Lalibela Ethiopia 2 Day Itinerary

Day 1: Exploring Lalibela

Morning:

  • Arrival at Lalibela Airport (Bisha Abera Hailu International Airport) and transfer to your hotel.
  • Check-in at one of the recommended hotels: Lalibela Hotel, Lalibela Rock-Hewn Churches Lodge or Mount Zion Hotel.

Things to Know:

  • Lalibela is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with 11 rock-hewn churches carved from the red volcanic tuff around the turn of the 13th century.
  • Dress modestly when visiting the churches. Shoulders and knees should be covered.

Mid-Morning:

  • Visit the first cluster of churches: Beta Giyorgis, the most famous single-chapel monastery, is hidden at the end of a long trench cut into the earth and accessible only by a steep, narrow tunnel. The other churches in this group are Bet Medhane Alem (the largest monolithic church), Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, and Bet Denagel.

Lunch:

  • Enjoy a traditional Ethiopian meal at the locally recommended Yeha Alene Midrak Restaurant. Try their Injera, Tibs, and Kitfo.

Afternoon:

  • Head to the second group of churches: Bet Golgotha Mikael, Bet Mariam, Bet Maskal, Bet Pawlos, Bet Amanual, Bet Gabriel-Rufael and Betlehem. Don’t miss Bet Giyorgis in this cluster, which you might have visited in the morning but can be seen from a different perspective.

Evening:

  • Relax at your hotel or explore the local market for souvenirs.
  • Dinner at your hotel or try the local cuisine at Lalibela Restaurant.

Day 2: More Churches and Surroundings

Morning:

  • Visit the three northern churches: Bet Ana Tsion, Ashetan Maryam (accessible via a 150m long trench), and Bet Medhane Alem Mikael.
  • Head to the western cluster of churches which includes Beta Merkorewos, Bet Abba Libanos, and Bet Gabriel-Rufael Lequinto.

Lunch:

  • Lunch at Yeha Alene Midrak Restaurant or try another local eatery.

Afternoon:

  • Take a short trip to the nearby town of Yemrehana Kristos Church (approx. 30km from Lalibela). This church, built in the 12th century, is not monolithic but has an interesting history and architecture.

Evening:

  • Return to Lalibela and enjoy a farewell dinner at your hotel or Lalibela Restaurant.

Transportation:

  • Taxis are readily available in Lalibela, or you can hire a local guide to visit the churches. A car is recommended for the trip to Yemrehana Kristos Church.

Tips:

  • Bring comfortable shoes as there will be a lot of walking involved.
  • Respect the local customs and traditions when visiting churches and interacting with locals.
  • Purchase a combined ticket (150 Birr) for all 11 churches from the office at the entrance to the first cluster of churches.
  • The best time to visit is during the dry season, between October and February.