Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Drinking
C1
Shopping
A4
Information
B2
C1
C3
Transport
Mule Hire
(see 33)
ern group (which makes the southeastern group less busy in the morning) and an unin-
spired
museum
( 8am-noon & 2-5pm)
down below displays the usual church items.
Local licensed guides can be arranged at the ticket office. The fee is Birr350 per site. Lali-
bela town is considered one site, but if you go to several of the churches outside Lalibela
the guides will be expecting a big payday. Realistically, prices are all negotiable. Although
visiting without a guide is possible (getting lost in the warren of tunnels and trenches is
quite memorable), you'll miss out on many of the amazing subtleties each church has to
offer. The guides also know many good photo viewpoints.
Some people rush through in a half-day, but this simply isn't enough time. A second
day allows proper appreciation. A 6am visit to see the locals in private worship can be en-
chanting. Many of the priests are more than happy to show off their church's treasures and
pose obligingly beside them for photos. Since they get a cut of the entry fee, it's not ne-
cessary to tip for this. Note that camera flashes inside churches cause great damage to the
paintings, so please resist using one.
Lastly, don't forget to bring your torch for the tunnel between Bet Gabriel-Rufael and
Bet Merkorios, or in case there's a power cut.
Bet Giyorgis
CHURCH
