HISTORIC ROUTE WITH TIMKET(2025) FESTIVAL IN GONDAR 8 DAYS

Day 1 ARRIVE, ADDIS ABABA

Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, you will clear immigration and proceed to baggage claim. After collecting your checked luggage, you will clear customs and pass through the arrivals hall where you will be met by our representative who will assist and transfer you to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, optional day tours and activities in Addis Ababa can be booked at additional cost. The usual check-in time at Addis hotels is 2 pm.

Hotels : Best Western Plus Addis

Day 2 ADDIS | BAHIRDAR (SIGHTSEEING TOUR OF BAHIR DAR)

After breakfast, meet your who will transfer you to the airport for your domestic flight to Bahir Dar. Upon your arrival in Baha Dar, you will be met and transferred to you to your resort, Blue Nile hotel. Check in and proceed on a panoramic sightseeing tour of the city. Embark on a spectacular boat trip on Lake Tana with a surface area of 2,282 square miles it is the largest lake in Ethiopia. The lake is dotted with islands, many of which shelter isolated monasteries containing the remains of ancient Ethiopian emperors and treasures of the Ethiopian Church. Visit Ura Kidane Meheret monastery, famous for its ancient manuscripts, crosses, icons, and paintings. Later in the afternoon, drive to the village of Tis Isat to see the Blue Nile falls. Return to your hotel in Bahir Dar for dinner and overnight.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotels : Avanti Blue Nile Resort

Day 3 BAHIR DAR | GONDAR (SIGHTSEEING GONDAR – & ATTENDING TIMKET EVE)

After breakfast, set out on a drive further north for approximately ~ 196 km to another spectacular destination on the Ethiopian Historic Route, Gondar. Upon arrival and checking-in, you will start the visit to Gondar.

Gondar is set in a landscape of incomparable beauty once it was the Royal Capital of Ethiopia. Visit the impressive castles built by Emperor Fassiladas and his descendants. Visit the Debre Birhan Selassie Church, its walls and ceilings are decorated with scenes of Biblical lore and medieval history. In the afternoon, you will attend the Timket eve ceremony called Ketera. During Ketera, priests using 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, return to the ‘Tabot Maderia’ to attend the night celebrations.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel : Gondar Hills Resort

Day 4 GONDAR (TIMKET CELEBRATION

Following breakfast, you will again walk to the ‘Taboat Maderia’ to witness the early morning baptism ceremony. Water which symbolizes the Jordan River is blessed by the priest and the patriarch then dip a golden cross and extinguish a burning consecrated candle in the altar. Then he sprinkles water on the assembled congregation in commemoration of Christ’s baptism. Following the baptism, the Tabots start their way back to their respective churches, while feasting, and celebrating on the way to the churches. Visit Gondar In the afternoon, visit the sites in Gondar, a town founded in 1636 by the great Emperor Fassiladas. Set in a landscape of incomparable beauty, it was once the Royal Capital of Ethiopia. Visit the impressive castles and churches built by Emperor Fassiladas and his descendants. Later, you will proceed to the fascinating Debre Birhan Selassie Church. Its walls and ceilings are decorated with scenes of Biblical lore and medieval history.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel : Gondar Hills Resort

Day 5 EXCURSION SIMIEN MOUNTAINS (DAY TOUR TO SIMIEN MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)

The drive to Simien Mountains National Park is approx. 140 km and takes approx. 3 hrs. Your first destination will be the Kosoye viewpoint where you will have the chance to stretch your legs and enjoy beautiful views. We will then drive to Debark, headquarters of Simien Mountains National Park. Here we will obtain Park Entry permits and have a scout assigned for your time in the park. From park HQ you will be driven to the Buyit Ras viewpoint to experience the breathtaking scenery. We will then begin our hike to Chilqwanit (approximately 1 hour), the next stunning viewpoint. On arrival, your vehicle will be waiting to transport you to Sanqaber viewpoint. You will then drive to Jinbar Falls where you will have lunch with a view of the falls. These mountains are known as ‘The Roof of Africa’ due to their lofty elevation In the evening return to Gondar for dinner and overnight.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel : Gondar Hills Resort 

Day 6 GONDAR | LALIBELA (VISITING THE ROCK-HEWN CHURCHES OF LALIBELA)

Lalibela is the jewel in the crown of Ethiopia with the most famous rock-hewn churches and the scene of many major religious ceremonies. These churches are both remarkable and beautiful. They were hand-hewn out of solid rock centuries ago and are still actively used by worshippers today. Visiting the churches not only allows learning but admiring old architecture but gives a glimpse into the deep devotion of the members of the Ethiopian Orthodox religion. Among the churches you will visit are Bete Amanuel a 36-foot-high monolith considered by art historians to be the finest and most precisely worked church in Lalibela, possibly because it was the private church of the royal family; Bete Markorios a cave church originally used for secular purposes and thought to be around 1,400 years old; and Bete Giorgis the most majestic and best preserved of all Lalibela’s churches. Known as the eighth wonder of the world, Bete Giorgis is hewn out of solid rock and believed to have been built in either the 12th or 13th century.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel : Mezena Lodge

Day 7 ASHETON MARIAM -continue Lalibela sightseeing.

Upon arrival in Lalibela you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in. Lalibela is located at an altitude of 2,600m above sea level, this rural town is also known as ‘Africa’s Petra’, Ethiopia’s crown jewel. It is the home of the most famous churches in the country and is the site of many major religious ceremonies. This afternoon, you will have an excursion to Asheton Mariam. It is possible to drive to Asheton Mariam or if you like adventure you can also use a mule. The 13th C. rock hewn monastery of Asheton Mariam is about 8 km from Lalibela. Note that one should be fit to trek to Asheton Mariam, the road is very steep and looks like twisted rope hugged on the wall, but it has very beautiful scenery with a rewarding experience. Visit the remaining Rock-hewn Churches of Lalibela In the afternoon after having lunch, continue your visit to the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Best Western Plus Addis

Day 8 LALIBELA | ADDIS | DEPART

Fly Lalibela – Addis

After breakfast, the morning is at leisure until you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Addis and onward. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast