Ethiopian Festival Tours | Easter Festival

Senait Ethiopia Tours

TOUR CODE: SET023

TOUR TYPE: FESTIVAL AND HISTORIC

DURATION: 9 DAYS/ 8 NIGHTS

MEANS OF TRANSPORT: DRIVE & FLIGHT

PROGRAM

TRIP OVERVIEW

In this fascinating country, you will be amazed to witness how ancient historical traditions have been preserved in a remarkable manner for thousands of years. And, indeed, the ceremonies and rituals of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church open a window on the authentic world of the Old Testament. Like nowhere else in this country you will find yourself so dramatically transported back in time or to participate with such freedom in the sacred rituals of an ancient faith.

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    Day 01, Arrive Addis Ababa
    Arrive in Addis Ababa (ADD), Ethiopia. Welcome to Ethiopia! Upon arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, you will be welcomed and assisted by your tour guide and driver for the transfer to your Hotel (4*). There will be a short drive to your hotel. If you arrive in the morning, we will arrange a city tour.

    Day 02, Addis Ababa-Bahirdar (B-D)
    In the morning, drive to Bahirdar through the Great Blue Nile Gorge with a stopover at different small towns like Dejen, Chancho and Goha Tsion. 

    Day 03, Lake Tana-Blue Nile Falls-Bahir Dar (B-D)
    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 Homeland Hotel/Similar

    Day 04, Bahir Dar-Gondar (B-D)
    After breakfast, drive to Gondar through the beautiful countryside scenery to arrive at Gondar around lunchtime. After lunch tour of the ancient city of Gondar.

    Day 05, Excursion Simien Mountains National Park (B-D)
    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.

    Day 06, Gondar – Lalibela (B-D)
    After breakfast start driving through the spectacular landscape to Lalibela. En route we will stop at Awramba. This community has been founded by Zumra Nuru in 1972 with the aim to live together peacefully, working collaboratively, sympathetically and cheerfully. They treat each other as brothers and sisters. Gender equality and care for the elderly is also a major subject.

    Day 07, Good Friday at Lalibela (B-D)
    After having an early breakfast, we will drive to the site where we find a concentration of some of Ethiopia’s most famous rock-hewn churches, mostly referred by many as “the living wonders of the world”
    The rock-hewn churches that we will visit today include: Bete Medhani Alem, Bete Mariam, Bete Meskel, Bete Denagil, Bete Golgotha Michael and Bete Giorgis. In the afternoon, witness the Good Friday ceremony at Bete Mariam rock-hewn church. This is a special day for Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and it is celebrated with a great devotion and in a very ancient way. On this day, the faithful who has been fasting the whole day without any water or food, dressed in their dazzling white cloths, folk to St. Mary’s church to attend the prayers and performance of the priest and deacons. It really creates a special feeling to witness the devotion of the faithful and the special practices made on this day remembering the suffering of Jesus Christ when he was crucified. Every performance of the priest and the deacons as well as the devotion of the people takes you centuries back.

    Day 08, Lalibela (B-D)
    In the morning you will continue your journey into Ethiopia’s long and marvellous past with a visit to other St. Lalibela’s remarkable churches. The rock-hewn churches that you will visit this afternoon include: Bete Gebriel, Bete Mercorios Bete Emanuel, Bethlehem and Bete Aba Libanos. In the afternoon, you will visit one of the most colourful annual Easter Market at Lalibela. In the evening, you will witness one of the most important ceremonies of Easter in one of the biggest rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, Bete MedhaniAlem.
    In the evening all the rock-hewn churches will be filled with people who have been fasting for 55 days. None of them have eaten anything at least for a day and half without any water and food. They are here to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and there will be prayers and candle light ceremonies accompanied by chanting and dancing of the priest until 3:00 in the morning. It’s only after the ceremony is over that everybody goes home to break the fasting with the special Easter meal and the feast which has begun at the church continues all day long and the weeks to come.

    Day 09, Ethiopian Easter Lalibela-Addis Ababa-Departure (B-D)
    After breakfast, transfer to Lalibela airport for the flight to Addis Ababa. Depending on your departure an optional city tour can be arranged.
    In the evening, there will be Grand Holidays’ complimentary special Easter farewell dinner party with traditional special buffet and local drinks. Flight schedule permitting). There will also be cultural dance show of the different ethnic groups living in the country. There will not be any better way of ending a trip. At the end of the farewell dinner, transfer to Addis Ababa airport for the flight back. End of tour!

  • DAY 1: Arrive Addis Ababa

    Arrive in Addis Ababa (ADD), Ethiopia. Welcome to Ethiopia! Upon arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, you will be welcomed and assisted by your tour guide and driver for the transfer to your Hotel (4*). There will be a short drive to your hotel. If you arrive in the morning, we will arrange a city tour.

  • DAY 2: Addis Ababa-Bahirdar (B-D)

    In the morning, drive to Bahirdar through the Great Blue Nile Gorge with a stopover at different small towns like Dejen, Chancho and Goha Tsion.

  • DAY 3: Lake Tana-Blue Nile Falls-Bahir Dar (B-D)

    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.

  • DAY 4: Bahir Dar-Gondar (B-D)

    After breakfast, drive to Gondar through the beautiful countryside scenery to arrive at Gondar around lunchtime. After lunch tour of the ancient city of Gondar.

  • DAY 5: Excursion Simien Mountains National Park (B-D)

    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.

  • DAY 6: Gondar – Lalibela (B-D)

    After breakfast start driving through the spectacular landscape to Lalibela. En route we will stop at Awramba. This community has been founded by Zumra Nuru in 1972 with the aim to live together peacefully, working collaboratively, sympathetically and cheerfully. They treat each other as brothers and sisters. Gender equality and care for the elderly is also a major subject.

  • DAY 7: Good Friday at Lalibela (B-D)

    After having an early breakfast, we will drive to the site where we find a concentration of some of Ethiopia’s most famous rock-hewn churches, mostly referred by many as “the living wonders of the world”

    The rock-hewn churches that we will visit today include: Bete Medhani Alem, Bete Mariam, Bete Meskel, Bete Denagil, 

     

    Bete Golgotha Michael and Bete Giorgis. In the afternoon, witness the Good Friday ceremony at Bete Mariam rock-hewn church. This is a special day for Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and it is celebrated with a great devotion and in a very ancient way. On this day, the faithful who has been fasting the whole day without any water or food, dressed in their dazzling white cloths, folk to St. Mary’s church to attend the prayers and performance of the priest and deacons. It really creates a special feeling to witness the devotion of the faithful and the special practices made on this day remembering the suffering of Jesus Christ when he was crucified. Every performance of the priest and the deacons as well as the devotion of the people takes you centuries back.

  • DAY 8: Lalibela (B-D)

    In the morning you will continue your journey into Ethiopia’s long and marvellous past with a visit to other St. Lalibela’s remarkable churches. The rock-hewn churches that you will visit this afternoon include: Bete Gebriel, Bete Mercorios Bete Emanuel, Bethlehem and Bete Aba Libanos. In the afternoon, you will visit one of the most colourful annual Easter Market at Lalibela. In the evening, you will witness one of the most important ceremonies of Easter in one of the biggest rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, Bete MedhaniAlem.

    In the evening all the rock-hewn churches will be filled with people who have been fasting for 55 days. None of them have eaten anything at least for a day and half without any water and food. They are here to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and there will be prayers and candle light ceremonies accompanied by chanting and dancing of the priest until 3:00 in the morning. 

    It’s only after the ceremony is over that everybody goes home to break the fasting with the special Easter meal and the feast which has begun at the church continues all day long and the weeks to come.

  • DAY 9: Ethiopian Easter Lalibela-Addis Ababa-Departure (B-D)

    After breakfast, transfer to Lalibela airport for the flight to Addis Ababa. Depending on your departure an optional city tour can be arranged.

    In the evening, there will be Grand Holidays’ complimentary special Easter farewell dinner party with traditional special buffet and local drinks. Flight schedule permitting). There will also be cultural dance show of the different ethnic groups living in the country. There will not be any better way of ending a trip. At the end of the farewell dinner, transfer to Addis Ababa airport for the flight back. End of tour!

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CONTACT WITH US

+251 116 294039

info@senaitethiopia.com