9 Days & 8 Nights Historical Route Combined with Meskel Festival Tours

9 Days & 8 Nights

Duration

7/10

Physicality

Addis Ababa, Gondar, Amhara

Location

Afar Danakil Depression Tours

This classic Meskel (Finding of the True Cross) festival tour combine a tour of the famous historical sites with the exuberant festivities – takes you to experience one of the greatest and most colourful festivals, celebrated with great devotion, chanting, dancing, and singing, carrying bumming torches converge on to the square, where a pyre is lit and the celebrations, symbolically heralding the advent of a new year after the rainy season is over.

Additional information

Destination	Gondar, Semien Mountains

September 19: Arrival Addis Ababa

Meet at Bole International airport and transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is exploring the town of Addis Ababa; we begin with the National Museum to view the 3.6 million year old remains of Lucy, whose skeletal remains were discovered in 1974, Holy Trinity Cathedrals and time permitting Mount Entoto which rises up to an altitude of 3200 meters and offers the panoramic view of the metropolis and Mercato the open market. Optional tour to Fistula Hospital is a remarkable place to visit, and is considered the best-run charity in the country
Overnight Jupiter International Hotel.

September 20: Addis Ababa-Bahir Dar

At a morning fly to Bahir Dar, and afternoon drive to the Tis Isat Village and visit the Blue Nile Falls. This misty deluge produces rainbows that shimmer across the gorge as well as a small perennial rainforest of lush green vegetation, to the delight of the many monkeys and multi-coloured birds that inhabit the region.

September 21: Bahir Dar

Take a boat tour on Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile, and visit ancient island monasteries over the islands such as Ura Kidanemihret and Azoa Mariam
In the afternoon City tour in Bahir dar that includes the colour full market, Emperor Haile Sillasse palace located at Bezawit hill with panorama view to the out let of Nile.
Overnight Tana Hotel.

September 22: Bahir Dar - Gondar

8:00 Am. Meet at the lobby and drive to Gondar 175km/ 120 miles takes about 4 hours with photo stops.
After noon exploring the town of Gondar that includes the buildings that make up the Royal Enclosure and the baths of Fassilides , a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring five castles built by a succession of Ethiopian Kings beginning in the early 17th century and Debre Berhan Selassie Church, perhaps the country’s most famous Church famous for its religious art and especially its iconic ceiling depicting angels and end the visit with Welleka village (Ethiopian Jew Village) Overnight Goha Hotel.

September 23: Gondar - Lalibela

At a morning fly to Lalibela, after check in to Roha Hotel start to explore the remarkable rock hewn churches of Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This group of eleven monolithic and semi-monolithic structures were carved directly into the stone of the mountainside at least 800 years ago. This complex boasts the largest monolithic church in the world, a maze of passageways and tunnels, intricately carved reliefs, and fabulous examples of icon paintings. Overnight Roha Hotel.

September 24: Lalibela

Take a morning hike with mules (optional) or drive to Mount Asheton Mariam monastery, dated back to 13th century with great views of the area. Or, take an excursion to Yemrehanna Kristos, a beautiful church situated in a shallow cave that actually predates the churches of Lalibela. The drive to Yemrehanna will also give you the opportunity to view the rural countryside and villages of the Ethiopian highlands. Following lunch, continue your tour of the Lalibela churches. Overnight Roha Hotel.

September 25: Lalibela - Axum

Morning fly to Axum After check in to hotel start exploring Axum, Visit the Stele park, carved out of single granite stone of the pre Christian Era, Axum archaeological Museum, the palace and tombs of Kings Kaleb, the trilingual 4th century inscription.
After noon, visit the 17th century Church of St. Mary standing near to the ruins of an earlier 4th century church and is the country’s oldest and holiest Christian shrine. End the tour at the remnant palace of the legendary Queen Sheba.
Overnight at the Sabean Hotel.

September 26: Axum- Addis Ababa - Meskel Festival

Fly back to Addis and the whole afternoon we will witness the colour full Meskel Festival held at Meskel Square. This ceremony is coincides with the mass blooming of the bright yellow Meskel daisies, are tied to fronds, and piled high in town squares. Colorful processions carrying bumming torches converge on to the square, where a pyre is lit and the celebrations continue until dawn, symbolically heralding the advent of a new year after the rainy season is over.
At evening we dine a fair well dinner at Habesha 2000 traditional restaurant with folklore music and dances. Overnight Jupiter International Hotel.

September 27: Addis Ababa

We will have more sightseeing’s in Addis Ababa that includes Ethnographic Museum and St. George Cathedral. Then transfer to the airport for departure.