FASIKA IN LALIBELA

3 Days / 2 Nights · January 18–20)

Fasika “ፋሲካ” Ethiopian Easter is the most sacred celebration in the Ethiopian Orthodox year, marking the resurrection of Christ after 55 days of the Hudade fast. In Lalibela, it reaches its most ancient and powerful expression. The Holy City carved from living rock in the 12th century becomes the stage for the Great Midnight Vigil: thousands of white-clad pilgrims filling the church courtyards with candlelight, priests and deacons chanting through the night in ancient Ge’ez, and at the stroke of midnight, bells ringing out across the stone city to proclaim the Resurrection. To be in Lalibela when Tinsaye is declared is to witness the oldest, most unbroken Easter celebration in the Christian world.

DAY 1 — HOLY SATURDAY | THE VIGIL
Arrive on Holy Saturday as Lalibela draws inward in quiet preparation. Spend the morning completing visits to all the rock-hewn churches before climbing to Debre Tabor the high rock above the town for a sweeping panoramic view across the entire Holy City. As evening falls, thousands gather with candles in the church courtyards. The Great Vigil builds through the night and then, by 4am, in the courtyard of Bete Mariam, the bells ring out. The chanting swells. Tinsaye Christ is Risen. The 55-day fast is broken at midnight with a shared egg and the joyful Fasika feast.

DAY 2 — EASTER SUNDAY | FEAST & ASHETON MARYAM
Easter Sunday in Lalibela is radiant, joyful and generous after the long fast. Begin with a private morning descent into Bete Giyorgis, the iconic cross-shaped monolith carved twelve metres into the earth in the luminous calm of Easter morning. Midday: join your guide’s family for the full Fasika feast doro wat, injera, and honey wine shared in the warmth of an Ethiopian home. Afternoon: ride mules up the escarpment to Asheton Maryam Monastery 600 metres above the Holy City for panoramic views across the Lasta highlands as the Easter sun descends.

DAY 3 — DEPARTURE | NAKUTO LA’AB
One final encounter before leaving the Holy City is the cave monastery of Nakuto La’ab, where the ancient crowns and sacred treasures of King Lalibela himself are quietly preserved. A moment of personal prayer and reflection before your transfer to the airport and return flight to Addis Ababa.