One of Ethiopia’s holiest cities, Lalibela, rests high in the mountains of Lasta and is home to over 1,000 priests who can be found wandering through the ancient dusty town. The population is almost entirely Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Christian, one of the few pre-colonial Christian religions in Sub-Saharan Africa, adding a timeless and almost biblical atmosphere. One must fully experience this mysterious place to understand it truly. The Churches here, all intricately carved from the Rock Mountains, are joined by a maze of tunnels and bridges. The walls are hung with tapestries; the floors are covered in carpets, all of it lit from high-carved windows where dappling light seeps through. The churches are lively as the priests and pilgrims move through in the rhythms of a faith practiced here for many centuries.
Our visit will coincide with the St Mary’s celebration. The town is bustling with pilgrims during this time. On Saturday evening, the pilgrims will gather at the St Mary’s church, where hundreds of priests will chant and dance throughout the evening. Handheld candles create a serene, moody atmosphere over the ceremony. This is when you will fully understand this ancient city and have a chance to be a part of something extraordinary and photograph something you will do nowhere else in the world.
Our experienced guide comes from a family of priest, is highly respected throughout the community, has worked with top professional photographers, which will give us special access.
Itinerary
Oct 30. 2024
Arrive Addis. If you are arriving internationally upon your arrival at the Bole international airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, you are met by a member of our ground team and transferred by private vehicle to the Radisson Blu. After your long flight/s you will enjoy a relaxing evening in a modern, upper market hotel, which is the perfect way to rest up for the amazing journey that lies ahead. This is considered a travel day so meals are included. If you are coming from the Omo Valley you will have the late afternoon and evening to rest up for the extension. Your breakfast and lunch are included from the main trip. Dinner is on your own.
Oct 31, 2024
We will rise early to catch our morning flight to Lalibela. Upon arrival, you will enjoy a short scenic drive up the mountain and through the town of Lalibela. We will check in and have lunch with time to rest before going out to explore the first group of the hand-carved underground churches.
BLD
NOV 1, 2024
Rise early for breakfast and enjoy the breath-taking views. After breakfast we will visit the cave church, which is a favorite of everyone. We will take our lunch at a uniquely architecturally designed restaurant that sits high on the hill with stunning 360-degree views. In the afternoon we will explore more of the hand carved churches. There will be a special dinner tonight at a friend’s restaurant followed by a special performance by the local dancers and musicians.
BLD
NOV 2, 2024
Rise early for breakfast. We will spend the morning visiting more of the incredible stone underground churches. We will have lunch at my favorite restaurant and then take the afternoon off to rest up for an incredible evening. We will have an early dinner at the lodge and then depart for a magical night at the St Mary’s celebration, which will go on until sunrise.
BLD
NOV 3, 2024
Breakfast and depart for the airport for our flight to Addis.
Those with international departures will have dayrooms and then be transported to the international airport for your flight home. Those stay on for the main Best of the Omo trip will have the evening off to rest up for the expedition ahead and overnight rooms.
B
Important Details
The Price
The cost of the extension is based on double occupancy.
This is an extension, so the price is based on the number of participants.
6 clients is USD $2,495.00
5 clients is USD $2,750.00
4 clients is USD $3,195.00
3 clients is USD $3,495.00
We would be happy to arrange a private room for you if there is availability. The supplement for a private room is $425.00
If a solo guest is unwilling to share and requests single accommodations upon registration, then a single supplement will be charged. If you are a solo guest, who will share accommodations, we will do our best to match you with another guest of the same gender. If we cannot match you with another solo guest of the same gender, then the single supplement will be charged, up to, but not exceeding the fee of the single supplement. In this case, whenever possible, we will try to discount the single supplement.
A USD $1,100 non-refundable deposit is due at the time of registration to secure your spot.
You may purchase travel insurance that will refund your deposit if cancel your trip.
Payment Terms
- USD $1,100.00 non-refundable deposit to confirm your place on this trip
- Final payment/balance is due at the same time of the final balance of your main trip either June 15, 2024, or July 1, 2024. It will be clearly stated on your invoice.
- We highly recommend proper trip and trip cancellation insurance to protect your investment
Included in the trip
All in-country travel in a comfortable van
- All accommodation, as specified on the itinerary.
- All meals as listed on the itinerary. B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner, beginning with Breakfast on October 31, 2024 through Breakfast on Nov 3, 2024
- All entrance fees for church activities as listed in the itinerary
- Airport facilitation, meeting & greeting, private transfers upon arrival and departure.
- Domestic flight to and from Lalibela
- VAT and local taxes.
- All activities listed as included.
- One main, English-speaking guide
What’s NOT Included
- International airfare and/or between your home and Addis Abba
- Visas
- Travel Insurance
- Personal purchases (including shopping, spirits, laundry, telephone calls etc.)
- Gratuities for our main guide and driver
- Optional extra activities not included on the itinerary
- Pre- and Post- expeditions tours
- Meals or accommodations before or after the expedition (except as noted in the detailed itinerary)
- Meals and beverages on the day of arrival, this is considered a travel day
REGISTRATION AND DEPOSIT
- If you are excited to join this safari now is the time to secure your spot. Use the buttons below to fill out your online e-registration form and to make your deposit. We must receive both your completed registration form and your deposit/s to confirm your spot.Registration form –
- We HIGHLY recommend using chrome browser or another browsers other than safari if you are using apple products. Please complete all the required fields. At the end of the form you will be asked to confirm your email address, which will complete the registration. A copy of your registration will be emailed to you and to Piper Mackay Photo Safaris.Deposit–
Click the deposit button, under the registration button, to make your deposit. You do not need to have a Paypal account to use this payment service. You may make more than one deposit at a time by changing the quantity on the purchase details that will come up once you click the deposit button.
