11 Days Genna (Ethiopian Christmas) Festival Tour

11 Days

TYPOLOGIES

Cultural

DIFFICULTY

Low

MIN. AGE

3 Years

$ 3080

DESCRIPTION
MAP
PHOTOS

Amazing Experience

Tour Code: GFT121
Duration: 10 nights and 11 days
Transportation: Air plane, Minivan, 4ᵡ4 Toyota Land
cruiser

Genna is Ethiopian Christmas, and coincides with other Orthodox Christmas celebrations around the world. The feast marks the end of the 40-days fasting period of advent. On Christmas Eve, the faithful participate in church services through the night before celebrating with family and friends on Christmas day. The Christmas celebration in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church is called Ganna, and many followers go to Church on Christmas day. Many people fast (deprive themselves from any meal) on Christmas Eve (January 6th), and at dawn on the morning of Ganna, people get dressed in white, with many of them wearing a traditional garment called a shemma. It’s a thin white cotton piece of cloth with brightly-colored stripes across the end, worn a bit like a toga.

Lalibela is the most popular place to celebrate Genna, as thousands of pilgrims flock to the holy city for this celebration.

Day 1: December 30 City tour of Addis Ababa.

Depending on your arrival, you will be well come! At Bole International Airport and transfer to your hotel. Next day in the morning you will commence a guided city tour of Addis Ababa at 8AM.The city Addis Ababa was founded by Emperor Menelik 2 in 1886.Addis Ababa in Amharic means "New Flower". The capital city is home for Africa's Diplomatic capital with the presence of the Head Quartets of the African Union and many embassies. We continued our drive up to the Entoto Mountain (3300m) high for a panoramic view of Addis, visited the Entoto Museum with historical and Royal Exhibit, and the church of St.Mary. Drive back to Addis Ababa and visit Ethnographic Museum, National Museum, Holy Trinity Cathedral and Merkato Market (One of the biggest Open Air Markets in Africa).

Accommodation:Azzeman Hotel

Accommodation upgrades option: Best Western plus pearl Addis

Meals: None

Day 2: December 31 Fly Addis Ababa to Axum

City tour of Axum including: tombs, churches, and archaeological sites. Accommodation: Sabean International Hotel.

Day 3: January 1 Fly Axum to Gondar and drive to Simien Mountains National Park(120km,2hrs).

Sightseeing on Simien Mountains National Park.Accommodation:Simien Lodge

Day 4: January 2 Explore the Simien Mountains Park.

Today we will have a full day sightseeing of Simien Mountains Park.Accommodation:Simien Lodge

Day 5: January 3 In the morning drive to Gondar,Gondar City tour(12km,2hrs) .

Visit Fasiladas enclosure, Fasiladas Bath,DebreBerhan Selassie church and Gondar women's ploughshare.Drive to Bahir Dar.Accommodation: Goha Hotel

Day 6: January 4 Drive to Bahir Dar,Visit Awramba Village(200km,3hrs).

Drive to Bahir Dar,en route visit rural Awramba Village community.Accommodation:Jacaranda Hotel

Day 7: January 5 Visit Lake Tana Monasteries and Blue Nile Falls (45km, 1hr)

In the morning visit Lake Tana Monasteries .In the afternoon drive for excursions on Blue Nile falls. A

ccommodation: Jacaranda Hotel

Day 8: January 6 Drive Bahir Dar to Lalibela (320 km, 7 hrs)

Today you will drive to Lalibela to experience the Genna eve.(In the evening attend the Christmas/Ganna eve in the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela)

Accomodation:Sora Lodge

Day 9: January 7 in the morning, experience the Ethiopian Christmas ceremony.

Ethiopian Christmas in Lalibela is one of the most memorable experiences anywhere in Africa. Thousands of pilgrims wear white traditional gowns; gather around the 13th century rock-hewn churches for an evening of celebration, reflection, and reverence. You will experience this celebration from within the church at Lalibela is an experience that you will remember for a lifetime.

In the afternoon, drive to Yemrehanna Kiristos and drive back to Lalibela.Accommodation:Sora Lodge

Day 10: January 8 Visit the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela.

Today we will have full day sightseeing of the UNESCO’s World Heritage Site of Lalibela churches. Accommodation:Sora Lodge

Day 11: January 9 Fly to Addis Ababa.

In the late morning drive to Lalibela Airport for Addis flight.Optional city tour of Unity Park in Addis Ababa.

In the evening/afternoon, a farewell party with free cultural dinner and traditional music to experience Ethiopia’s cultural meals .After the farewell party transfer to Bole international airport for international departure. End of Tour.

Notice:This itinerary can be amended up on request

Hoya