Lalibela, but make it hiking. This two-day eco trek pairs the rock-hewn churches with a walk toward the Atabkit escarpment in the Lasta Mountains, plus time with local highlander farmers. You’ll get big mountain views over Lalibela, the Wollo land, and toward Gondar and Tigray.

I especially like the English-speaking guides (Mareg, Ababa, and Luel are known for solid English and practical translation help) and the village rhythm where you can join daily activity with the people you meet. I also like how the hike is run with real trail logic: breakfast to get you going, lunch brought to you midday, and scheduled breaks at high points.

One possible drawback: the Asheton Maryam monastery church entrance fee isn’t included, so plan on paying extra for that stop.

Key things I’d pencil in

• 7:00am start with pick-up options so you’re not wasting daylight
• Asheton Maryam monastery (entrance fee not included) plus Medhane Alem Church (admission free)
• Atabkit plateau near 3600m for a long lunch break and bird-spotting
• Homestay with farmers near Astabir where you can participate in daily village life
• Guides like Mareg, Ababa, and Luel for context and careful English support

Why this Lalibela eco trek feels different than a quick church tour

Lalibela is famous for its rock-hewn churches, and this tour uses that fame as the launchpad. Instead of stopping at the church doors, you walk up into the Lasta highlands and spend real time with the people who live above the town.

What makes it work is the blend of pace and structure. You get an early start (around 7:00am), a guided route with set stops, and meals planned around the hike. That matters because altitude walking can feel harder than the map suggests. You’ll spend time at about 3600 meters on Day 1, then continue with a return walk the next afternoon.

And the best part for many people isn’t just the views. It’s that you’re not “just passing through” a rural area. You stay in the village, meet farmers, and take part in everyday routines. It’s a different kind of cultural contact: less photo-op, more conversation.

Meeting at 7:00am: how pickup and timing actually affect your day

The tour starts at 7:00am, and you have a couple ways to begin. If you’re staying in Lalibela, your guide can meet you at your hotel. If you arrive by air and want to start immediately, you can also begin right on the airport after arrival.

This “start where you are” approach is handy. It reduces the awkward half-day shuffle that can happen when you wait around for a transfer. It also gives you a cleaner transition from sightseeing to hiking without losing daylight.

You’ll also have a mule man involved early on, with gear wrapped and ready for the trek. That detail sounds small, but it usually means less stress. Even if you’re carrying a daypack, your heavier load is more likely to be handled efficiently so you can focus on walking and enjoying the route.

One more practical win: you can store not-needed luggage safely in Lalibela at the tour office. For a two-day walk, that’s a big quality-of-life upgrade. You travel lighter and don’t have to lug everything into the village stay.

Day 1 morning: Asheton Maryam Monastery and the first climb into the Lasta highlands

Day 1 begins with a guide meeting point and a very practical rhythm. If your hotel hasn’t fed you properly, you’ll normally start with breakfast at a local cafe, so you get real fuel before the first ascent.

Then you head to Asheton Maryam Monastery, with about 3 hours scheduled for this stop. This is one of those moments where the church side of Lalibela meets the mountain side of Ethiopia. You’re learning as you go, not just checking boxes.

A key detail: the entrance fee for Asheton Maryam Monastery church isn’t included. That’s the one extra cost you should expect on this tour.

Also, don’t underestimate how quickly the air and slopes can change once you’re above town. Early on, you’ll feel the transition from Lalibela’s immediate setting into the broader Lasta Mountains—harder walking, more exposed paths, and a different sense of space.

Medhane Alem Church to the Atabkit plateau: where the long views start

After your monastery visit, the hike continues deeper into the highlands. The walk becomes rougher and the vegetation thins out, so the terrain starts doing more of the “talking” than the scenery does.

Next stop is Medhane Alem Church with about 3 hours allocated. The good news here: admission is free. So between this church and the monastery entrance fee, you’ll feel the cost difference right away.

Midday is when the trail plan shows its intelligence. Lunch is brought to you freshly prepared by the company cook. That saves you from the classic problem of trekking hungry, sweating, then trying to find food later when energy is low.

From there, you arrive at AD MEDHANE ALEM (ATABKIT), a large plateau with dramatic views over Lalibela and the wider region—Wollo land and even toward Gondar and Tigray. The tour holds time here for a long break, and it’s at around 3600 meters.

Atabkit is also a bird spotter’s stop. You’ll have time to watch different kinds of birds flying around at this elevation. This is one of those “slow down and look up” moments. It turns the hike into a chance to notice the living world above you, not just the ground you’re stepping on.

Evening in the Ad Medhane Alem village near Astabir: homestay life, not tourism theater

After the Atabkit plateau break, you continue toward AD MEDHANE ALEM VILLAGE near Astabir. This is your “home” for the night.

Here’s where the tour earns its eco name in a real way: you stay with highlander farmers and spend time in their village life. The experience isn’t only “watching.” It’s also about doing. The plan includes the chance to take part in daily activity with the people hosting you.

You might also see schooling or community life as part of the broader day, depending on timing. One thing that comes through clearly from how the guides handle the day is that they don’t treat these stops like roadside landmarks. They connect you to context: what you’re seeing, how it works, and how locals understand their own culture.

This is also where guide skills matter. The tour team includes guides such as Mareg and Ababa, who are praised for sharing lots of information and making sure your visit feels respectful and understandable. Luel, in particular, is noted for very good English and for translating when needed, so you can actually follow the conversation instead of just smiling politely.

Your accommodation is included, and you’ll have dinner too. After two days of walking, that combination—food + sleep in the village—turns the day into an experience with an ending you can feel.

Day 2: the return walk toward Lalibela and what to notice on the way down

Day 2 starts with breakfast. Then you gather your things and begin the walk back toward town. The schedule gives about 5 hours for this return segment, and you’ll reach Lalibela around 4-ish in the afternoon.

This second-day walk is less about “big dramatic climbing” and more about noticing what changed. You’ll pass animals and get more frequent view breaks along the way. The route gives you chances to pause and look back at the same directions you were facing the day before—up at the high points, then gradually down toward the town setting.

When you’re hiking at altitude, the descent can still feel like work. But it’s usually the kind of work you can settle into. You’ve already done the hard part on Day 1, so the second day feels like a steady walk with more breathing room for conversation and observation.

As you near Lalibela, you’ll connect back with the tour team and wrap up at the Highland Eco Trekking Tours side of the experience. Ending in town by late afternoon gives you time for a shower, a meal, and relaxing rather than needing to immediately sprint into more sightseeing.

Price and value: why $213.77 makes sense (and what to watch)

At $213.77 per person for roughly two days, this isn’t a budget micro-trek. It’s priced like something that does more than just lead you along a trail.

Here’s what you’re paying for:

• English-speaking guide
• Accommodation for the night
• Breakfast and dinner, plus lunch (2) during the two days
• Snacks and bottled water
• Coffee and/or tea
• All trek activities, including the time with farmers
• Safe luggage storage in Lalibela so you can travel lighter

That food and guide package is a big part of the value. On treks like this, paying for logistics is often what separates a smooth experience from a scramble. Also, the tour is private, meaning it’s only your group. For many people, privacy is worth a premium because you’re not trying to keep pace with someone else’s walking style.

What’s not included is mainly the Asheton Maryam monastery entrance fee. The rest is structured so you’re not constantly spending energy budgeting meals or figuring out trail questions.

If you’re trying to decide whether the price fits you, I’d look at one thing: do you want more than church photos? If you want a real highland walk plus an overnight village stay, this price is easier to justify.

Who this is best for (and who should skip it)

This tour is aimed at people with moderate physical fitness. If you handle day hikes and can walk uphill at altitude without panicking, you’ll likely be fine.

It’s especially good for:

• You want a route that connects Lalibela churches to the highlands above
• You like cultural interaction that includes participating rather than only watching
• You appreciate good guiding, including explanations and translation help when needed
• You want a guided, food-supported two-day structure

It may not be the best fit if you want a totally low-effort experience. Two days of hiking above town takes stamina even when the pace is managed.

Good news: children must be accompanied by an adult, and service animals are allowed. It’s also close to public transportation, which can help if you’re arranging additional days on your own.

Should you book this Lalibela 2-day eco trek?

If you’re already set on Lalibela for the churches, I think booking this trek is the easy yes—as long as you’re up for walking and the entrance fee doesn’t surprise you. The value is in the full package: guide support, meals, overnight village life, and a hike that reaches the Atabkit plateau with long view breaks at around 3600m.

I’d book if you want something more human than a checklist. The combination of Mareg and Ababa’s church context, Luel’s translation-focused guiding, and the homestay rhythm makes this feel like a relationship with the place, not a quick pass.

If you’re primarily after a couch-and-car itinerary, you’ll feel the walking. But if you can handle a hike, you’ll come back with stories that go beyond stone churches.

FAQ

How long is the Lalibela 2-day eco trekking tour?

The tour is about 2 days.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 7:00 am.

Is pickup offered?

Yes. You can meet your guide at your hotel, or start from the airport after you arrive.

What meals are included?

Breakfast and dinner are included, and lunch is included twice during the two days. Coffee and/or tea, snacks, and bottled water are also included.

Are entrance fees included for the churches?

No for Asheton Maryam monastery church. The entrance fee is not included. Admission is free for Medhane Alem Church.

Where will I stay overnight?

Accommodation is included, and you stay in the village area at Ad Medhane Alem village near Astabir.

Can I store luggage in Lalibela?

Yes. The tour offers a safe place to store not-needed luggage in Lalibela in their office.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It’s private, so only your group participates.

What’s the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. After that window, the amount paid is not refunded.

You Might Also Enjoy

Loop trek of Sary MogolEverest Base Camp Trek3 Days Bale Mountains TrekkingBali: Mount Batur Sunrise Trek and White Water Rafting