Itinerary

Day 01:  January 10, 2012: Arrive Addis Ababa

Arrive in Addis Ababa (ADD), Ethiopia. Welcome to Ethiopia! Upon arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, you will be welcomed and assisted by your tour guide and driver for the transfer to Hotel. There will be a short drive to your hotel.

Overnight: Jupiter Hotel-Addis Ababa.
Day 02: January 11: Addis Ababa- Bahirdar

In the morning, drive to Bahirdar through the Great Blue Nile Gorge with a stop over at different small towns like Dejen, Chancho and Goha Tsion.

Overnight: Tana Hotel-Bahirdar.
Day 03: January 12: Lake Tana-Blue Nile Falls-Bahir Dar

After breakfast, we will make boat cruise over Lake Tana to visit the ancient 14th century island monasteries of Lake Tana.

After having lunch at the hotel, we will drive 35 KM to visit the majestic Blue Nile Falls.

Overnight: Tana Hotel-Bahirdar.
Day 04: January 13: Bahir Dar-Gondar

After breakfast, drive to Gondar through the beautiful countryside scenery to arrive at Gondar around lunchtime.

After check in to Goha Hotel and having lunch there, we will start tour of Gondar which include: the Royal Enclosure, the pool of King Fasilidas, and we will also visit the famous Deberberhan Sillassie adorned with brilliant frescos from inside.

Overnight: Goha Hotel-Gondar.
Day 05: January 14: Gondar-Simien Mountains National Park

After an early breakfast, we will drive to Simien Mountains National park. En-route we will be visiting the “Felasha” or the Black Jewish village.

Driving from Gondar up to Simien Mountains National Park, nothing prepares you for the spectacular scenery that awaits at the top of the massif. The rest of the day, trek around the park to explore the stunnining view and wildlife of  the park including  Sankaber.

Overnight: Simien Lodge-Sankaber.
Day 06: January 15: Simien Mountains National Park-Axum

After breakfast start driving to Axum through the beautiful sceneries of Simien Mountains, Limalimo, Tekeze River Gorge.

Overnight: Yeha Hotel-Axum.
Day 07: January 16: Axum

After breakfast, we will start to visit the ancient city of Axum. Your  visit in Axum include: the Stele Square, Kaleba Tombs, the 4th century Christian inscription of King Ezana, Queen of Sheba’s Palace, Archeological Museum, and Tsion Mariam Church where the original Ark of the Covenant is housed.

Overnight: Yeha Hotel-Axum.
Day 08:   January 17: Axum-Hauzien

In the morning, drive to Hauzien, the center of some of the most ancient rock-hewn churches, through the stunning and historical mountains of Adwa.

Overnight: Geralta Lodge-Hauzien.
Day 09: January 18: Hauzien-Mekele

In the morning, drive to Mekele en-route visit some of the most ancient Tigray rock-hewn churches including: Wikro Cherkos, Abrha We-atsbeha, Dugum Selassie and so on.

Overnight: Axum Hotel-Mekele.
Day 10: January 19: Mekele-Lalibela-Timket Eve at Lalibela

After breakfast, start driving north to Lalibela through Sekota en-route you will visit Yimrhane Kirstos and different villages of the Agwe tribal people.

In the afternoon, we will attend the Timket eve ceremony called, Ketera. During Ketera, the priests take out the Tabots- replicas of the original Ark of the Covenant, from each church and bless the water of the pool where the next day' celebration will take place.  

In the evening, we will return to the ‘Taboat Maderia’ to attend the night celebrations.   

Overnight: Roha Hotel-Lalibela.
Day 11: January 20: Rock-hewn churches of Lalibela-Timket Festival at Lalibela

Early in the morning, we will again walk to the ‘Taboat Maderia’  to witness the early morning baptism ceremony. The water which symbolizes the Jordan River is blessed by the priest and the patriarch then dip a golden cross and extinguish a burning consecrated candle in the alter. Then he sprinkles water on the assembled congregation in commemoration of Christ's baptism.  

Following the baptism, the Tabots start their way back to their respective rock-churches, while feasting, singing and dancing continue all the way to the churches.

Overnight: Roha Hotel-Lalibela.
Day 12: January 21: Lalibela-Asheten Mariam-2nd day of Timket

In the morning, attend the second day of Timket around the first group of rock-hewn churches.

After having lunch and rest at the hotel, we will continue our journey into Ethiopia’s long and marvelous history with a visit to other St. Lalibela’s remarkable churches

The rock-hewn churches that we will visit this afternoon include: Bete Gebriel, Bete Merkorios Bete Amanuel, Bethlehem and Bete Aba Libanos. At the end of the tour, there will be a special Ethiopian traditional coffee ceremony for the group prepared at a local house.

Overnight: Roha Hotel-Lalibela.
Day 13: January 22: Lalibela-Addis Ababa-Departure

After breakfast, transfer to Lalibela airport for the flight to Addis Ababa. The rest of the day city tour of Addis Ababa which include: the National Museum which houses Lucy, Ethnographic Museum and Merkato the largest open air market in Africa.

In the evening, there will be Grand Holidays’ complimentary farewell dinner party with traditional special buffet and local drinks. At the end of the Farwell dinner, transfer to Addis Ababa airport for the flight back. End of tour!

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