Arrival Bole International Airport
Extraordinary Ethiopia Tours will meet all clients arriving at the airport regardless of arrival time. For morning flight arrivals you may begin your tour after checking into your hotel. For afternoon or evening arrivals, you may begin your tour the following day.
Day 01: Arrival
Visit the Ethnographic Museum, a great introduction to Ethiopian culture and history. Tour the Mercato, one of Africa’s largest outdoor markets, and Trinity Cathedral, resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie.
Overnight at the Jupiter International Hotel
Meals (B.L.D)
Day 02: Fly Lalibela, Timket Eve at Lalibela
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport to fly to Lalibela. In the afternoon, we will start visiting the first group of churches and we will attend the Timket eve ceremony called Ketera. During Ketera, the priests take out the Tabots — replicas of the original Ark of the Covenant — from each church and bless the water of the pool where the next day’s celebration will take place.
In the evening, we will return to the Taboat Maderia to attend the night celebrations.
Overnight Sora lodge Lalibela
Meals (B.L.D)
Day 03: Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, Timket Festival at Lalibela
Early in the morning, we will again walk to the Tabot Maderia to witness the early morning baptism ceremony. The water, which symbolizes the Jordan River, is blessed by the priest and the patriarch then a golden cross is dipped in the water and a burning consecrated candle is extinguished in the alter. Then water is sprinkled on the assembled congregation in commemoration of Christ’s baptism.
Following the baptism, the procession of the Tabots to their respective rock churches begins as the people feast, sing and dance.
Overnight Sora lodge Lalibela
Meals (B.L.D)
Day 04: Lalibela, Asheten Mariam, Second Day of Timket
In the morning, we attend the second day of Timket around the first group of rock-hewn churches.
After lunch and a rest at the hotel, we will continue our journey into Ethiopia’s long and marvelous history with a visit to more of Lalibela’s remarkable churches
At the end of the tour, there will be a special Ethiopian traditional coffee ceremony for the group prepared at a local house.
Overnight Sora lodge Lalibela
Meals (B.L.D)
Day 05: Lalibela, Addis Ababa, Departure
After breakfast, we transfer to Lalibela airport for the flight to Addis Ababa. Depending on your departure time, we can arrange an optional city tour.
In the evening, there will be Extraordinary Ethiopia Tours complimentary farewell dinner party with traditional special buffet and local drinks (flight schedule permitting). At the end of the farewell dinner, transfer to Addis Ababa airport for the flight back.
Meals (B.L.D)
…. END OF TOUR