Title: Christmas & Epiphany in Ethiopian

Tour Code:TST-RD6

Duration : 17 NIGHTS AND 18 DAYS

Start: January 05

End: January 22



Jan 5.

Arrival in Addis Ababa and transfer. Overnight Hotel.



Jan 6.

Fly to Lalibela, met our vehicle and get transferred to hotel. In the afternoon you will visit the 1st group of King Lalibela's rock hewn churches (World Heritage Site). During the night, Christmas Eve celebration continues in the churches in the presence of many white-robed worshipers. If you are keen at the expense of your bedtime, you may participate in one of the churches' celebration. Overnight hotel.

Jan 7.

Today is Ethiopian Christmas. Therefore, you have the chance to attend the colorful celebration, which takes place in and around the compound of Virgin Mary's church. Here, there will be breathtaking chant and dance of a multitude of Lalibela priests. In the afternoon you will visit the second group of King Lalibela's rock hewn churches.Over night Hotel

Jan 8.

Mule ride to Asheten Mariam Monastery which is situated at 3000meters above sea level. And in the afternoon visit the cave church of King Neakuto La'ab. Overnight Hotel.

Jan 9.

Drive straight to Mekelle via the Ambalage chain of mountains. Overnight hotel.

Jan 10.

Drive to Berehale. Over night Camping.

Jan 11.

Visit the salt extraction at Lake Asale & the rock formation of Dallol core Overnight. Berehale camping.

Jan 12.

Drive back to Mekelle en-route you always see camel caravan. Overnight hotel.

Jan 13.

Drive to Adigrat on the way you will visit two Tigray rock churches: Wukro Kirkos & Abrha. WoAtsebeha Overnight hotel.

Jan 14.

Drive to Axum visiting the Temple of Yeha 5th century B.C & the monastery of Debre.Damo(only for men). Overnight Axum.

Jan 15.

Visit the historical and archaeological sites in Axum (World Heritage Site). These include the archaeological museum, main stele field, the ruined palace of King Kaleb and King Geber Meskel, stone inscriptions, subterranean tombs, the ruined palace of the Queen of Sheba, Axum Tsion church where the original holy Ark of the Covenant is believed to be housed. Overnight Hotel.

. Jan 16.

Drive to Gonder via Tekezie river gorge and Limalimo - one of the most scenic roads of Ethiopia. Overnight Gonder.

Jan 17.

Today you will visit the Gonder castle compound (World Heritage Site) and the beautiful Debre Birhan Selassie church, the pool of King Fasiledes etc. Overnight Hotel.

Jan 18.

In the morning you will drive to Gorgora, the northern shore of Lake Tana, for birds & the church of Debre Sina Mariam. In the afternoon starting around 3:30 P.M you will attend the colouful processions of the eve of Ethiopian Epiphany. In this procession, the replicas of the original Ark (Tabots) from different churches will be removed and are carried by priests under huge, colorful umbrellas. Deacons also carry processional crosses, religious paintings and bells. On the occasion, a lot of people will sing, dance and ululate accompanying the priests all the way to the place where the Tabots are supposed to make there over nights (Pool of King Fasildes).Overnight hotel.

Jan 19.

Today is the main day for the celebration of the Ethiopian Epiphany. Therefore, you will have a chance to see the sprinkling of the blessed holy water in remembrance of the baptism of Jesus Christ in the river Jordan in the hands of John the Baptist. The Tabots are also carried back to their original places in the same way that they are brought. Overnight Hotel.

Jan 20.

Drive to Bahir Dar visiting the Awra Amba society, a unique society with its own life philosophy. Overnight hotel.

Jan 21.

Visit Bahir Dar market - a bustling market in which cereals, clay made utensils, leather bound baskets, local cotton fabric, fruits and vegetables etc can be seen. You will have also a half-day boat trip over Lake Tana to Ura Kidane Mehret monastery where you visit the religious wall paintings, parchment books, crosses, crowns and robes of different kings and other religious artifacts. In the evening, you will go to Bezawit Hill for a view over the Blue Nile River, Bahir Dar town and beautiful sunset. Overnight Hotel.

Jan 22.

Drive back to Addis Ababa. Then departure.