Ethiopian Christmas /Ghena/ Lalibela

From Ethiopia to Addis Ababa, 4 days

Tour Overview

Tour Language(s):
English
Group Size:
1 - 16
Suitable Ages:
5 - 80
Dropoff Time:
22:00
Tour Provider:
Finot Tour Ethiopia

Ethiopia that includes many of its cultural sites and spend time in Lalibela on January 7, otherwise known as Ethiopian Christmas. Participate in the Christmas ceremony into the early AM hours in Lalibela and listen to the priests chant at sunrise as you join the locals in this sacred festival. Also tour ruins near Gondar, cruise on Lake Tana near Bahir Dar, visit Genete Mariam and rock-hewn churches.

Tour route map

Highlights

Witness the sacred all-night ceremony at Beta Mariam Church in Lalibela Hear the chants and fervent dancing of the white-robed priests and locals Tour churches, cathedrals, and markets along the Historic Route

Itinerary

Gena, Ethiopia Christmas, Fly to Lalibela and take the airport shuttle transfer to the Town (40minute) and visit the rock hewn churches of Lalibela. After checking at your Hotel we will drive to one of the best market of the year, over 150,000 people will gather in the market to buy and exchange things.

After Lunch,drive to YemrehaneKirstos visit the marble churches called Yimrhannekirstos, which predates the Lalibela churches and was built using a completely different style of construction involving marble and wood. The church is built inside a cave. Pass through different villages and learn about local crops on different plateaus, specular view till your reach the church. return to Lalibela. After diner around 10:00pm we will go to St. Marry church to attending the colorful Gena eve ceremony, we will stay at the church as long as you wish. 

The special hymen of the day is known as BezaKulu (literally it means the Redeemer of all) dancers, systra in their hands and singing the hymns of the holiday. Sway all together from north to south to the rhythm of the big drams. The dance is said to symbolize the praise made by the angels and shepherds at the night of Christmas. The chanters on the top of the courtyard (the surrounding trench) represent the angels of the haven and those at the bottom symbolize the shepherds of Bethlehem.  

After breakfast drive to the site where we find a concentration of some of Ethiopians most famous Rock Hewn churches, mostly referred by many as the living wonders of the world, this churches are, they have been here for at list 900 years, an active christen shrine, the spiritual center of the counters religious life. The monolithic churches where carved out of 2600-sq natural rock terrace in the twelve century AD by king lalibela. BeteMedhanialem, the largest monolithic Rock hewn churches of the world, Magers 37.7 ft in Height, covers an area of almost 2625 Square ft and has walls that are up to 6 feet thick. A plain building supported by 36 pillars on the inside and anther 38 pillars around the outside. BjteMedhanialem modeled on the original st.Merryzion church build by king Ezana in 4th century at axum.

The Rock hewn churchs that we will visit today before lunch will be the first group of churches included: BeteMedhanialem, Bete Mariam, BeteMeskel, BeteDenagl and BeteGologota Michal.

After lunch we will continue our journey in To Ethiopians long and marvellous past with a visit to other sent Lalibela Remarkable churches. There architecture and artistry must be seen to be believed.

The Rock Hewn Churches that we will visit this afternoon the second group of churches and St, Gorge it included: BeteGebral, BeteMerquros, BeteEmanule, Betelehiam ,Bete Aba Libanos and BeteGhiorgis .

Once we finished visiting the second group of churches and we will walk to the village so the complex bewildering labyrinth of underground Tunnels to the monastery where the monks and nuns live.

After early Breakfast trek to visit the monastery church of Asheten Maryam (3150m). Ashtenmariam monastery located walk from Lalibela, enjoy the spectacular view starting you left the town, Ashetenmariam was the first church of king lalibela but Lalibela didn’t finished the church it was completed by his nephew and successor King Nakutelab. The church has ancient sculptures. After you visit the church walk to the near hill to enjoy the panoramic view of the area. After a short break Trek more to lalibelahudad Eco lodge 3300m positioned to take in 360 degree views over the surrounding countryside. Pass through different villages and crops on different plateaus as you climb higher. Have your lunch at the LalibelaHudad Eco lodge and spend the reminder of the afternoon watching black Ghelada baboons grazing, plant of bird life and mountain hyrax, ... Let in the afternoon, in another direction return back to Lalibela on the way we will have a stop in the Local village to learn about the life of the local people including farming practices, cattle rearing and local traditions or walk to the children’s school to teach any subject you would like to teach.

After an early breakfast, leave Lalibela en-route visit the monastery of Nakutolab- a cave church. This is the easiest of all the outlying churches to reach in the monastery of Nakutolab, which is named after its constructor, the nephew and successor of king Lalibela. The monastery accredited to Nakuotolab consists of a relatively simple church built around a shallow cave in which several holy pools are fed by natural springs. After visiting you will get domestic flight takes us back to Addis Ababa. 

In the evening, farewell party dinner invitation by DMC with cultural dinner and traditional special buffet and local drinks to experience Ethiopia’s cultural meals and drinks. Here you will enjoy and experience several tribal dances. After farewell dinner party, we transfer you to Bole International Airport for international departure. 



Included

3 nights

Drinking water, up to 4 liters per person per day for 10 days

Local Guides – (service of local guides during site visits)

All entrance fees, as per itinerary

Airport pick up and drop off

All ground transportations with fuel/ Ground transportation by a newest model air conditioned 4WD /

Tour guide and driver and allowance

Government Tax

Scouts and so on

Porter fee


Excluded

International airfare

Any alcoholic drinks

Personal expense like souvenirs, laundry, …

Tips, video or special photographing fees when you want to take individually from any tribes

Visa expenses

Any expense which is not stated in the ‘Included List’ above


Availability

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Below cancellation policy is only for land services and we will follow the cancellation policy of airline companies for domestic flights.

  • If the booking is canceled 8 weeks to the departure you can get full refund.
  • If the booking is canceled 7 weeks to the departure, we will refund 100 EUR only.
  • If the booking is canceled 3 weeks prior to the departure, you will not be refunded. Under any circumstances, there will be no refund for the promoted tours. The balance will be identified as "Future Tour Credits" to use in the future. Please contact [email protected] or your tour operator to change tour dates and other details.

Under any circumstances, there will be no refund for the promoted tours. The balance will be identified as "Future Tour Credits" to use in the future. Please contact [email protected] or your tour operator to change tour dates and other details.

No refunds will be provided for tours sold during Black Friday under any circumstances to travelers or operators.

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