Destinations: Addis Ababa -Debre Markos- Bahir Dar -Gondar –Debark- Simien national park -Axum -Lalibela -Addis Ababa

Tour Code: TT-1032

Duration: 13 Days and 12 Nights

Tour Title: History & Nature with Maskel Festival

Transportation: All surfaces

The festivals of Ethiopia are colorful, fascinating and are all year round. Both traditional and religious festivals are celebrated by its diverse ethnic groups with their picturesque native lives in their most rustic settings. This festival is celebrated to commemorate the finding of the True Cross. The priests sing religious hymns and chants. So do young deacons and Sunday school members. Their colorful robs and the bonfire made in connection with the celebration, all the people in their traditional clothes make this festival colorful. It is celebrated every year on September 27th. Though the festival falls on September 27th, the celebration is held on the eve. The eve is called Demera, meaning Bonfire. The Bonfire is lit in the presence of tens of thousands of followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian Church. Its celebration is more colorful in Addis Ababa at Meskel Square and celebrates in Ethiopia. The festival is more colored by the golden yellow flowers called Meskel Daisies, endemic flowers locally known as “Adey Abeba” which bloom once a year during Meskel.Meskel celebration registered by UNESCO as world heritage site in 2013.

Day 1. Arrival to Addis Ababa and transfer to hotel

Day 2. In the morning, sightseeing tour of Addis Ababa that includes: The National museum, Ethnographic museum and Merkato The largest open air market in Africa. Late in the afternoon, drive to the great Meskel Square where the colorful Meskel festival takes place. In this festival, processions of finely dressed priests and locals celebrate the finding of the ‘True Cross’ with songs and dances around an enormous bonfire. Overnight hotel

Day 3. After breakfast in the hotel, start driving 304 km north of Addis Ababa to Debre Markos visiting the Debre Libanos Monastery (13th century AD), which is the largest monastry in the country. You will have picnic lunch around the ‘Portuguese Bridge’ where you have a chance to encounter one of the endemic mammals of Ethiopia – the Gelada Baboon or the bleeding heart baboon. Cross the Blue Nile Gorge, this is comparable with the American Grand Canyon, and further drive to the city of Debre Markos for overnight. Overnight hotel

Day 4. In the morning, drive 250 km to Bahir Dar, a town on the shore of Lake Tana; the largest lake in Ethiopia (3,600km). Lake Tana is home to thirty-seven islands, of which twenty shelter churches of significant historical and cultural interest. After lunch, drive 32 km south of Bahir Dar to Tis Isat to visit the famous Blue Nile Falls. It is locally known as Tis Isat which means Smoke of fire. Then, drive back to Bahir Dar and enjoy walking and bird watching around Lake Tana. Overnight Hotel

Day 5. In the morning, have a remarkable boat trip on Lake Tana to visit the island monasteries of Ura Kidane Mihret (16th century AD) and Azwa Mariam (16th century AD). These monasteries are decorated with frescos, elaborate painted ceilings, church crosses, crowns and attires of former Ethiopian kings and emperors. Then, after lunch at your hotel, drive 185 km to Gondar which was the capital of Ethiopia in the 17th and 18th centuries. Overnight hotel

Day 6. After breakfast, sightseeing tour of Gondar which includes:- the ‘’Royal Compound” with many majestic castles constructed in the European middle age architectural style, Bath of Fasiledes- (bathing palace): it stands in a rectangular, neatly walled depression, which is filled with water once a year for the Timkat (Epiphany) celebrations, and, though popularly referred to as a ‘bathing palace’ and the finest of the Gonderian churches of Debre Birhan Sillassie or ‘Trinity at the mount of light’. It was built during the reign of Emperor Iyasu (1682-1706). Overnight hotel

Day 7. After breakfast, drive to Debark visiting the Felasha village. Trek in Semien mountain National park to visit the endemic Gelada baboon and admire the beautiful landscape. Overnight hotel

Day 8. Morning, make an Excursion trip to Chenek for spotting the endemic and rarest animal, Walia Ibex. Have a picnic from the hotel and enjoy the awesome landscape with magnificent scenery near by the camping site. Late in the afternoon drive back to the Lodge. Overnight hotel

Day 9. After an early breakfast, drive to Axum through the western side of Simien Mountains National Park and crossing the Tekeze River Gorge. Overnight hotel

Day 10. Sightseeing tour of Axum which is the ancient capital of Ethiopia. This day, visit the Archeological museum of Axum, the Cathedral of St. Mary of Zion which is believed to be the last resting place of the Original Ark of the Covenant, and in the afternoon visit the famous ‘Stele field’ (4th Century AD and UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ruin palace and tomb of King Kaleb and King Gebre Maskel (5th and 6th Century AD) and the residence of the legendary Queen of Sheba (9th century BC). Overnight hotel

Day 11. After breakfast, transfer in to airport for your flight to Lalibela which is home to the 12th century hand carved rock churches of King Lalibela (1181 – 1221) whom the town is named after. After lunch in your hotel, visit the first group churches of Lalibela (UNESCO World Heritage Site) which are found northeast of a stream named ‘River Jordan’. Overnight hotel

Day 12. In the morning, make a mule ride to the hill top semi monolithic church of Asheten Mariam (13th Century AD). The peak of the hill offers a wonderful viewpoint to have bird eye view of the surrounding area including the town of Lalibela. For those participants not interested in the mule ride, an alternative excursion to Na’akuto Leab cave church will be organized. In the afternoon, visit the second and the third group of churches of Lalibela. Overnight hotel

Day 13. Transfer to Lalibela air port to fly back to Addis Ababa, and have a last minute shopping and city tour of the city. Evening departure

Included

Accommodations/ Hotels/Lodge/hostels/Camping/

Not Included

A great place to unwind…

A great place to unwind… Thanks.

Enrico Lavrov

I had an amazing time

I had an amazing time with your tour guides. Thank you so much.

Adams J.

This is my second time

This is my second time visiting and it was wonderful. Thank you guys.

Mark Anderson

Great memory

testimonial one

Jhon Doe

Liability and Responsibility

Only the laws of Ethiopia govern Tsega Ethiopia Tours liability to its clients and all claims are subject to the jurisdiction of the court of Ethiopia in which the cause of action arises. Although every possible care is taken to safeguard you and your property, Tsega Ethiopia Tours accepts no liability for loss or damage of any personal effects. Tsega Ethiopia Tours will dispose its best efforts to assist visitors when dealing with third parties such as hotels, airlines and other transport companies and travel agents. However, Tsega Ethiopia Tours cannot be held responsible for any loss or harm such as sickness, injury, death or additional costs incurred due to denied boarding, overbooking, cancellation or delay caused by the third party.

Program Reservations

Contracts and agreements will be valid consequent to Tsega Ethiopia Tours confirmation of the booking signing a contractual agreement/form. At the time of confirmation, a deposit of 50% of the total cost is requested. The remaining amount of the total cost shall be paid upon arrival before the tour commences. Unless prior arrangements have been made, Tsega Ethiopia Tours cannot be forced to conduct the tour if complete payment has not been received.

Quotations

Tsega Ethiopia Tours provides tour prices (quotations) on request. After the contractual agreement is concluded the final quoted price is non-negotiable. Tsega Ethiopia Tours offers prices with validity date & has a full right in revising the offered prices which are not confirmed within the time frame/validity date.

Cancellation

Cancellation of confirmed booking must be made in writing via email Cancellation received 30 days prior to departure will be subject to a penalty of 30% of the total rate of the tour. Cancellations received less than 15 days prior to departure will result in relinquishment of the entire advance payment.

Visa and Immigration requirements

Visas may be obtained from Ethiopian diplomatic mission overseas ,in addition nationals of 33 countries listed below are allowed to receive their visa on arrival to Ethiopia, the detail includes:- Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea Republic, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, UK, and US.

Health Requirements

Prior to entry, visitors should be in possession of a valid health certificate for yellow fever. Vaccination against cholera is also required for any person who has visited or transited a cholera-infected area within six days prior to arrival in Ethiopia.

Religion

The main religions are Christianity and Islam, but some other traditional beliefs are also practiced.

Accommodations

Addis Ababa offers variety of hotels ranging from luxurious 5 star hotels to the tourist standard. Tourist accommodation facilities are also improving at destinations outside Addis, the offer ranges from 2-4 star hotels to camping facilities.

Food

Enjera, the Ethiopian national dish is a flat, circular pancake of fermented made from an endemic grain seed called teff, served with different kinds of cooked meats, vegetables and different sauce. Though it is different from region to region, in generally Ethiopians used hot and spiced sauces that give Ethiopian food its characteristic taste. Vegetarians should try “Ethiopian fasting food”, a colorful spread of salads and vegetables devoid of all meat and animal products.

In Addis Ababa and major towns, it is possible to get traditional Ethiopian restaurants and others specialized in Italian, Far East and western dishes. In hotels found at tourist sites European style foods are always available. Those visitors who are travelling to the remote and adventure tourist sites such as deep in the Omo valley and Erta’le, Tankwa Tours & Travel Agency is provide professional cook and cooking materials. To read more about food in Ethiopia click here

Clothing

Visitors should take light, summer clothes for the day time and warm cotton made clothes for the evenings. The temperature drops quite rapidly towards sunset.  Mountains trekkers should bring warm clothes and water proofs for unexpected seasonal rains. Shoes must always be removed before entering churches and mosques.

Safety

Generally, Ethiopia is considered as safe destination, but one should still take normal precautions while visiting cities and tourist sites: avoiding unfamiliar areas at night and not carrying large sums of money in pockets.

Time and calendar

Ethiopia is found within GMT +3 hours’ time Zone, and follows the Julian calendar, which consists of twelve months of thirty days each thirteen months of five days (six days in a leap year). The calendar is seven years and eight months behind the Western Gregorian calendar

Currency

The Local currency is the Ethiopian Birr, made up of 100 Cents. Notes are used in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50 and 100 birr. There is no limit to the amount foreign currency imported, but it must be declared to the customs authority upon arrival.

Custom

• Duty-free imports are permitted for up to:
• 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, or 1/2 lb of tobacco
• liters of alcoholic beverages
• Half-liter or two bottles of perfume.

Visitors may export souvenirs, although some Articles (such as animal skins and antiques) require an export permit.

Power

Ethiopia uses 220 volts and 50 HZ. It is good to bring your own round two prong adaptor and transformer if necessary.

Public holidays

The following are Ethiopian public holiday dates:-

• September 11, Ethiopian New Year (Enkutatash)
• September 27, The finding of the True Cross (Meskal)
• January 7, Ethiopian Christmas (Genna)
• January 19, Ethiopian Epiphany (Timket)
• March 2 ,Victory of Adwa (commemorates the victory by Menelik II over Italy in 1896)
• Ethiopian Good Friday (variable)
• Ethiopian Easter (Fasika) (variable)
• May 1, International Labor Day
• Eid ul Fitr (Ramadhan) (variable)
• Eid ul Adha (variable)
• April 6, Ethiopian patriots victory day (celebrates end of Italian occupation in 1941)

Banking and Currency Exchange

Banking hours are usually from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm from Monday to Friday and from 8:00 am – 11:00 am on Saturdays. Closing times may be an hour longer in some private banks. Most banks work through lunchtime including foreign exchanges services

Courier and Money Transfer Services

Money transfers can be made through Western Union and Money Gram. Both have representative branches in Addis Ababa and in some other major towns and make their services available from private and national banks. For courier services, DHL, FedEx, UPS, TNT, and EMS have offices in Addis Ababa.

Language

Amharic is the official language of Ethiopia although English, Italian and Arabic are also spoken in cities and towns.

Communication

Internet, Telephone, Tele fax, and postal services are available in the country. Numerous internet cafes are available in Addis Ababa and in other cities. They all give Internet, Fax and telephone calling service. The country Dialing Code is +251

Tipping

Though tipping is a frequent custom, amounts vary depending on the service quality offered and the interests of the visitors. In most hotels and restaurants, a 10 per cent service charge is added to the bill.

Points of Entry

Bole International Airport, Bahir Dar, Mekele and Dire Dawa Airports are entry ports. Dawale and Galafe for those crossing from Djibouti border, Moyale for those driving from Kenya, Humera and Metema from Sudan are surface entry points .All arrivals undergo full customs and immigration checks. These are only entry points and no visa services available.

Driving

In Ethiopia driving is on the right. Drivers require a valid international driving license which can be obtained by exchanging yours with local license. Visitor can recover their license prior to their departure

Vaccinations

These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.

TYPHOID

Recommended for Ethiopia. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.

HEPATITIS A 

Recommended for Ethiopia. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.

CHOLERA

Recommended for Ethiopia. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.

TUBERCULOSIS

Recommended for Ethiopia. Ideally 3 months before travel.

HEPATITISB

Recommended for Ethiopia. Ideally 2 months before travel.

RABIES

Recommended for Ethiopia. Ideally 1 month before travel.

MENINGOCOCCAL MENINGITI

Recommended for Ethiopia. Ideally 3 weeks before travel

YELLOW FEVER

Recommended for Ethiopia. Ideally 10 days before travel.