Lalibela 2-Day Eco Trekking Tour

Leave the churches, climb into rural Lasta. I like this trek for two clear reasons: it takes you from Lalibela’s famous stone churches into highland farming villages, and it lets you share daily activities with local families rather than simply taking photos from a vehicle. The views from Atabkit reach across Wollo and toward the Gondar and Tigray regions, while guides such as Mareg and Luel add useful local insight.

The main caution is the altitude and effort. You reach about 3,600 meters on Day 1, then walk for roughly five hours on Day 2 before returning to Lalibela around 4 p.m. This is not a gentle stroll, and the Asheton Maryam monastery entrance fee is extra.

Five things to know before you go

• The climb reaches about 3,600 meters: Expect thinner air, steep mountain paths, and a real physical challenge.
• You sleep in a highland village: The overnight stay brings you close to local farming life, not a standard hotel setting.
• Mareg and Luel have earned strong praise: Mareg is noted for clear guiding and warmth, while Luel is especially good at translating and explaining village customs.
• Meals and drinks are included: Breakfast, two lunches, dinner, snacks, bottled water, coffee, and tea are part of the package.
• The trek is private: Only your own group takes part, which allows more flexibility with stops and pace.
• Asheton Maryam costs extra: The monastery admission fee is not included in the $213.77 price.

From Lalibela’s churches to the Asheton Maryam trail

The day begins at 7 a.m. You meet the guide at your hotel or at the Highland Eco Trekking office. Pickup can also begin at Lalibela Airport, which is useful if you want to start the walk soon after landing.

A mule man joins the group, with supplies wrapped around a calm, sturdy animal. That detail tells you what kind of trip this is. You are not carrying every meal and overnight item on your back, but you are still moving through the mountains under your own power.

If breakfast at your hotel has been light, the company can start the morning at a local café. This is a practical touch. A warm, filling meal matters before a climb, especially when the route rises quickly and the air gets thinner.

The first major stop is Asheton Maryam Monastery. It sits high above Lalibela and forms a natural introduction to the Lasta Mountains. The walk to this point takes about three hours, though the exact pace will depend on your group and the trail conditions.

The monastery entrance fee is not included. Arrange your expectations and cash before leaving town, since this is the only stated extra charge for a major stop. The church itself gives the morning cultural focus, but the route is also about the changing view as Lalibela drops away below you.

You should ask your guide about the practical details the day before, especially breakfast, timing, and the monastery admission. The company notes that these arrangements can be settled in advance or at the office. A short conversation before departure can prevent small problems on a long day.

Medhane Alem and the high plateau at Atabkit

After Asheton Maryam, the route continues farther into the highlands. Vegetation becomes more sparse, and the surroundings feel rougher and more open. This is where the tour shifts from a church visit into a mountain walk.

Lunch is prepared and brought to you by the company cook. You do not need to return to Lalibela for a meal, and you do not have to pack two full days of food. Snacks, bottled water, coffee, and tea are also included, which helps at altitude.

The next important stop is Medhane Alem Church, near the Atabkit plateau. The plateau rises to roughly 3,600 meters and opens toward Wollo, with views that may reach toward the Gondar area and Tigray. On clear days, this is likely to be the visual high point of the trip.

The altitude is also the day’s main concern. Even a person who walks often can feel slower at 3,600 meters. Take the breaks offered, drink the supplied water, and tell your guide if you feel unwell. The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness, and that warning should be taken seriously.

Atabkit is also a good place for birdwatching. The open air currents attract birds riding the lift above the plateau. You may want to keep binoculars handy, though none are listed as part of the equipment.

Lunch comes with a long rest. That pause is useful, not wasted time. It gives you a chance to eat, recover, take in the views, and let the group adjust before the walk to the village.

An overnight stay with a highland farming family

From the plateau, you continue toward Ad Medhane Alem village, near Astabir. This is where the eco trekking idea becomes more than a slogan. You stay in a local village and see how highland farmers live and work.

The activities include time with farmers and the chance to take part in daily tasks. The exact tasks are not fixed in the tour details, so you should arrive ready to help in whatever way is suitable that day. That uncertainty is part of the value, but it also means you should not expect a staged cultural show with a fixed program.

A school visit may be included as part of the village experience. This was a memorable part of the trip for one party, and it gives the walk a wider social setting. You are not only looking at mountain scenery. You are seeing a community where farming, family life, and education meet.

The overnight stay is likely to feel basic compared with Lalibela accommodation. No room category or private bathroom is specified, so ask the company for current details if comfort is a major concern. The supplied information confirms accommodation, dinner, and breakfast, but not the exact sleeping arrangements.

Food is another area where expectations matter. The company provides dinner and breakfast, plus two lunches across the trek. One piece of feedback suggested adding more Ethiopian traditional dishes, so you may want to ask what menu is planned if local food is an important part of your trip.

The strongest praise for this experience goes to the human side of the overnight stay. A welcoming family, a guide who translates well, and time to understand village customs can turn a mountain walk into a genuine exchange. Luel has been singled out for his English, explanations of local culture, and care in making the host-family visit special.

Walking back to Lalibela on Day 2

After breakfast, you collect your belongings and begin the return walk. The route takes about five hours, with stops to look at views and animals along the way. Lalibela is expected around 4 p.m., so plan little else for that afternoon.

The second day is shorter than the first in listed walking time, but it can still feel demanding after a night in the highlands. You should keep your morning unhurried, eat breakfast, and make sure you have water and snacks before leaving the village.

The return route gives you a different view of the country than the ascent. Instead of focusing on reaching a high point, you can pay attention to the farms, animals, and changing distance between the village and town. The guide can help explain what you are seeing, especially if you request Mareg or Luel.

Mareg has received particularly warm praise for his work around Lalibela, the churches, and local places. His strength appears to be combining site information with personal connections in the area. If he is available, you can request him when booking, though guide assignments are not guaranteed.

The company also has a Lalibela office where you may store luggage you do not need for the trek. This makes the two-day route easier. You can carry only the items required for the village stay and leave larger bags behind, but confirm the storage arrangement before setting out.

What the $213.77 price buys you

At $213.77 per person, this is not simply a guided walk. The price covers an English-speaking guide, a mule man and mule support, village activities, accommodation, breakfast, dinner, two lunches, snacks, bottled water, coffee, tea, and the trek itself.

That package makes the price easier to assess. You are paying for food logistics, local guiding, overnight arrangements, and a private trip for your own group. A cheaper self-guided outing would not offer the same support, and it would be harder to arrange a village stay and meals independently.

The value is strongest if you want rural contact and do not want to organize the practical pieces yourself. It is less compelling if your main goal is only a mountain view, since a shorter walk from Lalibela would take less time and money.

The private format is important. Your group does not share the activity with other parties, so you can discuss pace, breaks, and village interests with the guide. It also makes the trip more suitable for families or friends with a shared schedule, though children must be accompanied by an adult and everyone should meet the moderate fitness requirement.

The Asheton Maryam admission fee is the main stated exclusion. The company does not list transport from outside Lalibela, so confirm pickup details if you are arriving by air. Pickup is offered, and the trek can begin at the airport, but the precise transfer plan should be agreed before the start.

Who will enjoy this trek most

I would choose this trip if you have already made time for Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches and want to see how life continues beyond the monuments. The combination of mountain walking, farming villages, local food, and a family stay gives the area more depth.

It suits people who enjoy active days and simple accommodation. You should be comfortable walking for several hours, climbing to high altitude, and adapting to rural conditions. The reward is a closer look at the Lasta Mountains and a chance to meet people in their own setting.

It may not suit you if you have limited mobility, dislike basic lodging, or want a relaxed sightseeing schedule. The tour requires moderate fitness, and the 3,600-meter plateau can make the first day harder than the distance alone suggests.

The trek also works well for visitors who value a good guide. Mareg, Luel, and Ababa have all been associated with strong guiding experiences in and around Lalibela. Luel is especially worth requesting if explaining local customs and translating during the family visit are priorities.

Practical advice for a smoother two days

Arrange the key details one day before departure. Confirm your breakfast plan, the Asheton Maryam admission fee, airport or hotel pickup, luggage storage, and the expected sleeping arrangements in the village.

Wear clothing suited to changing mountain conditions. The tour information does not provide a gear list, so bring practical walking shoes, sun protection, a warm layer, and a small bag for the items you need overnight. Keep your luggage light, since the mule support is carrying supplies rather than giving you an excuse to pack everything.

Start slowly on the first climb. The early meeting time is useful because it gives you a full day, but it does not mean you should rush. The route reaches high ground, and regular pauses will help you enjoy the views instead of counting the minutes until lunch.

Keep some flexibility in your schedule after returning to Lalibela. The expected arrival is around 4 p.m., but mountain walking can take longer when the group needs extra rests. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Lalibela eco trek?

Book it if you want Lalibela to be more than a church stop. The best parts are the high plateau views, the quiet route through farming country, and the chance to stay with a local family while a guide helps bridge language and cultural gaps.

I would be especially inclined to book if you can request Mareg or Luel, since both have received strong praise for their guiding. Just be ready for altitude, long walking days, and a simple village overnight stay. If that sounds appealing, the $213.77 package offers a fair amount of support and a more personal experience than a standard sightseeing tour.

FAQ

What time does the Lalibela eco trek start?

The start time is 7:00 a.m. You can meet the guide at your hotel or at the Highland Eco Trekking office. Pickup can also be arranged from Lalibela Airport.

Is the Asheton Maryam entrance fee included?

No. The entrance fee for Asheton Maryam Monastery Church is not included in the tour price.

What meals and drinks are provided?

The tour includes breakfast, dinner, and two lunches. Snacks, bottled water, coffee, and tea are also included.

How high does the trek go?

The route reaches about 3,600 meters at the Ad Medhane Alem, or Atabkit, plateau.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your own group takes part in the activity.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded.