Ethiopian Epiphany

Day 1 (September 25): Arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Air port

Meet by Safeway Tours representative at exit of luggage claim and transfer you to the hotel. Overnight: Hotel.

Day 2 (September 26): City tour in Addis Ababa and attend Ketera (the eve of Meskel)

Addis Ababa is the third highest capital of the world on an altitude of 2300-2500 m. with a pleasant climate and a background of green with eucalyptus trees covered mountains. The city is founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II and Queen Taitu.Visit Entoto Mountains, with very nice view over the capital, the National/Ethnographic museum, St George church and the Merkato, biggest open air market in Africa.

Late in the afternoon attend ketera (the eve of Meskel) at Meskel Square in Addis Ababa, here bonfires are built topped by a cross, to which flowers (Meskel daisy) are tied. After the bonfires are blessed, which takes place during a long ceremony, they are set on fire and dancing and singing begins around them. Overnight: Hotel.

Day 3 (September 27): Fly to Bahir dar

Make a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit the medieval period island monasteries such as; Kibran Gabriel (only for men), Entos and on the Zegien peninsula visit Ura Kidan Mehiret, Azuwa Mariam, Mahal Giorgis. In the afternoon drive to Tis Isat (smoking of Fire); Since a dam has been built upstream, the waterfall is reduced a little. Also the walk to the waterfall is nice and you can enjoy nature and watch birds. Overnight: Hotel.

Day 4 (September 28): City tour in Gondar

After having breakfast drive to Gondar, 180km asphalt road via a scenic route and marvelous landscape and Visit the Royal Enclosure that is surrounded by high stone walls containing the 17th century palaces of King Fassiladas, King Iyasu and Queen Mentewab and different other buildings. Visit also Fasiladas’ Bath, (that is filled with water for the important Timkat (epiphany) ceremony once a year)

Having a lunch in afternoon visit the rectangular Debre Brehan Selassie (Trinity at the Mount of Light) has a ceilings decorated with beautiful winged Angels. Depending on the time you can visit also Kweskwam Complex which is a royal compound built by the Empress Mentewab. Inside the palace look out the figures of crosses and Ethiopian characters and animals, such as St Samuel riding his lion. Overnight: Hotel.

Day 5 (September 29): Flight to Axum

Axum is a town with monuments that testify of the rich and glorious past of the mighty Kingdom of Axum (1-700 A.D.). And the town also recorded in UNESCO lists as a World Heritage Site. Upon arrival check in hotel then start to make a visit to the famous Axumi’s stelae, St. Mary of Zion church (which supposed to house the Ark of Covenant) and archeological museum, the ruins palace of Queen Sheba so called Dungur & palace.

Outside Axum you can visit also the tombs of Kings Kaleb & Gebre Meskel dating to 6th century. They are a great example of the sheer sophistication of Axumite architecture and building techniques. Overnight: Hotel.

Day 6 (September 30): Flight to Lalibela

Lalibela and its rock-hewn church are thought, to date the 12th and 13th century during King Lalibela reign. The churches are remarkable since they are entirely freed from the rock, refined and concentrated in small land. Start to visit the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela which are clustered in to three different places separated by River Jordan. Today visit the first and the third groups of churches. Overnight: Hotel.

Day 7 (October 1): Flight back to Addis Ababa and continue to make city tour

Today you have enough time left for shopping in Merkato or in the numerous souvenir shops near Churchill road, to visit art galleries. Late in afternoon have a fare-well dinner then check in for flight back home.

Day 1 (January 3): Arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Air port and Visit Addis Ababa

Meet and greet by Safeway Tours representative at exit of luggage claim and transfer you to the hotel. After a breakfast and brief break you will make a visit to Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.

Addis Ababa is the third highest capital of the world on an altitude of 2300-2500 m. with a pleasant climate and a background of green with eucalyptus trees covered mountains. The city is founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II and Queen Taitu.

Visit Entoto Mountains, with very nice view over the capital, the National/Ethnographic museum, St George church and the Merkato, biggest open air market in Africa. Overnight: Hotel.

Day 2 (January 4): Fly to Bahir dar and transfer hotel for check-in

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Make a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit the medieval period island monasteries such as; Kibran Gabriel (only for men), Entos and on the Zegien peninsula visit Ura Kidan Mehiret, Azuwa Mariam, Mahal Giorgis.

In the afternoon drive to Tis Isat (smoking of Fire); Since a dam has been built upstream, the waterfall is reduced a little. Also the walk to the waterfall is nice and you can enjoy nature and watch birds. Overnight: Hotel.

Day 3 (January 5): City tour in Gondar

After having breakfast drive to Gondar, 180km asphalt road via a scenic route and marvelous landscape and Visit the Royal Enclosure that is surrounded by high stone walls containing the 17th century palaces of King Fassiladas, King Iyasu and Queen Mentewab and different other buildings. Visit also Fasiladas’ Bath, (that is filled with water for the important Timkat (epiphany) ceremony once a year) Having a lunch in afternoon visit the rectangular Debre Brehan Selassie (Trinity at the Mount of Light) has a ceilings decorated with beautiful winged Angels. Depending on the time you can visit also Kweskwam Complex which is a royal compound built by the Empress Mentewab.Overnight: Hotel.

Day 4 (January 6): Flight to Axum

Axum is a town with monuments that testify of the rich and glorious past of the mighty Kingdom of Axum (1-700 A.D.). And the town also recorded in UNESCO lists as a World Heritage Site. Upon arrival check in hotel then start to make a visit to the famous Axumi’s stelae, St. Mary of Zion church (which supposed to house the Ark of Covenant) and archeological museum, the ruins palace of Queen Sheba so called Dungur & palace. Outside Axum you can Overnight: Hotel.

Day 5 (January 7): Flight to Lalibela

Lalibela and its rock-hewn church are thought, to date the 12th and 13th century during King Lalibela reign. The churches are remarkable since they are entirely freed from the rock, refined and concentrated in small land. Start to visit the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela which are clustered in to three different places separated by River Jordan. Today visit the first and the third groups of churches. Today you will also attend the Ethiopian Christ mass festival. This festival, the faithful attend all-night church services, often moving from one church to another. Overnight: Hotel.

Day 6 (January 8): Flight back to Addis Ababa and continue to make city tour

Today you have enough time left for shopping in Merkato or in the numerous souvenir shops near Churchill road, to visit art galleries. Late in afternoon have a fare-well dinner then check in for flight back home.

Day 1 (December/July 22):

Arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Air port & Visit Addis Ababa Meet and greet by Safeway Tours representative at exit of luggage claim and transfer you to the hotel. After a breakfast and brief break you will make a visit to Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.

Addis Ababa is the third highest capital of the world on an altitude of 2300-2500 m. with a pleasant climate and a background of green with eucalyptus trees covered mountains. The city is founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II and Queen Taitu. Visit Entoto Mountains, with very nice view over the capital, the National/Ethnographic museum, St George church and the Merkato, biggest open air market in Africa. Overnight: Hotel.

Day 2 (December/July 23): Drive to Awash

In the Awash National Park you will see the elegant Beisa Oryx grazing on the savanna plains. Also Soemmering’s gazelle, Dikdiks, greater and lesser Kudu and Waterbuck can be observed. The park is well known for its 460 bird species from which 6 are endemic. Overnight: Hotel.

Day 3 (December/July 24): Drive to Harar

Harar is an early 16th century eastern Ethiopian city was once an important trade centre and is famous for its ancient Arabic structures, great city walls, and the French poet Rimbaud's house. Harar is an Islamic centre with at least 99 mosques, and is considered to be the fourth holiest Islamic city, after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. Early in the evening visit the Hayena man. Overnight: Hotel.

Day 4 (December/July 25): City tour in Harar and drive to Dire Dawa

Inside the wall city visit the museum of the Harari National Cultural Centre which is designed like a typical Adare houses. Other interesting places are the 17th century Jami mosque, Rimbaud house, birth place of Emperor Haile Selassie Ras Tafari house. Late in afternoon drive to Dire Dawa. Dire Dawa is the mosaic of culture, the museum of people. Enjoy the nightlife. Overnight: Hotel.

Day 5 (December/July 26):

Celebrate Kulubi festival. Overnight: Hotel.

Day 6 (December/July 27): Drive back to Addis Ababa

Last day in Addis Ababa make shopping and visit the missing from Day 2. And late in the evening check-in for flight back home.