Celebrate Christmas in Ethiopia 10 Days Tour
Ethiopia - Danakil-Gerhalta-Lalibela
Duration
10 Days
Group Size
Max 16
Season
All Year
Difficulty
Flexible
About the trip
Celebrate Christmas in Ethiopia. Attend mass in Lalibela.
Included
All transfers
Excluded
Domestic flights
Itinerary
Dec 31: Arrival in Addis Ababa & New Year’s Eve
Morning/Afternoon: Arrival at Bole International Airport; transfer to the city's premier hotel. Evening: Enjoy a New Year’s Eve gala dinner with live jazz or a traditional cultural performance at Yod Abyssinia. Accommodation: Ethiopian Skylight Hotel or Best Western Pearl. Meals: None
Jan 1: Fly to Semera
Morning: 06:45 AM flight to Semera. Drive 4 hours to Lake Afdera. Afternoon: Witness salt mining and swim in the hyper-saline waters of Lake Afdera. Drive to the base of Erta Ale volcano. Evening: A one-hour hike to the rim. Observe the dramatic activity of the permanent lava lake at night. Accommodation: Luxury mobile camp at Erta Ale rim . Meals: B.L.D
Jan 2: Dallol: The Alien Landscape
Morning: Sunrise view of the lava before hiking down to the 4x4s. Drive across the desert to Hamedela. Afternoon: Visit the salt flats to witness a picturesque sunset reflecting off the salt crust. Evening: Savor the silence of the desert under a vast expanse of stars. Accommodation: Hamedela campsite (Afar Wooden beds & Sleeping bags ). Meals: B.L.D
Jan 3: Dallol to Gheralta Cluster
Morning: Explore Dallol’s hydrothermal fields, featuring potash lakes, acid springs, and salt cones. Afternoon: Drive toward Tigrai, stopping at the 4th-century Wukro Chirkos rock-hewn church. Evening: Arrive at the sandstone spires of Gheralta. Accommodation: Gheralta Lodge Meals: B.
Jan 4: The Pillars of Faith: Gheralta to Axum
Morning: Hike to Abuna Yemata Goh, a church carved into a vertical cliff face with 5th-century frescoes. Afternoon: Scenic drive to the ancient capital of Axum. Evening: Evening at leisure in Ethiopia's oldest city. Accommodation: Atranos Hotel (Best in Axum). Meals: B.
Jan 5: The Ark of the Covenant & Return to Addis
Morning: Visit the Axum Stelae Field (UNESCO), the Church of St. Mary of Zion (Ark of the Covenant), and the Queen of Sheba’s palace ruins. Afternoon: Transfer to the airport for your flight back to Addis Ababa (13:55 flight). Evening: Refresh at your hotel in Addis for the journey north the next day. Accommodation: Ethiopian Skylight Hotel (5-star). Meals: B.
Jan 6: Fly to Lalibela – Christmas Eve Vigils
Morning: Morning flight to Lalibela (Morning flights only). Afternoon: Explore the first group of rock-hewn churches, including the massive Bet Medhane Alem. Evening: Witness the start of the overnight vigils; pilgrims in white gather by candlelight for chanting and prayer. Accommodation: Mezena Lodge or Sora Lodge . Meals: B.
Jan 7: Orthodox Christmas (Genna) in Lalibela
Morning: Attend the spectacular Christmas morning mass. Witness the rhythmic dancing of priests on the rim of the churches. Afternoon: Visit the second group of churches and the iconic cross-shaped Bet Giyorgis (St. George). Evening: Celebrate the holy day with a traditional Ethiopian Christmas dinner. Accommodation: Mezena Lodge or Sora Lodge . Meals: B.
Jan 8: Lalibela Mountaintop & Return to Addis
Morning: Optional mule trek to the mountaintop monastery of Asheton Maryam for panoramic views. Afternoon: Fly back to Addis Ababa. Evening: Farewell cultural dinner with traditional music and dance. Accommodation: Ethiopian Skylight Hotel (5-star). Meals: B.
Jan 9: Addis Ababa City Highlights & Departure
Morning: Visit the National Museum (to see "Lucy") and drive to Mount Entoto for a panoramic view of the city. Afternoon: Final shopping at Merkato or a coffee experience before your evening international departure. Meals: B.
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