Signature Departure: Ethiopia An Unspoiled Corner of Africa with Timkat Festival

Saturday 11th January

From Singapore:
Singapore/Addis Ababa - ET 639 - 0215/0605 +1 (8hrs 50mins)
Addis Ababa/Axum - ET 128 - 0740/0910 (1hr 30mins)

From Hong Kong:
10JAN Hong Kong/Addis Ababa - ET 609 - 2255/0640 +1 (12hrs 45mins)
11JAN Addis Ababa/Axum - ET 128 - 0740/0910 (1hrs 30mins)

Upon arrival, met and transfer to Yared Zema International Hotel for 1 night. Axum is another of Ethiopia’s star attraction. The little town is littered with ruins of palaces, underground tombs, stelae and inscriptions. It was once the capital of the powerful Axumite Empire (3rd to 6th centuries) as well as that of the legendary Queen Sheba. In the morning, visit the small archaeological museum, the obelisk park, Queen Sheba’s bath, Axumite palaces and tombs and the trilingual inscription of Ezana. In the afternoon, visit St Mary of Zion church, which is the oldest in Ethiopia and sub Sahara.

Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Sunday 12th January

Flight:

Axum/Gondar - ET 123 - 1210/1350 (1hr 40mins)

Upon arrival in Gondor, which has been called Africa’s Camelot with its series of castles and churches. It is Ethiopia’s capital from 1636 to 1667. Most have survived the ravage of time and constitute one of Ethiopia’s most fascinating antiquities. After lunch, we’ll visit the Debre Birhan Sellassie Church or “Trinity at the mount of Light”, with the most famous ceiling in Ethiopia. Transfer to Limalimo Lodge and enjoy the sunset. Homer considers Simien to be the playground of Greek gods. The scenery is truly breathtaking. UNESCO has listed it as a world heritage site.

Optional: Helicopter is flying to Danakil Depression, then to Erta Ale active volcano and fly back to Limalimo Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Monday 13th January

In morning, we take a 1.5h walk, mostly flat or downhill, and hope to see the endemic Gelada baboons, Klipspringers, Lammergeyer vultures, and bushbuck. The scenery is truly breathtaking and there will be time for a walk around the Sankaber region of the National Park. The maximum altitude we reach is 3250m. After lunch, we’ll visit Simien National Park. The park is home to some extremely rare animals such as the Gelada baboon, the Simien fox and the Walia ibex, a goat found nowhere else in the world. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Saturday 18th January

This morning you will be transferred to the airport and fly to Addis Ababa.

Flight:

Addis Ababa/Lalibela - ET 121 - 1010/1110 (1hr)

On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel, Sheraton Addis Ababa, check in for 2 nights. This late afternoon, we will drive uphill to Entoto, which once was Emperor Minilik II’s permanent camp. Enjoy the panoramic view of the capital and surrounding countryside with sunset.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Sunday 19th January

This morning, enjoy a city tour of the capital, starts with National Museum which houses some of the country’s historic treasures. The collection of fossils and bones of early hominids discovered in Ethiopia include the 3.5 million year old remains of ‘Lucy’, the oldest hominid ever found. Then we visit the church of the Holy Trinity, Ethiopia’s main cathedral and home to the remains of the last emperor, Haile Selassie. In the afternoon, Addis Ababa City will be surrounded by Timket holiday spirit. The Eve of Timkat called Ketera, which is the day, when the celebration of this astonishing Timkat festival officially starts. On the afternoon, every street of Addis Ababa was adorned with the green, yellow and red Ethiopian flag. It was the day when Tabots (replicas of the Ark of the Covenant) were taken to chosen places. Others accompanied the Tabots, by walking with it all the way to the destination. The journey always adorned with priests who hold decorated sparkling umbrellas, exceptionally dressed children’s of traditional gospel singers of particular orthodox churches, traditional Ethiopian gospel songs and moves.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner