Festivals and holidays in Ethiopia
| country: | Ethiopia |
| departures: | 2010: 9 Jan |
| price: | £2595 (13-15 days) excluding international flights. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
read 1 travellers review
the amazing things you'll be doing
Ethiopian Timkat Festival Tour (13 days) Departs January
Ethiopia is a land of so many wonders – cultural, geographical and historical – it will undoubtedly surprise and amaze you.
Our Timkat tour focuses on the historical circuit of the north, where you will witness the staggering 12th Century rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, the 17th century castles of Gondar, the 3,000 year-old stellaes of Axum as well as the fascinating mass epiphany of Timkat.
You will also see the stunning Simien Mountains, visit the Blue Nile Falls and drift across Lake Tana.
And that is not all. One of the main highlights of any trip to Ethiopia is meeting the people, as you will seldom find a more attractive and fun-loving race anywhere on earth.
One of the most frequently asked questions we receive in relation to Ethiopia is: Is it okay to visit such a poor country for a holiday? Not only do we think it is okay, we believe it is the best way most of us can help. A recent survey showed that tourism now represents 20% of Ethiopia’s foreign income earner and as such is starting to have a direct effect on the lives of ordinary Ethiopians. Not only do we personally donate a proportion of your fee to help people get an education, but also the money you spend in this country will have a very positive effect on Ethiopian’s lives.
Ethiopian Northern Explorer (15 days) Departs October
This is a great itinerary that gives you all the very best of the northern historical circuit, whilst offering a few hidden treasures as well. Starting the tour in Addis you will fly to Bahir Dar for a stroll beneath the Blue Nile Falls and a boat ride across Lake Tana before travelling to Gonder and the wonderful Simien Mountains where you'll enjoy a three day trek.
But it is from here that the trip becomes different and interesting, as you drive (rather than fly) to Axum and onwards, via Yaha and Debra Damo, through Eastern Tigray and one of the most visually stunning parts of the whole country to witness some of most rarely seen rock churches.
As a fitting climax the trip will end in the World Heritage town of Lalibela.
See below for our 15 day itinerary.
Ethiopia is a land of so many wonders – cultural, geographical and historical – it will undoubtedly surprise and amaze you.
Our Timkat tour focuses on the historical circuit of the north, where you will witness the staggering 12th Century rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, the 17th century castles of Gondar, the 3,000 year-old stellaes of Axum as well as the fascinating mass epiphany of Timkat.
You will also see the stunning Simien Mountains, visit the Blue Nile Falls and drift across Lake Tana.
And that is not all. One of the main highlights of any trip to Ethiopia is meeting the people, as you will seldom find a more attractive and fun-loving race anywhere on earth.
One of the most frequently asked questions we receive in relation to Ethiopia is: Is it okay to visit such a poor country for a holiday? Not only do we think it is okay, we believe it is the best way most of us can help. A recent survey showed that tourism now represents 20% of Ethiopia’s foreign income earner and as such is starting to have a direct effect on the lives of ordinary Ethiopians. Not only do we personally donate a proportion of your fee to help people get an education, but also the money you spend in this country will have a very positive effect on Ethiopian’s lives.
Ethiopian Northern Explorer (15 days) Departs October
This is a great itinerary that gives you all the very best of the northern historical circuit, whilst offering a few hidden treasures as well. Starting the tour in Addis you will fly to Bahir Dar for a stroll beneath the Blue Nile Falls and a boat ride across Lake Tana before travelling to Gonder and the wonderful Simien Mountains where you'll enjoy a three day trek.But it is from here that the trip becomes different and interesting, as you drive (rather than fly) to Axum and onwards, via Yaha and Debra Damo, through Eastern Tigray and one of the most visually stunning parts of the whole country to witness some of most rarely seen rock churches.
As a fitting climax the trip will end in the World Heritage town of Lalibela.
See below for our 15 day itinerary.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Addis Ababa. Arrive early morning and transfer to the Hilton. After resting we will have lunch in town before visiting the National Museum, where Lucy – the 3.5 million year old humanoid – is found along with many other curious artefacts, followed by the Trinity Cathedral and the Mercado, the biggest open-air market in Africa. We’ll have an early dinner at an excellent local restaurant tasting traditional food and atmosphere. (Hotel) |
| Day 2: | Addis– Lake Tana. Morning flight to Bahir Dar and check into our hotel. Rest of the morning is free. Lunch at the hotel and in the afternoon board a boat to cross Lake Tana, visiting the monastery of Ura Kirhane Modret. We will be back at the hotel for a traditional Ethiopian dinner. (Hotel) |
| Day 3: | Lake Tana. Early drive to Tisissat (45mins) to visit the spectacular Blue Nile falls. After taking in the ‘Smoke of the Nile’ from the usual vantage point we will take a beautiful one-hour walk via the base of the Falls and a short boat trip across the river back to Tisissat. After a late lunch at the hotel we’ll visit papyrus boat makers and the local market. Dinner at hotel. |
| Day 4: | Lake Tana – Gondar. Morning drive to Gondar and check into our hotel. After lunch we will visit the castle compound (UNESCO WHS) and King Fasilidas’ Bath. Dinner in the traditional Abyssinian Café beside the Gondar castle complex. (Hotel) |
| Day 5: | Gondar – Simien NP (Sankaber). Morning visit to the Debre Birhan Selassie Church (Light of Trinity) with wonderful murals, Qusquam Church and Mentewab Palace. After an early lunch we drive to the Simien Mountains, via Falasha Village. We will stop on the escarpment to admire the wonderful views of the highest mountain chain in Africa, where we should see Lammergeyer vultures, Gelada Baboons and bushbuck. And tonight we will have the treat of staying in the Simien Lodge, a stunning complex of eco-lodges all with spectacular views. (Hotel) |
| Day 6: | Simien NP. Trek through the high Simiens to Sankaber Camp passing through Amhara villages, stopping to admire their way of life. Hopefully on the way we will see the Walya Ibex and the Gelada Baboons. Mules will carry our entire luggage – and those too tired to walk! – our handlers will set up our tents and cook for us. (Camp) |
| Day 7: | Simien NP. Trek from Sankaber Camp to Geech Camp along the edge of the escarpment. (Camp). |
| Day 8: | Simien NP. Trek from Geech Camp to Chenek Camp along the edge of the escarpment. On reaching Chenek Camp we will return by jeep to the Simien Lodge for another night of luxury before continuing the journey. |
| Day 9: | Simien NP - Axum. After breakfast we drive to Axum, stopping for a picnic lunch en route. There will be plenty of time to stop for photographs before we arrive in town around 15.00. Check into the hotel, and then relax. Dinner at hotel. (Hotel) |
| Day 10: | Axum. Morning sightseeing in Axum, a town steeped in more than 2500 years of history. From the palace and tomb of King Kaleb (6th C), we will visit the extraordinary stellae field (WHS) and tomb of King Remhay (1st-4th C), followed by a trip to the church of St Mary of Tsion, (17th C) in which (allegedly) is hidden the Ark of Covenant! Lunch back at hotel. In the afternoon we’ll drive a few kilometres out of town and walk up to see the carved lion rock and the place from where the stellae were hewn – some still lie there, half finished. From here we shall visit the Queen of Sheba’s Palace and other archaeological sights. We’ll end the day’s wandering round the small but excellent museum. Dinner at hotel. (Hotel) |
| Day 11: | Axum – Mekele. After breakfast we will drive to Mekele, stopping en route at the Yeha temple (also known as the temple of the Moon), (5th century BC) and then drive on to one of the oldest monasteries in Ethiopia, the spectacular cliff-top retreat of Debre Damo (6th century). Unfortunately, however, only men are allowed into the monastery and for them to reach it they must be hauled by rope up a 16-metre high wall! (Which is not, let me tell you, for the faint-hearted.) If we decide we do not want to do this, we can drive on and visit some other churches on this route – or indeed split up and go different ways. (Hotel). |
| Day 12: | Mekele – Lalibela. We drive through stunning countryside – designated an area of outstanding natural beauty – to Lalibela. Check into our hotel. Dinner at the hotel. (Hotel) |
| Day 13: | Lalibela. This morning we will visit the first cluster of amazing rock-hewn churches – another UNESCO World Heritage Site – that will simply stagger you. After lunch at our hotel, we will visit a local family for a traditional coffee ceremony where you will be able to see how a real Ethiopian family live. Dinner at hotel. (Hotel) |
| Day 14: | Lalibela. Morning mule ride up to the mountain monastery of Acheton Mariam. This 3-hour trek is a real highlight and should not be missed. The views from the ridge are simply breathtaking. After a late lunch at our hotel, we will visit the second cluster of churches, including the famous church of St. George, which is carved in the shape of a cross from the red basalt rock. Evening trip to a tej house to sample the local liquor, followed by dinner at a traditional restaurant. (Hotel) |
| Day 15: | Lalibela – Addis Ababa. Free morning to wander or relax. After an early lunch we will visit the cave church of Naktuleab en route to the airport for our 14.30 flight back to Addis and check into the Hilton. Dinner is at a traditional restaurant with folk dancing and singing from the various regions of the country. Transfer to the airport for a late night flight, arriving in the UK early the next morning. |
travellers' tales
The trek in the Simien Mountains was truly memorable. It felt like we had the whole Mountain range, a world heritage site, to ourselves. (more)
what this trip includes
Trips are on full board basis, and include transport as outlined in itinerary, twin-share accommodation, mineral water and entrance fees. how this holiday makes a difference
|
Life for the majority of Ethiopia’s 73 million people is harsh, even by the standards of Africa’s poorest nations. The average Ethiopian person earns less than $100 per year and will not live beyond 44 years of age. North Wollo is amongst the poorest areas of the country, depending largely on rain fed subsistence agriculture. Our guide Mark established TESFA - a local charity organisation that was set up in 2003 with the specific aim of developing community-based tourism in Ethiopia WITH communities. By putting communities in charge of their own tourism resources, payment goes directly into the communities - 60% for the communities, 25% to a local guides service (that also transmits bookings to the communities), and 15% to cover administrative costs. After the communities have paid their staffing costs and for the consumables (food, toiletpaper, soap etc) the remainder is split between profit and a fund to allow for reinvestment and depreciation. The profit is then put into a community fund for the whole community to decide how it should be spent, such as the purchase of a community grain grinding mill.
 Our Ethiopia trips also fund A-Cet (African Childrens Education Trust) a small independent charity helping young Africans to achieve their maximum potential through education. A-Cet supports 1.000 youths with scholarships, 2 rural primary schools and 2 computer training centres. When you take one of our trips, we make a contribution to “Carbon Clear” – an organisation who work with hundreds of organisations to measure their carbon footprint and reduce their carbon emissions. We also support several other NGOs around the world such as the Hope Foundation, Tibetan schools trust and Adopt-A-Minefield, which are all carefully selected to improve the standard of living for the communities we visit. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |