Tizita Ethiopian Hikes
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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
HOW DO I GET TO LALIBELA?
The easiest way to get around Ethiopia is to fly. There are daily flights to and from Addis Ababa, Aksum, Gondar, and other cities to Lalibela. We can arrange to meet you in Addis Ababa or another city. Or we can meet you at the airport in Lalibela.
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It is also possible to take public buses and/or cars and drive around the country. This will take much longer, however, and is really only suitable for travellers with a lot more time. For example, the flight between Addis Ababa and Lalibela is 45 minutes, but the drive takes 2 days (overnight stop in Dessie).
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TIP: Ethiopian Airlines is the only commercial airline in the country. If you have an international ticket with Ethiopian Airlines (or an Ethiopian ID, residence card, or passport ), you can get a significant discount on domestic flights.
HOW DO I FIND OUT ABOUT VISA REQUIREMENTS?
All international guests fly into Ethiopian via Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. There, visa on arrival can be issued to nationals of over 40 countries (please check your own nationality as this changes from time to time). There is usually a queue for VOAs at the airport, but it moves relatively briskly. Please google the latest information before you fly.
HOW MANY DAYS DO I NEED?
Lalibela and its surrounding areas are beautiful and interesting, nothing like it elsewhere in the world. How much you see of it depends on how much time you have to spare. We think a long weekend is a good start (3 nights, 4 days) to combine churches with a little bit of hiking and the surrounding areas. If you have longer, you will be able to venture further out into the northern regions of Ethiopia. If you are short of time, then for the most committed of tourists, you could do a quick tour of the churches in a day (a longish day), and do a bit of day hike in the area the following day or visit another church or two out of town.
Lalibela, though, is a good place to take a bit of a break and reflect. So we encourage you to factor in some time for relaxation, people watching, coffee drinking, as well as sight-seeing.
For more details of various trips, please see our suggestions .
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
This depends on what you want to do.
If you are thinking of hiking, then you need a sturdy pair of hiking shoes (ankle protection is much recommended on rocks); hiking poles if you like them; warm clothing as Ethiopian Highlands can get cold in the evenings; your own medication (if you take any) and insect repellent; hat and sun protection; a torch or headlamp (electricity is not always consistent); and anything else that you can't live without! We can provide bedding and blankets, and - in discussions with you - will book accommodation along the way. Not all accommodations (especially community homestays in traditional tukuls) will have shower facilities - baby wipes are a good substitute for a night. Toilet paper and tissues can also be handy! A daypack / backpack is also very useful.
If you are thinking of visiting the medieval rock-hewn churches, then bring some reasonably modest clothing as a sign of respect.
Small change, in case you want to tip someone.
Camera(s), adapters for your electronics, spare batteries (again, electricity is not always stable), and anything else you usually bring on a trip.
I'M NOT SUPER FIT, CAN I HIKE?
Sure, we have had clients of varying levels of fitness hike with us. Talk to us, let us know what your concerns are, and we will find a solution. Some options are: taking an extra mule for your luggage (and for you to sit on if you need a break); factor in some extra time for a slower pace; picking routes that are more suited to you. We have had clients of over 70 years of age as well as children hike with us. Nothing is impossible, but let us know in advance so that we can plan for it.
WHAT'S THE FOOD LIKE? (I'M A VEGAN!)
The stable of Ethiopian food is injera, a big pancake made out of teff which is rich in calcium, iron and protein, and gluten-free. Injera is basically consumed throughout Ethiopia for all meals. It is eaten with various toppings and sides, such as a spicy chicken stew (doro wot), a ground chickpea or broad bean stew (shiro), and a massive variety of other vegetables and meats (beef and lamb). Because of Ethiopia's history with Italy, pasta is also common.
In Lalibela, there is a range of restaurants serving international foods. Outside of Lalibela town itself or lodges that cater for international clients, you will probably be left with mostly injera or sometimes rice.
Many Ethiopian Orthodox Christians in Lalibela will fast one or two days a week. On fasting days, they eat basically a vegan diet - injera and vegetable stews without meats or eggs. If you are a vegan or a vegetarian, it is relatively easy to find food in Ethiopia - ask for fasting food and you should generally be fine.
Coffee is a stable of Ethiopia. The coffee ceremony is a way for us to show hospitality. Traditional coffee (buna) most closely resembles a 'Turkish' coffee. You can also get a macchiato in many places. In Lalibela, there are also various juice bars, where seasonal juices are available (try the avocado juice!)
Ethiopians have many types of beers for you to sample. Recently, the French have started to develop vineyards in the country, and there are some good local reds.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Costs vary depending on your itinerary. It is very much a case of you use, you pay. Usually, it includes the following elements: a daily fee for the guide who will be there to look after you and liaise with everyone else; transport fees (drivers and their mules, cars, 4x4s - whatever you use); accommodation per night per person (ranging from budget to relative luxury); a fee for the cook and the food; and standard entrance fees to churches and other sites.
Guide prices vary from city to city and depend on what they are licensed for. As a rough indication, our hiking guide in Lalibela costs US$25 per day for groups of 2 people. A little extra will be charged if you are a larger group or if it's high season. Guides for the rock-hewn churches can cost around US$35 or more.
If you are hiking, a cook may have to come along with you. Similarly, a driver and his mule might also need to come along. Talk to us about what you would like to do, and we will advise you on what is the best approach.
Please remember that what you pay goes directly to the person who works hard for it. Ethiopia is a poor country (low income, according to the World Bank), but not a cheap country - especially for the locals.
A price will be agreed upon before we set off. Any changes along the way will be discussed.