Articles
TIMKAT FASTIVAL (EPIPHANY)
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DAYS |
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TRIP CODE |
LEISURELY/ MODERATE |
ITINERARIES
Blessed Ethiopia tour will be pleased to prepare customized itineraries and price quotes according to our clients’ requirements. We suggest and design tour programs for every client.
FLEXIBILITY
We are very flexible every client’s suggestions to ensure our clients enjoy a perfect holiday. Our purpose and principle is to work with each client, family and group individually. We encourage our clients to discuss their expectations.
» TOUR PROGRAMS – ITINERARIES
Blessed Ethiopia tour will be pleased to prepare customized itineraries and price quotes according to our clients’ requirements. We suggest and design tour programs for every client. All itineraries have been personally researched by our executive tour operators in Addis Ababa.
» VEHICLES & EQUIPMENT
Our priority is to ensure our clients a 100% safe and comfortable trip. This is why we continually invest in flotillas of Toyota mini buses, Toyota Coaster Buses and 4WD Toyota Land Cruisers which are equipped with Microphone, seat belts and comprehensive insurance and maintained in a daily basis. Our experienced drivers know the Ethiopian roads pretty well and drive with strict safety measures.
Blessed Ethiopia tours are spent traveling between sites, villages and cities, we have top of the line vehicles and care about the comfort of every visitor. On those off-road journeys, Blessed Ethiopia Tour provides clients with quality, functional camping gear including tents, sleeping bags and mattresses for adventure tours to the Simien and Bale Mountains or camping tours in the South Omo Valley and Danakil Depression.
Blessed Ethiopia tours are spent traveling between sites, villages and cities, we have top of the line vehicles and care about the comfort of every visitor. On those off-road journeys, Blessed Ethiopia Tour provides clients with quality, functional camping gear including tents, sleeping bags and mattresses for adventure tours to the Simien and Bale Mountains or camping tours in the South Omo Valley and Danakil Depression.
» FLEXIBILITY
We are very flexibleio every client’s suggestions to ensure our clients enjoy a perfect holiday. Our purpose and principle is to work with each client, family and group individually. We encourage our clients to discuss their expectations, interest, budget etc., to be able to arrange a custom made tour just for you.
» PAST CLIENTS
The best and most reliable source of information is someone who has first-hand experience on something. Even better than a guidebook, our past clients are a great and reliable source of information. Most of them have stayed in constant touch with us even after going back home and are willing to have their contacts given out to potential clients.
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TRIP OVERVIEW
In January we have a special Timkat Festival. It is observed in commemoration of Jesus Christ’s baptism in River Jordan. The celebration of Timket starts on the eve of the main festival. On this day people go to nearby churches for prayers, and in the afternoon, replicas of the Arc of the covenant are taken out of every church, accompanied by the priests, deacon, singers of the church, as well as ordinary people to the place where the baptism ceremony is held. In Gonder this colorful celebration will be held at the Bath of Fasildes, and this tour explore the North countries famous historic sites, such as the ancient city of Axum and the historic churches at Lalibela and the islands of the beautiful Lake Tana.
ITINERARY
DAY 1: WELCOME TO ETHIOPIA!
Upon arrival at Addis Ababa Airport, a representative from Blessed Tours will be waiting to pick you up at the airport and transfer you to your Hotel.
Depending on your arrival time, you may have time to explore the capital and visit sites like the National Museum (home of the world-famous human ancestor fossil Lucy), the Holy Trinity Cathedral and the Ethnological Museum, which will give you an insight into the history and culture of Ethiopia.
In the evening you will have the opportunity to sample the famous Ethiopian cuisine and see a cultural show at a restaurant in town before returning to your hotel for the night. (Activities and meals in Addis Ababa today are at your own expense).
DAY 1: BLUE NILE FALLS / EXPLORE LAKE TANA
Today we will take a spectacular flight to Bahar Dar. From the air we can gaze across the extraordinary nature of the Ethiopian Plateau, repeatedly cut by immensely deep gorges. Bahar Dar is a small but fast growing town on the southern shore of Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile. It has long attracted religious men and the area contains numerous churches and monasteries, many of them on the thirty or so islands of Lake Tana. The afternoon is free to enjoy the fantastic bird-watching around the lake or head into Bahar Dar itself and explore its local market. There is also the option of doing a half day excursion to the Blue Nile Falls (usually in the morning).
DAY 3: EXPLORE GONDAR
Drive to Gondar, once the old imperial capital founded in 1635 by Emperor Fasillides who built a palace and seven churches. During the next two days enlighten yourself with the historical significance of the “Camelot of Africa” in conjunction with the Timket festivities. Join the eve of the Epiphany festivities this afternoon at the bathhouse built by Emperor Fasiledes. The priest presents to the public the “Tabot”, a replica of the Tablets of Law, onto which the Biblical Ten Commandments were inscribed, utilized by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
DAY 4: GONDAR TIMKET FESTIVAL
This morning, faithful followers gather around medieval ruins at dawn for the conclusion of the Timket Festival when the water is blessed by the higher priest, who proceeds and splashes the water on those in attendance. Witness as some people immerse themselves in the bath. This afternoon, visit the royal enclosure containing six castles, a complex network of connecting tunnels and raised walkways. Proceed to the fascinating Debre Birhan Selassie Church with its walls and ceiling decorated with scenes of Biblical lore and medieval history. In the evening dine at one of the popular Ethiopian cultural restaurant for a traditional meal and dance performance.
DAY 5: TO AXUM
Fly to the heart of ancient Ethiopia, The ruins of the ancient city of Axum are a testament to the city’s former historical and political significance. Located in the heart of ancient Ethiopia, the ruins are remnants of a time when the Kingdom of Axum was one of the most powerful empires in the world, equal to Rome and Persia.
The remaining structures, which date from between the 1st and 13th century A.D., include enormous stelae, monolithic obelisks, royal tombs, monasteries and the ruins of ancient palaces.
For foreign visitors, the main attraction is the giant stelae which were erected by the Axumite in the pre-Christian times, presumably for religious purposes. One of these granite structures, the Great Stelae, is the biggest monolith in the world, measuring over 33 meters. It fell over sometime in the 4th century while it was being erected and remains in pieces on the ground to this day.
This tour will also include stops at the Bath and Palace of the Queen of Sheba and the tombs of King Kaleb and King Bazen, which are thought to be some of the earliest discovered structures.
The legendary Ark of the Covenant believed to be kept in a chapel near the St. Mary of Zion Church. It is guarded by a priest who is responsible for its care and preservation for life and nobody else is allowed to see it. Men can walk up to the chapel, but women are unfortunately not allowed on the site.
After a day of visiting these incredible ruins, you will look forward to a bit of rest and a good meal at your hotel.
DAY 6: LALIBELA AND ROCK-HEWN CHURCHES
This morning fly to the most unique Christian sites of Ethiopia. Lalibela is regarded as one of Ethiopia’s holiest cities (second only to Axum) and is an important center of pilgrimage. Religious rituals are central to the life of the town and there are often processions of priests and crowds of singing and dancing devotees. This in combination with Lalibela’s extraordinary history and architecture gives this small town a timeless and biblical atmosphere.
The most famous attractions in Lalibela are the monolithic rock-hewn churches, which are the biggest monolithic temples in the world, and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The rest of today will be dedicated to exploring these architectural wonders. Nothing will prepare you for what you are about to see. Every individual church is unique in shape, size and perfectly carved and decorated by hand. Some of the churches you will see along your tour today are the historically interesting churches Bet Medhane Alem (the largest monolithic church in the world and home to the Lalibela Cross) and Bet Maryam (possibly the oldest of the churches).
The most iconic and visually spectacular of these churches is the Bet Giyorgis (St. George’s). The 15-meter high structure is carved out of the rock, excavated externally and internally into the shape of the Greek cross. This church is often referred to as the “Eighth Wonder of the World” and is therefore a must-see on this trip! You will have a local guide showing you around who will be able to tell you everything you want to know about these historic buildings.
If you are lucky, you will be in Lalibela during one of the annual festivals or religious ceremonies of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. During ceremonies, which can last a whole day, you may witness hundreds of white-clad priests sing and dance to the rhythms of drums.
At the end of the day you will return to your hotel for some rest and a nice dinner.
DAY 7: CULTURE AND COFFEE IN LALIBELA
There are several fascinating churches and monasteries carved into the landscape surrounding the town of Lalibela itself, and today we will go on an excursion to visit one of them. After breakfast, you will drive 50 km outside of Lalibela to the beautiful Yemerehana Christos Monastery, one of Ethiopia’s best-preserved late Aksumite churches. Be sure to go inside to look at the walls that have been painted with murals depicting scenes from the Bible.
You will have a packed lunch with you on the trip, which you can enjoy as you gaze at the incredible mountain views.
In the afternoon, you will return to Lalibela to experience a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony. This is one of the most important parts of the Ethiopian culture and therefore a must-do on your trip to the country. The ceremony will take you through all of the steps of preparing and brewing coffee. Be sure to savor the flavors of the coffee during your tasting.
DAY 8: RETURN TO ADDIS ABABA
Fly this morning to Addis Ababa and proceed to visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral, the largest and most magnificent church in Ethiopia. It is the resting place of the last Emperor (Halie Selassie) after lunch continue to the Merkato Outdoor Market; on the largest on the African continent. Early this evening enjoy a “farewell dinner” and coffee ceremony at a famous traditional Ethiopian restaurant. After sampling the various national dishes, enjoy an Ethiopian Folkloric show, before transferring to the airport for your flight home.
DAY 1: Welcome to Ethiopia!
Upon arrival at Addis Ababa Airport, a representative from Blessed Tours will be waiting to pick you up at the airport and transfer you to your Hotel.
Depending on your arrival time, you may have time to explore the capital and visit sites like the National Museum (home of the world-famous human ancestor fossil Lucy), the Holy Trinity Cathedral and the Ethnological Museum, which will give you an insight into the history and culture of Ethiopia.
In the evening you will have the opportunity to sample the famous Ethiopian cuisine and see a cultural show at a restaurant in town before returning to your hotel for the night. (Activities and meals in Addis Ababa today are at your own expense).
DAY 2: Blue Nile Falls / Explore Lake Tana
DAY 3: Explore Gondar
DAY 4: Gondar Timket Festival
DAY 5: To Axum
DAY 6: Lalibela and Rock-Hewn Churches
DAY 7: Culture and Coffee in Lalibela
DAY 8: Return to Addis Ababa
