UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lalibela Churches

Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela - Lalibela Churches Tour (Full Day Tour)

An early start is highly recommended for visiting the UNESCO World Heritage rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, often referred to as the ‘New Jerusalem’ and considered the holiest town in Ethiopia. With 12 churches to explore, there’s much to see and learn, so be ready by 7:30 am.

Your professional tour guide will meet you at your hotel reception. After a brief 5-minute walk to the ticket office and entrance, you’ll begin exploring the first group of churches.

Before lunch, you’ll visit the first group of churches: Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, Bet Mikael, and Bet Golgotha, all connected through underground tunnels.

In the afternoon, after lunch, you’ll explore the second group of churches, including the renowned St. George Church.

– Bet Gabriel-Rufael, Bet Merkorios, Bet Amanual, and Bet Abba Libanos.

Finally, you’ll visit the most famous and picturesque church:

– Bet Giyorgis (St George), built in honor of the patron Saint George. (Please note all churches close at 6 pm)

After the tour, you have the opportunity to attend the famous Ethiopian coffee ceremony in a local home. The traditional three rounds of ‘Buna’ (Amharic for coffee) will be served, so it will take some time. In the evening, a visit to a traditional Tej house is recommended to taste Ethiopian honey wine while enjoying a live traditional Northern Ethiopian dance.

Overnight: Hotel, Lalibela

Lalibela to Mekele

Mek’ele - A 10-hour drive from Lalibela to Mekele through the towns of Woldia, Alamata, and Korem.

Start the Tour to Erta Ale

Erta Ale - Today, the journey begins with a drive to Erta Ale (meaning smoky mountain in the Afar language). Erta Ale is one of Ethiopia’s most captivating and physically demanding natural attractions. It is a shield volcano with a base diameter of 30 km and a 1 km square caldera at its summit. Erta Ale hosts the world’s only permanent lava lake. It stands at 613 meters, with a lava lake, one of only five globally, at the summit. It is notable for being the longest-existing lava lake, present since the early 20th century. (Activity may not be as intense as before, and flank eruption activity has slowed.)

The day starts early at 9:00 AM with a drive to Dodom (at the base of Erta Ale). This may be one of the roughest roads in the world. The 80 km journey may take about 6 hours, passing through landscapes of solidified lava, rock, sand, and occasional palm-lined oases. After passing several small hamlets scattered in this deserted land, you will arrive at the Dodom camping site, located about 17 km from Erta Ale.

Dinner will be served around 5:00 PM. After a short break, a 30-minute trek up to Erta Ale begins. Camels will transport all camping materials and some food (including sleeping materials like light mattresses and mats, and water) to the volcano’s rim, where the night will be spent watching the dramatic action of the boiling lava. The night will be spent on top of the mountain, at the rim of the volcano.

Dodom - Afdera

Afdera - Witness the early morning sunrise at the northern pit crater and take a 5-minute walk to the southern and central pits, which may correspond to an ancient pit or a simple collapse structure.

The main pit-crater, 200 m deep and 350 m across, is sub-circular and three-storied. The smaller southern pit is 65 m wide and about 100 m deep. Descend from Erta Ale around 9 am and return to Dodom after an early breakfast, ideally by 7:00 AM.

Arrive at the camp by 10:30 AM at the latest, where relaxation awaits. As soon as possible, drive to the mythical Lake Giulietti (or Lake Afdera) (optional, may not be available during summertime), a saltwater lake located more than 100 meters below sea level, in one of the planet’s deepest depressions. The picturesque landscape makes it interesting to visit the salt flats where the Afar people harvest salt by evaporating the lake’s water. Continue to Erbiti and proceed to Abaala/Hamed Ela.

Hamed Ela - Dalol - Mekele

• Lalibela churches professional tour guide
• Denakil Depression Professional Tour Guide
• 2-Days Accommodation at Denakil
• All bottled Water
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

• Lalibela churches Entrance fee
• All Alcoholic Drinks
• Personal Souvenirs
• Personal Tips
• Lalibela Mekele transfer cost
• Accommodation at Mekele
• Accommodation at Lalibela
• All Food and Drinks During The 2nd Day Driving from Lalibela to Mekele

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.