7-Day Finding of the True Cross Meskel Festival Tour

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

Arrival of Addis Ababa and sightseeing

Arrival Addis Ababa and transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time make sightseeing in Addis, Visit the National Museum that exhibits numerous antiquates, historical relics, archaeological and pale-ontological objects including the 3.2 million year old skeleton of Lucy; Mercato – biggest open market of its kind in Africa and the commanding panoramic view point Mount Entoto.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

Cassiopeia Hotel

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

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Meskel Festival

Starting around 3:30 P.M you will attend the colorful processions of the eve of Ketera The Meskel festival, also known as the Finding of the True Cross, is an important religious holiday celebrated by Ethiopian Orthodox Christians. It commemorates the discovery of the True Cross, the cross upon which Jesus Christ was crucified, by Saint Helena in the fourth century. The festival is celebrated annually on September 27th (or 28th in a leap year) according to the Ethiopian calendar
The Eve Bonfire (Demera): The highlight of the festival is the lighting of a large bonfire, known as the Demera, which symbolizes the revelation of the True Cross. According to tradition, Saint Helena had a dream instructing her to light a bonfire, and the smoke would lead her to the location of the cross. This event is re-enacted with a ceremonial bonfire, often adorned with flowers.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

Cassiopeia Hotel

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

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar

This morning, depart for the airport for your journey to Bahir Dar. Transfer to your hotel and check in. Bahir Dar is located on the south shore of Lake Tana, near the Blue Nile River. Settle down and refresh up before taking an afternoon boat excursion to several of Lake Tana's islands, which are home to some of the world's oldest churches and monastic sites. Visit the 14th-century monastery Ura Kidane Mihret, which is well renowned for its painted maqdas and collection of crosses and crowns. This afternoon, travel to the hamlet of Tis Isat to visit the Blue Nile Falls, a stunning cascade formed by a dam along the river just outside of town.

Main Destination:

Bahir Dar (City)

Accommodation:

Jacaranda Hotel Bahir Dar

• Mid-range hotel located in Bahir Dar (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Bahir Dar to Gonder

After breakfast, drive Bahir Dar north to Gondar. Explore the sites of Gondar, including a visit to the Royal Enclosure, with six castles and several other buildings. Additionally, visit Fasilidas’s Pool, still used for Timket celebrations today, Debre Birhan Selassie church, with the most famous ceiling in Ethiopia and Kuskuam, a former palace in a partial state of ruin overlooking the ancient city of Gondar.

Main Destination:

Gondar (City)

Accommodation:

Goha Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Excursion to Simien Mountains National Park

In the morning you will drive from Gonder to Siemen Mountain. The Semen national park is register as UNESCO world heritage site. The highest mountain in Ethiopia Ras Dashen is also found in the semen national park. The park is home of mountainous and wild animal species like the Walya Ibex and Chelada baboon which are endemic in Ethiopia. This is an ideal place to do some trekking to the most beautiful place with panoramic views.

Up on arrival you will hike up to Senkaber and will gain your first impression of the scale and beauty of this highland region, the extraordinary scenery, enjoying the endemic Gelada Baboons and the bone breaker giant bird Lammergeyer roaring around.

Main Destination:

Simien Mountains National Park

Best Time To Visit September to December (Beautiful scenery)

High Season October to April (Lodges are busy)

Best Weather October to April

Wildlife in Simien Mountains NP

Gelada monkey Abundant

Walia ibex Occasional

Ethiopian wolf Rare

Klipspringer Rare

Bushbuck Rare

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Golden jackal Rare

Hyena Rare

Accommodation:

Goha Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Flt To Lalibela

In the morning, take the flight to Lalibela, the most famous of all of the Ethiopian historical sites. Begin to explore the 11 rock-hewn churches of the remarkable king Lalibela, visiting the Northwestern Cluster of churches - Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, Bet Mikael & Bet Golgotha.

Main Destination:

Lalibela (Town)

Accommodation:

Maribela Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Lalibela to Addis Ababa

After breakfast, continue to visit the Southeastern Cluster of Lalibela 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 monolithic in the shape of a cross, and constructed in honor of St. George, the patron saint of Ethiopia.

After visit, transfer to Lalibela airport for your flight back to Addis Ababa. After noon, you will have shopping refreshment at the hotel then in the evening there will be farewell dinner with cultural food, traditional special buffet and local drinks to experience Ethiopia’s cultural meals and drinks. After farewell dinner, you will be transferred to the airport after a memorable experience in Ethiopia.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

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