Ethiopia: Village Timkat Festival Tour (trip)

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Ethiopia: Village Timkat Festival Tour

  • Addis Ababa Airport, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
  • Active & Adventure
Ethiopia, Africa

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Period offered: January. The provider (view their profile) can provide you with specific departure dates, final prices, and other information.


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from £2,860* per person17 DaysJanuary
Comfort accommodations Exertion level: 3
Operator: Wild Frontiers Adventure Travel 12 people max
We are proud to be able to offer this unique itinerary that gives a rare opportunity to share in the annual Timkat ceremonies in the company of village communities. Timkat is the most important festival in the Ethiopian Orthodox calendar and is a wonderful time to visit this endlessly surprising country. Working closely with our Ethiopia specialist, Mette Steen and TESFA (Tourism in Ethiopia for Sustainable Future Alternatives), an NGO founded by Wild Frontiers ex-tour leader, Mark Chapman, we will celebrate Timkat in the central highlands, experiencing the hospitality & friendliness of the Ethiopian people - you will seldom find a more attractive and fun-loving people anywhere on earth.

We also visit all the better known (and some lesser known) destinations in Ethiopia from the staggering 12th Century rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, the 17th century castles of Gonder and the 3,000 year-old stelae of Axum. Add in the stunning Simien Mountains, the Blue Nile Falls and some remote monasteries in Tigray and what you have is a very special trip to one of our favourite countries. Come prepared to be amazed!

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Locations visited/nearby

Ethiopia, Africa

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Itinerary

Day 1: Start tour in Addis Ababa

Meet for lunch then explore Addis with the Cathedral, Museum and Mercado among the highlights.
Day 2: Addis Ababa - Lalibela

We fly early to Lalibela, considered by some to be the 8th Wonder of the World.
Day 3: In Lalibela

We climb to Ashetan Maryam this morning and later visit some of the rock-cut churches and a local family for a traditional coffee ceremony.
Day 4: In Lalibela

Today we drive to Yemrehana Kristos then visit some churches including the church of St George.
Day 5: Lalibela - TESFA Village Walk

A trip highlight starts today; this special village walk is, to our knowledge, not offered by any other UK operator as part of a group tour.
Days 6 & 7: TESFA & Timkat

Staying with families we continue to mingle with the communities here. The walks range from 4-6hrs. This is also where we will experience the facsinating Timkat Festival.
Day 8: TESFA - Bahir Dar

After a final half-day walk to the trail-head we are driven to Bahir Dar and arrive early evening.
Day 9: In Bahir Dar

We relax in this lakeside town and take a beautiful walk around Blue Nile Falls before a boat trip.
Day 10: Bahir Dar - Gonder

After a morning's drive, we take in the striking medieval castle complex in the centre of town - a truly unique sight.
Day 11: Gonder - Simien Mountains NP

Take a breathtaking drive into the Simien Mountains and take a walk around the Sankaber region.
Day 12: Simien Mountains NP - Axum

This is a long drive but the journey is truly spectacular and we build in plenty of photo stops.
Day 13: In Axum

Today includes the Palace of the Queen of Sheba and alleged hiding place of the Ark of the Covenant!
Day 14: Axum - Tigray

Another long, but equally epic drive today with plenty of photo stops in this stunning countryside.
Day 15: In Tigray

A full day in the Tigray region to take in the stunning scenery and lesser visited monasteries and churches.
Day 16: Tigray - Addis Ababa

Depending on flight times we'll have some free time in Mekele or Addis before our final dinner.
Day 17: Tour ends in Addis Ababa

The tour ends after breakfast this morning

More information from Wild Frontiers Adventure Travel: