Overview
This extraordinary 13-day cultural and historical journey takes you through the ancient heart of Ethiopia. Traveling the legendary “Historic Route,” you will discover medieval castles, island monasteries, and the “Roof of Africa.” The journey culminates in a profound spiritual experience in the sacred city of Lalibela, witnessing the centuries-old traditions of the Ethiopian Christmas (Genna) celebration.
Top Highlights
- Celebrate Ethiopian Christmas (Genna) in the sacred city of Lalibela.
- Witness the mesmerizing Christmas Eve candlelight ceremonies with thousands of pilgrims.
- Explore the 11 UNESCO-listed rock-hewn churches of Lalibela.
- Visit the Ark of the Covenant traditional home at St. Mary of Zion in Axum.
- Tour the medieval castles of the Royal Enclosure in Gondar.
- Trek through the dramatic peaks of the Simien Mountains.
- Cruise Lake Tana to visit ancient island monasteries and the Blue Nile Falls.
- Experience a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony in a local home.
Tour Plan
Arrive in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Welcome to Ethiopia! Upon arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, you will be welcomed and assisted by your tour guide and driven to your hotel. If you arrive in the morning, an optional city tour can be arranged.
Overnight: Hotel, Addis Ababa
In the morning, drive to Bahirdar through the Great Blue Nile Gorge with stops at different small towns like Dejen, Chancho, and Goha Tsion.
Overnight Hotel, Bahir Dar
As the name suggests, this is Seville’s central district, and the densely packed zone of narrow streets and squares north and east of Plaza Nueva, centred on Calles Sierpes and Tetuán/Velázquez, is the heart of Seville’s shopping world, as well as home to some excellent bars and restaurants. On the north-eastern edge is the Metropol Parasol, aka Las Setas, a modern complex of vast wooden parasols with a rooftop walkway.
The legendary barrio of Triana sits on the west bank of the Río Guadalquivir. This atmospheric quarter, famous for its ceramic tiles, was once home to many of Seville’s most quintessential bullfighting and flamenco characters and it still hosts some of its most poignant sights.
This former island on the Río Guadalquivir takes its name from the on-site monastery, the Monasterio de la Cartuja de Santa María de Las Cuevas. It was connected to Seville’s west bank in 1992 to incorporate the city’s Expo ’92 site. Monastery apart, most of the buildings here are modern, including the impossible-to-miss Cajasol tower completed in 2015.
After breakfast, we drive to Axum through the beautiful scenery of the Simien Mountains and the Tekeze River Gorge.
Overnight: Hotel, Axum
After breakfast, we will visit the ancient city of Axum. Your visit in Axum includes the Stele Square, Kaleba Tombs, the 4th-century Christian inscription of King Ezana, Queen of Sheba’s Palace, Archeological Museum, and Tsion Mariam Church, where the original Ark of the Covenant is housed.
Overnight: Hotel, Axum
In the morning, we drive to Hauzien, the center of some of the most ancient rock-hewn churches, through the stunning and historical mountains of Adwa.
Overnight: Lodge, Hauzien
In the morning, we drive to Mekele enroute visiting some of the most ancient Tigray rock-hewn churches including Wikro Cherkos, Abrha We-atsbeha, and Dugum Selassie.
Overnight: Hotel, Mekelle
After breakfast, we drive north to Lalibela through Sekota. Enroute you will visit Yimrhane Kirstos and different villages of the Agwe tribal people. In the evening, we will drive to Bete Emanuel to attend the special celebration of Emanuel with chanting and dancing by the priests and deacons. The ceremony will be accompined by a capacity crowd of piligrims who came to witness this event from far off hamlets and inaccessible valleys on their bare feet walking, for weeks and even months.
Overnight: Hotel, Lalibela
In the morning, we will drive to the sites with the highest concentration of rock-hewn churches of Lalibela from 1200 AD. At night, we will attend the Christmas Eve ceremony to be held at Bete Mariam church. This evening, you will attend the Ethiopian Christmas Eve Ceremony with the pilgrims. The dancing by the deacons and the priests continues throughout the night while the pilgrims clap and ululate to the drum beat. At midnight, there will be a candlelight ceremony to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Overnight: Hotel, Lalibela
In the morning, we will once more drive to Bete Mariam to witness the final ceremony of Ethiopian Christmas. On this day, as it has been for centuries, the priests will be lined up with their drums on the cliff edge of Bete Mariam and others at the bottom, representing the shepherds and the angels announcing the birth of Jesus.
After lunch and a rest at the hotel, we will continue our journey into Ethiopia’s long and marvelous history with a visit to more of Lalibela’s remarkable churches. The rock-hewn churches that we will visit this afternoon include Bete Gebriel, Bete Merkorios Bete Amanuel, Bethlehem, and Bete Aba Libanos. At the end of the tour, there will be a special Ethiopian traditional coffee ceremony for the group prepared at a local house.
Overnight: Hotel, Lalibela
After breakfast, transfer to Lalibela airport for the flight to Addis Ababa. Depending on your departure time, we can arrange an optional city tour of Addis Ababa.
In the evening, there will be a Grand Holidays Ethiopia Tours complimentary farewell dinner party with a traditional special buffet and local drinks (flight schedule permitting). At the end of the farewell dinner, transfer to Addis Ababa airport for the flight back. End of tour.
