Timket is the greatest festival of the Ethiopian year, falling just two weeks after Ethiopian Christmas. It is a three-day affair, preceded by the eve of Timket, when dramatic processions take place through a night of fasting, leading up to the great day itself and the commemoration of Christ's baptism in the Jordan River.
Ketera, the eve of Timket, is when priests bring out the Tabots — replicas of the two tablets of law received by Moses, which are normally housed inside the altar, symbolizing the Ark of the Covenant. Priests bless the water of the pool or river where the next day's celebration will take place. It is the Tabot, rather than the church building, that is consecrated and given extreme reverence.
Visitors have the unique chance to experience a festival lost to the rest of the world, celebrated with vivid processions, colorful vestments, and joyous baptism ceremonies at Gondar's historic bathing pool.
Trip Highlights
- ✦Visit the vibrant city of Addis Ababa
- ✦Attend the Celebration of Timket ("Ethiopian Epiphany")
- ✦Experience Ethiopian Orthodox Christian doctrines and traditions
- ✦Be amazed by the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela
- ✦Enjoy the magnificent nature and endemic wildlife of the Simien Mountains
- ✦Explore the ancient city of Axum, Stele Park, and the resting place of the Ark of the Covenant
- ✦Discover the "Camelot of Africa," Gondar
- ✦Take a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit the ancient island monasteries
- ✦See the source of the Blue Nile River and the Blue Nile Falls
- ✦Try the varied flavors of Ethiopian food
Itinerary
| Day | Day Activities | Remark |
|---|---|---|
| Day 01 | Arrival in Addis Ababa Meet your Yama Ethiopia Tours representative at Bole International Airport and transfer to your hotel. | Hotel in Addis Ababa — Overnight |
| Day 02 | Sightseeing of Addis Ababa In the morning, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Addis Ababa, including the National Museum (home to the famous Lucy fossil skeleton), the Ethnological Museum, Trinity Cathedral Church, and the Entoto Hills. | Hotel in Addis Ababa — Bed & Breakfast |
| Day 03 | Fly to Bahir Dar & Sightseeing (Lake Tana & Blue Nile Falls) Catch a morning flight to Bahir Dar and transfer to your lodge or hotel. After check-in and breakfast, take a boat cruise on the beautiful highland Lake Tana and visit island monasteries known for their colorful frescoes and old manuscripts. After lunch, take a scenic drive to Tiss Abay to visit the famous Blue Nile Falls, then drive back to Bahir Dar for the night. | Hotel in Bahir Dar — Bed & Breakfast |
| Day 04 | Drive to Gondar, Sightseeing & Attend 1st Day of Timket (Epiphany) Early morning departure for the legendary city and World Heritage Site of Gondar, known as the 'Camelot of Africa' and the 17th–18th century capital of Ethiopia. Visit the Royal Enclosure, surrounded by high stone walls (UNESCO World Heritage Site). In the afternoon, attend the colorful first day of the Timket ceremony, watching processions carrying a replica of the Ark of the Covenant to the bathing place. | Hotel in Gondar — Bed & Breakfast |
| Day 05 | Attend the 2nd Day of Timket (Epiphany) Ceremony Early in the morning, witness the colorful climax of the Timket ceremony in Gondar as people are baptized in the great bath near the Fasiladas' compound amid religious song and traditional dress. Afterward, visit Debre Berhan Selassie Church, famed for its ceiling of winged angels and murals depicting the life of Christ, Mary, and the saints, along with a portrait of the church's founder, Emperor Iyasu I. | Hotel in Gondar — Bed & Breakfast |
| Day 06 | Drive to Simien Mountains National Park Head to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Simien Mountains National Park, famed for its dramatic landscapes, afro-alpine vegetation, and unique wildlife and birds. Lunch is served by lunch box with a view. Spend the day on a combination of short hikes and drives, spotting endemic troops of Gelada baboons before returning to the lodge for overnight. | Lodge in Simien Mountains — Bed & Breakfast |
| Day 07 | More Excursions in Simien NP & Drive Back to Gondar Spend more time exploring the breathtaking scenery of the Simien Mountains National Park. Hike along mountain trails among unique flora and fauna, including the Giant Lobelia. Drive to Chenek and trek to see the Walia ibex, a species endemic to Ethiopia and the Simien Mountains. Drive back to Gondar in the late afternoon. | Hotel in Gondar — Bed & Breakfast |
| Day 08 | Fly to Lalibela & Visit Rock-Hewn Churches Transfer to the airport for a flight to Lalibela, then transfer to your hotel. After a short break, visit the first group of the magnificent rock-hewn churches, carved out of living volcanic tuff, including Bete Medhane Alem (House of the Redeemer), the largest with 5 aisles and 72 pillars, and Bete Mariam (House of St. Mary), the most decorated of the rock-hewn churches. | Hotel in Lalibela — Bed & Breakfast |
| Day 09 | More Excursions in Lalibela Excursion to Yemrehane Kristos Cave Church outside Lalibela, through beautiful mountainous landscape. Return to the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the second group of rock-hewn churches: Bete Emanuel (House of Emanuel), architecturally the finest, and Bete Giyorgis (House of St. George), considered the finest of all Lalibela's churches, believed to have been carved last, once the masons had perfected their skill. | Hotel in Lalibela — Bed & Breakfast |
| Day 10 | Fly to Addis Ababa In the morning, after breakfast, fly to Addis Ababa. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional restaurant before transferring to the airport for your flight home. | Departure — End of the Tour |