Duration of Ethiopia Meskel Festival Tour : 12 Nights/ 13 Days
Introduction
Meskel is one of the most colorful festivals celebrated in Ethiopia for more than 1600 years. Meskel always have been celebrated in a beautiful weather at the end of the rain season, with a lot of dancing, feasting and lighting a massive bonfire to commemorate the discovery of the true cross on which Jesus Christ has been crucified.
This festival tour provides a traveler with a practical image of the 3000 years 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 amazing rock-hewn churches of Lalibela and many more. Join us on this journey of discovery as we witness an ancient African culture and civilization.
You can attend one of the most colorful festivals celebrated by orthodox religion followers is Ethiopian timket.
Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Addis Ababa
Arrive in Addis Ababa. Welcomes greet! Upon arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, you will be welcomed and assisted by your tour guide and driver for the transfer to the Hotel. There will be a short drive to your hotel. In you arrive in the morning we can arrange an optional city tour. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 02: Drive Addis Ababa to Bahir dar
In the morning, drive to Bahir dar through the Great Blue Nile Gorge with a stopover at different small towns like Dejen, Chancho and GohaTsion. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 03: Lake Tana-Blue Nile Falls-Bahir Dar
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.
Overnight in Hotel.
Day 04: Drive Bahir Dar to Gondar (African Camelot)
After breakfast, drive to Gondar through the beautiful countryside scenery to arrive at Gondar around lunchtime.
After lunch tour of the ancient city of Gonder. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 05: drive Gondar to Simien Mountains –Debark
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. Overnight: in Hotel.
Day 06: Simien Mountains National Park-Axum
After breakfast start driving to Axum through the beautiful sceneries of Simien Mountains, Limalimo, Tekeze River Gorge. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 07: Sightseeing in Axum
After breakfast, we will start to visit the ancient city of Axum which include: the Stele Square, Kaleb Tombs, the 4thcentury 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. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 08: Drive Axum to Mekele
In the morning, drive to Mekele, through the stunning and historical mountains of Adwa en-route visiting the Pre-Christian temple of Yeha and Wikro Cherkos.
Overnight in Hotel.
Day 09:Drive Mekele to Lalibela
After breakfast, start driving north to Lalibela through Sekota en-route you will visit Yemrhane Kirstos and different villages of the Agwe tribal people. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 10: Colorfull Meskel Eve at Lalibela with Demera ceremony
In the morning, visit the first group of rock-hewn churches. The rock-hewn churches that we will visit today include: Bete MedhaniAlem, Bete Mariam, Bete Meskel, Bete Denagil. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 11: Attend festivity of Ethiopia Meskel Festival in Lalibela
In the morning, we will witness one of the most colorful festivals held in Ethiopia, the Meskel Festival at Lalibela.
The rest of the day, we will continue our journey into Ethiopia’s long and marvelous past with a visit to other St. Lalibela remarkable churches. The rock-hewn churches that we will visit this afternoon include: Bete Gebriel, Bete Merkorios, Bete Amanuel, Bethlehem and Bete Aba Libanos. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 12: Lalibela-Kombolcha
In the morning drive to Kombolcha on top of the amazing Yeju Wadla Delanta land-bridge, a high land plateau which adjoins the Wollo and Gondar regions and the beautiful Lasta Mountains.
You will also be driving through the towns of Woldia and Dessie. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 13: Kombolcha-Addis Ababa-Departure
In the morning, drive to Addis Ababa through Kemise, Ataye, Shewa robit and Debre sina. At Kemisie we will have the chance to see multi-tribal local market.
In the evening, farewell dinner party with traditional special buffet and local drinks at the end of the farewell dinner, transfer to Addis Ababa airport for the flight back.
Departure
……………..End of Ethiopia Meskel Festival Tour arrangement ………………
Contact Us For The Price and Booking
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