Ethiopian Meskel

Photography And Filming | Terms And conditions | Contact Us

Ethiopian Meskel

3. ETHIOPIAN MESKAL, FINDING OF THE TRUE CROSS
TOUR CODE – GHET – FD003
Transport: BY FLIGHT
NUMBER OF DAYS – 13D/12N
ARRIVE IN ADDIS ABABA – September 15
DEPARTURE FROM ADDIS ABABA – September 27

Meskel (Finding of the True Cross)

Meskel is celebrated by dancing, feasting, and lighting a massive bonfire known in Ethiopian tradition as "Damera". Meskel commemorates the finding of the True Cross in the fourth century when Empress Helena, mother of Constantine the Great, discovered the True Cross on which Christ was crucified. The feast is celebrated in Ethiopia on September 17 Ethiopian calendar (September 27 Gregorian calendar), 6 months after the discovery of the True Cross. The celebration of Meskel signifies the presence of the True Cross at mountain of Gishen Mariam monastery and also symbolizes the events carried out by Empress Helena.

According to tradition, Empress Helena lit incense and prayed for assistance to guide her. The smoke drifted towards the direction of the buried cross. She dug and found three crosses; one of them was the True Cross used to crucify Jesus Christ. Empress Helena then gave a piece of the True Cross to all churches, including the Ethiopian Church. This piece was then brought to Ethiopia. According to the Ethiopian legend, when people get close to the piece of the True Cross it made them naked by its powerful light. Because of this, a decision was made to bury it at the mountain of Gishen Mariam monastery in Wollo region. The monastery of Gishen Mariam holds a volume of a book which records the story of the True Cross of Christ and how it was acquired.

THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE TOUR

- The tour provides a practical image of the 3000 yeas historical mysteries and living historical facts and monuments of Ethiopia including the steles of Axum, the temple of Yeha, Palace of Queen of Sheba, the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela and many others.
- The natural contrasts and extremes of Ethiopia. Some of the highest and most stunning places on the African continent at the Simien Mountains National park, one of UNESCO’S world heritage sites. And the endemic mammal Gelada Baboon ‘the bleeding heart baboon’.
- Luxurious full day boat trip over Lake Tana to explore the ancient island monasteries, rich in unique church paintings, gold and silver crosses, crowns, books, parchments and many other church treasuries.
- Observe Meskel, one of the nine most colorful celebrations in Ethiopia, the remarkable manner in which ancient historical traditions have been preserved. And, indeed, the ceremonies and rituals of the Ethiopian Orthodox church open a window on the authentic world of the Old Testament.

Trip specialty
- At the beginning of the trip, there will be a lecture about the history and culture of
Ethiopia by the renowned Historian professor Richard panchrust or Professor
Tekalegn Woldemariam.
- Traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony in a local house or restaurant in Lalibela
- Grand Holidays Ethiopia Travel complimentary fair well Ethiopian traditional dinner, local drinks, and tribal dance show in Addis Ababa.
- Surprise gift, brown gold’ roasted coffee beans for all members.
- Participate in church processions and holly mass at the most famous churches.
- For interested group, there will be arrangements to experience the most memorable cultural interaction with the local community and at some places including fistula hospital, orphanage centers, and elementary schools.

ITINERARY FOR Meskel – The finding of True Cross (sep. 27)

DAY 01, SEPTEMBER 15, ARRIVAL

Arrive Addis Ababa Airport and transfer to hotel. Depending on the flight arrival time, the lecture on Ethiopian History by the famous historians and the pre-tour orientation by your tour leader might be given the same day or could be postponed for the next morning. O/N Addis Ababa,Hotel.

DAY 02, SEPTEMBER 16, CITY TOUR OF ADDIS ABABA

In the Amharic language, Addis Ababa means “new flower” Founded by Emperor Menelik in 1887, Addis is the capital of modern Ethiopia and has a population of about four million. With the presence of the Organization of African Unity, is Africa’s diplomatic capital. We enjoy a mid-morning discussion in the garden of the Institutes for Ethiopian Studies with a well-Known professor of History and Anthropology, who gives us a personal guided tour of the Ethnological Museum. The museum exhibits the culture and handicrafts of various Ethiopian ethnic groups. After lunch, we visit Ba’ata Church, also known as Menelik’s Mausoleum, one of the oldest of the churches in Addis (90 years old). It houses beautiful paintings and the royal tombs of past Emperors. We continue on to the National Museum, where cultural and archaeological relics, including “Lucy, “the 3.2 million-year-old hominid, are displayed. We also drive through the Mercato, the largest open-air market on the continent. Afterwards, we will return to the hotel to freshen up and for dinner. O/N Addis Ababa,Hotel.

DAY 03, SEPTEMBER 17, FLY ADDIS – BAHIRDAR, IN BAHIRDAR

Transfer to the Airport for our 7:00 flight to Bahirdar, after check in at Tana Hotel, City tour of the local Market, and traditional dickens school in St. Michael church and Bezawit Hills where we can see the Palace of Emperor Hilesillasie from outside. This is also the best view point to wander the sunset on Lake Tana and to see the outlet of Lake Tana where the Great Blue Nile River begins its long journey all the way to Egipt and finally Mediterranean Sea. In the afternoon, we will drive 35 k.m to visit the majestic Blue Nile Falls. Walking to the fall through the beautiful river gorge on the ancient bridge from the 17th century, and meeting the local people at the small villages on the way to the fall is a great experiance. There will be 15-20 minutes walk to the fall. O/N Tana Hotel.

DAY 04, SEPTEMBER 18, BOAT CROSSING TO GORGORA, TO GONDAR

After having breakfast at the hotel, boat cross to Gorgora. Gorgora is situated north of Lake Tana and it was the temporary capital of Ethiopia in the 16th century before the establishment of Gondar as a permanent capital, and it was the seat of the Portuguese missionaries in the 16th centaury. There we will visit the church of Debresina Mariam and on the way we will also visit the island monasteries of Narga Sillasie, Ura Kidanemihiret and Azwa Mariam. Theses island monasteries date back to the Middle Ages. Today, due in parts to their difficult access, the lake’s churches are well preserved and are famous for their best Ethiopian religious paintings, illuminated manuscripts, and other treasures. We will have our picnic lunch on the boat.. As we finished crossing Lake Tana, we will drive 60 km about (2 hours) to Gondar. O/N Goha Hotel.

DAY 05, SEPTEMBER 19, FULL DAY VISIT OF GONDAR

Gondar has served as the capital city of Ethiopia from 1632-1667 and is notable for its medieval castles and churches. Today we will visit the Royal Enclosure, a walled compound having 6 different castles built from 17th century by different kings, the pool of King Fasilidas, which still serves as a baptismal pool during Ethiopian Epiphany. We will also visit other churches including the Deberberhan Sillassie known for the its remarkable ceiling decorated with winged angels from the 17th century. O/n Goha Hotel.

DAY 06, SEPTEMBER 20, FULL DAY TRIP TO SEMIEN MOUNTAINS

Today, we will make a full day excursion to Sankaber; part of the Semein Mountains National Park and the “Felasha” or the black Jewish village. It is believed that the Felashas settled at the village during the time of king Minlik the first, the son of Queen of Sheba and King Solomon. At Sankaber, the group will certainly have a chance to see troops of bleeding heart baboon as well as a relaxing trek in the most dramatic sceneries of the park including Ginbar River Falls and Wolkafit mountain chain. The area is also habitat of endemic vegetations such as giant lobelia and beautiful wild flowers. O/n Goha Hotel.

DAY 07, SEPTEMBER 21, FLY GONDAR - LALIBELA, IN LALIBELA

After having breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for the morning flight to Lalibela. After check in at Roha Hotel, we will drive to the site where we find a concentration of some of Ethiopia’s famous rock-hewn churches, built in the 12th century and attributed to King Lalibela. In his youth, King Lalibela was attracted to monastic life and later made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. After he came to power, he had these amazing churched created without using mortar or wood. Elaborately carved into solid rock, they were all completed in just a 23-year time. The largest, Bete Medani Alem, is 100 feet long, 70 feet wide, 35 feet high, and has walls that are up to six feet thick. Its basilica has five naves. This particular church is though to be a copy of the great cathedral of Saint Mary of Zion, built in the Ethiopian city of Axum in the 4th century. There are no less than 1000 churches in the Lasta region of Lalibela, some hidden in enormous caves. After lunch, we continue our journey into Ethiopa’s long and marvelous history with a visit to other of Lalibela’s remarkable churches-their architecture and artistry must be seen to be believed. We will have dinner and overnight at Roha Hotel in Lalibela, which is furnished and decorated with original artifacts inspired by the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela. O/n Roha Hotel

DAY 08, SEPTEMBER 22, IN LALIBELA AND SERROUNDING CHURCHES

In the morning, mule ride and walk to the top of Asheten Mariam Monastery, this is very famous for its 12 century monastery church and beautiful view at 10,298 foot above sea level. The view covered by different types of wild flowers and Afro-alpine vegetations and crops on the field is so breathtaking.
In the afternoon, we will visit the 2nd group rock-hewn churches which include the most famous rock-hewn monolithic church, St. George, Bete Gabriel, Bete Mercorios, Bete Emanuel and Bete Aba Libanos. After we visit the 2nd group of churches we will continue walking through the monastery where monks and nuns live. O/N Roha Hotel.

DAY 09, SEPTEMBER 23, FLY LALIBELA – AXUM, IN AXUM

After having an early breakfast at the hotel, we will fly to Axum, after check in to Remhay Hotel, we will visit the Stele Square, Kaleba Tombs, the 4th centaury Christian inscription of King Ezana, Queen of Sheba’s Palace, Archeological Museum and Tsion Mariam Church where the original arc of the covenant is housed. O/N Remhay Hotel

DAY 10, SEPTEMBER 24, FULL DAY TRIP TO THE TEMPLE OF YEHA

In the morning, we will have excursion to Yeha on the way enjoying the scenic beauties of Adwa mountain ranges. At Yeha we will visit the 6th centaury monastery of Aba Pantelion and the 5th-6thc B.C Pre-Christian Temple of Yeha. After having lunch at the hotel, the group will have a free afternoon for private walk or to visit a local community at their own interest. O/N Remahay Hotel

DAY 11, SEPTEMBER 25, FLY AXUM – ADDIS

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for our flight to Addis Ababa. Afternoon, people can do souvenir shopping and/or at leisure. O/N Hilton Hotel.

DAY 12, SEPTEMBER 26, ENJOY THE EVE CELLEBRATION OF MESKAL

In the morning, we will visit the Festula Hospital and Abebech Gobena Orphanage. After lunch, we will drive to Meskel Square to attend the Meskel Eve Ceremony. It is at Meskel Square that all the priests and deacons of all the churches in Addis Ababa and the people of Addis Ababa being colorfully dressed stream to attend this colorful eve celebration. There will be special Meskel Dinner, and it’s Grand Holidays complimentary farewell dinner party, traditional special buffet with local drinks. There will also be cultural dance show of the different ethnic group living in the country. O/N Hilton Hotel.

DAY 13, SEPTEMBER 27, DEPARTURE

Preparation and packing for international flight back home. Depending on the international flight schedule, some programs might be excluded or added. Transfer to Bole International Airport for the flight back home.

Note:
• Activities for the first and last days will depend on visitors’ times of arrivals and departures and airline used.
• Upon request the above tour program can be, modified, differently rearranged, combined with other programs, or extended to suit the clients’ interest, time, and budget.