The Community Tourism Guiding Enterprise (CTGE) is an organisation linked to the community sites. TESFA is supporting the CTGE to become its own independant business, professionally guiding guests on their trek through the local communities in Meket and soon beyond.

Lalibela is the hub of the operation as it is both the major tourist attraction in the areas, and has good communications (mobile and landline telephone services and regular air services).

Your guide will travel from Lalibela to Meket with you. We recommend that you meet up the evening before if possible so that you can check any last minute details.

If travelling by bus you will be responsible for your guide's ticket, but he can help you to find the bus station and get the right bus. If travelling by hired vehicle he will check with the vehicle operator and make sure arrangements are in place to have you picked at your hotel or a convenient place.

If you arrange to meet your guide outside Lalibela, or are not travelling back to Lalibela with your guide you will be responsible for his travel from and to Lalibela. (Lalibela-Gashena or back is 30birr and Lalibela-Filakit or back is 50birr).

There are seven guides working for the CTGE at the moment: Kidanemariam - head guide (pictured at the top enjoying the view on the Meket escarpment), Tefara, Addisu (pictured left offering fresh enjara to guests) and Girma, Mulugetta (pictured below watching a coffee cermeony at Aterow) Abebe and Zelalem.

 

All the guides are from North Wollo, but many have spent time out of Lalibela and the area. All of them share a love of the area and the communities and are really committed to the concept of community tourism

The CTGE office is manned during normal office hours, but sometimes there can be problems getting through to Lalibela phone number. Do try both numbers 033 336 1094/5, and if busy or not answering it maybe due to connection problems.