Private Tour Package

3-Day Lalibela Christmas (Genna) Festival Tour

Experience one of the world's most unique and spiritual Christmas celebrations in Lalibela, Ethiopia's New Jerusalem. This journey combines UNESCO-listed rock-hewn churches, Ethiopian Orthodox traditions, candlelight ceremonies, pilgrim gatherings, and the Beza Kula Christmas celebration in Addis Ababa.

Duration

3 Days

Region

Lalibela Rock-Hewn Churches

Style

Private

Overview Itinerary Practical Info

3 Days Private Journey

3-Day Lalibela Christmas (Genna) Festival Tour

Addis Ababa - Lalibela | Arrival & Rock-Hewn Churches Tour

Lalibela Churches & Ethiopian Christmas (Genna) Celebration

Lalibela - Addis Ababa | Beza Kula Christmas Celebration

Itinerary

A polished sample route

Day 1

Addis Ababa - Lalibela | Arrival & Rock-Hewn Churches Tour

Take a morning flight from Addis Ababa to Lalibela. Upon arrival at Lalibela Airport, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel. After check-in and refreshments, begin exploring the first cluster of Lalibela's rock-hewn churches, including Bete Medhane Alem, Bete Maryam, Bete Meskel, Bete Denagel, Bete Golgotha and Bete Mikael. Learn about King Lalibela and his vision of creating a New Jerusalem in Ethiopia, then admire the churches carved from solid rock and connected by tunnels, trenches and hidden passageways.

Overnight: Hotel in Lalibela

Day 2

Lalibela Churches & Ethiopian Christmas (Genna) Celebration

Continue exploring Lalibela's remaining churches, including Bete Emanuel, Bete Gabriel-Rufael, Bete Abba Libanos and the world-famous Bete Giyorgis, carved in the shape of a Greek cross. In the afternoon and evening, experience Genna, Ethiopia's Orthodox Christmas Festival, with thousands of pilgrims in traditional white Shamma garments, Orthodox chants and hymns, candlelight ceremonies, priests carrying colorful umbrellas and sacred crosses, spiritual processions and religious blessings.

Overnight: Hotel in Lalibela

Day 3

Lalibela - Addis Ababa | Beza Kula Christmas Celebration

Transfer early to Lalibela Airport for your flight back to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival, continue the Christmas celebrations at Beza Kula, where worshippers gather after the all-night Christmas vigil to welcome the dawn with prayers, hymns and joyful festivities. Depending on your departure schedule, enjoy free time for souvenir shopping or relaxation before transfer to Bole International Airport for international departure or onward travel.

Overnight: Departure

Practical Info

What is included

Domestic flight coordination

Private vehicle transfers

Professional English-speaking guide

Entrance fees for listed sites

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