Ethiopia · Hiking

3-Day Trek to Lalibela via Mount Abune Yosef and Tigu Kebele

3 Days Round trip from Ethiopia Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Trek across the Merebarbu plateau on the way to Lalibela
02 Hike to Atabkit ridge at 3600 metres for highland views and a freshly prepared lunch
03 Camp near Tigu Kebele, a mountain village at 3800 metres on the Abune Yoseph plateau
04 See the famous Gelada Baboons in their natural habitat
05 Climb Rim Gedel at 4284 metres and spend time with highlanders in the village
06 Enjoy a bonfire, freshly prepared dinners, and a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony

Traverse mountain paths, villages, and farms on the way to Lalibela, in the Amhara region of northern Ethiopia. This 3-day trek takes you via Merebarbu, Atabkit, the Twin Ziggits, and Rim Gedel, with traditional meals along the way. It is a wonderful way to experience the natural beauty of Lalibela and its surroundings while spending time in the highland villages of the Abune Yoseph plateau.

Climb Rim Gedel (4284 meters) and learn from, or help, the highlanders in the village with their chores.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Not included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

City Lalibela

Languages Amharic, English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Trek to Merebarbu and Tigu Kebele

Your tour guide will pick you up from the hotel, and you will begin trekking up to the plateau called Merebarbu.
Take a break at the plateau.
Continue hiking towards Atabkit ridge at 3600 meters, where you will be provided with a freshly prepared lunch.
Trek onward to our company huts, close to the mountain village of Tigu Kebele (3800 meters), on the Abune Yoseph plateau.
At night, enjoy a bonfire and a freshly prepared dinner.

Spend the night either in our traditional tukuls (farmers' house) or in a tent.

Day 02

Gelada Baboons, Tigu Kebele Village and Rim Gedel

After breakfast, start walking to see the famous Gelada Baboons.
Visit Tigu Kebele village, and from there, hike to the Twin Ziggits, where you will have lunch.
Climb Rim Gedel (4284 meters) and learn from, or help, the highlanders in the village with their chores.

Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay as before.

Day 03

Final Trek to Lalibela

Once you are done with breakfast, begin trekking to Lalibela town with your tour guide. Your tour ends in Lalibela.

Where this trip takes you

Merebarbu plateau, Atabkit ridge, Tigu Kebele village, Rim Gedel

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Ethiopia 1 city · 3 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Professional English-speaking Lalibela guide
Personal cook
Bottled water for the whole trek, 3.6 litres a day
Entrance fee for Abune Yosef conservation area
Accommodation expenses during the trek
Food provided during the hike
Porter and donkey to carry your bags with the things you need; you will only carry your own little backpack with the things you want to use on the way, like your camera and 1 bottle of water
The traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony
All activities on the trek, such as helping the farmers
Safe luggage storage at our office in Lalibela for items not needed on the trek