Itinerary

Itinerary: 

Travel dates: Dec. 28, 2012- Jan. 9, 2013

Day 01:  December 29: 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: December 30: 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: December 31: 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 1: 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 2: 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 3: 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 4: 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 5: 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 6: 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 7: Mekele-Lalibela-Celebration at Bete Emanuel

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 evening, we will drive to Bete Emanuel  to attend the special celebration of Emanuel with chanting and dancing by the priests and deacons. The ceremony will be accompined by a capacity crowd of piligrims who came to witness this event from far of hamlets and inaccessible valleys on their bare foot walking for weeks and even months.

Overnight: Mountain View Hotel-Lalibela.

Day 11: January 8: Rock-hewn churches of Lalibela-Ethiopian Christmas Eve

In the morning, we will drive to the sites where we will find the concentration of some of the remarkable rock-hewn churches of Lalibela from 1200 AD.
At night, we will attend the Christmas Eve ceremony to be held at Bete Mariam church. This evening again, you will attend the Ethiopian Christmas Eve Ceremony with the pilgrims. The dancing by the deacons and the priests continue throughout the night and around while the pilgrims clap and ululate to the drum beat. At mid night, there will be a candle light ceremony to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Overnight: Mountain View Hotel-Lalibela.

Day 12: January 9: Lalibela-Asheten Mariam-Ethiopian Christmas

In the morning, we will once more drive to Bete Mariam to witness the final ceremony of Ethiopian Christmas. On this day, as it has been going on centuries over centuries the priest will be lined up with their drums on the cliff edge of Bete Mariam, called Mame Garia and some more on the bottom representing the shepherds and the angels announcing the birth of Jesus. You can’t help, but witness  a scene the same to this one has been going here on this day centuries over centuries in the same mannerr.

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: Mountain View Hotel-Lalibela.

Day 13: January 10: 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!

Images from Ethiopian Christmas Festival  Celebration at St. Lalibela

Note: Click on thumbnail to enlarge

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