This classic Genna ( Christmas ) festival tour combine a tour of the famous historical sites with the exuberant festivities – takes you to experience one of the greatest and most colourful festivals, celebrated with great devotion, chanting, dancing, and singing around the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela. The adventure continues in Axum, where the grandeur of the obelisks and historical landmarks awaits, followed by a journey to Gheralta, offering a glimpse into Ethiopia’s rich religious heritage with visits to Debre Damo and Adigrat. Delve into an exploration of Gheralta’s remarkable rock-hewn churches, culminating in the awe-inspiring Abune Yemata and Georgis Maykado.
Finally, the itinerary offers a visit to Wukro’s notable churches before concluding the expedition in Mekele with a blend of cultural immersion and farewell festivities. This meticulously crafted itinerary promises an unforgettable odyssey through Ethiopia’s cultural tapestry, inviting you to unravel its treasures and timeless allure.
Itinerary
Day 1 :
Arrival and City tour in Addis
Up on arrival you will be welcomed by our representative and transfer to your hotel. We will start our tour from Entoto park to have a panoramic view of the city. On the way back, stop by the National Museum to see Lucy , 3.2 million-year old bones (a female skeleton).
After lunch , continue to see the Holy Trinity Cathedral church built by Emperor Haile Silassie in 1944 .Finally ,continue to visit Merkato, the biggest open air market in Africa .
O/n Addis
Day 2 :
Fly to Lalibela and attend christmas ceremony
Today you fly to Lalibela to see the Wonder land and UNESCO world heritage site of Lalibela Churches . You will start the tour in the afternoon to see the first group of the Marvelous rock churches .In the evening around 10pm, you will attend the Ethiopian Christmas Eve ceremony with the pilgrims at Bete Mariam Rock Church. The ceremony starts at night and continues into the early AM hours.
The Ethiopian Orthodox priest and deacons chant throughout the night and the faithful clap to the drumbeat. During midnight, there will be a candle lighting ceremony to commemorate the birth of our lord Jesus Christ. Then priests form a line and start dancing to show King David’s dance. Enjoy the ceremony until the end through the night or return back to your accommodation.
O/n Lalibela
Day 3 :
Excursion to Na'akuto La'ab Monastery
In the morning , drive 7 km south of Lalibela to see Nakuto La'ab Monastery and the beautiful landscape , this church is found inside a natural cavern in the highlands surrounding the town. The church has marvelous treasure and amazing paintings .
In the afternoon, visit the Southeastern Cluster of churches – Bet Gabriel-Rufael, Bet Merkorios, Bet Amanual, and Bet Abba Libanos. Finally, visit the most famous of all the churches – Bet Giyorgis, a huge monolith in the shape of a cross, and constructed in honor of St. George, the patron saint of Ethiopia.
O/n Lalibela
Day 4 :
Fly to Axum and City tour
Up on arrival in Axum airport you will be welcomed by our agent and take you to your hotel, after check in continue to visit the historical city of Axum and its main attractions; the giant obelisks of Axum , underground tombs , Ezana inscriptions , tombs of king Kaleb and G/meskel , St.Mary of zion church and the Queen of Sheba's palace as well as highlights of the beautiful town .
Overnight in Axum
Day 5 :
Axum - Gheralta
Early in the morning after breakfast , we drive to the great temple of Yeha ,the center of sabean civilization 55km east of Axum via the historic mountains of Adwa . Then we continue our tour to visit one of the ancient monasteries of Debre Damo dated back to 6thc A.D . The only access to climb to the magnificent church is using leather rope and climbing a 15m high cliff. This flat topped mountain is a spectacular and very religious site for Orthodox Christians found in Ethiopia .
After that we head to Adigrat and pass through the chain mountains , beautiful landscape of Tigray and we will drive over 3000m to reach the town.
In the afternoon ,after lunch we continued our drive to stay overnight .
Day 6 :
Visit Gheralta Churches
Today you will hike some of the marvelous ancient rock hewn churches around Gheralta mountain . Mariam korkor and daniel Korkor in the morning and afternoon we continues to see Mariam Papasit church
Overnight: hawzen
Day 7 :
Gheralta and Gheralta Mountains
After breakfast , we drive to west of Hawzien to see one of the most outstanding church of Abune Yemata built on top of a hill with an hour hike and the church is unique for its paintings , difficult climbing , treasure as well as its spectacular view of gheralta areas.
Afternoon , we proceed to see another ancient and beautiful church of Georgis Maykado built in the 4thc A.D according to the priests, then return to the town of Hawzen and walk around to see what it looks like.
O/n Hawzen
Day 8 :
Visit wukro Churches - Mekele
After breakfast , we drive to south of Hawzien to see one of the most outstanding church of Abune Abraham built on top of a hill with an hour hike and the church is unique for its paintings, size and height , treasure and tunnel as well as its spectacular view of gheralta area.Then, we drive to Abraha we Atsbeha church built by the two Axumite kings in the 4th c A.D and stop at wukro for lunch .
Finally , we drive to the northern star city of Mekele and transfer to Alula Aba Nega Mekele airport in the evening to Addis Ababa. Evening , attend a welfare program at a traditional restaurant with musical dancing then transfer to Bole airport to depart home .
