Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Overland, the best approach using public transport is via Gashena. There are two morn-
ing buses (Birr57, four hours) and usually four minibuses (Birr72) to/from Woldia, the last
leaving about 2pm. You can also take a more frequent minibus to Gashena (Birr40, 2½
hours) and try to hitch from there, though there's little traffic in the afternoon and passing
vehicles ask high prices from faranji . Gashena can also be reached from Bahir Dar and
Gonder by taking a Woldia-bound bus. With your own vehicle (or oodles of patience;
there are buses from Sekota to Lalibela, but not daily), it's a rewarding journey to arrive
from the north via Abi Adi and Sekota. On that note, there's now a proper petrol station in
Lalibela.
A bus departs daily for Addis Ababa (Birr225, two days, 6am), overnighting in Dessie
(Birr97, eight to nine hours). The other option is the brokers (ask around for them in the
town centre, or have your guide or hotel call) who arrange rides in minibuses (Birr300) or
people's personal vehicles (Birr350 to Birr500) which can make the trip in 13 to 14 hours.
Getting Around
Minibuses (starting at Birr70) meet every flight at the airport, which is 23km south of
town, and trips to the airport can be booked at all hotels.
The bus station is an inconvenient couple of kilometres out of town. Sometimes buses
will continue into the centre and some hotels will come pick you up if you have a reserva-
tion, otherwise you can take a contract minibus (Birr100) or make the long, hot walk,
which can be reduced a bit by shortcut foot trails. When leaving Lalibela, you can also ar-
range to have the minibus pick you up at your hotel; for a price, of course.
Ask your hotel or, for better prices usually, your guide, about arranging 4WD hire. If
you think Landrovers are crude brutes, you can hire a mule for treks at the church ticket
office. A full day will set you back Birr300 per mule with handlers to the more distant
churches.
Around Lalibela
Many other fascinating churches and monasteries lie in the stunning countryside within a
day's striking distance of Lalibela, and a journey to them, whether by foot, mule or 4WD,
is rewarding. Overnight treks, whether visiting churches along the way or not, are right-
fully popular.
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