5-Day Ethiopian Meskel Festival and Lalibela Tour

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Arrival in Addis Ababa and City Tour

Up on arrival at Bole international airport and met by our representatives and transfer to hotel. After check in to hotel, city tour of Addis. Which includes; National Museum, the home of the famous complete hominid fossil remains of Lucy dates 3.2 million years back, Mount Entoto, panoramic view point at the highest peak in Addis with an altitude of 3200 meter above sea level, Trinity Cathedral, a beautiful church with a baroque style of European architecture unique to both Ethiopia and Africa, Ethnographic Museum and Merkato (the largest open-air market in Africa).

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

Monarch Parkview Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City)

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+8 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Fly to Lalibela and Visit

Fly to Lalibela and take the airport shuttle transfer to the Town (40 minute) and visit the rock hewn churches of Lalibela. Lalibela is most famous for its churches. After lunch will drive to the site where we find a concentration of some of Ethiopians most famous Rock Hewn churches, mostly referred by many as ʺthe living wonders of the worldʺ these churches are an active christen shrine, the spiritual center of the counters religious life. Bete Medhanialem, the largest monolithic Rock hewn churches of the world, measures 37.7 ft in Height, covers an area of almost 2625 Square ft and has walls that are up to 6 feet thick. A plain building supported by 36 pillars on the inside and anther 38 pillars around the outside. Bete Medhanialem modeled on the original St. Merry-zion church build by king Ezana in 4th century at Axum. we will be the first group of churches included: Bete Medhanialem, Bete Mariam, Bete Meskel, Bete Denagl and Bete Gologota-we-Michal.

Main Destination:

Lalibela (Town)

Accommodation:

Top Twelve Hotel

• Budget hotel located in Lalibela (Town)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Visit Yimirhane Kiristos and The second Clusture of Lalibela Churhces

After breakfast we will drive to Yimrhanne-kirstos, Yimrhanne-kirsos located 2 Hour drive from Lalibela. Yemrehane-Kirstos church predates the Lalibela churches and was built using a completely different style of construction involving marble and wood. The church is built inside a cave. Pass through different villages and learn about local crops on different plateaus, spectacular scenery till your reach the church. Yimrhanne-kirstos is 80 years older than churches of Lalibela and it was a big impact for the Lalibela Church.
Let afternoon, we will attend Demera, the Eve of Meskel where the priest and deacons dressed in their colorful dress, singing and dancing march to a place near the churches to assemble the firework to be lit in the coming morning. The faithful, dressed in their dazzling white flock to this place most of them with a piece of firewood. Then goes the blessing, the chanting and dancing until the evening. It is a very colorful eve to be seen.

Main Destination:

Lalibela (Town)

Accommodation:

Top Twelve Hotel

• Budget hotel located in Lalibela (Town)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Attending Meskel Festival and Asheten Mariam Monastery

In the morning, we will witness one of the most colorful festivals held in Ethiopia, the Meskel Festival at Lalibela. Meskel festival commemorates the finding of the True cross on which Jesus Christ of Nazareth was crucified in Golgotha in the fourth century by Empress Helena, the mother of Constantine. After a mass song and prayer there will be a big boom fire for the commemoration of the Meskel festival.
After Lunch Drive to visit the monastery church of Asheten Maryam (3150m). Ashten Mariam monastery located 40-minute drive from Lalibela, enjoy the spectacular view starting you left the town, Asheten Mariam is the first church of king Lalibela but Lalibela he didn’t finish the church it was completed by his nephew and successor king Nakute-Laab. The church has ancient sculptures. After you visit the church walk to the near hill to enjoy the panoramic view of the area.

Main Destination:

Lalibela (Town)

Accommodation:

Top Twelve Hotel

• Budget hotel located in Lalibela (Town)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Fly back to Addis Ababa

In the morning, visit the nearby monastery of Naakuto-Laab, set on the side of a cliff. After the visit, proceed to the airport for the return flight back to Addis Ababa. The last day of your unforgettable visit to Ethiopia brings us back to Addis Ababa. A hotel room for day-use is available.
You can visit some of the sites that you weren’t able to visit them from your first day or do Shopping. We say goodbye Ethiopia with a visit to a cultural restaurant, enjoying the great Ethiopian food together with traditional music and dance from all over this fascinating country. After diner we take you to the airport for your flight back home.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.