This tour takes you deep into the land that used to be one of the greatest kingdoms of the world. In this fascinating land, the past comes alive in the form of beautiful, exotic monuments and ruins built centuries ago. Moreover, it is a past that began as the cradle of mankind. Marvel at the spectacular 2,000-year-old stele at Axum, the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela built more than 800 years ago, the castles of Gondar, the island monasteries of Lake Tana, the magnificent Simien Mountains, the less-visited rock-hewn churches of Tigray, the great Blue Nile Falls, and last but not least, the friendly and charming people.
Trip Highlights
- Celebrate Ethiopian Easter Festival in the ancient way around the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela.
- Experience Ethiopian Orthodox Christian doctrines and traditions.
- Visit four UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- Be amazed by the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, one of "the living wonders of the world".
- Enjoy the magnificent nature and endemic wildlife of the Simien Mountains.
- Travel back in time to explore the ancient city of Axum, the last resting place of the Ark of the Covenant.
- Discover the fairytale castles of Gondar.
- Take a cruise on Lake Tana to visit the ancient island monasteries.
- See the source of the mighty Blue Nile River and the Blue Nile Falls.
- Discover the old walled city and the fourth holiest city of Islam.
- Visit the vibrant city of Addis Ababa.
- Meet your ancestor Lucy at the National Museum in Addis Ababa.
- Try the varied Ethiopian food.
- Attend an Ethiopian coffee ceremony.
Itinerary: Ethiopian Easter Festival Tour 2019
Travel dates: April 9 to April 21, 2019
Day 1: Addis Ababa
Arrive in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Welcome to Ethiopia! Upon arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, you will be welcomed and assisted by your tour guide and driven to your hotel. If you arrive in the morning, we can arrange an optional city tour.
Accommodation: Kaleb Hotel, Addis Ababa
Day 2: Addis Ababa, Bahirdar
In the morning, drive to Bahirdar through the Great Blue Nile Gorge with stops at different small towns like Dejen, Chancho, and Goha Tsion. The majestic and enormous Blue Nile Gorge is one of the most captivating gorges in Africa.
Accommodation: Hotel, Bahirdar
Day 3: Lake Tana, Blue Nile Falls, Bahir Dar
In the morning, we will take boat cruise on Lake Tana to visit the ancient 14th-century island monasteries of Lake Tana.
After lunch at the hotel, we will drive 35 km to visit the majestic Blue Nile Falls.
Accommodation: Hotel, Bahirdar
Day 4: Bahir Dar, Gondar
After breakfast, we will drive to Gondar through the beautiful countryside scenery to arrive at Gondar around lunchtime.
For the rest of the day, you will have a city tour of Gondar. Today you will visit the Royal Enclosure and the famous Debre Berhan Sellassie church.
Accommodation: Hotel, Gondar
Day 5: Gondar, Simien Mountains
After an early breakfast, we will drive to the Simien Mountains National Park. Enroute we will visit the "Felasha", or Black Jewish village. For the rest of the day, we trek to explore the area of Snakaber, part of the Simien Mountains National Park.
Accommodation: Simien Lodge, Buit Ras
Day 6: Simien Mountains National Park, Axum
After breakfast, we drive north to Axum through the beautiful scenery of the Simien Mountains and the Tekeze River Gorge.
Past the Tekeze River Gorge, whilst enjoying the beautiful Simien Mountains scenery from a distance, you will have your picnic lunch under the shade of a tree and continue driving to Axum.
Accommodation: Hotel, Axum
Day 7: Axum
After breakfast, we will visit the ancient city of Axum. Our visit in Axum includes the Stele Square, Kaleba Tombs, 4th-century Christian inscription of King Ezana, Queen of Sheba’s Palace, Archeological Museum, and Tsion Mariam Church, where the original Ark of the Covenant is housed.
Accommodation: Hotel, Axum
Day 8: Axum, Hauzien
In the morning, we will drive to Hauzien, the center of some of the most ancient rock-hewn churches, through the stunning and historical mountains of Adwa.
Accommodation: Lodge, Hauzien
Day 9: Hauzien, Mekele
In the morning, we will drive to Mekele enroute visit some of the most ancient Tigray rock-hewn churches including: Wikro Cherkos, Abrha We-Atsbeha, and Dugum Selassie.
Accommodation: Hotel, Mekele
Day 10: Mekele, Lalibela
After breakfast, we drive to Lalibela through Sekota. Enroute you will visit Yimrhane Kirstos and different villages of the Agwe tribal people.
Accommodation: Hotel, Lalibela
Day 11: Good Friday at Lalibela
After having an early breakfast, we will drive to the site where we find a concentration of some of Ethiopia’s most famous rock-hewn churches, mostly referred to by many as one of "the living wonders of the world". The rock-hewn churches that we will visit today include: Bete Medhani Alem, Bete Mariam, Bete Meskel, Bete Denagil, Bete Golgotha Michael, and Bete Giorgis.
In the afternoon, witness the Good Friday ceremony at Bete Mariam rock-hewn church. This is a special day for the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and it is celebrated with great devotion and in a very ancient way. On this day, the faithful who have been fasting the whole day without any water or food, dressed in their dazzling white cloths, walk to St. Mary’s church to attend the prayers and performance of the priest and deacons. It is a special opportunity to witness the devotion of the faithful and their practices remembering the suffering of Jesus Christ when he was crucified. Every performance of the priest and the deacons as well as the devotion of the people takes you back centuries.
Accommodation: Hotel, Lalibela
Day 12: Lalibela, Asheten Mariam, Ethiopian Easter Eve at Lalibela
In the morning you will continue your journey into Ethiopia’s long and marvelous past with a visit to more of Lalibela’s remarkable churches. The rock-hewn churches that you will visit this afternoon include Bete Gebriel, Bete Mercorios, Bete Amanuel, Bethlehem, and Bete Aba Libanos.
In the afternoon, you will visit one of the most colorful annual Easter markets at Lalibela. In the evening, you will witness one of the most important ceremonies of Easter in one of the biggest rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, Bete Medhanialem. In the evening all the rock-hewn churches will be filled with people who have been fasting for 55 days. None of them have eaten or drank anything at least for a day and half. They are here to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and there will be prayers and candlelight ceremonies accompanied by chanting and dancing of the priest until 3:00 in the morning. It’s only after the ceremony is over that everybody goes home to break the fast with the special Easter meal. The feast that began at the church continues all day long and for weeks to come.
Accommodation: Hotel, Lalibela
Day 13: Ethiopian Easter Lalibela, Addis Ababa, Departure
After breakfast, we transfer to Lalibela airport for the flight to Addis Ababa. Depending on your departure, an optional city tour can be arranged.
In the evening, there will be Grand Holidays Ethiopia Tours complimentary special Easter farewell dinner party with traditional special buffet and local drinks, flight schedule permitting. There will also be cultural dance show of the different ethnic groups living in the country — the perfect ending to your trip. At the end of the farewell dinner, transfer to Addis Ababa airport for the flight back. End of tour.
