NATIONAL PARKS SAFARIS ETHIOPIA

HIGHLIGHTS, WHERE THEY ARE AND HOW TO VISIT

 
 

LALIBELA's ROCK HEWN CHURCHES IN ETHIOPIA TOUR

LALIBELA ROCK-HEWN CHURCHES, ETHIOPIA TOUR: King Lalibela constructed a 'New Jerusalem', after the Muslim conquests of the Holy Land halted Christian pilgrimage

 

Lalibela Rock Hewn Churches, Ethiopia

At a road distance of 682 km north of Addis Ababa, Lalibela is a small town at ± 2,600masl with an exclusively Christian population of about 20,000, famous rock-hewn churches, referred to as biete, bete or bet, meaning "house". Ethiopia's second holiest city, after Aksum, the Lalibela rock hewn churches a center of pilgrimage for all Christians belonging to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.

 

King Lalibela set out to construct a ‘New Jerusalem’, after the Muslim conquests of the Holy Land halted Christian pilgrimage to Jerusalem. While the construction periods of the churches are still subject to debate, most are thought having been in the 12th and 13th centuries.

 

A picture is worth a thousand words. Most of our hundreds of pictures are favored in Google! Why? Because no other website has so many beautiful high resolution pictures, all taken by ourselves. Our pictures not only show you the beauty of Ethiopia, but they also show that we have been everywhere when we researched all parks for the Ethiopian Wildlife Autharity, photographing wildlife, plants, people and culture. Read our PDF report to the Government on Parks an Culture! So why consider booking our our Ethiopia Culture & National Parks modules? Because only we combine the culture of Ethiopia with its nature. We don't mislead you like many tour operators do. When the Blue Nile falls are dry.... we tell you. When fog clouds the lava lake of Erte Ale Volcano? We let you know. Just drop us a mail info@nationalparks-worldwide.com  and we will check it out for you.

Our tours take you to ALL famous cultural places of Ethiopia, and on top of that, you get to see up to 20 large parks accompanied by a conservation professional, not a mere guide. There is nothing similar on the market. Check out our tours in modules like: Historical Circuit; Danakil Depression; Eastern Route; Simien Mountains; Bale Mountains; Southern Parks Safari; Gambella; Addis Ababa. BUT WAIT: if you buy your international ticket with Ethiopia Airlines, they will sell the internal flights at a price that you can't even ride the bus for. But you MUST plan it all in one package and making changes may be very costly. So let us help you plan your entire trip and book your local flights for an incredibly low price after you booked your international flight with Ethiopian Airlines! Also: Ethiopia can be combined with other East African countries, we organize.

 

Carved out of volcanic tuff rock, the churches have been constructed in different styles: some stand in caves, while others are isolated blocks, like the Bete Giyorgis Church,  which is built in the shape of the cross. Several of the churches are decorated with interesting murals.  Many churches are connected by a system of drainage ditches, tunnels and subterranean passageways. Some scholars have estimated a workforce of 40,000 was required to build these churches probably has taken longer than the period of King Lalibela's reign to carve them out.  What makes these churches so special is that they are built from the top down where everywhere else in the world, buildings are constructed from the ground up.

 

They are set in 2 groups:

Westerm clusters of churches of Lalibela

  • Bete Medhane Alem (House of the Saviour of the World), home to the Lalibela Cross and the word's largest monolithic church;

  • Bete Maryam (House of Mary), the oldest church;

  • Bete Golgotha Mikael (House of Golgotha Mikael), home to tomb of King Lalibela;

  • Bete Maskal (House of the Cross);

  • Bete Denagel (House of Virgins).

 

Eastern Group of Lalibela

  • Biete Amanuel (House of Emmanuel);

  • Biete Qeddus Mercoreus (House of St. Mercoreos);

  • Biete Abba Libanos (House of Abbot Libanos);

  • Biete Gabriel-Rufael (House of the angels Gabriel, and Raphael);

  • Biete Lehem (Bethlehem).

 

Seperate Bete Giyorgis Church

  • Bete Giyorgis (Church of Saint George), isolated from the others but connected by trenches has been hewn in the form of a cross.

 

These churches are not museums. Members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church have to go on a pilgrimage at least once in their lives, getting the same blessing as going to Jerusalem in the Holy Land. Many faithful will walk for days or weeks, to get there, making their way along Lalibela's winding, paths often through the rugged mountains, to worship God.  Since human memory and continuing to the present day, there are religious services in all churches every day, but they can be freely visited by tourists during the ceremonies. Frequently, there are funeral services in the morning that attract hundreds of people dressed in beautiful traditional white robes.

 

Away from Lalibelas are the Ashetan Maryam Monastery and the Yimrehane Kristos Church, both built in the Aksumite fashion inside a cave.

 

The original village of Lalibela consists of two storey round houses, built of red volcanic stone, and known as the Lasta Tukuls.

 

There is quite a variety of hotels in Lalibela but one stands out as it has been built in the shape of the local Tukuls, being Hotel Tukul.

 

YEMREHANNA KRISTOS CAVE CHURCH NEAR ETHIOPIA's LALIBELA TOUR: Bete Giyorgis (Church of Saint George) is a rock hewn church at Lalibela YEMREHANNA KRISTOS CAVE CHURCH NEAR ETHIOPIA's LALIBELA TOUR: A tulkul is a 2 storied circular house in Lalibela
YEMREHANNA KRISTOS CAVE CHURCH NEAR ETHIOPIA's LALIBELA TOUR: Lalibela church treasures of former both kings and the churches, now a new museum.

The Lalibela monuments comprise the churches (Bete Giyorgis, left), the Tulkuls (above) and the church treasures having belonged to former both kings and the churches, now guarded and exhibited in a new museum (left).

YEMREHANNA KRISTOS CAVE CHURCH NEAR ETHIOPIA's LALIBELA TOUR: Bete Mercoreus, currently being restored, or rather fortified and protected from further erosion. HOW VISIT LALIBELA's ROCK HEWN CHURCHES IN ETHIOPIA [2021]? : Bete Abba Libanos has been carved out of the face of a mountain in to a cave

Some of the churches, like Bete Mercoreus, are currently being restored, or rather fortified and protected from further erosion.

Bete Abba Libanos has been carved out of the face of a mountain in to a cave.

   
YEMREHANNA KRISTOS CAVE CHURCH NEAR ETHIOPIA's LALIBELA TOUR: A huge roof protecting several of the Lalibela churches, like Bete Medhane Alem, from the eroding effects of the weather. YEMREHANNA KRISTOS CAVE CHURCH NEAR ETHIOPIA's LALIBELA TOUR: Bridge to the Bet Gabriel Rafael Church.

A huge roof protecting several of the Lalibela churches, like Bete Medhane Alem, from the eroding effects of the weather.

Bridge to the Bet Gabriel Rafael Church.

   
YEMREHANNA KRISTOS CAVE CHURCH NEAR ETHIOPIA's LALIBELA TOUR: A layman receiving from a revered elderly non, recognizable by her yellow robe. Funeral service in Lalibela.

A layman receiving from a revered elderly non, recognizable by her yellow robe.

Funeral service in Lalibela.

   
tunnel and bridge leading to the Bet Gabriel Rafael Church. YEMREHANNA KRISTOS CAVE CHURCH NEAR ETHIOPIA's LALIBELA TOUR: Trench around Bet Gabriel Rafael Church.
YEMREHANNA KRISTOS CAVE CHURCH NEAR ETHIOPIA's LALIBELA TOUR: Trenches around and between churches at Lalibela serve both for drainage and passage between the churches. YEMREHANNA KRISTOS CAVE CHURCH NEAR ETHIOPIA's LALIBELA TOUR: The many tunnels, hidden trenches and doors, make Lalibela an educative paradise for children of all ages.

 

The church complexes are all interconnected by trenches and tunnels, making it a most wonderful labyrinth for even the smallest children.

   
YEMREHANNA KRISTOS CAVE CHURCH NEAR ETHIOPIA's LALIBELA TOUR: YEMREHANNA KRISTOS CAVE CHURCH NEAR ETHIOPIA's LALIBELA TOUR: chiseled column.

Ceremonial drums in Lalibela.

Chiseled column in church Lalibela.

   
YEMREHANNA KRISTOS CAVE CHURCH NEAR ETHIOPIA's LALIBELA TOUR: Painted relief ceiling at Bet Maryam, Lalibela, Ethiopia YEMREHANNA KRISTOS CAVE CHURCH NEAR ETHIOPIA's LALIBELA TOUR: Colored rilief decorations at Bete Maryam Church at Lalibela.

Some of the churches have murals and carved plain or painted reliefs on walls and or ceilings.

   
YEMREHANNA KRISTOS CAVE CHURCH NEAR ETHIOPIA's LALIBELA TOUR: Priest walking through Tulkul street in Lalibela YEMREHANNA KRISTOS CAVE CHURCH NEAR ETHIOPIA's LALIBELA TOUR: Traditional houses at Lalibela have round walls and a thatched roof.
YEMREHANNA KRISTOS CAVE CHURCH NEAR ETHIOPIA's LALIBELA TOUR: Tulkul, round house with thatched roof at Lalibela

Traditional Lalibela style houses are mostly round two-story houses with thatched roofs and a pot-shaped ceramic to tie the top thatch together.

YEMREHANNA KRISTOS CAVE CHURCH NEAR ETHIOPIA's LALIBELA TOUR: Ethiopian orthodox priest at Lalibelas. YEMREHANNA KRISTOS CAVE CHURCH NEAR ETHIOPIA's LALIBELA TOUR: Pelgrims traveling on foot to the New Jerusalem, Lalibela YEMREHANNA KRISTOS CAVE CHURCH NEAR ETHIOPIA's LALIBELA TOUR: Worshippers on their way to church in Lalibela. YEMREHANNA KRISTOS CAVE CHURCH NEAR ETHIOPIA's LALIBELA TOUR: Priests chanting to the tunes of an ancient music in the ancient celebrated in the Ge'ez language.

 

Lalibela is a place of sanctity, with worshippers coming out of all corners of Ethiopia, priests praying in the churches or just sitting quietly in niches reading from the holy book or chanting to the tunes of an ancient music in the ancient celebrated in the Ge'ez language, which is no longer spoken and which only they can understand.

 

YEMREHANNA KRISTOS CAVE CHURCH NEAR ETHIOPIA's LALIBELA TOUR: Door at Lalibela Church YEMREHANNA KRISTOS CAVE CHURCH NEAR ETHIOPIA's LALIBELA TOUR: Door from tunnel to bet mariyam, lalibela YEMREHANNA KRISTOS CAVE CHURCH NEAR ETHIOPIA's LALIBELA TOUR: Tunnel at Lalibella Southern Cluster, connecting churches YEMREHANNA KRISTOS CAVE CHURCH NEAR ETHIOPIA's LALIBELA TOUR: Ancient door at Lalibela
YEMREHANNA KRISTOS CAVE CHURCH NEAR ETHIOPIA's LALIBELA TOUR: Lock at door in Lalibela church YEMREHANNA KRISTOS CAVE CHURCH NEAR ETHIOPIA's LALIBELA TOUR: Montoring walls of Lalibella Churches LALIBELA ROCK HEWN CHURCHES ETHIOPIA: Thatched roof of Tulkul in Lalibela LALIBELA ROCK HEWN CHURCHES ETHIOPIA: Emerging from underground labyrinth in Lalibela
LALIBELA ROCK HEWN CHURCHES ETHIOPIA: tunnel between churches. LALIBELA ROCK HEWN CHURCHES ETHIOPIA: Mural, fresco in Bete Merkorios at Lalibela LALIBELA ROCK HEWN CHURCHES ETHIOPIA: Tunnel leading to Bete Merkorios Churcj, Lalibela LALIBELA ROCK HEWN CHURCHES ETHIOPIA: Wooden door at Lalibela church.

A fascinating labyrinth ceiled off by centuries old doors give access to the different rock churches at Lalibela.

 

This great travel itinerary includes Lalibela's rock hewn churches:

ETHIOPIA HISTORICAL MONUMENTS MODULE

 

FLY 5 DAYS ETHIOPIA HISTORICAL MONUMENTS FROM $890! DISCOVER ETHIOPIAN MONUMENTS & NATIONAL PARKS with professional advisor to Ethiopian Park Service

Ethiopia Historical Monuments by car

9 days. Price: $890 per person, minimum 4. Hotels, meals, transportation, fees, non-alcoholic beverages, tee/coffee at meals included. Minimum 2 passengers.

Ask for group discount.

Ethiopia Historical Monuments by plane

5 days. Price: $890 per person approximately, pending flight costs. Transportation, entry fees, meals, etc. Prices may vary depending on fluctuating air fairs. The itinerary will be adjusted according to flights Minimum 2 passengers.  Longer itineraries at additional hotel costs allow for a more relaxed program.

Day 1: ADDIS ABABA - BAHIR DAR, road distance ± 580km;

  1. Stop at the bridge across the Blue Nile Gorge, comparable in size to the Grand Canyon in the USA and supposedly the largest canyon of Africa;

  2. In the evening visit the Blue Nile falls if arrival before dark;

  3. Hotel in Bahir Dar.

Day 1: ADDIS ABABA - BAHIR DAR

  1. Morning Flight to Bahir Dar

  2. Visit Blue Nile Falls and Portuguese Bridge;

  3. Hotel in Bahir Dar.

Day 2: LAKE TANA - BLUE NILE FALLS, road distance ± 35km

  1. Day excursion by boat on Lake Tana to visit several of the famous Lake Tana churches and monasteries;

  2. Visit of the Blue Nile Falls;

  3. Sleep at Hotel.

Day 2: BAHIR DAR - GONDAR - by car

  1. Early morning half day excursion by boat on Lake Tana to visit several of the famous Lake Tana churches and the origin of the Blue Nile to watch Hippos;

  2. Afternoon drive to Gondar;

  3. Visit Royal Enclosure with the palaces of 6 kings, including Fasilides Castle;

  4. Visit Fasimile's Bath;

  5. Hotel in Gondar.

Day 3: BAHIR DAR - GONDAR, road distance ± 175km

  1. The Devil's Nose Rock, is a basaltic monolith or hoodoo, located near the village of Addis Zemen, 75km north Bahir Dar on the road to Gondar. On its top is an important roost and possibly nesting place for Ruepell's and other vultures.

  2. Check in in the hotel at Gondar after which a visit to Mentewab's Dining Room (Kusquam) and/or Fasimile's Bathroom depending on available time;

  3. Hotel in Gondar.

Day 3: GONDAR - LALIBELA

  1. Time permitting Visit Mentewab's Castle very early in the morning;

  2. Morning flight to Lalibela;

  3. Church treasures museum Lalibela;

  4. Visit the Northern and Southern rock hewn church complexes;

  5. Hotel in Lalibela.

 

Day 4: GONDAR - AXUM, road distance ± 350km

  1. Early in the morning visit the City fortress with the palaces of 6 kings;

  2. Road trip to Axum;

  3. Coffee ceremony;

  4. Hotel in Axum.

Day 4 LALIBELA - AXUM

  1. Early morning excursion to the Southern Complex;

  2. Flight to Axum;

  3. Visit the Stelae compound;

  4. Visit the Tsion Mariam  Church where the Arc of the Covenant is held and the 16th century church on the same complex, which is much more interesting;

  5. Visit Emperor Kaleb's Palace;

  6. Coffee ceremony at a ceremony in a friend's home

  7. Hotel.

 

Day 5: AXUM - MEKELLE, road distance  ± 250km

  1. Visit the famous beautiful Stellae at Axum;

  2. Visit Queen Sheba's Palace (officially Dongar Palace);

  3. Gudit Stelae Field opposite the palace;

  4. Debre Liqanos Monastery;

  5. Queen Sheba's Pool (May Shum);

  6. Enzana Enscription, a 3-lingual stone describing a battle of King Enzana

  7. King Basen's Tomb;

  8. Ride to Mekelle;

  9. On the way, visit Yeha Temple;

  10. Hotel in Mekelle.

Day 5: AXUM - ADDIS ABABA

  1. Visit Queen Sheba's Palace (officially Dongar Palace);

  2. Gudit Stelae Field opposite the palace;

  3. Debre Liqanos Monastery;

  4. Queen Sheba's Pool (May Shum);

  5. Enzana Enscription, a 3-lingual stone describing a battle of King Enzana

  6. King Basen's Tomb;

  7. Flight to Addis Ababa.

 

Day 6: MEKELE - WUKRO - MEKELLE, road distance  ± 45km

  1. Visit Rock Hewn Churches in Wukro;

  2. Visit Palace Emperor Yohannes IV;

  3. Hotel in Mekelle.

 

Day 7: MEKELE - LALIBELA, road distance ± 430km

  1. Leave early in the morning for Lalibela;

  2. Church treasures museum Lalibela

  3. Hotel in Lalibela.

 

Day 8: LALIBELA - DESSIE, road distance ± 300km

  1. Visit the churches of Lalibela;

  2. Drive to Dessie;

  3. Hotel in Dessie.

 

Day 9: DESSIE - ADDIS ABABA road distance ± 340km

  1. last day of the Ethiopia Historical Monuments and return trip to Addis Ababa;

  2. Transfer to hotel.

 

ALL ETHIOPIA MODULES

Daily comfortable affordable flights Adis Ababa - Bahir Dar - Gondar with brand new Dornier Turbo Props.

Daily comfortable affordable flights between Addis Ababa, Mek'ele, Axum and Lalibela with brand new Dornier Turbo Props.

 

Ethiopia modernizes and changes more rapidly than any other country in Africa. Many features may not be there anymore in the near future. If you want to see it the way it was for thousands of years, see it now before it has changed forever! Compose your own once-in-a-lifetime Ethiopia-Africa-Adventure from our affordable modules:

Famous Ethiopia Historical Circuit

Simien Mountains trek or car visit

Danakil Depression and Erte Ale Volcano Expedition

Awash Babile Harar Safari Tour

Ethiopia Central and Southern Parks & Tribes Safari Tour

Bale Mountains National Park and Sof Omar Caves Tour

Gambella National Park Safari

Addis Ababa City Tour & Airport Transfer

All Ethiopia modules and prices together

We designed our itineraries in such a way that you can compose a 1 to 4 weeks journey from different modules that can show you the entire country or just the parts that interest you, all depending on your personal preferences, available time and budget. Email us on your interests and we can discuss a custom program with you by phone (we have phone lines from the USA and Europe) or skype. So, weather you have a great ethnic affinity, are a birdwatcher or want to go on safari, contact us and we work out a customized program that focuses on YOUR interests.

Blue Nile Falls, EthiopiaSt. George Church, LalibelaStellas, Axum, EthiopiaTukuls, Lalibela, EthiopiaElephant bull, Babile, EthiopiaEthiopian Wolf, Bale National Park

Gelada, Simien Mountains National ParkFacilides Bathroom, Gondar, EtiopiaWabia Ibex, Simien MountainsChurch, Lake Tana, EthiopiaErica trees, Bale Mountains National Park.Facilides Castle, Gondar, Ethiopia

Addis Ababa Bole International Airport is home of Ethiopian Airlines, featuring Africa's youngest fleet of the latest intercontinental jet airplanes - including 2 Dreamliners - as well as short-distance Bombardier turboprops for affordable and reliable in-country flights servicing all major cities of Ethiopia. The best airline of Africa, will fly you non-stop from the USA and Europe to Addis Ababa. Take our 1-week Ethiopia Cultural Monuments Tour and then continue for your Kenya or Tanzania safari - or any other East African capital - thus completing your journey. IF YOU BUY YOUR INTERNATIONAL TICKET FROM ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES, YOU WILL GET MOST INTERNAL FLIGHTS FOR $40 - $70 PER LEG! BUT CHANGING AFTERWARDS IS EXPENSIVE, SO WORK OUT A SCHEDULE WITH US TO GET A FABULOUS DEAL FOR FLYING THROUGH THE COUNTRY IN STEAD OF SPENDING ENDLESS TIME ON THE ROAD!!!

 

LALIBELA's ROCK HEWN CHURCHES IN ETHIOPIA TOUR

What makes us different from so many other tour operators?

Just look at the quality of our high resolution pictures. We took them all ourselves. We have thousands of high resolution pictures on this website, that you can see enlarged by clicking on them. These pictures show that we have been everywhere in the country of your interest and really know the details. We are professional explorers and biologists with MSc and PhD.

 

National Parks Tours Worldwide, a social responsibility and conservation company, is a brand name of the World Institute for Conservation & Environment, registered in the Netherlands with headquarters in the USA.

 

Phone USA:

(++)(1) 304 - 901 - 0718

 

Phone Addis Ababa, Ethiopia:

(++251) (0) 911 440 915

 

Email:

info@nationalparks-worldwide.com

 

Skype: ecotravelworldwide