Duration: 11 days
Description: Explore the Simien Mountains National Park and enjoy the Genna/Lidet Ceremony in Lalibela
Program: Excursion to the Simien Mountains and enjoy one of the unique festivals of the world: Genna/Lidet (Ethiopian Christmas procession).
Transport: by car, except the flight from Lalibela back to Addis
Lidet/Ledet (Ethiopian Christmas)
Lidet (Ethiopian Christmas, Nativity, incarnation) falls on December 29 of the Ethiopian calendar (January 7 on the Gregorian calendar). Lidet is celebrated after 43 days of fasting, known as Tsome Gahad (Advent), with a spectacular procession, which begins at 6 AM and lasts until 9 AM. After the mass service, people go home to break the fast with the meat of chicken or lamb or beef accompanied with injera and the traditional drinks (i.e. tella or tej).
Highlights of the itinerary:
Day 01: Dec. 28 – Arrive in Addis Ababa
Visit of the sights in Addis in the remaining time. Overnight stat at a hotel of your own choice.
Day 02: Dec. 29 – Drive from Addis to Bahir Dar
Overnight stay at Tana Hotel in Bahir dar.
Day 03: Dec. 30 – Boat excursion on Lake Tana and half day trip to the Blue Nile Falls. Overnight stay at Tana hotel.
Day 04: Dec. 31 – Drive from Bahir Dar to Gondar
Sightseeing of the medieval city Gondar in the remaining time. Overnight stay at Taye Belay Hotel in Gondar
Day 05: Jan. 1 – Drive from Gondar to Simien Mountains National Park. Explore the Simien Mountains panoramic view during the rest of your time. Overnight stay at Simien lodge in Sankaber.
Day 06: Jan. 2 – Drive Simien Mountains National Park to Axum . Full day drive enjoying the breath taking natural beauty over the Limalimo, Tekez valley and the Simien mountains. Overnight stay at Brana hotel in Aksum
Day 07: Jan. 3 – Full day sightseeing of the ancient town፣ Aksum. Overnight stay at Brana hotel in Aksum.
Day 08: Jan. 4 – Drive from Axum to Adigrat. Visit the moon temple of Yeha and the Monastery of Debre Damo on the way. Overnight stay at Geza Gebre Selasie hotel in Adigrat.
Day 09: Jan. 5 – Adigrat to Mekelle via Senkata /Gheralta-Hauzien. Visit of the ancient rock hewn churches of Tigray on the way. Overnight stay at Aksum hotel in Mekelle.
Day 10: Jan. 6 – Drive Mekelle to Lalibela Eve of Christmas. Overnight stay at Mount view hotel in Lalibela.
Day 11: Jan. 7 – Enjoy Christmas day in Lalibela and sightseeing of the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela. Overnight stay at Mount view hotel in Lalibela
Day 12: Jan. 8 – Flight to Addis Ababa. Before your transfer out to your international flights, there will be a fare well dinner party in one of the famous traditional restaurants in Addis Ababa.
NB. All the hotels mentioned in the itinerary are subject to change depending on rooms availability and requests of clients.