Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Courses
COOKING
Lalibela Cooking School
( 0333-360380; per person US$40)
The short classes at Lalibela Cooking School at the
Blue Lal Hotel are an expensive option. A better alternative, both cheaper and long
enough to start with a trip to the market to buy ingredients, is rumoured to be coming to
Unique Restaurant.
Tours
For information on agencies offering treks of the villages, churches and monasteries sur-
rounding Lalibela,
Click here
.
Festivals
The most exciting time to visit is during a major festival, when thousands of pilgrims
crowd in.
Timkat
and
Leddet
are the biggest, but Lalibela draws masses for all the major
ones. See
Click here
f
or dates and details. Outside these periods, try to attend at least one
church's monthly saint day.
Sleeping
Discounts, often very large ones, are negotiable in most hotels from April through August.
Vacancies are almost nonexistent during the festival period and European Christmas, so
reservations are wise. However, prices for reserved rooms during these times can quin-
tuple or more. If you arrive during a festival without reservations, look for brokers who
work the centre of town hiring out rooms in people's homes.
Lalibela no longer suffers from water shortages, but electrical cuts are still possible.
Cliff Edge Hotel $$
( 0333-360606;
www.cliffedgehotel-lalibela.com
;
d/tw incl breakfast; US$45/
55; )
Both the rooms and the views from the balconies are just as good as its pricier
neighbour Mountain View. They seem quick to discount, so always ask. A restaurant is
planned.
HOTEL
