Lalibela One of the most famous spots in Ethiopia. I was up at 06:30 in the morning to drive from the capital Addis Ababa towards the north of the country to see the churches carved into the rocks. Ethiopian Airlines has both direct and connecting flights from Bahir Dar to Lalibela. My first plan was to go to Bahir Dar and see the Blue Nile, one of the birthplaces of the Nile river. But because it was the dry season, there was no water, so I canceled Bahir Dar to save time.
The driver of the tour that I had arranged in advance was waiting for me at the airport. The distance between Airport and Lalibela is like 25 km, but it is a climbing road. We reached the city of Lalibela, accompanied by wonderful views. They placed me in Lal Hotel, I was excited to see the famous churches in the afternoon, but I was very tired from the previous day, so I took a shower and slept for a few hours and regained my energy. Glad I collected it.
Lalibela Churches
They're issuing a 5-day ticket for Lalibela. The price is 1129 Birr ie 50 usd. I didn't pay because it was included in the tour price I bought, but because they saw the gopro in the bag, they took 300Birr for the camera, 13usd almost 50 liras. With these tickets, you can enter and exit as many times as you want for 5 days.
Lalibela Churches Lalibela Churches 
Lalibela Churches Lalibela Churches Lalibela Churches
In the afternoon, we toured the churches carved into the rocks by the king of Lalibela. There are 11 churches and 2 chapels in the main Lalibela area. They didn't mean to carve into the rocks like caves, they dug the rock to the bottom and built the churches. For this reason, they are unlike any structure you have ever seen. As a guide accompanied me, he also told the story of each church in detail. The last church of the day is the famous St. It was George. The last church excavated by King Lalibela is here and it has become one of the symbols of Ethiopia. Let me also state that Lalibela is on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list.
Churches in Lalibela are divided into 3 districts. On the first day, I visited the 1st and 3rd Regions. On the second day, I visit the churches in the 2nd District. 2. In the churches in the region, there are 2 churches named hell and heaven. They built a 45-meter-long completely dark tunnel connecting these two churches. Never before had I felt so dark with my eyes open. This tunnel symbolizes the transition from hell to heaven. Another different experience!
What to Eat in Lalibela?
My guide, Mareg, took me to a local restaurant for lunch, but for the first time in my life, I couldn't eat those sweet dishes because I broke my bowels in a country I went to. The local restaurant had classic Abyssinian dishes, Njera on the tray and dishes made with different vegetables on top.
In order not to risk the stomach, it was safer to go to Seven Olives, one of the restaurants recommended on Trip Advisor. I wanted to eat a toast but Wednesday and Friday are their fasting days and they don't eat animal food. No cheese for toast either 🙁 I just ate rice and I'm unhappy 🙁 But I'll admit, even the rice was delicious.
Tourist rigging is common in Ethiopia, as in many underdeveloped countries. While giving 1 TL to 2,5 liter of water one day, you can buy 2 liters for the same money the next day. You buy it from the grocery store for more expensive than the price you pay for the coke in the restaurant. You can bid 1/3 of the price the tuktuk player wants and get on. They are not even aware that more tourists will come if they fix different prices for tourists. They don't want to understand when I tell them.
Lalibela Nightlife = Torpedo Bar
In the evening, we went to the Torpedo bar, which is the only entertainment venue of Lalibela, with David, whom I met on the plane. Famous for its simple menu, honey wines and local dance/music show. I'd be lying if I said I liked it, but it's a good alternative to spend the evening. You can try their honey wine, which they call honey wine, here. They have different alcohol concentrations from soft to hard. I tried the medium one.
The interesting thing about Torpedo Bar is that there are only 11 drinks on the menu. If you want to eat, you only get the bread they call Njera and the sauce they pour on it. Let's put a cookie next to the drink, let's have coffee on top of it. Prices are also quite reasonable.
Transportation to Lalibela
The distance between Lalibela and Addis is 680 km, but the bus comes in 2 days because the road is not very good. 10usd bus fare. Ethiopian airlines have daily flights, it is possible to find tickets for 50usd at affordable prices and the flight is only 1 hour.
The airport is 25km away from the city, if you want airport transfer 100Birr per person. So it's like 4,5 usd.
A market is held in Lalibela on Saturday. It's my day to leave here too. People of Ethiopia, who want to go to the market on the way to the airport, display a wrenching image. With a small sack or a single chicken in their hands, they walk for miles to reach the market to sell their goods or buy their needs. There were those who walked 20 km. Moreover, Lalibela is quite high compared to the villages, so they make this road uphill and then turn back.
Alternative for Lalibela Tour
I paid a total of 540usd for Lalibela. This included airfare, airport transfer, 2 nights accommodation + breakfast, entrance ticket and guide.
My suggestion to get it cheaper;
- round trip 140usd flight ticket, 50% discount on local lines if you flew internationally with Ethiopian Airlines. My agent bought it at the same discount price, there is a formula
- When you land at Lalibela airport, there will be many vehicles that will want to take you to the city center. Or you can ask from the hotel. 5usd outbound, 5usd return 10usd.
- The entrance fee to Lalibela is 50usd, the ticket is valid for 5 days.
- You can easily find a hotel around 40-50 USD. It's also possible cheaper.
- 08:00 in the morning if you come from Addis Ababa by plane at 11:00 You will be in Lalibela. You can finish 11 churches in 1 day with a little tempo. If you say that I will travel widely, you will continue the next day. You can keep a guide for 25-30usd per day.
- You will return to Addis in the evening of the second day. I don't know what time there is an evening flight, it would be good to check. Did it cost you 280usd, which is almost half of my cost. Mareg, who guided me, will be happy to help, his phone: +251 910144206
While reading the article, I suggest you consider that the prices are February 2017 prices.
4 Comments
Striking
Across Ethiopia, everything has to be negotiated. but as you mentioned, if the prices are cheap, there is no idea that more tourists will come here. This is because they have dedicated their lives to living daily, not long-term. because this is the land of poverty, it would be wrong to compare it with our country. There is no water, there is no cleaning culture because there is no water 🙁 Haha, we got a residence permit, so flights within Ethiopia are half price. I haven't had a chance to try it yet as I'm new.
It was a very nice experience, but I think Africa is more expensive for tourists than I expected. I am planning a long tour. This article was very good for 2 months later. ????????????
Africa is quite expensive for foreigners, but if you act like a local you can cut your costs even more. In that case, there should be no time constraint.