Three Days Tour-Jewels of Lalibela

Days

Trip Description

01 –

Flight Addis Ababa toLalibela

Lalibela – The Holy city

The small town of Lalibela, which is home to one of the world’s most astounding sacred sites, comprising eleven medieval rock-hewn churches, each carved entirely out of a single piece of stone.

Lalibela, the ‘New Jerusalem’, was built by King Lalibela ‘with the help of angels’ in the 12th century, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its eleven rock-hewn churches. Perched among wild craggy mountains and vast rocky escarpments, there is a stark cathedral-like grandeur to Lalibela. The houses of Lalibela are of a design unlike anywhere else in Ethiopia, two-storey circular stone constructs that huddle in an amorphous mass over the steep slopes on which the town is built.

The rock-hewn churches are large and several are more than ten metres high. Because they are carved below ground level, they are ringed by trenches and courtyards, the sides of which are cut into with stone graves and hermit cells, and connected to each other by a tangled maze of tunnels and passages.

At the end of the 12th and beginning of the 13th century, King Lalibela of the Zagwe dynasty built a series of rock-hewn churches. There are eleven churches in the town named after him, with others in the surrounding countryside. All are still in use today.

It is estimated that the churches took 25 years to construct. For the kingdom based around Roha to have kept a large work force engaged in economically unproductive labour for such a long period means that it disposed of a large economic surplus and was very wealthy.

Visit the north-west cluster of churches consists of Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, Bet Debre Sina, and Bet Golgotha. Also included in this tour is the isolated monolith of Bet Giyorgis (the Church of St George). Bet Medhane Alem is the largest monolithic rock-hewn church

Take part in a traditional coffee ceremony.

Ethiopia’s coffee ceremony is an integral part of the social and cultural life.it is an important cultural ritual that’s been passed from generation to generation.  An invitation to attend a coffee ceremony is considered as a mark of friendship or respect and is an example of Ethiopian hospitality.

02-

Lalibela

Lalibela marvelous churches

Visit the cave church of Yemrehane Christos, 40kms away frlom the city, built by the king of the same name before the reign of King Lalibela.  The church is constructed inside a cave, in Axumite style, similar to the church at Debre Damo, with alternating levels of wood and stone.

Visit the 2nd group of churches, the group of four, south of the Jordan River, comprise of Bet Emanuel, Bet Mercuiros, Bet Abba Libanos and Bet Gabriel-Rufa’el. Bet Emanuel’s elaborate exterior is much praised by art historians. Bet Giyorgis, possibly the most elegant and majestic of all the Lalibela churches, lies somewhat isolated in the southwest part of the village on a sloping rock terrace. It can only be reached throw a tunnel.

In the evening go to Torpido Tej Bets (Honey wine houses); it’s decorated in cow skins and traditional Ethiopian fabrics. This is a place where you will experience a real Ethiopian traditional Music. They have its own potent wine in varying degrees of strength.

More in Lalibela –can take you to Lalibela Market visit or you can take a part in cooking lesson – Ethiopian culinary. 

Day 04 –

Flight back to Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa & Departure

Transfer to Lalibela airport for your flight to Addis Ababa.

Last minute shopping in Addis Ababa or relaxing at your hotel and transfer to your hotel for the day use.

Visit to Entoto Hills – best introduction place to Addis Ababa. Mt. Entoto is the highest peak in Addis Ababa reaching 3,200 meters above sea level, giving the opportunity to catch stunning views over the city and the surrounding area from the summit.

It is the first settlement in Addis Ababa where Emperor Menelik II resided and built his palace in 1887. It is a historical place which offers a unique glimpse into the history of Ethiopia’s distinct culture. The compound at the peak hosts the Entoto Mariam church, an Ethiopian artefact muse-um as well as Menelik II palace.

In addition to its historical significance as one drive up the hill there is an appreciable drop in temperature and the air is filled with the scent of the Eucalyptus trees which line the road.

On the way up the roadside stalls offers fresh Ethiopian coffee.  Also, if you have an interest in Ethiopian traditional clothes stop by at Shero Meda Market. There is a wide variety of beautiful fabrics, shawls, scarves, dresses, tops and jewellery with lots of choice and really good for gift ideas.

Tonight you will have a wonderful cultural evening at one of Addis Ababa Restaurant; Ethiopia is a mosaic of people with more than 80 languages, different lifestyles, costumes and cultural dances. Take a chance to experience some of these cultural dances and traditional meals with a drink of Tej, a type of wine made from Honey.

DEPARTURE      Hope you enjoyed your stay with us, Many thanks for coming & Have the safest flight.