GENNA IN LALIBELA

3 Days / 2 Nights · January 6–8

Genna “ገና” —Ethiopian Christmas falls on January 7th, preceded by 43 days of fasting and spiritual preparation. In Lalibela, it is the most extraordinary Christmas on earth. Tens of thousands of white-robed pilgrims pour into the Holy City from across the highlands, some having walked for weeks to witness the all-night vigil, the dawn proclamation of the Nativity, and the joyful breaking of the fast in a communal feast. This is Christmas before it was commercialised. This is Christmas as it has always been.

DAY 1 — JANUARY 6 | CHRISTMAS EVE · THE ALL-NIGHT VIGIL
Arrive on Christmas Eve as Lalibela reaches the peak of its transformation, pilgrims camping on the hillsides, families opening their doors, and young people washing the feet of those who have walked the farthest in a gesture of extraordinary grace. Spend the afternoon visiting the main churches as clergy process in ceremonial robes between the sanctuaries. Join your guide’s family for an early Christmas Eve meal before heading to the churches at nightfall. As darkness falls, join the great white-clad crowds for the all-night vigil inside Bete Emanuel candlelight, kebero drums, sistrums, and the ancient Mequamiya sacred dance filling the carved stone interior until dawn.

DAY 2 — JANUARY 7 | GENA — CHRISTMAS DAY
At sunrise, process out of the church as priests stand at the cliff edge swaying with sistrums, chanting the birth of Christ across the valley below. The lead priest proclaims Christmas. The 43-day fast is broken. Join your guide’s family for the Christmas feast doro wat, injera, and honey wine, the first meal after weeks of fasting, shared in the warmth of the Nativity. In the afternoon, head to the open grasslands for Yegena Chawata, the ancient Christmas field game played with curved wooden sticks across Ethiopia on this day, unchanged for centuries.

DAY 3 — JANUARY 8 | BETE GIYORGIS · NAKUTO LA’AB ·
The morning after Christmas in Lalibela belongs entirely to quiet and wonder. Descend into the great trench of Bete Giyorgis, the perfectly cross-shaped monolith carved twelve metres into the earth in the peaceful calm of the post-Christmas morning. Then visit the cave monastery of Nakuto La’ab, where the sacred crowns and personal treasures of King Lalibela himself are preserved in deep stillness. A final moment of prayer before your transfer to the airport and return flight to Addis Ababa.