29/09/2022
This classic Timket ( Epiphany ) festival tour combine a tour of the famous historical sites Semaine mountain trekking plus Bale Mountain and Harara Old town with the exuberant festivities – takes you to experience one of the greatest and most colorful festivals, celebrated with great devotion, chanting, dancing, and singing around the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela
Tour Details Program
16 Days Tour Ethiopia:
Semaine mountain trekking, North Historical, Bale Mountain National park plus Harar old town
Day 1: Arrival Addis JANUARY 16th
Up on arrival Meet and you will be transferred to hotel. If your arrival is early morning, after a leisurely morning rest and relax you will spend the afternoon on a site seeing of Addis Abeba. Established by Emperor Menelik II 1887 Addis Abeba or ‘New flower’ in Amharic, is relatively young city full of contrasts. This city tour includes, The National Museum which houses the country’s historic treasures & the famous ‘Lucy”, The Holy Trinity Orthodox Church Ethiopian main cathedral and home to the remains of the last emperor: Drive up to Mount Entoto to have a panoramic view of the city and end the tour with Merkato, one of the largest open air markets in Africa.
Overnight at hotel
DAY 2:Fly Addis to Bahir Dar JANUARY 17th
After breakfast transfer to airport for flight to Bahird Dar Up on Arrival transfer to hotel check in later on visit the monastery of Ura Kidane Miheret on the Zege Peninsula famous for its incredible wall paintings and collection of cross and crowns. Continue to Betre Mariam monastery and then the boat will return to Bahirdar via the source of the Blue Nile and here you might see some Hippos on the lake.
After lunch break at the lake shore enjoy an hour scenic drive to the famous and stunning Blue Nile falls. The fall known as “the water that smokes” in Amharic, is located about 32kms south of Bahirdar. The Blue Nile Fall measure over 400 meters wide and descends 48 meters in full flood. You can take a longer scenic walk (1.5kms) or a short walk to reach the foot of the falls. Then cross the Nile River with a boat to reach to your car and drive back to Bahirdar.
Overnight: Jacaranda hotel Bahirdar
DAY 3 : DRIVE TO GONDAR & ATTEND ON THE EVE OF TIMKAT FESTIVAL JANUARY 18
Leaving Bahirdar this morning and drive further north to Gondar. Enjoy a 4 hours scenic drive through the northern highlands. Arrive in Gondar in the afternoon and check in to hotel. In the afternoon you will attend the start of the ceremony. Today it is the eve for the Timkat ‘Ethiopian Epiphany’. Timkat festival is the celebration that commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the river of Jordan by John the Baptist. Pilgrims congregate from all parts of the country to celebrate the epiphany. It takes place on 19th January every year. This afternoon, priests take the Tabot (which symbolizes the Ark of the Covenant) containing the Ten Commandments that God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai, from each Church. Concealed by an ornamental cloth, it is taken to a tent, close to a consecrated pool or stream, accompanied by much ringing of bells, blowing of trumpets and the burning of incense.Carrying the Ark of the Covenant to the river signifies the coming of Jesus to the river to be baptized by John the Baptist. You will walk with the faithful towards the remarkable Bath of Emperor Fasil known as ‘the pavilion od delight’ where this religious ceremony is held colorfully. Throughout the night sermons in relation to the Baptismal of Jesus, singing, dancing and praying to continue.
Overnight: Haile resort or Gonder hills resort
DAY 4: JANUARY 19: VISIT THE MAIN CEREMONY & EXPLORE SITES OF GONDAR
Early in the morning (around 3:30am) transfer to Bath of Fasil to witness the main part of this fascinating religious ceremony. The Kiddase (Divine Liturgy) is administered near the pools early in the morning. Passages from the story of the Baptism of Jesus Christ recited from the four Gospels at the cardinal points of the pool.The Patriarch (head priest) dips his cross to bless the water. Three candles are floated on a water of wood in the baptismal pool, symbolizing the
Holy Trinity. The water is then blessed and sprinkled towards the assembled congregation, some of whom immerse themselves in the water, symbolically renewing their baptismal vows. After this you will return back to hotel for breakfast and rest. In the afternoon after visiting the colorful procession during which the tabors are escorted back to the churches, you will visit other sites in Gondar. Located on the high plateau, Gondar was the imperial capital for 200 years and famed for its medieval castles and churches. Spend the afternoon visiting the city’s Royal Enclosure home to dramatic 17th century castles built by different emperors. These whole complexes of buildings are unique in Ethiopia and never found elsewhere in Africa and known as the Camelot of Africa. After the castles stop by the famous church of Debre Berhan Selassie, one of the finest in Ethiopia. The walls and ceilings covered with stunning ancient murals.
Overnight: Gondar Haile resort or Gonder hills resort
DAY 5: DRIVE GONDAR - SIMIEN MOUNTAINS, TREK TO SANKABER CAMP 3,200M, APPROX. 7KM, 2/3 HOURS WALKING
At Debark you will sign in at the park headquarters, pick up your guide and scout and head up into the mountains. The road continues all the way to the first camp at Sankaber, but you’ll be dropped off on the way for a leisurely three hour acclimatisation hike. The stunning views hit you as soon as you get out of the vehicle as you walk along the ridge. There will be time to stop for a picnic lunch and after a short but demanding climb (at this altitude) to Sankaber you’ll be met as every day on this trek with a tray of fresh coffee, tea and snacks.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included
Accommodation: Camping
Drive Gondar - Simien Mountains (2-3 hrs)
DAY 6: TREK SANKABER 3,200M – GEECH CAMP 3,600M APPROX. 15KM, 7-8HRS
You will set off trekking along the ridge with stunning views over the foothills 800m below, for the first two hours the trail passes through low bush of Giant Heather, soda apple, Abyssinian rose, St John’s Wort and Globe thistle. The highlight of the trek from Sankaber to Geech is Genbar Falls, an incredible 500m sheer drop. From the viewpoint opposite, you can watch the falcons, augur buzzard and lammergeyer bearded vulture soar on the thermals below. From the Genbar falls, the trail passes arable fields, broken by lunch at a somewhat less intimidating and more peaceful waterfall. Klipspringer and bush buck may be seen in the steep rocky and wooded slopes, whilst troops of Gelada Baboons roam the fields for roots. Just before you reach Geech camp site, there is a wonderful opportunity to visit one of the traditional village houses for home roasted coffee and injurra (ask your guide). Geech Camp itself is set on a grassy plateau with stunning sunset views.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included
Accommodation: Camping
DAY 7: TREK GEECH 3,600M – IMET GOGO 3,926M – GEECH 3,600M APPROX. 13KM, 5-6HRS
You will trek for 2 hours along the grass plateau past countless bizarre outsized Giant Lobelia plants. The destination is Imet Gogo, an incredible rocky promontory that grants 360 degree views over the Simien Range. At an altitude of 3,926m you can see West back along the ridge towards Sankaber and Geech and South East across a deep gully towards the tomorrow’s ridge walk to Inatye and Chennek Camp. The views here are arguably the best in the Simien Mountains and the drop is terrifying. From Imet Gogo, you’ll return to camp via the Siha Gorge for lunch. Afternoon at leisure before heading out for a short optional sunset trek to KedaDit (3760m). Overnight at Geech Camp again.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included
Accommodation: Camping
DAY 8: TREK GEECH 3600M – INNATYE 4070M - CHENEK 3,600M APPROX. 15KM, 7HRS
Today is the longest and arguably most spectacular passing close to the ridge most of its length. After breakfast you will head back on the path towards Imet Gogo before detouring SE towards Inatye. The path drops into a forest of Giant Hazel before following the ridge on open grassland. The climb to Inatye (4,070m) rewards with stunning views. Inatye roughly translates as “mamma mia” and the terrifying vertical drop here justly warrants the name! After a picnic lunch the path follows mostly downhill through open grassland and giant lobelia towards Chenek with a number of stunning viewpoints along the way. Chenek camp is superb for wildlife with both Gelada Baboons and Wallia Ibex common here.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included
Accommodation: Camping
Transport (where relevant): n/a
DAY 9: TREK CHENEK 3600M – MOUNT BUAHIT 4430M – CHENEK 3600M, DRIVE TO GONDAR
If you are feeling brave you have the option to tackle Buahit before leaving camp, you will need to be up early for the 3-4 hour round trip to this spectacular summit at 4430m. You will then begin the journey back to Gondar getting back in the early afternoon.
Overnight at Haile resort or Gonder hills resort
DAY 10: FLY GONDAR - LALIBELA. EXPLORE CENTRAL ROCK HEWN CHURCHES
Today is an early start for your morning transfer to Gondar airport. Once you have landed, you will be picked up at Lalibela Airport and transferred to your central hotel. Lalibela is world famous for its monolithic rock hewn churches. Carved by hand out of solid rock in the 12th and 13th Centuries and filled with the evocative sound of chanting of monks, this is a deeply spiritual place and quite rightly a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Accommodation: Sora Lodge or Top Twelve hotel
Day 11: Fly Lalibela - Addis
the morning, start your tour of the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela , visiting the you will visit the most famous of all the churches Bet Giyorgis, constructed in honor of the patron saint of Ethiopia Saint George. After lunch drop of Airport fly to Addis up on arrival transfer to meet you and drive to Lake Langano
Overnight at Lake Langano
Sabana resort
Day 12 Lake Langano - Bale Mountain
After breakfast drive to Bale Mountain National park
Upon arrival, we will do all the requirements for short easy hike at the Bale mountains national park, Headquarter along the woodland part to see antelope families. Later late in the afternoon drive to Goba 45km from Dinsho for overnight stay. In the evening you will have dinner and stay the night at the hotel.
Overnight Goba Wabeshebelle hotel
Day 13: Drive to sanetti plateau and Harenna forest
In the morning, you will have breakfast and drive to the Sanetti plateau (altitude of the 4000metre the largest afro-alpine area in Africa and the place to see rare and endangered Ethiopian Wolf) and the scenery then proceeds to Harenna forest via Tullu Deemtu (4377m) the second-highest point in Ethiopia.
Overnight Goba Wabeshebelle hotel:
Day 14: Bale Goba Fly to Dire Dawa
After breakfast, we will have a little hike in the park and catch the midday flight to Addis Ababa connect to Dire Dawa
Continue by vehicle from Dire Dawa to Harar. Stroll through the 16th century walled city of Harar, the fourth most important city in the Islamic World. See the home of Arthur Rimbuad, renowned French poet who worked and lived in Harar as a "gun-runner" during the 19th century.
In the evening see the "Hyena Man" feeding the hyenas that gather nightly outside the town.
Overnight at hotel in Harar
Day 15 Harar City tour
Visit colorful multi-cultural market of the Harari (Adere), Oromo, and Amhara people. See the five gates and stone walls of Harar, shrines and mosques of Harar. Stop at the traditional house of the people of Harari (Adere). Visit the House of the famous late 19th French poet - Arthur Rimbaud
Overnight hotel At harar
Day 16 :Drive from Harar to Dire Dawa. Fly to Addis Ababa.
After breakfast transfer to Dire Dawa and
Visit open market and old train station
Transfer airport fly to Addis up on arrival check in hotel
On evening Enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant featuring dancers and musicians representing some of the country's many ethnic groups. Transfer to airport for late night departure or additional hotel night booked upon request.
End of Tour
