Ethiopia · Religious & Spiritual

3-Day Lalibela Churches Tour from Addis Ababa with Mount Asheton

3 Days Round trip from Addis Ababa Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Tour Lalibela's extraordinary rock-hewn churches, a UNESCO World Heritage site
02 See eleven monolithic and semi-monolithic churches carved into the mountainside
03 Choose between a hike to Mount Asheton or a visit to Yemrehanna Kristos
04 Continue exploring Lalibela's churches with their tunnels, reliefs, and icon paintings
05 Opt for a half-day Addis Ababa city tour and an evening cultural dinner

Explore Lalibela's ancient rock-hewn churches, a UNESCO World Heritage site, on a captivating 3-day journey from Addis Ababa. Discover eleven monolithic and semi-monolithic churches carved directly into the mountainside stone more than 800 years ago, with passageways, tunnels, carved reliefs, and remarkable icon paintings. Choose between a scenic hike to Mount Asheton or a drive to the historic Yemrehanna Kristos church in a shallow cave, then continue your experience with more of Lalibela's churches. Return to Addis Ababa with the option of a half-day city tour and an evening cultural dinner.

This complex boasts the largest monolithic church in the world, a maze of passageways and tunnels, intricately carved reliefs, and fabulous examples of icon paintings.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Addis Ababa, Lalibela

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Fly to Lalibela and Explore the Rock-Hewn Churches

Fly from Addis Ababa to Lalibela.
Tour the magnificent rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This group of eleven monolithic and semi-monolithic structures was carved directly into the mountainside stone at least 800 years ago. This complex boasts the largest monolithic church in the world, a maze of passageways and tunnels, intricately carved reliefs, and fabulous examples of icon paintings.

Overnight: Lalibela.

Day 02

Mount Asheton Hike or Yemrehanna Kristos Excursion

In the morning, choose between two options:
- Take a morning hike with mules to Mount Asheton, home to a 13th-century rock-hewn monastery and great views over the town.
- Drive to Yemrehanna Kristos, a beautiful church in a shallow cave that predates the churches of Lalibela. The drive to Yemrehanna also offers views of the rural countryside and villages of the Ethiopian highlands.
Following either option above, continue touring Lalibela's churches in the afternoon.

Day 03

Return to Addis Ababa with Optional City Tour

Return to Addis Ababa via Ethiopian Airlines.
Enjoy an optional half-day city tour of Addis Ababa with an evening cultural dinner.
Transfer to the airport for a late-night departure if needed.