Trekking · Cultural
4-Day Lalibela Community Trekking
Village-to-village walking in the Lasta highlands with nights in community guesthouses.
- Duration
- 4 Days
- Season
- September to June
- Group Size
- 1 to 12 guests
- Price
- Designed Around You
The Journey
3 nights, designed around the hours that matter
See the countryside around Lalibela the way its farmers do. Trek between the community-run guesthouses of Mekuat Mariam, Wajela and Aterow on the edge of the Abune Yosef massif, with cliff-top views, rural churches and evenings around the fire with your hosts.
Places
- Addis Ababa
- Lalibela
- Mekuat Mariam
- Meskel
- Wajela
- Aterow
Day by Day
Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary
This itinerary is carefully planned, but minor adjustments may be made due to weather, local festivals, road conditions or your personal interests to ensure the best possible experience.
Day 1
Explore Addis Ababa
Start your tour with a cultural exploration of Ethiopia’s capital. Visit the Ethnographic Museum, housed in the former palace of Emperor Haile Selassie, for a deep dive into Ethiopia’s diverse cultures. Continue to the vibrant Mercato, one of Africa’s largest open-air markets, followed by a visit to the grand Holy Trinity Cathedral, the final resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie. Relax and prepare for your adventure ahead.
Day 2
Fly to Lalibela – Trek to Mekuat Mariam
After an early breakfast, fly to Lalibela and drive approximately 2 hours to Flakit, the starting point of your trek. Enjoy lunch in Warkahye, then begin a 3-hour hike to Mekuat Mariam, a historic church site perched on a promontory with breathtaking views over the surrounding rural landscape. End the day at a charming community guesthouse, where you’ll enjoy a traditional dinner prepared with locally sourced ingredients.
Day 3
Trek to Wajela via Meskel
After breakfast, begin a scenic 3-hour trek to Meskel, a peaceful area known for its birdlife and frequent sightings of Gelada baboons, one of Ethiopia’s endemic mammals. After lunch in Meskel, continue trekking for another 2.5 hours to Wajela, a picturesque village surrounded by Acacia woodlands and Eucalyptus forests. Enjoy a warm welcome and a home-cooked dinner at the Wajela Community Guesthouse.
Day 4
Aterow – Return to Addis Ababa – Departure
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at the guesthouse, then hike for about 1 hour to meet your vehicle on the nearby asphalt road. From there, drive approximately 2 hours back to Lalibela Airport for your return flight to Addis Ababa. In the evening, attend a farewell cultural dinner at a traditional restaurant featuring live music and dance performances representing Ethiopia’s diverse ethnic groups. A final Ethiopian coffee ceremony concludes your journey. Afterward, transfer to Bole International Airport for your departure.
What Is Included
- Meet-and-assist at Bole International Airport and all transfers
- Domestic flights as shown in the itinerary
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver
- Licensed English-speaking guide (other languages on request)
- 3 nights of accommodation: Hotel & Community Guesthouses
- Full board: breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Community guesthouse stays and local trekking guides
- Entrance fees to all sites and churches in the itinerary
Not Included
- International flights and Ethiopian visa
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Drinks, tips and personal expenses
Before You Book
Questions about this journey
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Guest reviews
What our guests say
Rated 5.0 on Tripadvisor and Google, and 4.9 on SafariBookings.
“My tour operator was very communicative even before the trip began and very responsive on WhatsApp. He booked all my domestic flights and arranged all my airport pick-ups and drop-offs. He had professional guides in all the regions I visited, the itinerary was clear, and he was flexible with any changes. There were no extra costs. He is reliable, communicative and well experienced. I will be back with the same company.”
Sarah · Kenya · August 2026
Read more reviews on SafariBookings“Excellent services provided by Maereg and his team. The local guides and the drivers – Geta (my fave) – were all great. They were patient, professional, knowledgeable and took great care of us. Everything was seamlessly coordinated and they were always on time for pickups and made sure we were briefed in advance of the itinerary and any changes. One of my top travel destinations in Africa, with some of the kindest and warmest people. Maereg went above and beyond! First-class service, always with a smile!”
D Thomas · Google review · May 2026
Read more reviews on GoogleEnquire
Make 4-Day Lalibela Community Trekking yours
Send us your dates and we will confirm availability, quote precisely, and suggest the two or three changes we would make if it were our own trip.
Runs September to June · 1 to 12 guests · A quote made for your journey
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