: Tour to Historic Route combined with Genna( Ethiopian Christmas) in Lalibela
Tour Code: MET1307
Duration: 12 nights/  13 days
Transportation: Land/ Air

 

Genna is one of the religious festivals in Ethiopia and it is celebrated on January 7.On this day, there are two festivals celebrated. One is the birth of Jesus Christ and the other is the birth of St. Lalibela. Thus, this festival is very vibrantly celebrated in the town of Lalibela.

In Lalibela,Gennaiscelebrated with greater devotion, chanting, dancing,  and singing around the rock-hewn churches  of Lalibela. The ancient city of  St. Lalibela will be filled with hundreds and thousands of pilgrims from all directions of Ethiopia. Even though Ethiopian Christmas falls  on January 7, there will be different ceremonies to be held around the rock-hewn churches starting from  the night of 4th January. 

Jan 5: ARRIVAL- You will be met by our professional guides and do city tour of Addis if your arrival time allows you to do so. Overnight, in a hotel.

Jan 6: Lalibela- morning flight to Lalibela andFull day visit of the first and second groups of Lalibela churches. In the evening, you will drive to BeteAmanuelto aMETend the special celebration of Emanuel with chanting and dancing by the priests and deacons. The ceremony will be accompanied by crowd of pilgrims who came to witness this event. Overnight, in a hotel.

Jan 7: Lalibela- Morning visit of Asheton Mariam church and afternoon visit of NeakutoLeab church. At night, we will aMETend the Christmas Eve ceremony to be held at Bete Mariam church. On this evening again, you will aMETend the Ethiopian Christmas Eve Ceremony with the pilgrims. You will hear the chanting and singing of the crowd together with the priests and deacons. At mid night, there will be a candle light ceremony to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. Overnight, in a hotel.

Jan 8: Lalibela - In the morning, you will drive to Bete Mariamagain to witness the final ceremony of Ethiopian Christmas. On this day, the priests will be lined up with their drums on the cliff edge of Bete Mariam. After having lunch , you will , we will continue by visiting Yimrehanekirsoschurch.Overnight in a hotel

Jan 9: Lalibela –Mekele- Full day drive for about 8-9 hours to the town of Mekele,on the way  enjoy the rugged terrain landscape ofnorth central massifs. Overnight in a hotel

Jan 10: Mkele – Tigrain churches (Geraltha)-Hawzen- Early morning drive to some of the most remarkable churches of the Gerealtha Mountains. Then proceed to the town Hawzen. Over night in a Lodge

Jan 11:HAWZEN – AXUM -After breakfast a drive will take you to the town of Axum, en route visit the pre-Axumite Temple of the moon, Yeha and the 1000 year old  monastery DebreDamo( prohibited for women to enter)  then visit some of the other oldest Tigrayn churches. Overnight in a hotel

Jan 12: AXUM- In the morning; have sightseeing of the ancient town of Axum whereby Christianity has been introduced to Ethiopia during the 4th century by king Ezana.  Overnight in a hotel

Jan 13: AXUM - SEMIEN MOUNTAIN- leave the ancient town of Axum and drive to Semien Park through landscape of the Valley of Tekeze River Overnight in a Lodge/Hotel

Jan 14: SIMIEN MOUNTAIN- full day excursion around the lodge to visit the endemic flora and fauna. Overnight in a Lodge/hotel

Jan 15: SEMIEN MOUNTAINS – GONDAR- Early morning after your breakfast, drive to the city of Gondar and full day city tour of the historical town. Overnight, in a hotel.

Jan16:GONDAR- BAHIR DAR- a very early drive toBahir Dar and first visit of the Blue Nile Falls. In the afternoon, you will visit the monasteries on Lake Tana. Over night, in a hotel/ Lodge or Resort. 

Jan 17: BAHIR DAR- ADDIS– morning flight to Addis, shopping at souvenir shops , fare well dinner in one of the traditional restaurants, departure.