Lalibela Ethiopia 6 Day Itinerary

Travel advisory, as of October 2026. Lalibela is in Ethiopia’s Amhara region, where the UK FCDO advises against all travel and the US government tells its citizens not to travel. Fighting has resumed across northern Ethiopia, flights to Lalibela have been suspended since 24 September 2026 with no restart date announced, and there is no safe overland route. Nothing described here can be booked now; this page describes the town for a future visit once advisories change. Read the FCDO advice and the US State Department before making any plans.

Treat this outline as a plan for a later trip, not for now.

A 6-Day Outline for Lalibela, for Later

Day 1. Arrive, take it easy, and drink plenty of water.

Day 2. See the northern churches on foot with a local guide.

Day 3. Visit the southern churches, use a torch in the tunnel, and end at Biete Giyorgis.

Day 4. Walk out to Na’akuto La’ab, about 7 km away.

Day 5. Go to Asheton Maryam on foot or by mule, about 2.5 hours one way.

Day 6. Take a 4WD along the rough road to Yemrehanna Kristos, about 42 km.

Conditions

• The town’s airport (LLI) exists, yet flights have been suspended since 24 September 2026.
• The road from Addis Ababa is about 680 to 700 km. In peacetime that took 14 to 18 hours or more, split over two days, and overland travel is now against advice.
• Leave your shoes at each church door and dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered. Women should cover their heads. Speak quietly, ask before photographing anyone, switch off the flash, and keep your hands off the carvings.
• Reports put the churches ticket for foreign visitors at US$50 to US$100, so confirm the price on arrival.