Epiphany Tour in Ethiopia

Jan 18, 2017: Flying to Gondar and City Tour(B&B)

Your flight to Gondar from Addis departs at 08:10am. Upon arrival in Gondar, you will meet your driver and guide, and go to your hotel for check in. The city tour begins at about 10:00am. The city seems more of European than African origin. In the afternoon, visit Fasiladas' Palace, probably the most impressive of all the castles found in the area and the oldest one! Continue going to the Church of Debre Berham Selassie (Light of the Trinity). The interior is decorated with beautiful frescos, cherubs and paintings. Debre Berham Selassie is rumored to once having been the proposed final resting-place of the Ark of the Covenant of the Ethiopian Empire, which began in 1632. 

Overnight stay at Landmark Hotel, Gondar

Jan 19, 2017: Timkat Festival Celebration(B&B)

Early in the morning, drive from your hotel and join the celebration and the crowd waiting to be baptized by the holy water. Early in the morning, the water which symbolizes the Jordan River is blessed by the priest and the patriarch then dip a golden cross and extinguish a burning consecrated candle in the alter. Then he sprinkles water on the assembled congregation in commemoration of Christ's baptism in the Jordan River.

Following the baptism, the Tabots start their way back to their respective churches, while feasting, singing and dancing continue all the way to the churches. Every year on Timkat, everyone-men, women, and children-appears splendid for the celebration. Dressed in the dazzling white of the traditional dress, the locals provide a dramatic contrast to the jewel colors of the ceremonial velvets and satins of the priests' robes and sequined velvet umbrellas. The elders march solemnly, accompanied by singing, leaping priest and young men. All these activities of the priest and the deacon recall the ancient rites of the Old Testament; a culture which remained unchanged centuries for centuries. You will have a spare time in the afternoon for having a rest at your hotel so as to refresh yourself.

Overnight stay at Landmark Hotel, Gondar

Jan 20, 2017- Attending feast of Michael the Archangel and return flight to Addis Ababa

The day is the feast of Michael the Archangel, Ethiopia's most popular saint. And it is only on this morning that the Tabot of St. Michael’s is returned to his church, also accompanied by the singing and dancing of priests and locals with their colorful dress. Thus ends the three-day celebration, a unique ceremony of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, which evolved in relative isolation from the rest of the world. Timkat, truly is the most spectacular of Ethiopia's festival. Your flight to Addis departs at 01:45pm. Check in shall be at 2 hours prior to the departure time.