekking days.

Do we visit the UNESCO churches of Lalibela on this tour?

Yes, you’ll visit Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches including St. George on your final day.

Where do we sleep during the trek?

You’ll stay overnight at Ade Medhamialem Community Lodge with local farmers’ families.

Is this trekking tour suitable for beginners?

The trek is graded as easy to moderate but does require some physical fitness due to altitude and distance.

What’s included

Your trip includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Lalibela, bottled water throughout your trek, all park entrance fees (including for Abune Yosef), entry to Lalibela’s churches with an expert local guide by your side each day, plus two nights’ stay at Ade Medhamialem Community Lodge where you’ll share meals with local families before returning to town.