This special tour is tailored for only those who would like to have a life-changing pilgrimage tour to Ethiopia.
Our pilgrimage tour is designed, in-depth, to bring alive an ancient Ethiopian orthodox Christianity. This is an epic journey to experience an Ethiopian Orthodox Christian tradition which, in many ways, is different from any other church in the world. The journey takes You, chronologically, to Axum the holiest City for Ethiopians, home to the oldest church in Sab-Sharan Africa where the Ark of the Covenant is located, Debre- Damo the 1st monastic establishment in Ethiopia dated back to the 6th C.AD and architecturally the Church is a living example for the Axumite style and building tradition. Geraltha Churches were once a center for the development of Monastic practices and are home to both Cave and rock-hewn churches. Lalibela symbolizes the African Jerusalem the epicenter of Ethiopian Religious art and home to one of the Eighth – Wonder of the World. Lalibela is not only the architectural and cultural civilization of Ethiopia but also an example of a new direction in church building leading to a new style of worship. The underground passages, the free-standing rock churches cut from the surrounding terrain, and the active religious devotion of the Faithfull and the congregation in each church give you a lifetime experience. Gondar – home to unique religious paintings along with indigenous church architecture, was the only long-standing political seat during the medieval period. Lake Tana Churches and Monasteries- Here you will see the footprint of an Old Testament Judaic practice on Dek Island, unique monastic life and worship, and round churches with beautiful church paintings.
This tour is accompanied by an expert English-speaking guide who knows the religious history of the Country and the tour will take 11 Nights/ 12 days by surface and Air.
This Pilgrimage Tour can be integrated with some of the most colorful religious festivals either Meskel or the Feast of the Cross (Sep 26/27 Depending on the Leap Year), Ethiopian Christmas or Genna (on Jan 07 in Lalibela or Addis Abeba) or Ethiopian Epiphany (Timket) on Jan 18th 19th & 20th (in Gondar).
Contact Us for more details: ethiopiaodyssey@gmail.com/ info@ethiopiaodyssey.com
Ethiopia Odyssey Pilgrimage Tour 11 Nights/12 Days
Day 01 – Arrival at Addis Ababa. O/n Nexus Hotel
Day 02 – After early morning breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Axum. Then City Tour of Axum. O/n Sabean Hotel or Similar
Day 03 – Full day in Axum and Surroundings. O/n Sabean Hotel or Similar.
Day 04 – After breakfast, drive to Hawizen, and on the way visit the Monastery of Debre-Damo. N.B. the monastery is only open for men. O/n Geraltha or Korkor Lodge.
Day 05 – Full day in Hawizen visiting the Churches. O/n Geraltha or Korkor Lodge.
Day 06 – After early morning breakfast, set out for the long drive to Lalibela through the beautiful countryside. O/n Mountain View Hotel or Similar
Day 07 – Full day in Lalibela. Morning Visit the 1st Group of Churches. Lunch will be at the Seven Olive Restaurant. Balance of the day Visit St. George Church. O/n Mountain View Hotel or Similar
Day 08 – After breakfast, an excursion to Yimrehane Christos Church 42km from Lalibela. The church is a cave built in an Axumite style. Then return to Lalibela for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the 2nd Group of Churches. O/n Mountain View Hotel or Similar.
Day 09 – Fly to Gondar and on arrival transfer to the Four-Sister Restaurant for Lunch. After lunch, a City tour of Gondar including the Royal Enclosure, the Public Baptismal Pool, and Debre Brihan Selassie Church which is called the Sistine Chapple of Gondar whose interior is blazed with colorful paintings unique to Ethiopia. O/n Goha Hotel or Similar.
Day 10 – Early morning drive to Gorgora south of Gondar and there visit the medieval Debre Sina Mariam Church known for the 1st Godardian painting style. Then start the long boat trip on the lake and continue to Dek Island to visit the Narga-Silassie Church, a beautiful round church built from stone. A packed Lunch will be served on our way to Zegie Peninsula. In Zegie, you will visit the churches of Azewa Mariam and Ura Kidanemhiret known as painting houses. Here on the Peninsula, both the local people and the monastic population live together. Finally, get on the boat and cruise southwards to Bahirdar, and on the way visit the Kibran Gebriel Monastery and the Outlet of the Blue Nile River. O/n Avanti Blue Nile Resort or Similar.
Day 11 – After breakfast, an excursion to Blue Nile Falls. And on the way back, visit the Deacons’ village where they live for their education pasture. Lunch will be at the Hotel and the rest of the day at your leisure. O/n Avanti Blue Nile Resort or Similar.
Day 12 – Fly back to Addis and on arrival be transferred to the hotel for the Day –Use Room and Lunch. Later Transfer to the airport for a Safe Journey Back Home. End of the Tour!