Meskel Festival Trips

Meet Enter Ethiopia Tours representative at exit of luggage claim and transfer you to the hotel.  Depending to your arrival time site see in Addis Ababa city.

Overnight stay in Sapphire Addis Hotel, or similar standard

We first visit in Addis Ababa will be the National Museum (pre historic, cultural, archaeological attractions), Ethnographic Museum of Addis Ababa University (culture, dressing style, traditional practices of over 80 ethnic groups, and collection of traditional musical instruments).

After lunch drive to Entoto Mountain – 3000 meter above sea level, and visit Emperor Minelik’s Palace, St. Raguel’s Church Late in the afternoon attend the Eve of Maskal celebration “Demera” (on September 26 every year by lighting “Demera”, the bonfire which honors the memory of the bonfire of the Queen Elleni and her discovery of the site of the True Cross and the beginning of the excavation of the site.

In the evening, we will have invite you one of the best traditional restaurants of Addis where you can see the folk dances of the Ethiopian people and taste Ethiopian variety of meals.

Overnight stay in in Sapphire Addis Hotel, or similar standard.

Early morning, a short flight will take us to Bahir Dar. Upon arrival, we will be met by our tour guides, drive to a hotel where you will check and rest for few minutes.

Our first visit will be to Lake Tana on a boat ride where we will visit to the medieval period island monasteries (beautiful mural paintings, religious books & sacred) on Lake Tana such as, Entos and on the Zegien peninsula visit Ura Kidan Mehiret, Azuwa Mariam, Mahal Giorgis and if time allowed: Kibran Gabriel (only for men)  

After lunch, we will drive (some 30 Km) and visit to the Blue Nile Falls. And visit the surrounding area

Overnight stay in Avanti Blue Nile resort hotel, Bahir Dar.

This day we will be drive to Gondar right after breakfast. After we reach to Gonder and check in to the hotel we will visit to the Royal Castles (built in the 17th Century A.D. that is surrounded by high stone walls containing the 17th century palaces of King Fassiladas, King Iyasu and Queen Mentewab and different other buildings.), And Debre Birhan Selassie Church (Trinity at the Mount of Light) has a ceilings decorated with beautiful winged Angels, and its walls with impressive scene depicting biblical events, including; St. May, the Saints, martyrs and the life of Christ.

After lunch continue our visit to the Bath of Emperor Fasiledes (the bath is filled with water for the important Timkat (epiphany) ceremony once a year. The ceremony replicates Christ’s baptism in the Jordan River, and is seen as an important renewal of faith.).

Depending on the time we can visit also the Castle of Empress Mintewab, and Kuskwam Complex which is a royal compound built by the Empress Mentewab. Inside the palace look out the figures of crosses and Ethiopian characters and animals, such as St Samuel riding his lion.

In the evening, we will visit ‘AzmariBet’ at Traditional Music Houses if you are interested you will have dinner at the cultural restaurant or in hotel

Overnight stay in Goha hotel or similar standard

This day morning, a short flight will take us to Axum where you will check into a hotel. After a short break, we will visit to the Steal of Axum, the Inscription of Ezana, Queen Sheba’s Palace, the Famous St. Mary of Zion Church, Ruins of Ancient Palaces (built until 4th Century A.D.), all day with lunch break in between while attend the Axum Zion festival (the festival is directly associated with the Ark of the Covenant as described in the Bible (Samuel I) to commemorates the festival honors the entrance of the Ark of the Covenant into Ethiopia).

 Overnight stay in Yared Zema hotel or similar standard.

After breakfast drive to Mekele in route you will visit the 5th century BC temple of Yeha Believed to be Ethiopia’s first capital, Yeha was first uncovered in a complex archeological excavation around a courtyard at the beginning of the 20th C. The first settlers of this area, the Sabeans, were the founders of the Axumite kingdom. And Debredamo monastery/optional /, Visit the Al Negash Mosque and proceed to Mekele for overnight.

Overnight in Mekele Planet or similar standard.

After having your breakfast, leave Mekelle and drive through the Chain Mountains of Ambalage. On the way we will admire the landscape and the small towns of Amhara tribes. Proceed to the 12th C legendary and holly city of Lalibela.

Overnight in Maribela hotel or similar standard.

Today will be the day to explore the mysterious eleven rock-hewn monolithic churches of Lalibela (the UNESCO World heritage site) this group of eleven monolithic and semi-monolithic structures were carved directly into the stone of the mountainside at least 800 years ago. This complex boasts the largest monolithic church in the world, a maze of passageways and tunnels, intricately carved reliefs, and fabulous examples of icon paintings. The first group of six churches lies in rock cradles, one behind the other: Bet Golgotha, Bet Mikeal, Bet Mariam, Bet Maskel, Bet Dangal and Bet Medhanealem. Bet Medhanealem, after lunch we will visit to the second group of churches located to the south of the river Jordan. The second group comprises Bet Giyorgis, possibly the most elegant of all the Lalibela churches. Bet Giyorgis lies somewhat isolated to the southwestern part of the village on a slopping rock terrace and can only be reached through a tunnel.

The group of four churches, south of the river Jordan River, comprises Bet Emanuel, Bet Mercurios, Bet Aba Libanos and Bet Gabriel and Rufeal. Bet Emanuel’s elaborated exterior has been much praised by international art historians.

Overnight in Maribela hotel or similar standard.

Right after breakfast, an early morning drive will take you to historical churches around Lalibela like the Hill Church of Asheton Mariam (on the back of a mule or on foot), Yimerhane  Kirsotos, Nakute LeAb or Genete Maryam.

Overnight in Maribela hotel or similar standard.

After a relaxed breakfast, a short flight will bring you back to Addis Ababa. You will arrive in Addis Ababa midday/early afternoon where you will do some shopping for souvenirs.

Finally you will be taken to a farewell dinner depending on your scheduled flight; you will be transferred out to Bole International Airport for return flight back home.