Orthodox pilgrimage
Day 1: ADDIS ABABA -Arrive at the Addis Ababa Bole International
Airport. Transfer to Hotel.
Day 2: ADDIS ABABA- Sightseeing tour of Addis to visit Ethiopian
Orthodox Churches that includes: The Trinity Cathedral: -a beautiful
church with a baroque style of European architecture which is unique to
both Ethiopia and Africa and is dedicated to the Holy Trinity. Here you
will find scripts of the imperial families, across the front of the
church you will see statues done by a Greek sculpture of Matthew (from
left to right) Mark, Luck, and John-the authors of the four Gospels. And
inside of the church you will visit Stained glass window paintings from
the Old and New Testament in the Bible and coffins of Emperor Haile
Silassie-I and his wife; the founder of the church in 1941 in memory of
the Ethiopian patriots who fought against the Italians. Next Be’ata
Mariam Church:-lying to the south of the old Menelik Palace, it is also
known as Menelik’s Mausoleum, where you will visit the stone graves of
Menelik II, Empress Tiytu-Menelik,s wife, Empress Zewditu-Menelik’s
daughters the founder of the church in 1911, and you also visit
different wall paintings inside of the church. The mausoleum is made of
grey stone surmounted by a large gilt crown with four small cupolas on
each corner. Entoto St. Mary church: - where Emperor Menelik crowned
Emperor in it the church itself built by Emperal Menelik II in 1882.Here
you will also have a panoramic view of the city on the top of mount
Entoto-3200 meters the highest peak of the city. St. George Cathedral
Church With its Museum: - this outstandingly beautiful traditional
octagonal church was built by Emperror Menelik II in1896 in
commemoration of Ethiopia’s victory over the Italian at the battle of
Adwa. Overnight Hotel.
Day 3: ADDIS-DEBRE LIBANOS MONASTERY-ADDIS: After breakfast drive 103 km
to the north from Addis a right hand turn leads to the ancient monastery
of Debre Libanos- where you will visit the Monastrey. It has beautiful
stained glass windows and before you enter, it is worth noting the
mosaic figures on the façade. It was built by Abune Tekle Haymanot,the
13th century holy man, who stood on one leg for 7-years in a cave at
Debre Libanos. Nearby an old ‘Portuguese bridge’ is visible from the
main road. Drive back to Addis for overnight at Hotel.
Day 4: ADDIS-BAHAR DAR: Transfer to Bole International airport to fly to
Bahar Dar, is a modern town on the shore of Lake Tana, the source of the
Blue Nile River that contains about 37 islands. After check into Tana
Hotel in the afternoon enjoy a boat ride on Lake Tana to visit the
famous ancient island monastery of Ura Kidane Meheret that is one of the
several in the area containing frescos, elaborate painted ceilings,
church crosses, crowns and attires of former Ethiopian kings and
emperors. Continuing to the southern end of the heart shaped lake, the
island Kebran Gabriel Monastery, it was built in 14th century A.D. and
reconstructed in late 17th century A.D., in this monastery some of the
rare true Ethiopian frescoes are preserved this church also owns many
manuscripts, especially old ones-an outstanding one has been reproduced
in the UNESCO album (females are not allowed to visit Kebran Gabriel
Monastery) . In most of Lake Tana monasteries time has stood still and
the world of the Old Testament yet alive. In the evening return back to
Bahar Dar. Overnight hotel.
Day 5: BAHAR DAR: After breakfast drive to Lake Tana to make the 2nd day
boat excursion to visit the ancient monasteries of Narga Silassie & Dega
Istifanos.
Narga Silassie - this large round church was built under the reign of
Empress Mentuab in 18th century A.D., there are many well preserved wall
paintings. There are also two remarkable and picturesque “water gates”
on the opposite shores, to the west and the east, with square, two
storey towers, very similar to the style of the Gondar Castles, which
lead on a paved path from the water to the church. Dega Istifanos- it is
a rectangular building similar to the Debre Berhan Sillassie church at
Gondar. The present building is modern and was reconstructed after the
reign of Emperor Yohannes IV (1868-1889). It has modern wall painting
and a fragment of an old painting on the outer northern wall. In a
special building near the church the bodies of several of the Ethiopian
Emperors are preserved. Late in the afternoon back to Bahar Dar for
overnight at Hotel.
Day 6: BAHAR DAR: After breakfast drive to Lake Tana to make the 3rd day
boat excursion to visit the ancient monastery of Tana Cherkos- this
church lies on the eastern shore of the lake, tradition tells us that
St. Mary rested here under a wall during her flight to Egypt and stayed
for three months and ten days. The monks claim that they owned a
necklace which she left when she departed. It is also said that the
monastry was a sacred place of the Jews. Menelik I and the Jewish
nobles, after fleeing from King Solomon, brought the Ark of the Covenant
to this monastery and built a temple over it, which was decorated with
whole-bone and precious stones. Six hundred years later, the Ark was
brought to Axum. Back to Bahar Dar for overnight Hotel.
Day 7: BAHARDAR-GONDAR: transfer to the Airport and fly to Gondar.
Gondar is a town, which was the capital of Ethiopia in the 17th century.
It is the site of ancient castle building palaces of different emperors
constructed in the European middle age architectural style. After check
into Goha Hotel you will visit Debre Berehan Silassie church-this finest
Gondarine church was built during the reign of Emperor Iyasu
(1682-1706), the church was never destroyed. It is said that when the
dervishes tries to burn it in 1881 they were attacked and dispersed by
bees. The church is rectangular, similar to those of ancient Axumite
architecture. The inside walls of the front room are covered with
paintings on cloth, glued to the surface. The ceiling is built with
thick beams and it decorated with winged angel heads looking down. The
wall paintings depict scenes from the life of Christ, Mary, and Saint,
the Trinity, and others. After lunch you will also visit the 18th
C.Quskuam monastery with ancient treasure. Overnight hotel.
Day 8: GONDAR-LALIBELA: -Transfer to Airport and fly to Lalibella,
famous for its rock hewn churches dating back 800 years, and transferred
to the Roha Hotel. There are no less than 1000 churches in the Lasta
Region of Lalibella, some hidden in enormous caves, but it's exceptional
to find 11 churches of such master craftsmanship in one locale. These
brilliant feats of engineering and architecture are often referred to as
the "Eighth wonder of the world". This day among the 11-remarkable
rock-hewn churches built by King Lalibella in the late 12th and early
13th century A.D. you will visit the 1st and 3rd groups of churches.
Overnight Hotel.
Day 9: LALIBELLA: After breakfast you will have a day excursion to the
cave church of Neakuto Le’ab-lying 7 km from Lalibella, it was built by
king Lalibela’s nephew and successor. It is a simple but attractive
little church, built around a cave. It was almost certainly the site of
a much older shrine. Drive back to the town of Lalibella for lunch and
in the afternoon you will visit the remaining 2nd groups of Lalibella
rock-hewn churches. Overnight Hotel.
Day 10: LALIBELLA-AXUM:-Transfer to the airport for fly to Axum. Axum is
the ancient capital of Ethiopia and the cradle of Ethiopian civilisation.
Axum is famous for its more than 2000 year old Axumite steles measuring
some of them up to 33m high. After check into Yeha Hotel you will visit
the very noble church of St. Mary of Tsion, where the original Ark of
covenant is housed in. Legend has it that the son of the Queen of Sheba
and King Solomon of Israel, King Menelik I brought the original Ark from
Israel to Tana Cherkos then to Axum. The crowns of a succession of
Ethiopian monarchs have been preserved in the church treasury which also
housed many rich embroideries as well as important Ethiopian Orthodox
church manuscripts. Together, the three churches of St.Mary constitute a
remarkable testament to the continuity of faith in Ethiopia since the
very beginning of the Christian era. Overnight Hotel.
Day 11: AXUM-DEBRE DAMO-ADIGRAT: After breakfast drive 86 km nort-east
of Axum to the 6th century old monastery of Debre Damo-the church id
dedicated to its founder, Abune Aregawi ( Zemikael), one of the ‘nine
saints’ who taught gospel in the country in the 6th century. It boasts
the oldest standing church in the country. On top of the Amba (mountain)
there are two churches. The wall of the church are made of stones and
strengthened with longitudinal beams, which are themselves fixed to the
walls with projecting woods otherwise known as “Monkey Heads”. The walls
of the show resemblance to the decorative styles displayed on the
obelisks of Alum. (The churches are only access able by a robe to climb
and allowed only to men). According to local tradition, Abune Aregawi
believed to have been taken to the top of the Amba with the help of a
serpent that was commanded to do by God. Proceed to Adigrat for
overnight in Hotel-
Day 12: ADIGRAT-MEKELE: After breakfast drive to the beautiful rock-hewn
churches of Tigri rigion. And you will visit the rock-hewn churches of
Medhane Alem Adi Kesho- In the rock face; one can see potholes which the
local people believe to be the foot prints of St. George and his horse.
The church is quite unique in architecture as the exterior has four
pillars apart which have been hewn from the cliff face. All the ceilings
in the church are flat and worked in different geometrical desighs which
show a high standard of workmanship. At the top of the white washed
front of the exterior, there are three square windows decorated with St.
Andrew’s Crosses.
Proceed to Petros & Paulos rock-hewn church to visit the church with two
beautifully carved, wooden processional crosses. Continue driving to the
beautiful rock-hewn church of Abraha Atsbeha. Its interior is
painstakingly decorated: the cross imposed up on the basilica plan by
giving prominence to a transept and the apparent presence of five
aisles; the apse; 13 huge pillars supporting the ceiling and is
rectangular in shape. The church is also decorated with splendid
post-17th century murals and paintings depicting Biblical Scenes and
Saints. It is also has several valuable treasures, the most important
being the prayer cross which according to church officials, belonged to
Frumentius- the first Bishop of Ethiopia whose ecclesiastical name was
Abba Salama (Father of peace). Proceed to the other rock-hewn churches
built in the 4th century A.D. and you will admire the beautiful ceiling
and paintings. The interior of the church is handsomely decorated
symmetrically patterned arches, columns, and carving in relief can also
be inspected. Continue driving to Mekele for overnight at Hiltop Hotel.
Day 13: MEKELE-ADDIS: Transfer to the airport for fly back to Addis. And
transfer to Hotel.
Day 14: DEPARTURE: Morning at leisure and shopping and in the evening
transfer out to the airport for departure back to home.
Muslim Pilgrimage
Day 1: Arrive Addis Ababa. O/N Hotel.
Day 2: Drive Addis to Bale. O/N Hotel
Day 3: Excursion to Sof-Omer Cave. O/N Hotel
Day 4: Excursion to Sheik Hussein. Islamic holiest place. O/N Hotel.
Day 5: Drive Bale to Sodere. O/N Hotel
Day 6: Drive Sodere to Harar (the 4th Islamic holiest city in the
world). O/N Hotel.
Day 7: Harar. Visit Mosques and Shrines. O/N Hotel.
Day 8: Drive Harar back to Addis. O/N Hotel.
Day 9: Fly Addis to Mekele and drive to Negash. Visit the first Mosque
in Ethiopia. O/N Hotel.
Day10: Fly back to Addis. O/N Hotel.
Day 11: City Tour of Addis Ababa and departure
Grand Christian Pilgrimage
Day 1: Arrive Addis Ababa. O/N Hotel
Day 2: Drive Addis to Debre Markos. Visit Debre Libanos Monastery. O/N
Hotel
Day 3: Drive Debre Markos to Bahar Dar. Visit Monasteries on Lake Tana.
O/N Hotel.
Day 4: Bahar Dar. Visit Monasteries on Lake Tana. O/N Hotel.
Day 5: Drive Bahar Dar to Gondar. Visit Church and Monastery. O/N Hotel
Day 6: Drive Gondar to Axum. O/N Hotel
Day 7: Axum. Visit church of St. Mary Zion. O/N Hotel
Day 8: Drive Axum to Adigrat. Visit Monastery of Debre Damo. O/N Hotel
Day 9: Drive Adigrat to Mekele. Visit rock-hewn churches. O/N Hotel
Day 10: Drive Mekele to Lalibela. O/N Hotel.
Day 11: Lalibela. Visit rock-hewn churches. O/N Hotel.
Day 12: Excursion trip to Asheton Mariam and Neakuto Le’ab. Visit rock
hewn and Cave churches.O/N Hotel.
Day 13: Excursion trip to Yemrehane Kirstos. Visit built-up cave church.
O/N Hotel.
Day 14: Drive Lalibela to Dessie. Visit Hayk Istifanos Monastery. O/N
Hotel
Day 15: Excursion to Gishen. Visit Gishen Debre Kerbe Monastery. O/N
Hotel.
Day 16: Drive Dessie to Addis. O/N Hotel.
Day 17: Drive Addis to Ziqualla-Addis. Visit Abune Gebre Menfes Kidus
Monastery. O/N Hotel.
Day 18 city tour of Addis and depart