9-DAYS TIMKET (EPIPHANY DAY CELEBRATION)

Ethiopian Epiphany:

Epiphany of Ethiopia is one of the fascinating festival which falls on January 19 & 20, the day before the baptism is known as “Ketera” means blocking the water by Geeze language, the holly Tabot (Ark of the covenant) is removed from each church to a central area where the ceremony takes place with the colorful umbrella and clothes, after staying the all night in tent, early assemble around the Tabot and sprinkle holly water over all Christians presents there, then get back to the church by spiritual songs & ecclesiastical dance of the priests also all the Christians. Timket (Ethiopian Epiphany)

Duration: 7 Nights / 8 Days

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: Axum

Fly to Axum and after check in to the hotel, start visiting the Stele. It is the great 4th Century Obelisks, these blocks of granite is carved in a representation of multi-storied buildings; the tallest at over 33 meters represents a 13 storey building. Also see Queen Sheba’s Bath, the King Kaleb and Gebre Mesquel Tombs, and the Tomb of King Bazen, the Archeological Museum, and the St. Mary Church of Zion (the original Ark of Covenant is believed to be rested in this Church). Overnight stay on Reserved Hotel

Day 3: Lalibela ‘’the 8th Wonders of the World’’

After breakfast, another short flight will take you to Lalibela. Upon arrival, you will be met by GEAET tour guides, drive to a hotel where you will check and rest for few minutes. 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 4: Asheton Mariam and Yimrehan Kristos churches

After breakfast you will go mules ride to the hilltop of Lalibela, the 13th century AD Semi- Monolithic Church of Asheten Mariam (2hrs ride per way) Or drive some 42kms to Yimrehane Kristos Church, it is built –up church under a huge basaltic cave, North East of Lalibela, On mountain ridge with an altitude of 2681m. Overnight stay on reserved Hotel

Day 5: Gondar ‘’the African of Camelot ‘’

Fly to Gonder up on arrival you will be met by EAET tour guides, drive to a hotel where you will check and rest for few minutes Then, you will visit to the Royal Castles & the Bath of Emperor Fasiledes (the bath is filled with water for the important Timkat (epiphany) ceremony once a year. You will continue your visit to Debre Birhan Selassie Church (Trinity at the Mount of Light), the Castle of Empress Mintewab, and Kuskwam Complex which is a royal compound built by the Empress Mentewab. Early in the evening, you will visit ‘Azmari Bet’ at Traditional Music Houses after which you will have dinner at the hotel. Overnight stay on Reserved Hotel

Day 6: Ketera

This day Ethiopian Orthodox Christians have celebrated Ketera, the eve of Timket (Ethiopian Epiphany). The Tabots ,Which symbolizes the Arc of the Covenant, were carries out in procession to a sites where the next day celebrate will takes place .Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 7: Timket (Ethiopian Epiphany)

This day we will attend the early in the morning. Chants and prayers have stopped during the night but will experience a renewed vitality in the morning. The holy water spraying will begin then. Each Orthodox Christian in Ethiopia believes that baptism is an opportunity to renew his vows. Next, new processions will be organized to accompany the tabots in their respective churches.

Day 8: Drive Bahir dar

After breakfast continue north to Bahir Dar. The four-hour drive will take you through rural villages, offering wonderful insight into the Amhara culture.  After briefly settling in your hotel, take a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit a selection of the monasteries hidden on the islands and shores of this sacred lake.  Visit the Zege Peninsula and the monasteries of Azuwa Maryam and Ura Kidane Mehret and the island monastery of Debre Maryam near the outlet of the Blue Nile River. In the afternoon drive out to the Blue Nill falls for a short hike in the area. Finish the day with the sunset over the lake. Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 9: Adds Ababa

After breakfast transfer to the airport and fly back to Addis Ababa, visit Mercato, one of Africa’s largest outdoor markets. 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.