3-Day Lalibela Genna Festival Tour with Flights and Church Visits

3 Days Round trip from Bole International Airport Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Experience Genna, Ethiopian Christmas, on 7 January in Lalibela
02 Join the Christmas Eve vigil with pilgrims, candlelight, and chanting priests
03 Witness dawn ceremonies with the priests' traditional religious dance
04 Explore the UNESCO-listed rock-hewn churches, including Bete Medhane Alem and Bete Maryam
05 Visit the iconic cross-shaped Bete Giyorgis carved from a single block of rock

Genna, Ethiopian Christmas, is celebrated on 7 January, and nowhere is it more moving than in Lalibela. Tens of thousands of pilgrims in white shawls travel to the 800-year-old rock-hewn churches for an all-night vigil, followed by dawn ceremonies of chanting and the priests' traditional religious dance. This short private tour flies you to Lalibela for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, with guided visits to both groups of churches, including Bete Medhane Alem, Bete Maryam, and the iconic Bete Giyorgis. Return domestic flights, airport transfers, two nights in Lalibela, and all church entrance fees are included.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Addis Ababa, Lalibela

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Fly to Lalibela and Attend the Christmas Eve Vigil

Fly from Addis Ababa to Lalibela on Christmas Eve (6 January). On arrival, meet your Enat Ethiopia Tours guide and transfer to your hotel. Begin with the UNESCO-listed rock-hewn churches of the northern group, including Bete Medhane Alem and Bete Maryam.

In the evening, thousands of pilgrims dressed in white gather around the churches and on the surrounding rock ledges for the Christmas Eve vigil, with chanting priests and candlelight through the night. Overnight in Lalibela.

Day 02

Celebrate Genna and Visit the Southern Churches

Christmas Day (7 January). Join the early-morning Genna celebrations, when priests in ceremonial robes chant and perform the slow, rhythmic religious dance with drums and sistra, watched by pilgrims from the rock ledges above.

After the ceremonies, continue to the southern group of churches and the famous cross-shaped Bete Giyorgis, carved from a single block of rock. Overnight in Lalibela.

Day 03

Return Flight to Addis Ababa

Morning flight back to Addis Ababa, with a transfer to your hotel or onward international flight. End of tour.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Bole International Airport 2 cities · 3 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Domestic flights: Addis Ababa - Lalibela - Addis Ababa
Airport transfers in Addis Ababa and Lalibela
Accommodation for 2 nights in Lalibela (breakfast included)
Professional English-speaking guide
All entrance fees to the rock-hewn churches in Lalibela
Guided visits during the Genna (Ethiopian Christmas) celebrations
Bottled drinking water during tours
Government taxes and service charges

What's Not Included

International flights
Lunches and dinners
Personal expenses (souvenirs, laundry, etc.)
Tips and gratuities
Camera/video fees where applicable
Alcoholic and soft drinks

What to bring

Warm layers and a jacket for the night vigil
Comfortable slip-on walking shoes and socks
A white scarf or shawl if you'd like to dress like the pilgrims
Small torch (flashlight)
Sun hat and sunscreen for daytime

Know before you go

Genna is celebrated on 7 January; this tour runs on the fixed festival dates (6-8 January).
Lalibela is very busy at Genna; hotel rooms and flights are limited, so book early.
The churches are active places of worship: please dress modestly, remove shoes inside, and ask before photographing people.
Nights are cold in Lalibela (around 2,500 m), especially during the outdoor vigil.
A valid passport and Ethiopian visa (e-visa available) are required.

Logistics