Tour 11 monolithic rock churches & museum in Lalibela & cave church with mummies

This unique 2 day tour is a guided tour of 11 monolithic churches carved out of rock in the 12th century. These churches in Lalibela were built as a New Jerusalem at time when Jerusalem was inaccessible. Visitors will be picked up at the airport, dropped off at their hotel for lunch on their own then taken to the Northern group of churches followed by a museum visit. The 2nd day begins with a 42 kilometer trip to the Yimrehane Krestos church built in a cave. This beautiful church built of wood and stone predates the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela by eighty years. At the back of that cave can be seen some of the centuries old mumified remains of 5,500 pilgrims. A village nearby is optional as the visitor returns to Lalibela for lunch at their hotel and the afternoon tour of the Southeastern cluster of churchs and Bet Giyorgis (St. George) constructed in honor of St. George, the patron saint of Ethiopia. Pick up occurs the following morning after breakfast for transfer to the airport.