3-Day Lalibela Churches and Lasta Highlands Tour with Monasteries

'First Steps into the New Jerusalem'

• Arrive in Lalibela.

• Check in at your hotel.

• Receive a brief orientation.

• Enjoy a traditional Ethiopian highland lunch.

• In the afternoon, visit the Northwestern Cluster of churches:

  • Bete Medhane Alem, the largest monolithic rock-hewn church in the world.

  • Bete Maryam, believed to be the oldest of the churches, richly carved and painted.

  • Bete Meskel.

  • Bete Danagel.

• Continue to Bete Golgotha and Mikael, home to the Selassie Chapel and the tomb of King Lalibela.

• Move on to the Southeastern Cluster:

  • Bete Gabriel-Rafael.

  • Bete Merkorios.

  • Bete Amanuel.

  • Bete Abba Libanos.

• Enjoy sunset at a hillside viewpoint overlooking the town.

• Join a welcome dinner with a traditional coffee ceremony.

'Cliffs, Caves, and Community'

• Take a sunrise visit to Bete Giyorgis (the Church of St. George), Lalibela's iconic cross-shaped masterpiece, best experienced before the crowds arrive.

• Drive roughly ninety minutes into the highlands to Yemrehanna Kristo Church, an eleventh-century cave church built in alternating layers of wood and stone and considered one of Ethiopia's most atmospheric religious sites.

• Enjoy a picnic lunch amid the highland scenery.

• Continue to the Abune Yosef Community Trekking area, where local guides lead short walks along the escarpment with sweeping views over the Lasta range, with a chance to spot the rare Ethiopian wolf at higher elevations and to visit a highland village.

• Return to Lalibela in the evening for dinner and a traditional music-and-dance performance.

'The Quiet Corners of the Highlands'

• Visit Na'akuto La'ab Monastery, a serene cave church built around a natural spring.

• Continue to Asheton Maryam Monastery, reached by a scenic hike or mule ride with panoramic views over the surrounding valley.

• Enjoy a farewell lunch back in town.

• Explore Lalibela's local market.

• Meet weavers and potters.

• Browse for handwoven textiles, crosses, and religious icons.

• Transfer to Lalibela Airport for departure in the late afternoon.