Ad Medhane Alem Village

Asheton Maryam Monastery - In the morning, by 7 at the latest, you’ll meet your guide either at your hotel or the Highland Eco Trekking office. You’ll also find a mule man with all the necessary gear neatly packed on the mule, ready for your trek into the LASTA MOUNTAINS above Lalibela. If your hotel hasn’t provided a sufficient breakfast, we usually start the day with a hearty meal at a local café to ensure you’re well-fueled for the journey.

If we haven’t finalized the details via email beforehand, please arrange this a day before the hike with our guides at the office or with the person who picks you up from the airport. This way, everyone knows exactly where to meet. It’s just a short walk out of town; 10 minutes after leaving the office, you’ll already be above Lalibela, on the same path locals use to bring goods to the market and back home. This route is the only connection from the highlands to Lalibela, making it very important. You might see grandmothers running barefoot over the stones with large baskets, young men carrying huge piles of hay, and mules loaded with supplies. You won’t encounter many tourists here, but you’ll pass through small rural villages and see people working in their fields. As you ascend in serpentines, the first breathtaking views will make you pause (and maybe the altitude too, but don’t worry, there’s no rush!). At around 3400 meters, you’ll reach the still-active mountain monastery called ASHETEN MARYAM, home to monks and nuns living a hermit-like life. The monastery can be visited for an entrance fee. You’ll see old crosses, bibles, and the cave church rooms. The priest is usually there to show you the holy items, offering a great photo opportunity. Whether you go inside or not, this is your first stop to eat and rest, enjoying the vast view and clean mountain air.

Medhane Alem Adi Kesho - After this break, you’ll continue deeper into the highlands, where the landscape becomes rougher and the vegetation sparser. Wherever you are at midday, lunch will be brought to you, freshly prepared by the company cook. Soon, you’ll arrive at AD MEDHANE ALEM (ATABKIT), a large plateau overlooking Lalibela, the WOLLO land, and even the Gondar region and Tigray. It’s a great spot for bird-watching. Here, you’ll have lunch and a long break at around 3600 meters. You’ll then walk towards AD MEDHANE ALEM VILLAGE, NEAR ASTABIR, your ‘home’ for the night. The hike becomes less steep, allowing for a more relaxed pace. Upon reaching the village, you’ll meet your ‘family’ who will show you around and involve you in daily activities. You’ll experience the famous Ethiopian coffee ceremony and other unique customs.

You can also explore the village to see what life is like up here. In the evening, we usually prepare a fire or sit with your family around their fireplace inside the huts. Dinner will be served, and you can unwind from a day full of interesting experiences.

Lalibela Town

Highland Eco Trekking Tours Ethiopia - After breakfast, you’ll gather your belongings and start the walk back to Lalibela, with occasional stops to enjoy the views or observe the animals. You’ll arrive in town around 4 PM.

• Accommodation
• Bottled water
• English speaking guide
• Snacks
• Lunch
• All activities on the trek, e.g., with the farmers
• Dinner
• Breakfast
• Tea and coffee
• Safe luggage storage in Lalibela at our office

• Entrance fee for Asheten Mariam monastery church