8-Day Ethiopian Ephiphany /Timiket/ F...

>> This morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Bahir Dar. Transfer to your hotel and check in. Bahir Dar is situated on the southern side of Lake Tana near the Blue Nile River. Settle in, and freshen up before an afternoon boat cruise to some of the islands on Lake Tana, home to some of the oldest churches and monasteries in the world. Visit the 14th-century monastery Ura Kidane Mihret, most famously known for its painted maqdas and collection of crosses and crowns. This afternoon drive to the village of Tis Isat and see the Blue Nile Falls, a scenic waterfall created by a dam along the river a short drive outside of town.

• Time: 8-10hrs
• Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks

•  Accommodation: Jacaranda Hotel Bahir Dar Mid-range hotel located in Bahir Dar (City

>> Spend the morning exploring the city of Gondar, a town founded in 1636 by Emperor Fassilades. Once the Royal Capital of Ethiopia, Gondar is set in a landscape of immense beauty and is dotted with historic buildings, cathedrals, and churches. Visit the fascinating Debre Birhan Selassie Church, whose walls and ceilings are intricately decorated with biblical lore and medieval history. This afternoon, you and your guide will attend the Timket Festival evening ceremony, or Ketera, which marks the beginning of the Timket Festival. During Ketera, priests carry out the Talbots to display to the crowd. The Talbots are intricate replicas of tablets described in the bible as being given to Moses. Witness this solemn and sacred event as people meditate and prepare for the next day's festival and baptisms.

• Time: 8-10hrs
• Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks

•  Accommodation: Goha Hotel Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City

>> This morning, you'll return to the Taboat Maderia to watch the morning ceremonies and baptisms that take place at Fassilades Bath. The water, which represents the water of the Jordan River as described in the bible, is blessed by the priest and then a patriarch dips a golden cross in and uses the water to extinguish a burning candle on the altar. The water is then sprinkled on the entire assembly in commemoration of Christ’s baptism. Following the baptisms, the Talbots start their way back to their respective churches, while feasting, singing, and dancing continue all the way along the churches’ routes. Join in the dancing with your guide and witness this joyous event.

• Time: 8-10hrs
• Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks

•  Accommodation: Goha Hotel Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City)

>> Early in the morning after breakfast, we'll drive to the base camp of Semien Mountain National Park Debarqi. On the way, visit the black Jewish. The small village of Woleka, just north of Gondar, is a little reminder of the Falasha (Ethiopian Jews) community. Their origin is not known but it is believed their story is connected to King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. The park is full of breathtaking landscapes and abundant flora and fauna. Over 10,000 of the rare and endemic Gelada baboons live in the park and can be observed at a close distance. The park is also the home for the Walia Ibex, which is also called Ethiopian Wolf.
Local hiking guides and scouts (park rangers) accompany us for the park visit. We'll have an easy hike from Sankaber (3260m) to Geech. We'll pass picturesque scenery, as well as Ethiopia’s highest waterfall Jinbar, also called “gateway to hell.” We'll camp in Geech (3600m) for the night. It is situated on a huge plateau with horses grazing in the meadows.

• Time: 8-10hrs
• Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks

•  Accommodation: Tsehay Zeleke Hotel Budget hotel located just outside Simien Mountains NP

>> Today’s hiking takes us to the best viewpoints of the Simien National Park, Imet Gogo (3,926m). From here, we can enjoy a 360 ° panorama view of the Simien Mountains. Ethiopia is not called the “roof of Africa” for nothing. Many of the country’s northern parts are full of rugged terrains and escarpments, deep valleys and a high plateau. Simien Mountains is part of the Ethiopian highlands. The area is covered with massive walls of volcanic rocks, which fall over a thousand meters deep into steep gorges. Some regions of the park are still inhabited and cultivated at over 3,000m. According to recent statistics, more than four thousand households live in the Simien Mountains National Park.
We'll continue hiking to the next observation point Seha (3785m), where we have a picnic for lunch. The last stop is Quedadit (3760m) before we go back to Geech Camp. Then we'll drive back to Debark town (60km) for an overnight stay in the hotel.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks

•  Accommodation: Budget camping Inside Simien Mountains NP

>> After breakfast at Debarqi, start driving to Lalibela. You will have stunning views of the Guna Mountains as you travel through this dramatic landscape. On the way, you will drive to the Awra Amba community through Hamusit city. Awra Amaba is an Ethiopian community of about 400 people, located 73 kilometres east of Bahirdar in the Fogera woreda of Debub Gondar Zone. Founded by Zumra Nuru, who currently serves as co-chairman of the community and is lauded as a model for alleviating poverty and promoting gender equality in the country. You will have a photo stop and coffee break through it.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks

•  Accommodation: Mezena Resort & Spa Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town)

>> In the morning, visit the first group of the world-famous churches of Lalibela. In this group of churches, there is Bete Medhane Alem, which means “House of Savior of the World.” Bete Medhane Alem is the largest monolithic church in the world. Its architectural style resembles a Greek temple. The church is home to the original Lalibela Cross known as “Afro Ayigeba.” In the corner of Bete Medhane Alem church, there are three empty tombs symbolically representing Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob of the Old Testament.
In the afternoon, we'll discover the second group of monolithic rock churches. Among them is the church Bet Giyorgis, probably the most famous, finest and well-designed of all churches of Lalibela. Bete Giyorgis is connected to the other churches by a tunnel carved out of the rock in the form of a cross. We will be guests of an Ethiopian family and cook our dinner together. We'll learn not only new delicious recipes but also gain an insight into the everyday life of the Ethiopians.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks

•  Accommodation: Mezena Resort & Spa Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town)

>> After an early breakfast, leave Lalibela en-route and visit the monastery of Nakutolab—a cave church. This is the easiest of all the outlying churches to reach in the monastery of Nakutolab, which is named after its constructor, the nephew and successor of King Lalibela. The monastery accredited to Nakuotolab, consists of a relatively simple church built around a shallow cave in which several holy pools are fed by natural springs.
After visiting, you will get a domestic flight that takes us back to Addis Ababa. In the evening, enjoy a farewell party dinner invitation by Finot Tour Ethiopia, with a cultural dinner, a traditional special buffet and local drinks, to experience Ethiopia’s cultural meals and drinks. Here you will enjoy and experience several tribal dances. After the farewell dinner party, we'll transfer you to Bole International Airport for international departure.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: Meals at own expense Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)