"explore the historic route with the Ethiopian Epiphany festival"

Tour code: DET 004
Length: 16 days and 15 nights.
Route: Bahar Dar, Gondar, Axum, Lalibela and Harar.
Transport: surface.

Day 1- January 15/2010: Arrive Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and met your professional guide who give you Transfer to your Hotel. Overnight Addis Ababa Extreme Hotel or Holiday Hotel.

Day 2- January 16: After breakfast drive to the town of Bahar Dar. Passing by mt. Entoto through the sululta plain, visiting the monastery of Debre libanos and the Portuguese bridge. Then proceed to the spectacular scenery of the Blue Nile Gorge. Overnight Bahar Dar Tana Hotel or Summer Land Hotel-breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 3- January 17: Early in the morning drive to Blue Nile falls around 35 km from the town and visit the Blue Nile falls “Tiss Issat” (smoking water), up on return, and make a sightseeing of Bahar Dar. After lunch, you will make a boat trip on Lake Tana, to visit the Monasteries of Ur kidane Meheret and Kibran Gebriel.Overnight Bahar Dar Tana Hotel or Summer Land Hotel- breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 4- January 18: After breakfast drive to the town of Gondar through the Fogera plain and mountains of Addis Zemen. Check-in at a hotel and this afternoon we experience the Timket festivities. Timket, or Epiphany, is a majestic and colorful three day festival, the most important of all Ethiopian Orthodox Church festivals, commemorating the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River. Overnight Gondar Goha hotel or Lammargayer Hotel- breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 5- January 19: Visit the city of Gondar which includes the Castle compound, Emperor Fasildas bath and Debre Birhan Selassie church which is famous for its age old mural paintings. Overnight Gondar Goha hotel or Lammargayer Hotel- breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 6- January 20: Having your early Breakfast drive to the ancient town of Axum through the chains of the simian mountains and the Tekeze river valley. Overnight Axum Yeha Hotel or Rehamia Hotel- breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 07- January 21: City Tour in the town of Axum including the Stelae, the church of st. Mary of Zion, Museum, Tombs (Kalab and Gebre Meskel) and Queen of Sheba’s bath. Overnight Axum Yeha Hotel or Rehamia Hotel- breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 8- January 22: Early in the morning after breakfast drive to the town of Mekella on the way you will visit Yeha Temple and Rock-hewn churches of Abraha Atsebaha and Wikro. Overnight Mekella Axum hOtel or hill Top Hotel- breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 9- January 23: After breakfast, drive to the town of Lalibela through Ambalage chains of mountains via sekota. Overnight Lalibela Roha Hotel or Jerusalem Hotel- breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 10- January 24: Visit 12 th century Rock- hewn churches of Lalibela. In the morning visit the first group Rock- hewn churches and after lunch visit the second group Rock- hewn churches. Overnight Lalibela Roha Hotel or Jerusalem Hotel- breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 11- January 25: Early in the morning trekking to Asheton Mariam church ( church of Marry) and have the view of the village. After lunch you leisure time. Overnight Lalibela Roha Hotel or Jerusalem Hotel- breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 12- January 26: Drive early in the morning to the town of kombolcha with good scenery and visit Lake Hayk with st. Istifanos monastery. Overnight Kombolcha Tekella Hotel or Meron Hotel- breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 13- January 27: Early in the morning drive to the old walled city of Harar via Bati Village to visit the Afar and Oromo market continue driving to the town of Harar and check – in to a hotel, Overnight Harar Heritage Plazza Hotel or palace Hotel- breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 14- January 28: Early in the morning make a city tour of Harar which includes Rimbaud house, Typical Traditional Harari house, the colorful market place, the Christian market and the wall (3342 meters) with its five gates. In the evening visit the Hyena man show. Overnight Harar Heritage Plazza Hotel or palace Hotel- breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 15- January 29: After breakfast drive back to Addis Ababa on the way visit Awash National park and arrive in Addis Ababa in the evening. Overnight Addis Ababa Extreme Hotel or Holiday Hotel- breakfast and lunch.

Day 16- January 30: City tour of Addis Ababa including National museum, Archaeological museum, mt. Entoto and ‘Metkato’ colorful and the largest market in Eastern Africa and farewell dinner part in one of the best traditional restaurant with live traditional music and traditional dance show. Transfer to Bole International Airport for final departure- breakfast and dinner.

To contact this tour operator please use the contact form next to the map on the right.

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Price/Person: 1600 EUR
Number of participants 15
Duration: 16 Days

Area: Ethiopia
Accomodation is included in this tour: yes it is included in the package price with nice hotels with private bathroom from 3* to 4* hotels.

The Guide is able to understand this language also    
   german
   english
   french
   italian
   spanish

Special Hints: Timkat or Ethiopian Epiphany: The Ethiopian Orthodox Church’s celebration of Epiphany provides an incredible experience of a special tradition. Many believe the original Arc of the Covenant rests in Ethiopia. Dressed in traditional white garb, each congregation brings a model Arc of the Covenant to a central location on the day of Epiphany. Whether the Arcs are from the Old Testament or representation depends on whom you ask. The procession is solemn and highly ceremonial. Services start in the morning and continue throughout the day. the afternoon of January 18 we experience the Timket festivities. Timket, or Epiphany, is a majestic and colorful three day festival, the most important of all Ethiopian Orthodox Church festivals, commemorating the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River. Let us start the trip from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

edited at 10.08.09 | 12:18 PM
last update 10.08.09 | 12:18 PM

Guide details

Mr. Amrach

Web: To contact this tour operator please use the contact form above.
Phone Number: ---
Vita
Daketta Ethiopia Tours specialized on: history & Safaris tours, Trekking, birding, Car hire, Hotel Booking, Arrange charter flights, for travel throughout Ethiopia with Guaranteed Lower price, Clients’ satisfaction is our priority.
To contact this tour operator please use the contact form above.




edited at 10.08.09 | 12:07 PM
last update 11.08.09 | 11:29 AM