Ethiopian Festival Tours | Meskel Festiva

Senait Ethiopia Tours

TOUR CODE: SET020

TOUR TYPE: FESTIVAL AND HISTORIC

DURATION: 9 DAYS/ 8 NIGHTS

MEANS OF TRANSPORT: DRIVE & FLIGHT

PROGRAM

TRIP OVERVIEW

In this fascinating country, you will be amazed to witness how ancient historical traditions have been preserved in a remarkable manner for thousands of years. And, indeed, the ceremonies and rituals of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church open a window on the authentic world of the Old Testament. Like nowhere else in this country you will find yourself so dramatically transported back in time or to participate with such freedom in the sacred rituals of an ancient faith.

  • Expand All

    Day 1: Arrive Addis Ababa
    Flight to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Upon arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, you will be welcomed and assisted by your tour guide and driver for the transfer to your Hotel (4*). There will be a short drive to your hotel. In you arrive in the morning we can arrange an optional city tour.

    Day 2: Addis Ababa-Bahirdar (B-D)
    In the morning, drive to Bahirdar through the Great Blue Nile Gorge with a stopover at different small towns like Dejen, Chancho and Goha Tsion. Overnight: Homeland Hotel/Similar.

    Day 3: Lake Tana-Blue Nile Falls-Bahir Dar (B-D)
    In the morning, we will make boat cruise over Lake Tana to visit the ancient 14th century island monasteries of Lake Tana. After having lunch at the hotel, we will drive 35 KM to visit the majestic Blue Nile Falls.

    Day 4: Bahir Dar-Gondar (B-D)
    After breakfast, drive to Gondar through the beautiful countryside scenery to arrive at Gondar around lunchtime. After lunch tour of the ancient city of Gondar.

    Day 5: Excursion Simien Mountains National Park (B-D)
    After an early breakfast, we will drive to the Simien mountains National park. The rest of the day, trek to explore the surrounding of Sankaber, part of the Simien Mountains National Park.

    Day 6: Gondar – Lalibela – Meskel (B-D)
    After breakfast start driving through the spectacular landscape to Lalibela. En route we will stop at Awramba. This community has been founded by Zumra Nuru in 1972 with the aim to live together peacefully, working collaboratively, sympathetically and cheerfully. They treat each other as brothers and sisters.
    Gender equality and care for the elderly is also a major subject.

    In the afternoon, we will attend Demera, the Eve of Meskel where the priest and deacons dressed in their colorful dress, singing and dancing march to a place near the churches to assemble the firework to be lit in the coming morning. The faithful , dressed in their dazzling white flock to this place most of them with a piece of firewood. Then goes the blessing, the chanting and dancing until the evening. It is a very colorful eve to be seen.

    Day 7: Meskel at Lalibela (B-D)
    In the morning, we will witness one of the most colorful festivals held in Ethiopia, the Meskel Festival at Lalibela. In the afternoon we visit the first group of rockhewn churches. The churches that we will visit today include: Bete MedhaniAlem, Bete Mariam, Bete Meskel, Bete Denagil.

    Day 8: Lalibela (B-D)
    In the morning, take a mule ride, and /or walk to the top of Asheten Mariam Monastery, this is very famous for its 12-century monastery church and beautiful view at 10,298 ft above sea level.

    After having lunch and rest at the hotel, you will continue your journey into Ethiopia’s long and marvelous history with a visit to other St. Lalibela’s remarkable churches-their architecture and artistry must be seen to be believed: Bete Gebriel, Bete Mercorios, Bete Amanuel, Bethlehem and Bete Aba Libanos.

    Day 9: Lalibela-Addis Ababa-Departure (B-D)
    After breakfast, transfer to Lalibela airport for the flight to Addis Ababa. (City tour if not on first day). Then attend special Ethiopian farewell dinner party with traditional buffet and local drinks. There will also be a live cultural dance show of the different ethnic groups living in the country. There will not be any better way of ending a trip. At the end of the farewell dinner party, transfer to Addis Ababa airport for the flight back. End of tour!

  • Day 1: Arrive Addis Ababa

    Flight to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Upon arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, you will be welcomed and assisted by your tour guide and driver for the transfer to your Hotel (4*). There will be a short drive to your hotel. In you arrive in the morning we can arrange an optional city tour.

  • Day 2: Addis Ababa-Bahirdar (B-D)

    In the morning, drive to Bahirdar through the Great Blue Nile Gorge with a stopover at different small towns like Dejen, Chancho and Goha Tsion. Overnight: Homeland Hotel/Similar.

  • Day 3: Lake Tana-Blue Nile Falls-Bahir Dar (B-D)

    In the morning, we will make boat cruise over Lake Tana to visit the ancient 14th century island monasteries of Lake Tana. After having lunch at the hotel, we will drive 35 KM to visit the majestic Blue Nile Falls.

  • Day 4: Bahir Dar-Gondar (B-D)

    After breakfast, drive to Gondar through the beautiful countryside scenery to arrive at Gondar around lunchtime. After lunch tour of the ancient city of Gondar.

  • Day 5: Excursion Simien Mountains National Park (B-D)

    After an early breakfast, we will drive to the Simien mountains National park. The rest of the day, trek to explore the surrounding of Sankaber, part of the Simien Mountains National Park.

  • Day 6: Gondar – Lalibela – Meskel (B-D)

    After breakfast start driving through the spectacular landscape to Lalibela. En route we will stop at Awramba. This community has been founded by Zumra Nuru in 1972 with the aim to live together peacefully, working collaboratively, sympathetically and cheerfully. They treat each other as brothers and sisters.
    Gender equality and care for the elderly is also a major subject.

    In the afternoon, we will attend Demera, the Eve of Meskel where the priest and deacons dressed in their colorful dress, singing and dancing march to a place near the churches to assemble the firework to be lit in the coming morning. The faithful , dressed in their dazzling white flock to this place most of them with a piece of firewood. Then goes the blessing, the chanting and dancing until the evening. It is a very colorful eve to be seen.

  • Day 7: Meskel at Lalibela (B-D)

    In the morning, we will witness one of the most colorful festivals held in Ethiopia, the Meskel Festival at Lalibela. In the afternoon we visit the first group of rockhewn churches. The churches that we will visit today include: Bete MedhaniAlem, Bete Mariam, Bete Meskel, Bete Denagil.

  • Day 8: Lalibela (B-D)

    In the morning, take a mule ride, and /or walk to the top of Asheten Mariam Monastery, this is very famous for its 12-century monastery church and beautiful view at 10,298 ft above sea level.

    After having lunch and rest at the hotel, you will continue your journey into Ethiopia’s long and marvelous history with a visit to other St. Lalibela’s remarkable churches-their architecture and artistry must be seen to be believed: Bete

  • Day 9: Lalibela-Addis Ababa-Departure (B-D)

    After breakfast, transfer to Lalibela airport for the flight to Addis Ababa. (City tour if not on first day). Then attend special Ethiopian farewell dinner party with traditional buffet and local drinks. There will also be a live cultural dance show of the different ethnic groups living in the country. There will not be any better way of ending a trip. At the end of the farewell dinner party, transfer to Addis Ababa airport for the flight back. End of tour!

simply send us an email and we’ll plan it for you !

CONTACT WITH US

+251 116 294039

info@senaitethiopia.com