Things to do in Lalibela, Amhara Region: The Best Cultural Tours

March 23, 2022 Emerita Lamoureux

Lalibela (Amharic: ላሊበላ) is a town in Amhara Region, northern Ethiopia famous for monolithic rock-cut churches. The whole of Lalibela offers an exceptional testimony to the medieval and post-medieval civilization of Ethiopia. Lalibela is one of Ethiopia's holiest cities, second only to Aksum, and a center of pilgrimage. Unlike Aksum, the population of Lalibela is almost completely Ethiopian Orthodox Christian. Ethiopia was one of the earliest nations to adopt Christianity in the first half of the fourth century, and its historical roots date to the time of the Apostles. The churches themselves date from the seventh to thirteenth centuries, and are traditionally dated to the reign of the Zagwe dynasty king Gebre Mesqel Lalibela (r. ca. 1181–1221 AD).
Restaurants in Lalibela

1. Two Day Lalibela Rock-hewn Churches Adventure-UNESCO World Heritage Site

Travel Africa Tours
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Nice and easy tour of all 11 Lalibela Rock-hewn churches, as well as Asheton Maryam monastery and/or Yemrehanna Kristos church. Experience some of the most amazing examples of monolithic churches on earth when you come to Ethiopia with Travel Africa Tours. You'll also have the opportunity to hike to Asheton Maryam a 13th century rock-hewn monastery offering sweeping views over the town of Lalibela and its mountains. Another option for this tour is to drive to Yemrehanna Kristos a gorgeous church that predates the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela.

Inclusions: All taxes, fees and handling charges, Fuel surcharge, National Park fees, TripAdvisor Experiences brokerage fee, Bottled water, Dinner, Lunch, Driver/guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, 2 nights accommodation, Breakfast

Exclusions: Excess luggage charges (where applicable), Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase), Gratuities, Domestic Airfare to/from Lalibela

Reviewed By 849rafiqj

In spite of the travel restrictions and other unexpected closures, Travel Africa tours was able to put together a tour itinerary for me to see Ethiopia. The tour company even made it possible for me to do additional activities that I wanted to do. I highly recommend Travel Africa Tours for your touring needs and Ethiopia and throughout Africa.

2. Lalibela Nature, Bird, Wildlife, Church (Hiking To Mount Abune Yoseph Lalibela)

Addis Ethiopia Tours
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

What To expect - Get an Exercise, Spend sometime with the Locals, get some training on how to bake Injera, see the Galada Baboons, Witness the daily life of the Ethiopian Highlander, see the stuning view, and more...

Inclusions: Lunch, Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks, Bottled water, Coffee and/or Tea

Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase), Gratuities, Souvenir photos (available to purchase), DVD (available to purchase)

Reviewed By 593martinu

Adis is great guide with huge knowledge of archeology and history. He answered all my questions and we had very nice talk about all the important places and museums we visited during our tour. We were in oldest restaurant in Adis Abeba with special atmosphere and delicious food, for people who want to try something unusual ask about honey wine there. Also we visited oldest caffe shop where you can buy nice coffee and have a talk. Thank you Adis ????????

3. North Ethiopia Tours 12 Days From Addis Ababa

Aman Ethiopia Tours & Travel
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5.0 based on 5 reviews

Book your tours to North Ethiopia with our company and you will have a chance of experiencing the amazing Ethiopian daily life , foods , markets and we will show you the real historical parts and archaeological destination

Inclusions: Lunch, Lunch, Lunch, Lunch, Lunch, Lunch, Lunch, Lunch, Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: All Flight

Reviewed By Sebrodas

My partner and I had a wonderful day at the Zuqualla Mountain. Joseph and Nico guided us on a private visit. They took care of everything, and showed us local jems. It felt like we were road tripping with our buddies - it was above and beyond! Really great service, it is not the last time, can definitely recommend! Thanks

4. Northern Ethiopia And Danakil

Escape into Ethiopia
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Take a 11 days tour around one of our northern routes including Danakil depressions, Simien Mountains, Lalibela churches, and ancient city of Axum. Escape into Ethiopia tours will take you the highlights of Ethiopia’s magnificent places. Ethiopia lands of extremes: having the Danakil Depression, Cliff-Top Churches, extraordinary Mountains and underground rock-cut churches. Escape into Ethiopia tours help visitors to explore this entire extremes. Start from the Danakil Depression, is currently over 100 meters below sea level; make it one of the lowest points on the earth surface. Simien Mountains (roof of Africa): Cloud piercing peak, shield secrete of Eden and cliff-top teaming with life. Simien Mountain is homes of endemic mammals including Gelada baoons. Axum was a political and religious capital around 3000 years ago and crowed obelisks tombs of the kings of Axum carved from Geraint with some towering over 33 meters tall. This memorial’s was seen stairway to heaven.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, All Fees and Taxes, All domestic flights:Addis Ababa to Bahir-dar, from Gondar to Axum and From Lalibela to Addis Ababa , Tour leader, Hotels as per the itinerary, Bottle of water everyday, Scouts fees in the national parks (Simen National Park). , Boat Cruise over Lake Tuna at Bahir-dar and local boat at Blue Nile , Military service in Danakil Depression

Exclusions: Alcohol Beverage , Lunch, and Dinner, Tips , Snacks

Reviewed By dtadst

Reliable and honest guide good English and friendly highly recommended. He also can help with other tours

5. Visiting Lalibela Churches

Ethio Begena tour and travel
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Our tour is very friendly and give priority for our clients and all of our staff's are Experianced.

Inclusions: Lunch, Dinner, Private transportation, All Fees and Taxes

Exclusions: Alcoholic Beverages

Reviewed By Make32

Ethio Begena is a young company with a friendly owners. They can show you the best sides of Ethiopia, especially Lalibela (rock-hewn churches). Ethio Begena has a vibes of small company, but they work truly professionally and ambitiously.

6. 6 Days Lalibela, Omo Valley and Harar

Ethio Travel and Tours
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5.0 based on 11 reviews

In this trip you will have a chance to discover the Eastern, Northern and Southern part of Ethiopia.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Air-conditioned vehicle, All Fees and Taxes, Local guide service as per the program, All Entrance fees and licenses as per the program.

Exclusions: Services which are not listed in the inclusion

Reviewed By 290nataliiad

I've got the best possible service, as for me. I had a really good guide and great driver. He was very attentive: I did video on the way with opened windows and driver closed window for safety and said me I can continue to video street life. I liked traditional clothing market a lot: if you want to have really beautiful souvenir from Ethiopia, I think Shiromeda ( I'm not sure, if I wrote it correctly..) is the best possible place)) I really highly appreciative for the service I had. We visited Mercato market and I felt totally safe there: without a guide I would never go there. But with the guide it was very interesting and safe visit. The tour is flexible and it's great: you can choose what is interesting for you. We bought good coffee on the way and also I've tasted avocado and mango juice)) The owner of company is great and treated me in the best way)) Highly recommended Ethio Travel and Tours for your tours through Ethiopia and Addis.

7. Full Day Tour in Lalibela

Simien Image Tour and Travel
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

It is a history and mystery frozen in stone, its soul alive with the rites and awe of Christianity at its most ancient and unbending. Lalibela has one of the highest concentration of Churches of such architectural elegance and overall engineering sophistication in one spot. The 13 Churches in two complexes are said to represent a reproduction of Jerusalem. Their lighting systems, channels, water works, network of interconnected subterranean passageways and the sheer magnitude of the whole project are mind boggling.

Inclusions: Coffee and/or Tea, Lunch, Bottled water, Air-conditioned vehicle, All Fees and Taxes

Exclusions: Services which are not mentioned on the inclusion

Reviewed By Grip7791

I traveled to Ethiopia on my own and while I was there I decided to purchase Simien Image Tour & Travel's "Hawassa and Rift Valley Lakes – Two Days Tour." I had difficulties with paying because I was new to experience of financial transactions in Ethiopia, being it was my first time visiting, and my bank in America was having issues with processing some transactions. Alexander Kemal was extremely patient with me and eventually everything was worked out. The morning of the tour's first day the driver was prompt with picking me up from the hotel and we were off. When he told me we were doing to get my tour guide I nonchalantly thought to myself "for what reason!" I wasn't concerned about having a tour guide, just getting to Hawassa and seeing what was on the way there. To my surprise Candy Walker, my tour guide, was an excellent guide. She is very knowledgeable on the history and various cultures of Ethiopia, therefore I learned a lot in two days. Buze, the driver, was the perfect driver for this road trip and was fabulous DJ! He knew all the scenic stops, all the best foods to order whenever we ate, where to get the best buna in Shashamene, and he's even a decent dancer while driver. I saw and experienced way more than I thought I would and I am eternally thankful that I happened to call the business that day. One business transaction, and a two day tour was enough to establish the foundation for a several friendships that I am appreciative of. I will definitely be recommending your business to any and everyone.

8. 6 Days tour Package (Simien Mountains, Lalibela, and Danakil Depression)

Ethio Travel and Tours
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5.0 based on 29 reviews

Simien Mountain and Danakil are two different landscapes, simien mountains are part of the Ethiopian Highlands. They are a World Heritage Site and include the Simien Mountains National Park. The mountains consist of plateaus separated by valleys and rising to pinnacles. Where as danakil is one of the most geologically active regions with three tectonic plates meeting at the Afar Triple Junction. When tectonic plates move apart like at Danakil, it creates lave lakes, hot springs, geysers and fissures in the ground. The rock-hewn churches of Lalibela in Ethiopia are the most extraordinary man-made sites in sub-Saharan Africa. Our tour is unique as it is well-arranged including "must visit" historic sites of Lalibela which we deliver all with Ethiopian hospitality and touch.

Inclusions: Lunch, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch, Breakfast, Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch, All Entrance fees and licenses as per the program., Accommodation and all meals throughout the tour., Bottles of water for the trip., Surface Transport expense with 4WD Land-cruiser including fuel expense and drivers allowance, Local guide service for the afar region as per the program., Cooking and camping equipment., Scout and police service in Afar Region as per the program., Camel and camel tires in Afar Region as per the program., All transport, English speaking Guide and Driver, Three domestic flights with Ethiopian Air Lines, Security

Exclusions: Lunch and dinner in Lalibela and Gondar., International flights, Any alcoholic drinks, Any videographer or camera fee needed, Laundry service, Any expense of Personal items like internet, fax and telephone., Services which are not mentioned in the above section

Reviewed By 290nataliiad

I've got the best possible service, as for me. I had a really good guide and great driver. He was very attentive: I did video on the way with opened windows and driver closed window for safety and said me I can continue to video street life. I liked traditional clothing market a lot: if you want to have really beautiful souvenir from Ethiopia, I think Shiromeda ( I'm not sure, if I wrote it correctly..) is the best possible place)) I really highly appreciative for the service I had. We visited Mercato market and I felt totally safe there: without a guide I would never go there. But with the guide it was very interesting and safe visit. The tour is flexible and it's great: you can choose what is interesting for you. We bought good coffee on the way and also I've tasted avocado and mango juice)) The owner of company is great and treated me in the best way)) Highly recommended Ethio Travel and Tours for your tours through Ethiopia and Addis.

9. Walking tours

Lalibela, Ethiopia Roha lalibela free walking tour
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4.9 based on 11 reviews

Roha Lalibela free walking tour is eager to offer top level service for our valued guests. We offer over and above those on tours available from other operators. As well as, we are flexible, friendly and funny with our guests and we know what the interests of tourists. we are incredibly passionate for our Job and we warmly invite you to join us for a truly unforgettable experience.

Inclusions: Guided tour

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10. Visiting Lalibela churches for 1-Night

Lalibela, Ethiopia Dan Lalibela Tour Guide Services
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4.9 based on 32 reviews

This tour contains the most famous rock hewn churches " the living wonder of the world " this churches are they have been here for at list 900 years we will attend a church service in one of the churches of Lalibela. we will attend a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony . Our teams are long year experienced in this sector. we will give 10% of our profit for primary school construction in the countryside

Inclusions: Bottled water, Driver/guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Transport by private vehicle

Exclusions: Accommudation include in the package, Lunch and dinner include in the package

Reviewed By OlgaExplorer

Just in the end of a daunting 2020, we had an amazing tailor made tour with Daniel through the churches of Lalibela, the 2 clusters and Bete Yiorgis in the city and the further away older churches Bilbala Kirkos and Yemrehane Kristos (cave church). It was our second trip with Daniel and we wanted to focus on photographing priests. As a priest's son himself, Daniel knows all the priests of each church, all the nooks and crannies of the clusters and the best timings to see or avoid the mass and the crowds. Apart from the rock-hewn churches, expect a cultural trip as well to see and taste every Lalibela's secret. I have to say that Daniel is an excellent, experienced, flexible professional who understands his customers' needs and offers the most wholistic and inspiring experience.

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