Overview

Program: Sebartmu Festival Tour-Cultural Tour to the Historic Route of Ethiopia
Duration: 13 Days
Transport: Surface and Air
Activities: colorful Timket Festival, ancient history, people, age-old culture, breathtaking highland scenery, waterfalls, castles, rock churches, archeology and so  much more

Sebaratmu Festival Tour- A cultural tour to the historic route of Ethiopia

This cultural tour takes you on the Ethiopia’s Historic North with Sebartmu Giorgis Festival, one of the most colorful festivals celebrated at St. Lalibela. This festival is less famous, but equaly absorbing as Timket Festival and it is celebrated colorfully around one of the most famous rock-hewn church, St. George with just one week after Timket.

On this tour you will also visit the classic Historic Route of Ethiopia  which include– Axum, Lalibela, Gondar, island monasteries of Lake Tana, the palace of queen of Sheba and the last resting place of the Ark of the Covenant the least is endless. Cruise along Lake Tana, the source of the Great  Blue Nile River, trek along the spectacular Simien Mountains “the chase pieces  of gods”  with the Bleeding Heart Baboon. Last, but not least the friendly and charming people of Ethiopia!

 

 

Itinerary:

Day 01:  January 15, 2014: Arrive Addis Ababa

Arrive in Addis Ababa (ADD), Ethiopia. Welcome to Ethiopia! Upon arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, you will be welcomed and assisted by your tour guide and driver for the transfer to Hotel. There will be a short drive to your hotel. If you arraive in the morning we can arrange an optional city tour in Addis.

Overnight: Jupiter Hotel-Addis Ababa.

Day 02: January 16: Addis Ababa- Bahirdar (B-L-D)

In the morning, drive to Bahirdar through the Great Blue Nile Gorge with a stop over at different small towns like Dejen, Chancho and Goha Tsion.

Overnight: Tana Hotel-Bahirdar.

Day 03: January 17: Lake Tana-Blue Nile Falls-Bahir Dar (B-L)

After breakfast, we will make boat cruise over Lake Tana to visit the ancient 14th century island monasteries of Lake Tana.

After having lunch at the hotel, we will drive 35 KM to visit the majestic Blue Nile Falls.

Overnight: Tana Hotel-Bahirdar.

Day 04: January 18: Bahir Dar-Gondar (B-L-D)

After breakfast, drive to Gondar through the beautiful countryside scenery to arrive at Gondar around lunchtime.

After check in to Goha Hotel and having lunch there, we will start tour of Gondar which include: the Royal Enclosure, the pool of King Fasilidas, and we will also visit the famous Deberberhan Sillassie adorned with brilliant frescos from inside.

Overnight: Goha Hotel-Gondar.

Day 05: January 19: Gondar-Simien Mountains National Park (B-L-D)

After an early breakfast, we will drive to Simien Mountains National park. En-route we will be visiting the “Felasha” or the Black Jewish village.
Driving from Gondar up to Simien Mountains National Park, nothing prepares you for the spectacular scenery that awaits at the top of the massif. The rest of the day, trek around the park to explore the stunnining view and wildlife of  the park including  Sankaber.

Overnight: Simien Lodge-Buit Ras.

Day 06: January 22: Simien Mountains National Park-Axum (B-L-D)

After breakfast start driving to Axum through the beautiful sceneries of Simien Mountains, Limalimo, Tekeze River Gorge.

Overnight: Yeha Hotel-Axum.

Day 07: January 23: Axum (B-L)

After breakfast, we will start to visit the ancient city of Axum. Your  visit in Axum include: 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: Yeha Hotel-Axum.

Day 08:   January 24: Axum-Hauzien (B-L-D)

In the morning, drive to Hauzien, the center of some of the most ancient rock-hewn churches, through the stunning and historical mountains of Adwa.

Overnight: Geralta Lodge-Hauzien.

Day 09: January 25: Hauzien-Mekele (B-L-D)

In the morning, drive to Mekele en-route visit some of the most ancient Tigray rock-hewn churches including: Wikro Cherkos, Abrha We-atsbeha, Dugum Selassie and so on.

Overnight: Axum Hotel-Mekele.

Day 10: January 26: Mekele-Lalibela-Sebaratmu Giorgis Eve at Lalibela  (B-L-D)

After breakfast, start driving north to Lalibela through Sekota en-route you will visit Yimrhane Kirstos and different villages of the Agwe tribal people.


Late in the afternoon, we will drive to Bete Giorgis to attend the eve of Sebaratmu. Here the priest and deacons will be chanting with their drums and sistras to celebrate the eve of St. Gorge.

Overnight: Mountain View Hotel-Lalibela.

Day 11: January 27: Rock-hewn churches of Lalibela-Sebratmu Festival at Lalibela (B-L-D)

After breakfast, we will drive to the tha Taboat Maderia, where the replica of the ark of the covenant, Tabot has been rested overnight. After staying overnight, the Ark will be accompined to  Bete Giorgis with a lot of  feasting, singing and dancing all the way. When the Tabot reaches the church, there will be  dancing by the priest along the cliff edge of the church while the  faithful continue to dance forming different groups.

Overnight: Mountain View Hotel-Lalibela.

Day 12: January 28: Lalibela-Asheten Mariam (B-L-D)

In the morning, Mule ride to the top of Asheten Marima to visit the monastery church from the 12th century.

After having lunch and rest at the hotel, we will continue our journey into Ethiopia’s long and marvelous history with a visit to other St. 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: Mountain View Hotel-Lalibela.

Day 13: January 29: Lalibela-Addis Ababa-Departure (B)

After breakfast, transfer to Lalibela airport for the flight to Addis Ababa. Depending on your departure time optional city tour.
In the evening, there will be Grand Holidays’ complimentary farewell dinner party with traditional special buffet and local drinks (flight schedule permitting). At the end of the Farwell dinner, transfer to Addis Ababa airport for the flight back. End of tour!

B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner

Images from Sebartmu Festival Tour-Cultural Tour to the Historic Route of Ethiopia

Note: Click on thumbnail to enlarge

Itinerary

Itinerary:

Day 01:  January 15, 2014: Arrive Addis Ababa

Arrive in Addis Ababa (ADD), Ethiopia. Welcome to Ethiopia! Upon arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, you will be welcomed and assisted by your tour guide and driver for the transfer to Hotel. There will be a short drive to your hotel. If you arraive in the morning we can arrange an optional city tour in Addis.

Overnight: Jupiter Hotel-Addis Ababa.

Day 02: January 16: Addis Ababa- Bahirdar (B-L-D)

In the morning, drive to Bahirdar through the Great Blue Nile Gorge with a stop over at different small towns like Dejen, Chancho and Goha Tsion.

Overnight: Tana Hotel-Bahirdar.

Day 03: January 17: Lake Tana-Blue Nile Falls-Bahir Dar (B-L)

After breakfast, we will make boat cruise over Lake Tana to visit the ancient 14th century island monasteries of Lake Tana.

After having lunch at the hotel, we will drive 35 KM to visit the majestic Blue Nile Falls.

Overnight: Tana Hotel-Bahirdar.

Day 04: January 18: Bahir Dar-Gondar (B-L-D)

After breakfast, drive to Gondar through the beautiful countryside scenery to arrive at Gondar around lunchtime.

After check in to Goha Hotel and having lunch there, we will start tour of Gondar which include: the Royal Enclosure, the pool of King Fasilidas, and we will also visit the famous Deberberhan Sillassie adorned with brilliant frescos from inside.

Overnight: Goha Hotel-Gondar.

Day 05: January 19: Gondar-Simien Mountains National Park (B-L-D)

After an early breakfast, we will drive to Simien Mountains National park. En-route we will be visiting the “Felasha” or the Black Jewish village.
Driving from Gondar up to Simien Mountains National Park, nothing prepares you for the spectacular scenery that awaits at the top of the massif. The rest of the day, trek around the park to explore the stunnining view and wildlife of  the park including  Sankaber.

Overnight: Simien Lodge-Buit Ras.

Day 06: January 22: Simien Mountains National Park-Axum (B-L-D)

After breakfast start driving to Axum through the beautiful sceneries of Simien Mountains, Limalimo, Tekeze River Gorge.

Overnight: Yeha Hotel-Axum.

Day 07: January 23: Axum (B-L)

After breakfast, we will start to visit the ancient city of Axum. Your  visit in Axum include: 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: Yeha Hotel-Axum.

Day 08:   January 24: Axum-Hauzien (B-L-D)

In the morning, drive to Hauzien, the center of some of the most ancient rock-hewn churches, through the stunning and historical mountains of Adwa.

Overnight: Geralta Lodge-Hauzien.

Day 09: January 25: Hauzien-Mekele (B-L-D)

In the morning, drive to Mekele en-route visit some of the most ancient Tigray rock-hewn churches including: Wikro Cherkos, Abrha We-atsbeha, Dugum Selassie and so on.

Overnight: Axum Hotel-Mekele.

Day 10: January 26: Mekele-Lalibela-Sebaratmu Giorgis Eve at Lalibela  (B-L-D)

After breakfast, start driving north to Lalibela through Sekota en-route you will visit Yimrhane Kirstos and different villages of the Agwe tribal people.


Late in the afternoon, we will drive to Bete Giorgis to attend the eve of Sebaratmu. Here the priest and deacons will be chanting with their drums and sistras to celebrate the eve of St. Gorge.

Overnight: Mountain View Hotel-Lalibela.

Day 11: January 27: Rock-hewn churches of Lalibela-Sebratmu Festival at Lalibela (B-L-D)

After breakfast, we will drive to the tha Taboat Maderia, where the replica of the ark of the covenant, Tabot has been rested overnight. After staying overnight, the Ark will be accompined to  Bete Giorgis with a lot of  feasting, singing and dancing all the way. When the Tabot reaches the church, there will be  dancing by the priest along the cliff edge of the church while the  faithful continue to dance forming different groups.

Overnight: Mountain View Hotel-Lalibela.

Day 12: January 28: Lalibela-Asheten Mariam (B-L-D)

In the morning, Mule ride to the top of Asheten Marima to visit the monastery church from the 12th century.

After having lunch and rest at the hotel, we will continue our journey into Ethiopia’s long and marvelous history with a visit to other St. 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: Mountain View Hotel-Lalibela.

Day 13: January 29: Lalibela-Addis Ababa-Departure (B)

After breakfast, transfer to Lalibela airport for the flight to Addis Ababa. Depending on your departure time optional city tour.
In the evening, there will be Grand Holidays’ complimentary farewell dinner party with traditional special buffet and local drinks (flight schedule permitting). At the end of the Farwell dinner, transfer to Addis Ababa airport for the flight back. End of tour!

B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner

Images

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Dates & availability & rates

Program: Sebartmu Festival Tour-Cultural Tour to the Historic Route of Ethiopia
Duration: 13 Days
Transport: Surface and Air
Activities: colorful Timket Festival, ancient history, people, age-old culture, breathtaking highland scenery, waterfalls, castles, rock churches, archeology and so  much more

Travel Dates	Groupe size	Status	Space availibility	Rate per person	sgl suppl.	Extra night in Addis
						in dbl	in sgl
15.-27.Jan  2014	15 PAX	Confirmed	Available	2.495,-	695,-	60,-	105,-
16.-28.Jan  2015	15 PAX	Confirmed	Available	on request

 

Rates are per person in US$ (1 US$ = ca. 0,75 €)

Confirmed - This tour is guaranteed to operate   Available - This date is available and open for bookings. Go for it!

Rate includes:

•    roundtrip as per program
•    all necessary transfers
•    transport in modern vehicles with air-condition
•    12 nights accomodation in good hotels (4-star in Addis Abeba) in double rooms
•    all meals as stated in the program
•    all entrance fees
•    English speaking, qualified national tourguide
•    farewell-dinner (flight schedule permitting)

Not included:

•    visafees
•    tips
•    meals not stated in the progam
•    all expenses of personal nature (drinks, laudry, phonecalls etc.)
•    sleeping bag on trekking tours

Tour Durations

The tour duration shown above is in the idea of the tour beginning and ending in Addis Ababa. Please be aware that the flight inclusive duration of the holiday may be longer.

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