A 4-Day Ethiopian Christmas (Gena) Celebration in Lalibela
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Individual or In Groups of 10+ People
Est 4 Days 3 Night
Starting from:
$1857 - $3377
UNESCO Logo UNESCO World Heritage Sites Included
Itinerary Overview
The Ethiopian Christmas (Gena) is celebrated with an atmospheric religious ceremony in the historic city of Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The festival in Lalibela is characterized by profound and traditional religious customs and clothing. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, including monks and priests, joined the pilgrims in the candlelight vigil for their Christmas celebrations and prayers.

The atmosphere of this religious spectacle is extraordinary, and the devotion of the faithful can leave a deep impression on visitors. It is a great honor to spend Christmas in Lalibela, share the experience with the Ethiopian Orthodox Christians, and learn more about their traditions and culture. The true meaning of Christmas, celebrated here for over 800 years, is a true sight and feeling that must be experienced to be believed

The festival takes place every year on January 6th (the date may vary by one day every 4 years)
Gallery
Tour Plan
  • Upon arrival at Bole International Airport, you will be greeted by our tour guides and transferred to your booked hotel. Most flights to Addis Ababa arrive in the morning, leaving the remaining hours of the day available for a city tour of Addis Ababa. Learn more here
If you arrive at night, the next day will be reserved for a full-day city tour of Addis Ababa.
  • Take a flight to Lalibela as flight times vary and are set accordingly. Upon arrival, drop off your luggage at your pre-booked hotel, enjoy traditional Ethiopian dishes with vegetarian and vegan options, and explore the12th-century rock-hewn churches, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These 800-year-old monolithic churches were built from mountain rock.
  • Visit the northwestern cluster of churches: Bete Medhane Alem, Bete Maryam, Bete Meskel, Bete Danaghel, Bete Mikael and Bete Golgatha.
  • After completing the first day's visit to the 6 King's Churches – Lalibela, we will spend the night at the hotel.
  • Visit the most famous church of all: Bet Giyorgis, a massive cruciform monolith built in honor of St. George, a martyr of the Eastern Orthodox believers. Take a lunch break and a longer break to stay awake for the breathtaking celebration throughout the evening of January 6th with the priest's chants and prayers.
  • At 6:00 PM we head to Bete Giyorgis to secure a good spot with the best view and stay there until 3:00 AM.
  • We travel to Lalibela Airport according to our flight schedule and fly back to Addis Ababa.
Farewell Night:
  • Upon arrival in the city, we'll have lunch (if we arrive early), rest a bit, and enjoy an early dinner in one of Ethiopia's best jazz or (reggae optional) lounges, or in one of the most beautiful dance and folklore houses with a traditional coffee ceremony. This concludes the four-day trip.
Note 1
  • This tour can be extended to include the historical sites in the north of the country. For more information on the country's northern destinations, please Learn more here..
Note 2
  • This trip can also be personalized or customized, with price adjustments; this may result in reduced payments.
What's Included:
Hotel and Lodge Fees
Air fair for domestic flights
Pickup and drop-off
Private transportation (fuel included)
Entrance fees to all listed sites
Professional English-speaking tour guide
Lunch, Dinner, hot drinks and bottled water
Not Included
Alchoholic Drinks Not Listed On The Package
Tips and Gratitude
Customers Reviews

4.8

(99+ Ratings)

9.5/10

Locations

9.5/10

Amenities

8/10

Meals

8/10

Prices

8.5/10

Services

FAQs
Ethiopian Christmas is celebrated on January 7th each year, based on the Ethiopian Orthodox calendar, with occasional one-day variation every four years.
Lalibela is home to 12th-century rock-hewn churches and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it a profoundly spiritual and historic location for Christmas celebrations.
Visitors explore the northwestern cluster of churches including Bete Medhane Alem, Bete Maryam, Bete Meskel, Bete Danaghel, Bete Mikael, Bete Golgatha, and the famous Bet Giyorgis.
Bet Giyorgis is a massive cruciform monolithic church carved from rock and is considered the most iconic and architecturally impressive church in Lalibela.
Pricing
All-Inclusive Christmas in Lalibela 4 Days Festival Tour
Number of People
Price per Person
Individual:
$3377
Group of 2:
$2532
Group of 3:
$2278
Group of 4 to 9:
$2050
Group of 10+:
$1857
(Discounted Prices From 25% up-to 45% For Groups) Book Now
Tour Infomation
Download Travel Itinerary