Description
Day 1: 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 driven to your hotel. If you arrive in the morning, we can arrange an optional city tour.
Day 2: Addis Ababa, Bahirdar (B, D)
In the morning, we drive to Bahirdar through the Great Blue Nile Gorge with stopovers at different small towns like Dejen, Chancho, and Goha Tsion.
Overnight: Avanti Blue Nile Hotel, Bahirdar
Day 3: Lake Tana, Blue Nile Falls, Bahir Dar (B, D)
In the morning, we will take boat ride on Lake Tana to visit the ancient 14th-century island monasteries of Lake Tana. After lunch at the hotel, we will drive 35 km to visit the majestic Blue Nile Falls.
Overnight: Avanti Blue Nile Hotel, Bahirdar
Day 4: Bahir Dar, Gondar (B, D)
After breakfast, we drive to Gondar through the beautiful countryside scenery and arrive around lunchtime. After lunch, we tour the ancient city of Gondar.
Overnight: Goha Hotel
Day 5: Simien Mountains National Park (B, D)
After an early breakfast, we will drive to the Simien Mountains National Park. For the rest of the day, we will trek to explore the surroundings of Sankaber, part of the Simien Mountains National Park.
Overnight: Goha Hotel, Gondar
Day 6: Gondar, Lalibela, Timket Eve (B, D)
After breakfast, we will drive through the spectacular landscape to Lalibela. Enroute, we stop at Awramba. This community was founded by
Zumra Nuru in 1972 with the aim to living together peacefully and working collaboratively, sympathetically, and cheerfully. Community members treat each other as brothers and sisters. Gender equality and care for the elderly are very important.
In the late 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’s celebration will take place. In the evening, we return to the Tabot Maderia to attend the night celebrations.
Overnight: Tukul Village or Harbe Hotel, Lalibela
Day 7: Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, Timket Festival at Lalibela (B, D)
Early in the morning, we will again walk to the Tabot Maderia to witness the early morning baptism ceremony. The water, which
symbolizes the Jordan River, is blessed by the priest and the patriarch. Then a golden cross is dipped in water and a burning, consecrated candle is extinguished in the alter. Then the bishop or head priest 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 the feasting, singing, and dancing continues back to the churches.
Overnight: Tukul Village or Harbe Hotel, Lalibela
Day 8: Lalibela, 2nd day of Timket (B, D)
In the morning, attend the second day of Timket around the first group of rock-hewn churches. After lunch and a rest at the hotel, we will continue our journey into Ethiopia’s long and marvelous history with a visit to other Lalibela churches The rock-hewn churches that we will visit this afternoon include Bete Gebriel, Bete Merkorios Bete Emanuel, 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: Tukul Village or Harbe Hotel, Lalibela
Day 9: Lalibela, Addis Ababa, Departure (B, D)
After breakfast, transfer to Lalibela airport for the flight to Addis Ababa. Depending on your departure time, an optional city tour can be arranged. In the evening, there will be Lalibela tour and treeking complimentary farewell dinner party with a traditional special buffet (flight
schedule permitting). At the end of the farwell dinner, transfer to Addis Ababa airport for the flight back. End of tour.