14-DAYS ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS (GENNA)
Genna (Ethiopian Christmas)
Genna or its other name ios Lidet (Christmas) falls on 29 December, Ethiopian calendar (7 January, Gregorian calander), Christmas is celebrated after 43 days of fasting known as Tsome Gahad(Advent) ,with a spectacular procession, which begins at 6am and lasts until 3 pm.After the mass service, people go home to break the fast which the meat of chicken or lamb or beef accompanied with injera and traditional drinks.
Duration: 13Nights / 12Days
Tour Code: EAET504
Day 1: Arrival Addis Ababa and City Tour
On arrival Addis Ababa EAET representative will meet you at Bole international Airport and transfer to the Hotel, start visiting the city from National Museum, where Ethiopia’s oldest resident, Lucy is housed, Ethnological Museum at Addis Ababa University, continue with Holy trinity church and you will enjoy a panoramic view of the capital with fresh air hill top of Mount Entoto. Overnight stay on reserved Hotel
Day 2: Fly to Bahir Dar and Visit Lake Tana Island Monasteries & Blue Nile Falls
Early the morning take flight to Bahir Dar upon arrival, you will met GEAET Tour guides and transfer to the Hotel. After short beak you will take a boat trip to the medieval period island Monasteries on Lake Tana such as the Zegie Peninsula visit Ura Kidan Mihret, Azewa Mariyam and the island monastery of Debre Maryam near the outlet of the Blue Nile River. After lunch you will drive to the majestic Blue Nill falls. Overnight stay on reserved Hotel
Day 3: Drive to Gondar and City Tour
After breakfast continue north to Gondar. The four-hour drive will take you through rural villages, offering wonderful insight into the Amhara culture. After briefly settling in your hotel, explore the sites of Gondar, including a visit to the Royal Enclosure, with six castles and several other buildings. Additionally, visit Fasilidas’s Pool, still used for Timket celebrations today, Ras Gimb Palace Museum and the Debre Birhan Selassie church, with the most famous ceiling in Ethiopia. Overnight stay on reserved hotel
Day 4: Excursion to Simien Mountains
Early departure first to Debark and then to Sankabar the gateway to the Simien Mountain National park, a UNESCO World heritage site, in the afternoon trek between Sanakbar and the large waterfall jinbar , the trail proceeds along the vast escarpment ,first slightly uphill before starting a descent to the waterfall jinbar. Overnight stay on reserved hotel
Day 5: Simien Mountains – Axum
Take a scenic drive to Axum, capital of the ancient Axumite Empire, today modest town yet with great history and memory. On the road you would enjoy one of the most beautiful scenes in the country. Frequent stops to appreciate view points of Limalimo ,Tekeze river Gorge. Arrive in Axum late in the afternoon .Overnight stay on reserved hotel
Day 6: Axum City Tour
Morning after breakfast start visiting the sites of Axum, including the famous obelisks (one that was recently erected after being returned from Italy) and the archeological museum, the Queen of Sheba’s Bath (which supplies water to Axum year-round), Ezana’s enscription, King Kaleb’s tomb, King Bazen’s tomb, and the Queen of Sheba’s Palace. You can also visit the St. Mary of Zion church, where the ark of the Covenant is kept Men only are allowed to enter the old church.Unfortunately, no one (except one specially chosen guardian monk) is allowed to enter the chapel where the Ark is kept. Overnight stay on reserved hotel
Day 7: Axum – Hawzein
Drive from Axum to Hawzein via Adwa and Adigrat. Adwa is a town with tremendous importance to Ethiopians because it is in the hills surrounding that Menelik II defeated the conquering Italian army in March 1896. A visit to Yeha, dated back from the 8th to 5th centuries BC, and used to be the capital of Ethiopian civilization before Axum. Afterwards visit Debre Damo monastery where the man (no women allowed). Overnight stay on reserved hotel
Day 8: Gheralta
On this day you will visit two churches with climbing and an hour’s walking to reach the most popular churches are Abune Yemata and Mariam Korkor church, one of the largest and most interesting rock hewn churches in Tigary .in the afternoon Dugum Selassie church, Overnight stay on reserved hotel
Day 9: Excursion in Tigray Rock hewn church and drive to Mekele
After breakfast drive to Mekele en route visit more of Tigray Rock hewn church and ancient rock-hewn churches: Abraha Atsbeha, dating from the 10th century, the beautiful Wukro Chirkos after that continue to Mekele. Overnight stay on reserved hotel
Day 10: Mekele-Lalibela
Early morning, embark on a full day of driving to Lalibela. Here you will pass through several small villages, with typical sandstone homes of the Tigray people. Precede through this rural area for the stunning approach to the home of Ethiopia’s most prized destination, Lalibela. Overnight stay on reserved hotel
Day 11: Lalibela
Full day to discover the treasures of Lalibela; Your first visit will be to the eleven Rock-hewn Monolithic (carved from a single rock) Churches of Lalibela, The first group of Lalibela Churches includes: Bete Medhanialem, Bete Mariam, Bete Meskel, Bete Denagl and Bete Golgotha Michal, the second group of Lalibela Churches that includes: Bete Gebral, Bete Merquros, Bete Emanule, Betelehiam, Bete Aba Libanos and the spectacular cross-shaped St. George Church. Overnight stay in reserved Hotel
Day 12: Genna (Ethiopian Christmas)
This day we will attend attractive celebration at the famous sacred town of Lalibela with the spectacular religious celebration, it is known as “Beza Kulu” which is held at “Bete Mariam” church surrounding with the colorful priests dressing, chanting and ecclesiastical dance overnight , thousands of pilgrims attend this festivity
Day 13: Lalibela to Kombolcha
From Lalibela, you’ll start the journey back towards Addis, stopping overnight at the town of Kombolcha. Overnight stay on reserved hotel
Day 14: Kombolcha to Addis Ababa
From Kombolcha, you’ll complete the journey back to Addis, stopping on the way to see the historically important town of Ankober. Evening we will have fare well dinner in one of the Ethiopian restaurant for cultural dances from the different ethnic groups. Then transfer to the airport for flight back home.
- Note: The above program can be adjusted according to your time, Budget and interest.
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