Program: Epiphany (Temeket)
Code : O21
Transportation : Air
Duration: 8 days and 7 nights
Day 01: (Jan. 14 ) Arrival of Addis Ababa and Sight seeing
Arrival of Addis Ababa and transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time make sightseeing in Addis, Visit the National Museum that exhibits numerous antiquates, historical relics, archaeological and pale-ontological objects including the 3.2 million year old skeleton of Lucy; Mercato – biggest open market of its kind in Africa and the commanding panoramic view point Mount Entoto . .Overnight stay Hotel
Day 02: ( Jan 15) Fly From Addis Ababa to Axum Axum
Full day visit historic sites it was once the capital of the Ethiopian kings and the oldest ancient civilization in the world and represented a connecting-point b/n Africa and Asia for almost a thousand year. Some of the archaeological sites can give you an idea of the former high standard of civilization. Visit the famous steles, see the churches of St. Mary of Zion, which contain the crowns of Ethiopian kings and other treasures and the tomb of king Kaleb. Overnight stay Hotel
Day 03: (Jan. 16) Fly to Lalibela and sight seeing
Early in the morning fly to Lalibela and transfer to the hotel. After short break excursion to visit the first group of the magnificent rock-hewn churches of Lalibela which are carved out of living volcanic tuff wit super architectural skill that the world has never seen, yet elsewhere. UNESCO registers these churches as world heritage. Among churches of this group Bete Medahine Alem (house of the redeemer) is the largest with 5 aisles, 72 pillars, vaulted dome and molding decoration. Bete Mariam (house of St. Marry) is the most decorated among the rock hewn churches. Overnight stay Hotel
Day 04: (Jan. 17) More Excursions in Lalibela
In the morning excursion to Yemerhane Kirstos cave church outside of Lalibela through beautiful mountainous land scape of last region. Back to the hotel for lunch. After noon. Visit the second group of the rock-hewn churches; Bete Emanuel (house of Emanuel) is architecturally the finest. Bete Giorgis (the house of George) is the finest of all the churches in Lalibela for which reason art historians conclude that this church is carved at the end of the cluster. Overnight stay Hotel
Day 05 ( Jan. 18 ) Fly from Lalibela to Gonder Attend the Timket
Fly to Gonder, get transferred to hotel. Then you will visit the Gonder castle compound (World Heritage Site).Starting around 3:30 P.M you will attend the colorful 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.
Day 06 (Jan. 19 ) Gonder (Epiphany Day Celebration)
In the morning you will visit the remaining sites of Gonder like the beautiful Debere Brhan Selassie church. Today is the main day for the celebration of the Ethiopian Epiphany. So 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.
Day 07: ( Jan. 20 ) Driving to Bahir Dar
Early in the morning after breakfast proceed driving to Gonder You will have also a half-day boat trip over Lake Tana to 3 monastery where you visit the religious wall paintings, parchment books, crosses, crowns and robes of different kings and other religious artefacts. Overnight Hotel.
Day 08: ( Jan. 21 ) Excursion to Blue Nile fall and Fly back to Addis Ababa
In early the morning you will drive 35km from Bahr Dar and half hour trekking you will to see the fascinating gorge of blue Nile falls then fly back to Addis Ababa. Have a farewell dinner at one of the best traditional restaurants of Addis where you can taste the variety of Ethiopian meals, and see the folkloric dances of the Ethiopians. Then, be transferred to the airport for your departure. End Tour
