Tours Overview
Explore both northern and southern Ethiopia on our meticulously designed itinerary. This 14-day tour includes Lalibela, one of the fascinating historical sites of Ethiopia; Lake Tana, Gondar, Axum, and more in the north. In the south, the Omo Valley has it all – vastness, wonderful contrasts and fascinating cultural encounters.
Market days in the Omo
The markets in the Omo Valley are the best place to encounter the various tribes. You may meet the Hamer & the Karo at the Saturday market at Dimeka and the Ari & Bena at the Thursday market at Key Afer.
Unique Ceremonies, Festival and Rituals
There are many colorful holidays and celebrations throughout the year. Every one of the parish churches and the monasteries of the Orthodox Tewahido Church all has at least one minor monthly and one major annual festival. These may share origins with Christian, Muslim and tribal festivals elsewhere in the world, but have indigenous characteristics unique to Ethiopia. If you can, try to plan your trip around one of the following spectacular festivals:
Meskel (The Finding of the True Cross) - Celebrated on September 27 (or September 28 during a leap year such as 2016). The eve, Sep 26, is celebrated at an open amphitheater (Meskel Square) in Addis Ababa with a huge bonfire and priests in splendid ceremonial attire.
Genna (Ethiopian Christmas) in Lalibela - Observed two weeks after European Christmas on January 7 with a colorful midnight mass on January 6.
Timket (Epiphany) - Celebrated on the 18th to 19th of January annually or the 20th January during a leap year. This involves a colorful procession of priests and followers singing and dancing. They carry the Tabots (replicas of the Holy Ark of the Covenant that sanctifies and sits on the altar of every Ethiopian Orthodox Church inside the Holy of Holies) from their sanctuaries amongst the celebrants. Observed on January 19, Timket is the most popular national holiday among Ethiopian Christians. The best venues for Timket are Addis Ababa, Gondar and Lalibela.
Fasika (Easter): The Lenten fasting for fifty-five days before feasting on Fassika is the most popular prayer season in the Orthodox Tewahido Church. The attractions of this festival are the Good Friday service and the lively midnight mass on the eve, which adds to the exuberance of the holiday. The best venues for Fassika are Addis Ababa and Lalibela.