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Historical Tour of Ethiopia & Meskel Festival – 8 Days

Not Rated
Duration

8 days

Tour Type

Daily Tour

Group Size

Unlimited

Languages

English

Historical Tour of Ethiopia & Meskel Festival

Join us on an Ethiopian Historical Tour, which will feature the 2019 Meskel Festival. Explore Ethiopia’s intriguing history by seeing historic towns, scenic hinterlands, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the rock-hewn cathedrals of Lalibela. The primary Meskel festival includes the lighting of a massive bonfire, known as the Demera, in Addis Abeba’s Meskel Square.

This narrative is based on a revelation by the mother of Constantine the Great, the first Christian Roman Emperor, which revealed the exact position of the True Cross. The ancient holiday, which goes back 1,600 years, is commemorated with massive nightly bonfires attended by big, orderly but boisterous torch-carrying hordes of people followed by ornately robed priests bearing silver Coptic crosses.

The flowering of the cross-shaped Meskel daisies also marks the end of the 3-month long rainy season and the return of the sun. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that should not be missed!

 

 

 

 

 

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Highlights

  • Lake Tana
  • City tour of Addis
  • Lalibela
  • Yemrehanna Kristos
  • Nakuto Leab

Day 1: Arrival and fly to Bahir Dar

Hotel: Kuriftu Resort and Spa

Meal: Dinner

Day 2: BAHIR DAR

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Kuriftu Resort and Spa

Day 3: Drive Bahir Dar – Gondar

After breakfast, you will drive over land to Gonder which is some 180 kms. This day is dedicated for sightseeing of Gonder; the 16th century Royal enclosure famous for its 17th C castles that is known as the “African Camelot”, Fasil bath where Timkat (Epiphany) festival colorfully celebrated and one of the old churches Debre Birhan Selassie.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Hotel: Goha Hotel

Day 4: Fly Gondar – Lalibela

After breakfast fly out to Lalibela. After lunch break, proceed to visit the first group of rock-hewn churches, which are 6 in number and represent the earthly Jerusalem. Visit the remaining second group of churches which are 5 in number again and represent heavenly Jerusalem. And later conclude the visit by covering the third group of church, which is the cross-shaped and highlight of the Lalibela churches, St. George.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Hotel: Mountain View

Day 5: Excursion to Nakuto Leab and Yemrehanna Kristos

This day after having breakfast, you will visit the Nakuto Le’ab Monastery, king Nakuto abdicated his throne in 1270 AD and went to a cave to lead a hermit’s life. This cave has ever since became a monastery and has dramatic setting. In the afternoon, you will take an excursion to visit Yemerehane Kirstos, located in a mountain ridge, in the peak of Abuna Yosef. This exquisite church, a masterpiece of Axumit wood and stone construction and renewed for its interior decoration. The walls are subdivided vertically with recessions and projections.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Hotel: Mountain View Hotel

Day 6: Fly Lalibela – Addis, visit eve of Meskel

Meal: Breakfast & Dinner

Hotel: Hilton Hotel

Day 7:

Go for the place the Demera to use the ash on the forehead and celebrate the holiday at local restaurants.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Hotel: Hilton Hotel

Day 8: Addis Ababa

City tour of Addis Ababa and farewell

Meal(s) Included: Dinner

  • Hotel accommodation on a double/ twin room occupancy on bed and breakfast basis
  • Dinner as stated in the sketched program
  • All private airport transfer and ground transportation as per the program
  • City tour of Addis
  • Drinking water throughout the trip
  • An English speaking professional escort guide
  • Boat cruise on Lake Tana
  • All entrances and 15% tax fee.
  • Airfare
  • Lunch
  • Early check-in and day-use room
  • Photographic and video fees
  • Porter fee
  • Gratuities, Alcoholic beverages, and other personal related expenses

English

Tour's Location

from $2,775.99

Owner

emmanuel

Member Since 2021

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