Lalibela Rock-Hewn Churches: Ancient Spiritual Center and UNESCO World Heritage Site
4.9
18 Ratings
Lalibela
Experience the ancient and awe-inspiring Lalibela Rock-Hewn Churches, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the Ethiopian highlands, attend a traditional coffee ceremony, and immerse yourself in the spiritual center of the country's religious life.
Duration:
1 day
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
-
Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela - This tour contains the most famous rock hewn churches “ the living wonders of the world “ this churches are they have been here for at list 900years
Yemrehan kistos ( cave church) built inside Natural cave under water at 11th century almost 100 years before the churches of Lalibela
In the inside part of this cave church we will visit very old paintings
we will attend a church service in one of the churches of Lalibela just to assure you this churches are active for 900 years
we will attend a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony.
What's Included
- Guide service in all places
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- All fees and/or taxes
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Accommodation including breakfast
- Tips
- Domestic flight Tickets
- Expense not related in this package
Additional Information
Lalibela is renowned for its beautifully sculpted rock-cut churches, which were constructed under the reign of King Lalibela. These churches, with their history dating back at least 900 years, continue to be a lively Christian shrine and are at the heart of the nation’s religious activities. Yemrehane Kristos, situated 45km north of Lalibela, is a church crafted within a natural underwater cave, approximately 100 years prior to the establishment of Lalibela’s churches. En route to Yemrehane Kristos, you get the chance to immerse yourself in the lifestyle of the Ethiopian highland community. Experience the traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, given that Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee, and attend a church service in one of Lalibela’s churches.
- Dress code is formal
- May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
- Dress code is formal
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants
Location
Lalibela
Lalibela airport
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(18 Ratings)
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Alvaro
Apr 9, 2023
Fascinating, eye opening, weekend visit - Dan showed me around the 11 churches of Lalibela, hewn directly from the rock, the Saturday market and the cave church at Yemrehan Kristos in about a day and half. He organized everything from airport pickup to drop off.
It was an amazing experience. Dan is local, deeply knowledgeable about Lalibela, its history and its cultural importance. I learned so much in his company in this fascinating and beautiful place. The churches, still active today, have been here for thousand years.
Stand out, Beta Maryam, Emmanuel, Raphael and Gabriel, Yemrehan Kristos and of course, Beta Giorgos, and the incredible landscapes of this region.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dainiuskinderis
Feb 13, 2023
I recommend using Daniels services. - Our group enjoyed stay in Lalibela with Daniel. All places you go are well worth visiting - churches on town, cave monastery etc.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Max_photographer_uk
Jan 10, 2023
Excellent Lalibela Guide - Daniel was excellent. We attended Christmas at Lalibela and Daniel ensured that our experience far exceeded our expectations. Daniel expertly navigated the site which was full of pilgrims for the celebrations ensuring we arrived seamlessly on time for all the best spectacles.
Daniel is very skilful at supporting photographers to help them realise images and find suitable subjects and situations. He's also very knowledgable about the site and its history.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bozidar
Jun 7, 2022
Lalibela is back, Daniel is the perfoect guide for you - Daniel Shewalem was the perfect guide to discover Lalibela's treasures after its re-opening to tourists this year.
He comes from a religious family, his grand-father and father having been priests so he he has lived the Lalibela experience from his earliest age.
His knowledge is deep and refined, his English is perfoect even though he never visited an English-speaking country and he has a very good perception of what would make a visit memorable.
The high point for our familiy of four, including a five-year old, was definetely the Sunday service for StMary, attended by so many.
Go to Lalibela and discover it with Daniel without hesitation. it is safe and remains one this world's wonder.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cedricda5611uk
Apr 13, 2022
A must go visit in Lalibela - Living in Ethiopia since some time, I decided to join some friends going to Lalibela in a crash for three days. Daniel arranged everything in an excellent manner and appeared as a real expert in historical, cultural and sociological approach of these XIIe century impressive jewels.
He arranged airport pick up and drop back in a comfortable private air-conditioned van . The first day afternoon we visited 1st groups churches. The
2nd day we visited the 2nd group churches including the beautiful stereotype of st George. On Saturday, we got an immersion within the coloured and smelling market, before going in the afternoon to visit Yemrehan Kirstos ( cave church), 42 km from Lalibela, which is really unique. Last day morning we visited Sunday church service at St George church before leaving to airport.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lisa
Jul 28, 2019
Daniel Lalibela offers excellent tour! - I was fortunate to visit Lalibela in June, and to have the excellent guide services of Daniel. He arranged everything, from airport pickup to hotel, and , of course, the wonderful tours of the churches. He is very knowledgeable of all the history ( he is from the area, and his father is a priest at one of the churches). He patiently answered questions, and provided the opportunity to visit on Sunday when the church service were occuring. Very interesting!! He is polite, professional, and speaks good English. I highly recommend Daniel Lalibela!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mgpg2019
Jul 25, 2019
Recommended for tours in Lalibela - I booked a tour in Lalibela and surroundings with Daniel as a guide. Daniel is a knowledgeable and kind guide and his Englisch is very good. The communication with him was smooth from the very beginning. The whole tour was very well organized (pick up, clean hotel , restaurants, schedule). The driver Ashow was also excellent. To get the most out of a visit in Lalibela, it is definitely advisable to have an experienced guide at your side. I do recommend Daniel to anyone who is planning to visit Lalibela and surroundings.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ameliam86
Jun 22, 2019
Excellent tour in Lalibela - We had a very pleasant tour with Daniel. He picked us at the airport. We check in at Mezena lodge, the best hotel in Lalibela with an extraordinary view.
We had the opportunity to participate in a religious festivity of saint Michael. In the afternoon we visited the first group of churches: Bet Medhane, Maryan, Meskel, Danaghel, Mikael and Gólgota.
Next day we drove to Yimrhanne Kirstos, an amazing church, built inside a cave. This 90 km round trip gave us the opportunity to explore highlands. In the afternoon we visited the second group of churches: Bet Gabriel-Rafael, Abba Libanos and Emanuel.
Next morning before going to the airport we visited the church of saint George.
Daniel explained us the history of the churches and saints and talked about Lalibela King. His English is very good and his travel agency services were excellent. I would recommend him for visiting Lalibela.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jennifer
May 19, 2019
Three day weekend visit - Had a very fun weekend with Daniel as our tour guide. Visited the north and south churches, Yemrehane Kristos and trekked to Ashton Mariam (on foot, opted not to use mules). Would recommend for others!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Albertaemme
May 2, 2019
A great tour guide who gave us his full attention - Daniel was extremely attentive to our visit. He provided us with just the right amount of information regarding the churches and also gave us great insight into life in Ethiopia. We always felt that he wanted to provide us with answers to any of our questions and even helped us with information when moving onto Addis. Would highly recommend Daniel as your guide to the amazing Churches of Lalibela.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
