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Lalibela is located in the heart of Abyssinian Highlands, on the side of mountain range culminating at 4284 mtrs. Its 2500m altitude provides a climate with daily temperatures 15-20C. The world recognized glory of the city comes from the churches curved in monolithic rocks, concept similar to Petra or Ellora gained Lalibela a spot not only on UNESCO World Heritage list but also on many travel connoisseurs bucket lists. We will discover this 7th or perhaps 8th world's wonder over an extended weekend trip.https://vimeo.com/297861237
This time however, we invite you to combine the visit in Lalibela with MESKEL festival related to Ethiopian New Year. The streets will be full of celebrating pilgrims in festive moods and we will play along with them!
Celebrations begin with the building of the Damera bonfire – a conical pyre of poles surrounded by bundles of branches and torches, decorated with green grass and Abyssinian daisies symbolizing the New Year. Hundreds of thousands of people from diverse communities flock to the streets as colourfully dressed priests chant hymns and prayers and perform their unique rhythmic dance in front of the pyre. At the climax, the patriarch of the Ethiopian Church lights the bonfire. Maskel is celebrated nationwide regardless of age, gender, language or ethnicity. UNESCO has inscribed Meskel on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Although date of churches creation is speculated to be around 12th to 13th century, it has been widely attributed to King Lalibela 24 years' project, at the time when city was called Roha. The legend says the King was born surrounded by the bees, and it became the sign of his future reign. The name also relates to this event – Lalibela origin in ancient Amharic means “The one who eats honey”.
Its only in 1950s when the first road to Lalibela was finally constructed and so the former dwellings started being replaced with houses and corrugated iron sheet roofs. Until then it took forty to fifty hours on mule to reach the city. Beautiful old structures remain the same over the centuries.
The first westerner to have described and include plans of the churches to the outer world, was Portuguese priest Francisco Álvares, he was also in fact the first to mention about Ethiopian Kingdom. It took another 300 years for Lalibela to be revealed again.
With 8 rock hewn churches and 2 rock hewn palaces Lalibela contains a number of courts, tunnels, pools and was significant achievement of architecture of its times. City quickly became political and religious center, putting Aksum, capitol city on secondary position. Moreover, due to its remote location it is only Lalibela who survived religious wars ravaging Ethiopia over centuries, other places including Aksum were completely destroyed. No wonder the presence of churches is considered as holy protection to the northern Abyssinian plateaus.
Our plan is to visit this soaked with history UNESCO site but also spend some time outside to stretch the legs. We ll take the opportunity and walk with pilgrims to nearby cliffs.
Let's go!
DAY 1 // Friday
Meeting at Dubai Terminal 1 for a flight to Addis and connecting flight to Lalibela. Check in to our comfy lodge, lunch and move for a short hike to a church located on a cliff with spectacular 360 degree view of the city and the sunset.
In the evening celebration of MESKEL, a quest for a True Cross.
DAY 2 // Saturday
Spend a day discovering 3 church complexes: the most famous group of George, Royal and Ecclesiastical. In the evening check on the local nightlife!
DAY 3 // Sunday
Early wake up call to check pilgrims staying up al night in the church. Souvenir shopping, followed by flight to Addis and short visit in capitol, before catching the flight back to Dubai.
We ll have time to see Mercato, one of the biggest markets in Africa, take a glimpse at Lucy or perhaps yet another capitol church and grab a bite of traditional Ethiopian injera local restaurant. Back home with memories of a lifetime!
Level: Easy- two short but steep in places hikes. Available for beginners.
Activities: sightseeing, trekking, celebrating Meskel.
Accommodation & meals - all included: comfortable ROCK HEWN lodge (sharing rooms). Meals included except meals on transfers.
Single room / upgrades to traditional TUKUL subject of availability at the time of booking.
Cost: AED 6120 incl. flights // 2680 AED excl. flights until AUG 28th.
Specifically included: meals in Lalibela, official entry fees.
Specifically excluded: visas, any type of tips such as “photography fees”, meals and entry fees in Addis, if any.
See yah in Lalibela x
Trekkup Crew
Whatsapp 050 4848238 / [email protected]
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Dubai International Airport, شركة علاء عباسي لخدمات التصوير الفوتوغرافي, برج خليفة دبي, الإمارات العربية المتحدة, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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