Ethiopia's Meskel Festival

On arrival at Bole Addis Ababa International Airport, you will be transferred to Golden Tulip Hotel where you will spend two nights.

Today you will take a tour of Addis visiting the Cathedral, Avenue of Independence, the Merkato (Africa’s largest open-air market) and the National Museum giving you great context for the rest of your trip.

This evening marks the eve of Meskel and families across Ethiopia prepare the demera, a tall prism built from twigs meant to resemble the burning fir tree that guided Helena to the cross.

Today is all about Meskel Festival which marks finding the true cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. Head to Meskel square where brightly coloured umbrellas embellished with gold appear over the horizon and priests gather. When the square is full, a bull or goat is sacrificed.

In the afternoon, the demeras are burnt, dancing begins and traditional songs are sung while circling the stick structure. As darkness falls, the dancing around the flames intensifies and then as the demera slowly burns out, families often collect the ashes left and mark themselves with a cross, symbolizing their devotion to God.

Take an early morning flight to Bahir Dar which is the start of your discovery of Ethiopia's historical Northern Circuit. On arrival at Bahir Dar, transfer to Avanti Blue Nile for an overnight stay with all meals included.

During the balance of the day, you will be taken for a boat trip to Zeghe Peninsula and to see some island monasteries in Lake Tana which contain some of the friezes and carvings of any Ethiopian church.

An eventful day taking in diverse scenic highlights: after breakfast, drive to the Blue Nile Falls. From there, continue along the shores of Lake Tana to Gondar for a lunch stop.

After lunch, travel about two hours to the awe inspiring Simien Mountains National Park where you will stay two nights in a chalet at Simien Lodge.

Your guide and a local national park guide, will take you for an exploratory walk into this unforgettable place. You should get the 'Gelada experience' today and if you are lucky might spy the striking walia ibex. It is also a great spot for birders, with rare raptors often seen around the clifftops.

Please note: the guide will make an assessment of the exact route based upon the capabilities of the group to ensure everyone can enjoy the walking as much as possible.

Make an early morning walk in the Simien Mountains to see the Gelada baboons. Return to Gondar for lunch. Visit the amazing Imperial Compound for its enchanting 17^th Century castles, one of the ‘must see’ sites along the Historical Route. Overnight in Goha Hotel.

Transfer to the airport to check in for the mid-morning flight to Lalibela.

On arrival into Lalibela, you will be met and transferred to Maribela Hotel to stay 2 nights. You will be taken to see the first group of rock-hewn churches which were cut into the rugged mountainsides in the 12th and 13th centuries.

Today you will head into the mountains for the short trek up to the ancient cave Monastery called Yemerehana Kristos. One of the most important historic sights in the country, the façade resembles a layered chocolate cake and a visit here is the highlight of any trip.

In the afternoon, you will visit the remaining rock churches, finishing the day at Beit Gyorgis, the only freestanding monolith in the region.

Transfer to Lalibela airport for the flight to Axum in the Tigray region. Here you will be met and transferred to Sabean International Hotel. The balance of today will be taken up seeing the many attractions in this town, foremost of which is the Obelisk park for its pre-Christian stelae, the largest free-standing stone monoliths to be seen anywhere.

*If Axum is not yet accessible for any reason, we will have a third day in Lalibela, and do an excursion to Genete Mariam Church and Nea'Kuto Le'ab Monastery.

Transfer to Axum airport for the morning flight to Addis Ababa and check in to the Golden Tulip hotel where you started your trip. This afternoon is yours to relax or to explore more of Addis Ababa.

Stay overnight at the Golden Tulip hotel and in the morning you will be transferred to the international airport for your flight home.