Ethiopian Religious Festival Tour and Trekking
Ethiopia is truly a land of contrast and extremes; a land of remote and wild places. Both religious and secular festivals in Ethiopia are occasions for great rejoicing feasting and dancing often accompanied by colorful pageantry. The Gregorian or European calendar dates, because of leap year, do not always coincide ...
Read Full Description- Destination:
- Trip Length:
- 17 days
- Price Range:
- From $0 to $2000 per person See what this includes and what this excludes
- Best Time to Go:
- January
- Recommended for:
-
Infants (under 2)
Children (2 - 5)
Children (6 - 8)
Children (9 - 11)
Children (12 - 14)
Children (15 - 17)
Adults (18 - 20)
Adults (25 - 29)
Family Trip, Spiritual Journey, Trip Around the World
Detailed Trip Description
Ethiopia is truly a land of contrast and extremes; a land of remote and wild places. Both religious and secular festivals in Ethiopia are occasions for great rejoicing feasting and dancing often accompanied by colorful pageantry. The Gregorian or European calendar dates, because of leap year, do not always coincide precisely with the Ethiopian, therefore visitors should confirm the exact dates of different celebrations. Timket is the greatest festival of the year, falling on 19 January just two weeks after the Ethiopian Christmas. A three day affair, beginning on the eve of Timket with dramatic and colorful processions. The following morning, the great day of Christ's baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist is commemorated. You will visit wild water falls, Gorgeous gorges, colorful markets, National Parks, green jungle and Scenery, traditions and customs, Wild animals, Birds, Monastery, ruined Bridges, Gorgeous gorges, Birds, Ancient History, ruined palaces, monuments, churches, stele, castles, mural paintings, Lakes and falls and much more.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 - Lalibela
Arrival and drive to Desse.
Private Car Service
In the morning have breakfast and head to Desse.
Sightseeing
En route have a visit to the Italian made Tunnel and the mouth of the Rift Valley system at a place called “Tarmaber”.
Hotel
Overnight Lalibela Hotel.
Day 2 - Lalibela
Drive to Lalibela and attend the Ethiopian Christmas festival in Lalibela.
Private Car Service
Drive from Desse to Lalibela.
Sightseeing
En route visit the Hayq Lake and also the island monastery of Stephen.
Sightseeing
On this day attend the colorful eve festival of Ethiopian Christmas with chanting and singing of priests.
Hotel
Overnight Jerusalem Guest House.
Day 3 - Lalibela
Visit the Rock-hewn churches of Lalibela.
Sightseeing
Early in the morning after breakfast attend the church ceremony and celebration of Ethiopian Christmas and head exploring the UNESCO registered world wonders of the rock-hewn churches (1st group) only.
Sightseeing
After lunch head for a visit of the remaining churches.
Hotel
Overnight Jerusalem Guest house.
Day 4 - Lalibela
Visit the surrounding Rock-hewn churches.
Mountain Climbing
After breakfast trek up to Mount Asheten to visit the monastery of Asheten Mariam and also admire the scenery of the surrounding and back to hotel. After lunch head to the cave church of Nakutola’ab.
Hotel
Overnight Hotel.
Day 5 - Ethiopia
Drive to Mekelle.
Private Car Service
Head to Mekelle via the Sekota road.
On the way visit the least visited but famous world-renowned Cave church of Yimrahane Kirstos.
Hotel
Overnight Axum Hotel.
Day 6 - Ethiopia
Visit the rock-churches of Tigray.
Sightseeing
After break fast visit the near by famous rock churches of Petros and Paulos, Medhane Alem Adi Kasho.
Hotel
Back to Mekelle for overnight stay. Overnight Axum Hotel
Day 7 - Axum
Drive to Axum.
Private Car Service
Drive Mekelle- Axum.
Sightseeing
On the way visit the Yeha Temple, Debre Damo monastery, Abreha-Atsbeha rock church, Negash Mosque.
Hotel
Overnight Remhay Hotel.
Day 8 - Axum
Visit the archeological sites and St. Mary of Zion church.
Sightseeing
In the morning have a visit to Axum’s St. Mary of Zion church, Stele of Axum and the tomb there and the Bath of Queen Sheba.
Sightseeing
After lunch head to the Palace of Sheba, the Tomb of King Kaleb and his son (6th century), stone inscription of king Ezana.
Hotel
Overnight Remhay Hotel.
Day 9 - On Foot
Drive to Semien Mountain National Park.
Private Car Service
In the morning have break fast and drive to Semien Mountain National Park.
National Parks
Drive to Sankaber via the scenic beauty of the Semien mountains and also the Tekeze gorge where one can see incense trees. This is the site that is termed as the most wild and spectacular of all Ethiopian landscapes-The Roof of Africa.
Camping
Observe the magnificent scenery, birds and game like an endemic Gelada Baboon. O/N Camping.
Day 10 - On Foot
Semien Mountain National Park. O/N Camping.
Adventure
Start trekking from Sankaber to Geech which is the most scenic road.
Camping
O/N Camping.
Day 11 - On Foot
Semien Mountain National Park. O/n Camping.
Adventure
Continue trekking to Chenek, another scenic spot where you have the chance to spot the other endemic wild animal, Walia Ibex.
Camping
O/N Camping.
Day 12 - On Foot
Semien Mountain National Park. O/n Camping.
Mountain Climbing
Continue trekking to Ambiquo, another scenic spot where you have the chance to admire the chains of mountains.
Camping
O/N Camping.
Day 13 - On Foot
Semien Mountain National Park. O/n Camping.
Adventure
Continue trekking back to Chenek, another scenic spot where you have the chance to admire the chains of mountains.
Camping
O/N Camping.
Day 14 - Gondar
Drive from Semien Mountain National Park to Gondar.
Private Car Service
Drive from Semien Mountain National Park - Gondar.
Sightseeing
Along the road before getting to Gondar, visit the Felasha, Ethiopian Jew village and their hand made artifacts and attend the eve Epiphany celebration at the bathing pool of Gondar.
Hotel
Overnight Goha Hotel.
Day 15 - Gondar
Attend the colorful religious celebration of epiphany festival and also visit the Castles of Gondar.
Sightseeing
Attend the colorful religious celebration of epiphany festival and also visit the 17th century castles of Gondar together with the bathing castle of King Fasilades. Have a visit to the colorfully decorated church of Debre-Brehan Selassie.
Hotel
Overnight Goha Hotel.
Day 16 - Ethiopia
Drive to Bahir Dar and visit the Blue-Nile falls.
Private Car Service
Drive to Bahir Dar.
Small Ship or Yacht Cruise
Make boat cruise on Lake Tana to explore the ancient medieval monasteries of Ura Kidanemheret.
Sightseeing
In the afternoon take lunch and proceed to the Blue-Nile falls.
Hotel
O/n Tana Hotel.
Day 17 - Addis Ababa
Drive back to Addis Ababa and departure.
Private Car Service
In the morning start driving back to Addis Ababa.
En route visit the 13th century historical monastery of Debre-Libanos.
Shopping
Up on arrival be taken to do shopping.
Performing Arts
In the evening have traditional traditionally Dinner and show.
Be transferred to airport for departure.
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