Ethiopian Christmas Festival Tour — a special place to celebrate along the Historic Route of Ethiopia. Step back in time and explore thousands of years of history, legend, and one of the most colorful and ancient festivals, celebrated around the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela.
Celebrated on January 7th and preceded by a 40-day fast, on the eve of Christmas people gather in churches for mass lasting about three hours. The clergy and "Debtera" (scholars versed in church liturgy and music) lift their voices in hymns and chant, just as they have for over a thousand years since Ethiopia accepted Christianity.
After mass, the fast is broken and the clergy and crowds disperse to their homes to feast, with plentiful food and drink characteristic of Ethiopia's biggest calendar festivities. It is one of the greatest and most colorful festivals in the country, and in Lalibela it is celebrated with even greater devotion — chanting, dancing, and singing around rock-hewn churches built more than 800 years ago. The ancient city fills with tens of thousands of pilgrims arriving from every direction of Ethiopia and every walk of life.
Trip Highlights
- ✦Visit the vibrant city of Addis Ababa
- ✦Attend the Celebration of Gena ("Ethiopian Christmas")
- ✦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 Lalibela, Visit Churches & Attend Ethiopian Christmas Ceremony After breakfast, transfer to the airport and fly to Lalibela. 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. In the evening, attend the Ethiopian Christmas ceremony. | Hotel in Lalibela — Bed & Breakfast |
| Day 04 | Full Day in Lalibela — Churches & Christmas Ceremony Early in the morning, attend the Christmas Ceremony, then later in the day visit the remaining rock-hewn churches of Lalibela and their surroundings. | Hotel in Lalibela — Bed & Breakfast |
| Day 05 | Fly to Gondar & Sightseeing of Gondar In the morning, transfer to Gondar, known as the 'Camelot of Africa' and the 17th–18th century capital of Ethiopia. Visit the Royal Enclosure with its collection of castles, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as Debre Berhan Selassie Church, famed for its ceiling of winged angels and biblical murals, and the Bathing Pool of King Fasiledes. | 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 | Sightseeing of Gondar & Drive to Bahir Dar In the morning, visit Debre Berhan Selassie Church, notable 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. In the afternoon, drive to Bahir Dar. | Hotel in Bahir Dar — Bed & Breakfast |
| Day 09 | Excursion in Bahir Dar — Lake Tana & Blue Nile Falls In the morning, take a boat cruise on Lake Tana to visit island monasteries known for their colorful frescoes and ancient 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 10 | Fly Back to Addis Ababa In the morning, transfer to the airport to fly back to Addis Ababa, with time for final souvenir shopping. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional restaurant before transferring to the airport for your international flight home. | Departure — End of the Tour |