Tour Overview
Step into a living history book with our exclusive Ethiopian festival tours. These journeys are timed to coincide with Ethiopia's most sacred and spectacular religious celebrations, offering a travel experience unlike any other. Witness ancient traditions, vibrant processions, and profound displays of faith that have been practiced for centuries.
Our festival tours blend these unique cultural immersions with explorations of Ethiopia's legendary historical sites. You won't just see the castles of Gondar or the churches of Lalibela; you'll see them come alive with the color, music, and devotion of thousands of pilgrims. Join us for an unforgettable adventure into the spiritual heart of Ethiopia.
Festival Tour Itineraries
13-Day Classical Tour & Timket Celebration
This tour combines the wonders of the historical route with the vibrant Timket festival, celebrating the baptism of Jesus. The highlight is the ceremony in Gondar, where holy relics are paraded to Fasilides' Bath for a reenactment of the baptism.
Arrive in Addis Ababa, explore the city, then journey north. Discover the Blue Nile Falls and Lake Tana monasteries in Bahir Dar before arriving in Gondar to explore its Royal Enclosure and castles.
Witness 'Ketera', the vibrant afternoon procession where the Tabots (replicas of the Ark of the Covenant) are carried from churches to Fasilides' Bath, accompanied by chanting, music, and immense crowds.
An early start to witness the main event. Priests bless the water and spray the congregation in a symbolic baptism. The rest of the day is filled with joyous processions as the Tabots return to their churches.
Journey into the spectacular Simien Mountains National Park for trekking and wildlife spotting. Continue to Axum, the ancient capital, and explore the rock-hewn churches of Tigray in Hawzien and Mekele.
Travel to Lalibela to explore the incredible UNESCO World Heritage rock-hewn churches. Discover both the Northern and Southern clusters and attend a traditional coffee ceremony.
Take a morning flight back to Addis Ababa for last-minute souvenir shopping before a farewell dinner at a cultural restaurant, then transfer to the airport for your departure.
Price Inclusions
- Entrance fees for all sites
- All listed excursions
- Experienced, multilingual guides
- Ground transportation & driver
- All domestic flights on itinerary
- Lodging for each night
- All hotel/airport transfers
Price Exclusions
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic Drinks
- International airfare
- Tips or gratuities
- Meals (on request basis)
- Photo/video fees
- Visa costs
13-Day Classical Tour & Genna (Christmas) in Lalibela
Experience the magic of Ethiopian Christmas (Genna), celebrated on January 7th, in its most spiritual epicenter: Lalibela. This tour is a pilgrimage of history, faith, and stunning landscapes.
Follow the classic historical circuit: explore Addis Ababa, drive to Bahir Dar for Lake Tana & Blue Nile Falls, see Gondar's castles, trek in the Simien Mountains, discover Axum's stelae, and visit the Tigray churches en route to Mekele.
Drive to Lalibela, visiting Yimrhane Kirstos en route. In the evening, witness the special celebration at Bete Emanuel, with chanting and dancing by priests and deacons among throngs of pilgrims.
Explore the first group of rock-hewn churches. At night, attend the solemn and beautiful Christmas Eve ceremony at Bete Mariam, with candlelight vigils and prayers that continue through the night.
Witness the main Christmas ceremony at dawn, a deeply moving event. Later, explore the remaining churches and enjoy a traditional coffee ceremony in a local home.
Fly back to Addis Ababa for optional city tours or shopping, followed by a farewell dinner with cultural music and dance before your departure.
Price Inclusions
- Entrance fees for all sites
- All listed excursions
- Experienced, multilingual guides
- Ground transportation & driver
- All domestic flights on itinerary
- Lodging for each night
- All hotel/airport transfers
Price Exclusions
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic Drinks
- International airfare
- Tips or gratuities
- Meals (on request basis)
- Photo/video fees
- Visa costs
13-Day Classical Tour & Fasika (Easter) in Lalibela
Fasika is the most important festival in the Ethiopian Orthodox calendar. This tour immerses you in the solemnity of Good Friday and the joyous celebrations of Easter Sunday in the holy city of Lalibela.
Follow the classic historical circuit: explore Addis Ababa, drive to Bahir Dar for Lake Tana & Blue Nile Falls, see Gondar's castles, trek in the Simien Mountains, discover Axum's stelae, and visit the Tigray churches before driving to Lalibela.
Explore the first group of churches. In the afternoon, witness the deeply moving Good Friday (Seklet) ceremony at Bete Mariam, a day of intense prayer and devotion commemorating the crucifixion.
Visit the remaining rock-hewn churches and the colorful Easter market. In the evening, join the faithful in one of the churches for the Easter Eve vigil, which culminates in a joyous candlelight ceremony at 3:00 AM to announce the resurrection of Christ.
After the morning's celebrations and feasts, transfer to Lalibela airport for your flight to Addis. Enjoy a farewell cultural dinner before being transferred to the airport for your departure.
Price Inclusions
- Entrance fees for all sites
- All listed excursions
- Experienced, multilingual guides
- Ground transportation & driver
- All domestic flights on itinerary
- Lodging for each night
- All hotel/airport transfers
Price Exclusions
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic Drinks
- International airfare
- Tips or gratuities
- Meals (on request basis)
- Photo/video fees
- Visa costs
13-Day Classical Tour & Meskel Celebration
Meskel, a UNESCO-inscribed festival, commemorates the finding of the True Cross. This tour culminates in the spectacular 'Demera' ceremony, where a massive bonfire is lit, accompanied by processions and festivities.
Follow the classic historical circuit: explore Addis Ababa, drive to Bahir Dar for Lake Tana & Blue Nile Falls, see Gondar's castles, trek in the Simien Mountains, discover Axum's stelae, and visit the Tigray churches en route to Lalibela.
Explore the first group of rock-hewn churches. In the afternoon, witness the Demera, where a huge bonfire decorated with yellow Meskel daises is blessed and lit. The direction the central pole falls is believed to predict the year ahead.
Experience the main Meskel festival day, marked by more processions and celebrations. In the afternoon, continue exploring the second group of Lalibela's magnificent churches.
Begin the scenic drive south towards Kombolcha, traveling over high plateaus and through the towns of Weldia and Dessie.
Drive back to Addis Ababa, stopping at a multi-tribal market in Kemise if the day is right. Enjoy a farewell dinner and transfer for your flight home.
Price Inclusions
- Entrance fees for all sites
- All listed excursions
- Experienced, multilingual guides
- Ground transportation & driver
- All domestic flights on itinerary
- Lodging for each night
- All hotel/airport transfers
Price Exclusions
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic Drinks
- International airfare
- Tips or gratuities
- Meals (on request basis)
- Photo/video fees
- Visa costs
13-Day Classical Tour & Sebar Atsimu Georgis
This unique festival in Lalibela celebrates the collection of the bones of St. George, Ethiopia's patron saint. It's a deeply local and powerful display of faith centered around the iconic Bete Giyorgis church.
Follow the classic historical circuit: explore Addis Ababa, drive to Bahir Dar for Lake Tana & Blue Nile Falls, see Gondar's castles, trek in the Simien Mountains, discover Axum's stelae, and visit the Tigray churches en route to Mekele.
Drive to Lalibela. In the late afternoon, make your way to the famous cross-shaped church of Bete Giyorgis to witness the eve of the festival, as priests and deacons chant with drums and sistra.
The Tabot of St. George is paraded back to the church with much feasting, singing, and dancing. The climax is the priests' dance along the cliff edge of the church, a truly breathtaking sight.
Take a mule ride to the monastery of Asheten Mariam for spectacular views. In the afternoon, visit the remaining rock-hewn churches and enjoy a final traditional coffee ceremony.
Transfer to Lalibela airport for your flight to Addis. Enjoy a final celebratory cultural dinner before being transferred to Bole International Airport for your departure.
Price Inclusions
- Entrance fees for all sites
- All listed excursions
- Experienced, multilingual guides
- Ground transportation & driver
- All domestic flights on itinerary
- Lodging for each night
- All hotel/airport transfers
Price Exclusions
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic Drinks
- International airfare
- Tips or gratuities
- Meals (on request basis)
- Photo/video fees
- Visa costs