Visit Trinity Cathedral, resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie. Tour the Ethnographic Museum, a great introduction to Ethiopian culture and history. Make a short drive to Entoto Hills for a view of the city and visit Maryam Church. En-route, stop at Sheromeda traditional cloth market. Visit the Mercato or the Sholla Market, two of Addis Ababa's main markets.
Overnight: Chosen Hotel in Addis Ababa
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
06Day Community Trek to Lalibela Surroundings
06Day Community Trek to Lalibela Surroundings
6
Days
06Day Community Trek to Lalibela Surroundings
Experience the rich history and breathtaking landscapes of Ethiopia on this immersive journey. Explore Addis Ababa’s cultural treasures, from the historic Trinity Cathedral to the vibrant markets. Discover the awe-inspiring rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and trek through the stunning highlands to Hudad Lodge and Abuna Yosef Mountain. Witness ancient monasteries, encounter local communities, and enjoy Ethiopia’s rich traditions, from a coffee ceremony to a farewell dinner with traditional music and dance. This adventure blends history, nature, and culture for an unforgettable experience.
Tours of Addis Ababa: You will be welcomed by our representative at Bole international airport regardless of arrival time. For morning arrivals tour will begin after checking into your hotel. For afternoon or evening arrivals, tours will begin the following day.
Day 1 :
Arrival Addis Ababa
Day 2 :
Addis Ababa - Lalibela
Catch a flight from Addis Ababa to Lalibela where your guide will be waiting for you. Spend the afternoon exploring the clusters of rock-hewn churches. You'll begin with the north-western cluster: Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, and Bet Danaghel. Our local guides will help you understand the historic significance of this World Heritage Site. After lunch visit the second cluster of the churches such as Bet Gabriel-Rufael, Bet Merkorios, Bet Amanual, and Bet Abba Libanos. And finally, visit the most famous of all the churches – Bet Giyorgis. In the late afternoon, enjoy a traditional coffee ceremony and learn the process for baking injera (a staple food for much of Ethiopia.
Overnight: Chosen Lodge/Resort in Lalibela
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3 :
Trek to Hudad Lodge
Early morning we start our walk from Lalibela town to make use of the cooler morning hours during the 2,5 to 3,5 hour (depending on your fitness) walk up to the plateau where the Hudad Lodge is situated. Mules are available to carry our luggage and it is also possible to ride a mule yourself. For an active itinerary it is possible to include a visit to Asheton Maryam Monastery on our way up. Once you reach the lodge you are going to be rewarded with splendid views and a refreshing foot massage. After lunch it's time to relax or we go for a walk near near the lodge to meet the local farmers and enjoy the mountain scenery.
Overnight: Community lodge in Hudad
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4 :
Trek to Abuna Yosef
Early morning we start our walk from Lalibela town to make use of the cooler morning hours during the 2,5 to 3,5 hour (depending on your fitness) walk up to the plateau where the Hudad Lodge is situated. Mules are available to carry our luggage and it is also possible to ride a mule yourself. For an active itinerary it is possible to include a visit to Asheton Maryam Monastery on our way up. Once you reach the lodge you are going to be rewarded with splendid views and a refreshing foot massage. After lunch it's time to relax or we go for a walk near near the lodge to meet the local farmers and enjoy the mountain scenery.
Overnight: Community lodge in Hudad
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Trek to Abuna Yosef Mountain (4260m). This is a full day of hiking (~9 hours) and should not be underestimated. Challenging though it may be, the rewards are well worth it as you soak up the views from over 4,000m, You might even be able to spot an endemic Ethiopia Wolf. For those less interested in hiking, you can spend the day exploring around the lodge - there's no shortage of smaller hiking routes.
Overnight: Community House in near village
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Today you'll hike for around 4-7 hours to Yimrehane Kristos, an under-appreciated gem of Lalibela. In stark contrast to the famous rock-hewn churches, Yimrehane Kristos was built rather than excavated, and is likely to pre-date the rock-hewn churches by nearly a century. The elaborate decoration of the interior is juxtaposed by the mummified bodies that inhabit the caves behind the church.
In the afternoon, your driver will take you back to Lalibela where an evening spent at the breathtaking Ben Abeba is an absolute must.
Overnight: Chosen Lodge/Resort in Lalibela
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6 :
Day 6 Lalibela – Addis Ababa
Fly back to Addis Ababa. Visit the National Museum, home of the 3million year old skeleton “Lucy.” Optional souvenir shopping in the afternoon. In the evening enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant featuring dancers and musicians representing some of the country's many ethnic groups. Transfer to airport for late night departure if Scheduled.
Overnight: Departure or Hotel booking on request
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
