Ethiopia Religious Festival Tour to visit the Ethiopian Christmas in Lalibela, the Castles of Gondar, the archaeological sites in Axum and Simien Mountains National Park.
TOUR CODE: AAT-PT-34
DURATION: 11 DAYS/ 10 NIGHTS
SITE: BAHIR DAR, GONDAR, LALIBELA, AXUM, SIMIEN MOUNTAINS
TRANSPORT: BY AIR & SURFACE
Tour Highlights
- Explore the dramatic nature of the Blue Nile & Tiss Isat Falls
- Boat trip on Lake Tana to visit the ancient monasteries Ura Kidane Mehret and Azwa Maryam
- Visit the Castles of Gondar, also known as Africa’s Camelot
- Visit the splendid vestiges of the fabled Queen Sheba in Axum
- Visit to the amazing rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Shop the stalls of Merkato, the largest open-air market in Africa
- Traditional Ethiopian farewell dinner with “coffee ceremony”
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Itinerary
Departure Day: Daily Guaranteed Departure with 2 participants minimum
Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa
WELCOME TO ETHIOPIA. On arrival in Addis Ababa our representative will meet you at Bole
International Airport. After transfer to your hotel an overview of the program will be given. The rest of the day visit historical sites in Addis Ababa including the National Archaeological Museum, where the 3,6 million year old skeletal remains of “Lucy” rest, which were discovered in 1974. Proceed to the Unity Park at the National Palace, the Holy Trinity Cathedral and Mount Entoto, which rises up to an altitude of 3200 meters and offers a panoramic view of the metropolis. Overnight in 4-star hotel.
Day 2: Fly Bahir Dar, Blue Nile Falls
After breakfast fly to Bahir Dar, a small town on the southern shore of Lake Tana. The lake is the source of the Blue Nile and the largest lake in Ethiopia. Thirty of its thirty-seven islands host churches and monasteries of considerable historical and cultural interest. Afternoon we will drive to south of Bahir Dar to visit the impressive Blue Nile Falls, locally known as Tis Isat or 'Smoke of Fire'. We reach the falls via the small town of Tiss Abay which is 30 kms from Bahir Dar but it takes about 1 hour drive due to the poor road conditions, however, the road itself is lined with villages and farms the whole way so there is plenty to see. Together with a leader and a local guide, we will take a five minute boat ride across the Nile to begin a 30 minute walk to our first viewpoint. From here, you will begin to understand the Amharic translation for these falls - 'the Water that Smokes'. After time to have a coffee with the locals in the shade, we will continue with the walk for a further one hour passing through quiet countryside before meeting our vehicle and returning to Bahir Dar. Overnight Hotel
Day 3: Boat cross of Lake Tana to Gorgora and then drive to Gondar
After breakfast we cross Lake Tana by boat to visit some of the monasteries on the islands on the lake. Lake Tana - source of the Blue Nile River -the largest lake in Ethiopia (3600sq.meter) is home to thirty-seven islands, of which twenty shelter churches of significant historical and cultural interest. The islands are easily reached by boat and on our boat ride we visit the Monasteries of Ura – Kidane Mihiret and Azwa Mariam at Zege Peninsula, Dek Estifanos on Dek island and Debre Sina Mariam at Gorgora Peninsula. Some monasteries contain distinctive colorful frescoes of religious scenes, elaborate painted ceilings, beautiful church crosses, and crowns of former Ethiopian Kings and emperors and an impressive display of illuminated bibles written in Geez. Geez is the religious language from which Amharic is derived. At Gorgora you will meet vehicles and you will drive 70 kms to Gondar. We check in to Goha Hotel where we are going to stay for two nights. The hotel stands on a hill with a commanding view of the city and spectacular views of the mountains and the distant Lake Tana.
NOTE
The nearest Monasteries Ura Kidane Meheret that is one of the several in the area containing frescos, elaborate painted ceilings, church crosses, crowns and attires of former Ethiopian kings and emperors. Continuing to the southern end of the heart shaped lake, the island Kebran Gabriel Monastery, it was built in 14th century A.D. and reconstructed in late 17th century A.D., in this monastery some of the rare true Ethiopian frescoes are preserved this church also owns many manuscripts, especially old ones-an outstanding one has been reproduced in the UNESCO album. Please note that women are not permitted to enter Kibran Gabriel monastery. Narga Silassie - this large round church was built under the reign of Empress Mentuab in 18th century A.D., there are many well preserved wall paintings. There are also two remarkable and picturesque “water gates” on the opposite shores, to the west and the east, with square, two storey towers, very similar to the style of the Gondar Castles, which lead on a paved path from the water to the church.
Day 4: In Gondar
After breakfast full day sightseeing tour of Gondar. Gondar, known as the 'Camelot' of Africa. Gondar was the 17th and 18th century capital city of Ethiopia and was home to a number of emperors and warlords, courtiers and kings who built several castles and palaces around the area. Nestled in the foothills of the breathtaking Simien Mountains in northwest Ethiopia, Gondar became the capital during the reign of Emperor Fasilidas (1632-1667) and emerged over the years as an important administrative, commercial, religious and cultural centre. Its importance declined in the 19th century and in 1880 it was looted by the Sudanese Dervishes. The oldest and the most impressive Gondar structure is the 2-storeyed palace of Emperor Fasilidas, built of roughly hewn brown basalt stone held together with mortar and is said to be the work of an Indian architect. Several notable Gondarine structures - the 'Bath of the King' and the 'Debre Birhan Selassie' can be seen. Debre Berehan Silassie church-this finest Gondarine church was built during the reign of Emperor Iyasu (1682-1706), the church was never destroyed. It is said that when the dervishes tries to burn it in 1881 they were attacked and dispersed by bees. The church is rectangular, similar to those of ancient Axumite architecture. The inside walls of the front room are covered with paintings on cloth, glued to the surface. The ceiling is built with thick beams and it decorated with winged angel heads looking down. The wall paintings depict scenes from the life of Christ, Mary, and Saint, Overnight at Goha Hotel: O/n Goha Hotel.
Day 5: Drive Simien Mountains
After breakfast departure for Debark town (100 Kms from Gondar), where the head quarter of Semien Mountains National Park is found. Here we pay the entrance fees and a scout and a local guide will accompany us. Then we continue driving to the gravel road to Buyit Ras, the first campsite of the National Park and your lodge for the night. On this drive you will gain your first impression of the scale and beauty of this highland region, the extraordinary scenery, enjoying the endemic Gelada Baboons and the bone breaker giant bird Lammergeyer roaring around. Overnight Simien Loge – (3200 m)
Day 6: Drive Axum
On this day, you drive long (280kms) but enjoying very beautiful and spectacular landscape along the Semien Mountains and Tekeze Gorge. The road descends from 3100 meters through hairpin bends down the mountain side to 1400 meters in just 40kms! The drive down and back up to Adi Arkay showcases not only the immensely beautiful Simien Mountain massifs but also the people who eke out an existence in this unforgiving countryside. The drive continues through the Tekeze valley, crossing the Tekeze River, and onto Axum in the far north. Overnight Remhay Hotel
Day 7: IN Axum
The ancient city of Aksum is found close to Ethiopia's northern border. It marks the location of the heart of ancient Ethiopia, when the Kingdom of Aksum was the most powerful state between the Eastern Roman Empire and Persia. Axum is famous for its more than 2000 year old Axumite steles measuring some of them up to 33m high, the bath and palace of Queen of Sheba, King Kaleb's and other kings tombs, archaeological museum which is widely rated as Ethiopia's best, the church of St. Mary of Tsion, where the original Ark of covenant is housed in. Legend has it that the son of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon of Israel, King Menelik I brought the original Ark from Israel to Axum. The crowns of a succession of Ethiopian monarchs have been preserved in the church treasury which also housed many rich embroideries as well as important Ethiopian Orthodox church manuscripts. Together, the three churches of St. Mary constitute a remarkable testament to the continuity of faith in Ethiopia since the very beginning of the Christian era. Overnight Remhay Hotel.
Day 8: Fly to Lalibela
After breakfast we fly to Lalibela. Lalibela is a 'World Heritage Site' and there is every reason for it to be one. The 12th century rock-hewn churches have been dubbed the 'Eighth Wonder of the World'. There are no less than 1000 churches in the Lasta region of Lalibela, some hidden in enormous caves, but it is exceptional to find 11 churches of such master craftsmanship in one locale. Seeing all of Lalibela's churches takes a long time, but they are well worth the effort, particularly during the Ethiopian Christmas (7th January) and Timkat celebrations (19th January). Today we visit the first group of six churches lie in rock cradles one behind the other: Bet Golgotha, Bet Mika'el, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel and Bet Medhane Alem. Bet Medhane Alem, the largest one, is built like a Greek Temple and its stone floor is so polished by the countless numbers of visitors that it reflects shafts of light from apertures in the walls high above. In a corner are three empty graves symbolically dug for biblical patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Overnight Roha or Jerusalem
Day 9: In Lalibela
After an early breakfast trek (half way mule or horse ride) to the 13thc rock hewn monastery of Asheten Mariam (over 3000 meters high). It is about 8 kms from Lalibela. The road is very steeply looked like a twisted rope hugged on the wall but very beautiful scenery and rewarding to experience it. On top, it looks like flying over the town of Lalibela and its surroundings. Inside the monastery you will find the 13thc hand and processional crosses of king Na’akutola’ab who ruled Ethiopia for 40 years just after king Lalibela who is credited for their incredibly excavated rock hewn churches and their rock network of tunnels, passages ways and drainages. As the result, UNESCO registers this breathtaking site as one of the Eighth Wonders of the World and world heritage since 1978. In the afternoon, visit of the other groups of Rock churches of Lalibela: Bet Giyorgis, possibly the most elegant of all the Lalibela churches, lies somewhat isolated in the southwest part of the village on a sloping rock terrace. It can only be reached through a tunnel. The group of four, south of the Jordan River, comprise of Bet Emanuel, Bet Mercurios, Bet Abba Libanos and Bet Gabriel-Rufa'el. Bet Emanuel's elaborate exterior is much praised by art historians. Overnight Roha or Jerusalem hotel.
Day 10: In Lalibela
After breakfast visit Nakuto Le’Abe Monastery. King Nakuto Le’Abe abdicated his throne in 1270 AD and went to a cave to lead a hermit’s life. This cave has ever since become a monastery and has a dramatic setting. It houses one of the most interesting collections of ancient crosses, illuminated manuscripts and other icons some of which are attributed to its founder Nakuto Le’Abe.
Afternoon: visit of Yemrehanne Kristos 'Let Christ show us the Way'
A built-up cave church, located 42km north-east of Lalibela town. This church which is in similar architecture as that of Axumite wood and stone construction, said to predate the churches of Lalibela. It is celebrated for its interior decoration. According to local tradition the church was built by King Yemrehanna Kristos between 1087 and 1127. This church is built – rather than excavated – within a cave. It sits atop a foundation of olive-wood panels and features whitewashed marble panel exteriors. It is one of the most incredible churches outside of Lalibela.
Day 11: Fly to Addis Ababa
After breakfast you will check in to the Airport for your flight to Addis Ababa. Evening we will have a fare well dinner in one of the Ethiopian restaurants for cultural dinner and dances from the different ethnic groups. Then after transfer to the airport for flight back home.
Trip Information
Inclusions
We respect your personal preference on what is to be included and not included on the tour cost.
But as a standard included in our given prices are meet and greet at airport, All accommodation, Meals in Addis, on bed and breakfast basis, Meals out of Addis, on full board basis, All entrance fees at sites, churches, parks and villages, All ground transportation according to the itinerary and Guide service.
Exclusions
International flights, Lunch and Dinner in Addis Ababa , Any drinks including local non-alcoholic beverage and alcoholic drinks, Video filming and photography fees, Incidental meals, snacks and drinks and Tips and items of personal nature like laundry, souvenirs, etc
Visa and Immigration Requirements
Most nationals require a visa for entry into Ethiopia. The easiest way to get Ethiopian Visa is to get it on line thttps://www.evisa.gov.et/ . Again visa can be obtained at Ethiopia’s diplomatic missions overseas.. The last option is to get visa on arrival at Bole International Airport; nationals of 33 countries are now allowed to receive their tourist visas on arrival in Ethiopia at the regular charge. The list includes Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greek, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Thailand, citizens of United Kingdom and United States.
How to get in to Ethiopia
Addis Ababa is a major hub for international airlines. Ethiopian Airlines, the national airline of Ethiopia, provides excellent links with East, West and South Africa, Europe and the Middle East, with connections to America and the Far East. The national airline also offers domestic services to the major towns in Ethiopia, as well as most regional centers. All international services arrive at Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa. Other airlines serving Ethiopia include: Kenya Airways, Emirates, Egyptian, Alitalia, British Airways, Lufthansa, Saudi, Aeroflot, Yemeni, and Turkish Airways.
Luggage on tour
your luggage should not exceed 20kgs (44lbs). One large suitcase/rucksack, and one small hand luggage rucksack is acceptable. Soft rolling bag (we usually use a 22 inch roll aboard) are recommended.
Weather and Climate
There are two seasons: the dry season prevails from October through May; the wet season runs from June to September.
Generally except for June, July and August, most part of Ethiopia will be sunny and pleasant temperature to travel around.
When you travel to the north you are staying in higher altitude towns (Example Addis Ababa, Gondar, and Lalibela) the daily average Temperature is from 20 – 25 degrees and the temperature drops quite rapidly towards sunset. Evenings are fairly cold and you are advised to bring something warm for the evenings, like a sweater or warm Jacket.
Those travelling to the Southern Omo Valley of Ethiopia, the weather of this region will be sunny, hot and dry; the average temperatures is about 30 degrees. During the day the sun is strong. Shorts, Hats, sun glasses, sun creams, light cotton summer clothes and layers of clothes are recommended. Although the daytime temperatures are not very high, the sun is strong and people coming pale and pasty from a European winter should be careful of sunburn -long sleeved shirts may be advisable.
Currency
Travelers are advised to travel with American Dollar or Euro. Australian dollar cannot be exchanged in Ethiopia. There is ATM machine In Most of the Regions and one can withdraw money Visa or Master Card. Banks are places to exchange money.
Accommodation
Hotel rooms are basic but generally clean with en suite toilet and bath facilities (usually shower only). In many places hotel accommodation is limited; we utilize the best tourist class properties available. Hotel in Addis is 3-star international standard.
Transport
We will be using 4WD Land Cruisers, 4WD mini buses or Coaster buses depending on the conditions of the roads and the size of the group. All our vehicles are Air- conditioned.
For internal flights, we use the national airline Ethiopian Air lines, which offer excellent domestic services to the major towns in Ethiopia.
Greetings:
Handshaking is the usual mode of greeting, although friends or families who have not seen each other for some time will kiss on each cheek. (Displays of sexual intimacy, kissing or hugging, will arouse embarrassment among most Ethiopians.) Usually a handshake greeting is accompanied by a pleasant discussion on personal matters before getting down to business. The offer of tea or coffee is normal, and time is not that important. Smoking is not popular amongst traditional people, or in front of priests. Shoes are often taken off on entering churches, and always on entering mosques.
Security
Despite years of the civil wars in the previous regime, in terms of crime and robbers, Ethiopia is still a very safe country to visit, and Addis Ababa is still one of the safest capitals in Africa. Visitors should of course take the usual precautions, not carry large amounts of money with them and leave particularly valuable items with hotel reception. Both men and women visitors should be careful about hand and money bags, keeping them close at hand in crowded places. Like everywhere else, pick pockets and snatch thieves like to create some kind of diversion before making their move, so visitors should walk purposefully and be cautious about sudden introductions in the street.
Price includes
- Meet and greet at airport
- All accommodation based on twin room occupancy
- Meals in Addis, on bed and breakfast basis
- Meals out of Addis, on full board basis
- All entrance fees at sites, churches, parks and villages.
- All transfers according to the itinerary.
- All Ground transportation including insurance, fuel and all costs of the driver.
- Guide service.
- Boat trip on Lake Tana to visit two monasteries
- Farewell dinner in Addis to enjoy traditional Ethiopian food and Music
- A traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony at a convenient time in the program
- Government taxes
Price doesn’t include
- International flights
- Domestic Flights
- Lunch and Dinner in Addis Ababa
- Any drinks including local non-alcoholic beverage and alcoholic drinks.
- Video filming and photography fees
- Incidental meals, snacks and drinks
- Tips and items of personal nature like laundry, souvenirs, etc
- All what is not included in the list above