Timket Festival
fromOur Timket Festivities itinerary takes visitors to the north of the country, with its fascinating historical and religious sites. We start with the monasteries of Lake Tana and the spectacular Blue Nile Falls, before we travel north to Gondar for the Eve of Epiphany festivities.
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Vacation Style Holiday Type
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Activity Level Challenging
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From here we travel further north to visit the ancient city of Axum and legendarily home of the Queen of Sheba and final resting place of the Ark of the Covenant.
Next we visit the unique 12th century rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, arguably the highlight of the trip and something not to be missed. Feast your eyes on the incredible views over the surrounding valleys and hills as you watch the sunset from the magical Ben Abeba restaurant.
Highlights
• Ancient castles& Palaces of Gondar
• Spectacular Blue Nile Falls
• Timket Festivities
• 12th century Rock hewn churches of Lalibela
Airport transfer
Arrival and departure transfers are included, whether you book flights yourself, or we book them for you.
Accommodation
Accommodation as listed in the itinerary. Should we need to change hotels, but we will endeavour to keep the same standard.However, hotel standards may not be the same as you’re used to elsewhere.
Guides
You will be escorted throughout by an English-speaking guide. You will also have local English-speaking guides.
Meals
As listed within the itinerary (B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner).
Entrance Fees
All entrance fees
Water
A bottle of mineral water every day
Visa’s
Guests are responsible for arranging their own visa. We would recommend that you obtain your visa in advance of your trip using the evisa service.
International flights
We don’t include international flights in the cost of our tours
Insurance
It is important that you have insurance in place prior to arriving in country.
Tips
Guide and porterage tips, also local payments for photography
- Day 1 - Addis Ababa L/D On arrival at Bole International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. After lunch a city tour will take you to the National Archaeological Museum, to view the 3.6 million-year-old remains of “Lucy”, discovered in 1974, Ethnological Museum at Addis Ababa University and Holy Trinity Cathedral. Drive to the top of Mount Entoto, which rises to an altitude of 10,500 feet for a panoramic view of the metropolis before making your way back to your hotel. Overnight at Swiss Inn Nexus Hotel or similar.
- Day 2 - Bahir Dar B/L/D After breakfast transfer to the airport for your morning flight to Bahir Dar. Check in to your hotel on the shore of Lake Tana then drive to Tiss Abay to visit the majestic Blue Nile Falls. After lunch board a boat for a cruise across Lake Tana, Ethiopia’s largest lake, and source of the Blue Nile, to visit two of the most accessible monasteries Ura Kidane Mehret and Azwa Maryam. Keep an eye open for white pelicans. Overnight at Blue Nile Avanti or similar.
- Day 3 - Gondar B/L/D Scenic drive to Gondar, the so-called Camelot of Africa. Join the eve of the Epiphany festivities this afternoon at the bathhouse built by Emperor Fasiledes. The priest presents to the public the “Tabot”, a replica of the Tablets of Law, onto which the Biblical Ten Commandments were inscribed, utilized by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Overnight Goha hotel or similar
- Day 4 - Gondar B/L/D This morning, join faithful followers who gather around medieval ruins at dawn for the conclusion of the Timket Festival when the water is blessed by the higher priest, who proceeds and splashes the water on those in attendance. Witness as some people immerse themselves in the bath. This afternoon, visit the royal enclosure containing six castles, a complex network of connecting tunnels and raised walkways. Proceed to the fascinating Debre Birhan Selassie Church with its walls and ceiling decorated with scenes of Biblical lore and medieval history. In the evening dine at one of the popular Ethiopian cultural restaurant for a traditional meal and dance performance. Overnight Goha Hotel or similar.
- Day 5 - Axum B/L/D Fly to the heart of ancient Ethiopia, the capital of the Kingdom of Axum which was the most powerful state between the Eastern Roman Empire and Persia. We explore the monolithic steles or obelisks of Axum, the tombs of King Kaleb and King Gebre Meskal, the legendary Bath of the Queen of Sheba, and the ruins of her ancient palace.We also visit the new and the old Cathedral of St Mary of Tsion (Zion) and the sanctuary that houses the original Arc of the Covenant. The older of the two cathedrals, built in the 16th century, is believed to be built on the ruins of an earlier 4th century church, and is the holiest site in Ethiopia. Overnight Atranos Fantasy Hotel and spa or similar
- Day 6 - Lalibela B/L/D This morning fly to Lalibela the most unique Christian sites of Ethiopia. Lalibela’s churches are collectively referred to as ‘The Eighth Wonder of the World’. Legend has it that Emperor Lalibela had been instructed, in a vision from God, to build the new Jerusalem after returning from Jerusalem which was sacked by the Muslims. Visit the 11 majestic rock churches that are still used as places of worship by Lalibelans. Overnight at Cliff Edge Hotel or similar
- Day 7 - Lalibela B/D Morning visit the exquisite church of Yemrehanna Kristos. After lunch visit the remainder of the 11 rock-hewn churches before heading to Ben Abeba to watch the sunset and unique dining experience. Overnight at Cliff Edge Hotel or similar
- Day 8 - Addis Ababa B/L/D Fly this morning to Addis Ababa and proceed to visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral, the largest and most magnificent church in Ethiopia. It is the resting place of the last Emperor (Halie Selassie) After lunch explore the Merkato Outdoor Market;