Lalibela: best months to visit

Lalibela, holy town of Ethiopia in the Amhara region: 18,000 inhabitants at 2500m altitude. UNESCO 1978 for its 11 monolithic churches dug in the rock in the 12th-13th century under the reign of King Lalibela (who wanted to create a "New Jerusalem" in Africa for Ethiopian pilgrims deprived of access to the Holy Land by the Arab conquest). One of the most impressive religious sites in the world. January is my favourite month (8.9/10): 10-23°C, 4% rain, end of the dry season, clear sky. From December to March, it's the tourist high season: 10-25°C, 2-13% rain, ideal dry climate. On 7 January, it's Genna (Ethiopian Orthodox Christmas according to the Julian calendar) = massive pilgrimage to Lalibela, exceptional religious atmosphere, Saint George's nocturnal ceremonies, thousands of pilgrims in white. From July-August drop to 4.6/10 due to the rainy season: 99-100% rainfall, cut tracks to Lalibela. The 11 churches divided into 2 groups by the symbolic "Jordan River": Bete Medhane Alem (the largest, 33.7m × 23.7m × 11.5m deep, "Saviour of the World"), Bete Maryam (Holy Mary, original frescoes), Bete Golgotha (women forbidden, supposedly contains the tomb of King Lalibela), Bete Giyorgis (Saint George, the most famous and best preserved, in the shape of an irreproachable Greek cross, 12m deep, iconic photo of Ethiopia). All are dug from top to bottom in the basaltic rock ("top-down" unique technique), connected by tunnels and trenches. Still in religious activity, Ethiopian Orthodox priests officiate daily, pilgrims lodge nearby. Logistics: Lalibela 1h by plane from Addis Ababa (daily direct flight), 2-3 days minimum recommended. Hotels: Mountain View, Maribela, Tukul Village (traditional cabin style). Try injera, doro wat (spicy chicken festival dish, Ethiopian iconic), shiro (legume puree), Ethiopian coffee.