Timket in Gondar

Duration
10 days
Price from
£3,608 pp.
Location
Ethiopia, Africa
Timkat Lalibela Fikre Priests Carrying Tabot

Trip Highlights

  • Experience Ethiopia’s Timkat Festival
  • See the Royal Enclosure
  • Explore the Simien Mountains

What's Included

  • Guided tours of historical & cultural sites
  • Access to Timkat Festival ceremonies
  • Handpicked accommodations

Witness Timket at its best.

Our small group tours let you fully immerse yourself in Timket Festival, an event you'll never forget.

This tour was not able to take place in 2023/24 due to the political unrest in the northern part of Ethiopia.

If the situation improves during 2025/26 we do intend to run all our Ethiopia small group tours, so please call or email to office if you’d like to register your interest.

Timket, the Ethiopian Epiphany is one of the two biggest events on the Ethiopian social calendar. Annually it starts with the preparations or Ketera on 18 January and the festivities continue until 20 January.

This trip combines seeing Timket festival in Gondar with the famous castles also found here, a tour of Addis Ababa, a boat trip across Lake Tana, the impressive Blue Nile Falls, walking in the stunning Simien Mountains and of course, the rock churches of Lalibela.

Why watch Timket in Gondar?
Gondar was the capital city of Ethiopia from the early 17th to mid-19th century, a city known as the Camelot of Africa. The city really comes to life during the Timket celebrations with worshippers from around Ethiopia flocking to King Fasilidies’ Pool (pictured above), where priests bless the congregants in the holy waters of a large sunken bathing pool.

Experiencing the Timket festivities in Gondar offers a different experience to Addis – ask one of our experts to explain the key differences, as we offer a Timket in Addis group tour also - full itinerary here.

Want to know more about Timket? Read our article Timket explained.

Other Ethiopia group tours
Timket in Addis Ababa -- We also operate a second Timket Tour - view the full itinerary. This follows a very similar itinerary but starts three days earlier so that the group can experience the Timket celebrations in Gondar rather than Addis.

Meskel Festival -- One of the major religious celebrations in Ethiopia, this takes annually in September and is one of our most popular Ethiopia group tours. View itinerary.

This is a small group tour with a maximum of 10 participants allowing you to explore Ethiopia with other like-minded individuals at excellent value. Please note, spaces are limited and this tour does sell out.


Trip Itinerary

Day 1: 16th Jan 2026 Exploring Addis Ababa

Staying at Golden Tulip

Group participants will arrive during the course of the day off international flights from around the world. You will check in to the Golden Tulip hotel where you will stay two nights.

In the evening the tour leader will host a group meal to conduct a tour briefing and answer pre-departure questions.

Day 2: 17th Jan 2026 Addis Ababa

Merkato Market In Addis Ababa By Muluken

Full day guided tour of Addis Ababa.

This day provides an excellent grounding on the key periods of Ethiopia’s history – the understanding of which will underpin the technicolour experiences of Ethiopia's famed historical circuit that you are about to enjoy. Today's itinerary will include Trinity Cathedral, Mt Entoto, the Avenue of Independence, the Merkato (Africa’s largest open-air market) and importantly the National Museum.

There will be time in the afternoon to relax and prepare for departing Addis early the following day.

Day 3: 18th Jan 2026 To Bahir Dar

Day 4: 19th Jan 2026 Head to Gondar

Day 5: 20th Jan 2026 Timket in Gondar

Day 6: 21st Jan 2026 Gondar

Day 8: 22nd Jan 2026 Simien Mountains

Day 8: 23rd Jan 2026 Day of walking

Day 8: 24th Jan 2026 Fly to Lalibela

Day 9: 25th Jan 2026 More rock churches

Day 10: 26th Jan 2026 Return to Addis Ababa

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Ben

When to go to Ethiopia

Find out the best time to visit Ethiopia with our month by month guide.

  • Best
  • Good
  • Mixed
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

January

January in Ethiopia is all about Timket, an annual Christian festival being celebrated throughout the country. It's a spectacular sight to behold. Check out our Timket tour for more information. Temperatures are pleasant at this time of year so it's a great time for touring around much of the country.

February

February marks the end of winter in Ethiopia, so if you're travelling to the highlands pack a few extra layers as it can get cold at night.

March

Temperatures begin to rise in March, making trekking in the Simien Mountains and exploring Lalibela great options this month. There are occasional rain showers but nothing that will really disrupt activities. It's wet in the Omo Valley region between March and June, with muddy roads disrupting travel in this area.

April

April is the start of the short rains, which begin in the Omo Valley in southern Ethiopia.

May

The rains arrive in the Bale Mountains National Park and the Rift Valley Lakes during May and June, so this isn't a great time for hiking in these areas. However the downpours are usually in the afternoons, leaving the mornings with blue sunny skies, and plenty of opportunity to explore the rest of the country.

June

The rains continue, which make this a great time for the breeding season of migratory birds, with numerous colourful species to keep an eye out for.

July

The wettest months in the northern and central highlands are July and August. The short heavy storms mean this isn't a good time for hiking in the Simien and Bale Mountains, but the downpours don't really disrupt activities throughout the rest of the country. It's a good time to visit Lalibela which will be less crowded than during the rest of the year.

August

The wettest months in the northern and central highlands are July and August. The short heavy storms mean this isn't a good time for hiking in the Simien and Bale Mountains, but the downpours don't really disrupt activities throughout the rest of the country. It's a good time to visit Lalibela which will be less crowded than during the rest of the year.

September

Whilst the beginning of the month will see the tail end of the rainy season, it's actually quite a good month to travel around Ethiopia, just before peak season kicks in, and whilst the country is still green and beautiful. If you want to see the carpets of yellow Meskel flowers, or witness the colourful Meskel Festival, this is the month!

October

October is the start of the peak tourist season in Ethiopia, bringing with it great weather, pleasant temperatures, blue skies and little rainfall. A perfect time for touring around the country, particularly the Central Highlands and Northern Ethiopia.

November

The cooler temperatures and little rainfall during November and December make them great months for exploring the Omo Valley, with better road conditions and green landscapes.

December

The good weather and travelling conditions continue through December and into January, making this an ideal month to explore the whole country.

Shirley Newman

What can I say….my son and myself had the most wonderful time in Kenya thanks to the first-class itinerary that Ben and Louise put together for us. We spoke with Ben many times to ensure he ‘got it right’. This was our 2nd visit to Kenya, and it certainly lived up to our expectations and memories. We stayed in four locations, firstly at the wonderful El Karama Lodge, Laikipia Wildlife Conservancy, where we even had a visit from Ruth from Far and Wild! Then, for a return visit, to Saruni Samburu, which is absolutely stunning and still one of our favourite places in the world. Next came Basecamp Mara Camp, where we saw our first Cheetah, the only animal we didn’t see on our first visit. After that, onto the wonderful Leopards Hill in the Naiboisho Conservancy, what a way to spend the last four days of this trip. Here we finally spent many hours with a beautiful leopard. Throughout our time in Kenya, we saw many lions, giraffes, elephants, ostriches, hyenas, cheetahs, and leopards, to name just a few. Nothing was too much trouble for all the staff; we cannot have been looked after any better. Since our return again Ben phoned to see how it went in addition to emails. I would highly recommend Far and Wild; they are so knowledgeable and have personally visited the lodges and areas. We are already planning another visit, and we cannot wait.

16 Aug 2025
Elizabeth Spells

I have just returned from the most amazing trip to Tanzania, booked with Far & Wild. Everything went so smoothly from the first time I spoke with them. The planning was great, the itinerary was perfect for us, and the lodges were amazing. We spent 10 nights with an amazing guide, travelling through Northern Tanzania and even got to see the migration, which was a lifetime ambition of mine. This wasn't our first safari, so we were nervous as to how it would compare, but it was spot on. We're particularly grateful that she suggested a private 'bush lunch' in the Ngorongoro Crater as the public picnic spot was very busy! I will certainly be using them again to book our next trip....we're thinking of a relaxing beach stay next time to get over the excitement of safari!

17 Sept 2025
Orla Rhodes

Just back from another amazing F&W organised trip to Namibia with the family (8 adults). Having been there before, Alistair tailored our trip to include our favourite locations and added a new one for us, Okonjima Plains camp, which we loved.The quality of accommodation and guiding, activities, food and drinks was exceptional throughout. Although not inexpensive I felt it was good value for the level of luxury we had. Kwessi Dunes, Shipwreck lodge, Ongava, Okonjima with pit stops Windhoek (city tour recommended ), Swakopmund (Sandwich Harbour and Walvis Bay tour) and Grootberg lodge (best sundowner drive )

31 Jul 2024
Arnhild Schia

We had a wonderful trip to São Tomé and Príncipe - a small island nation in the Gulf of Guinea with paradise (almost empty) beaches and jungle forest. It was all well organised by Far and Wild and we stayed at Omali lodge at Sao Tome, then on Roca Sundy, and Sunday Praia at Principe - a great combination of different types of resorts/hotels. Omali is close to Sao Tome town with its colonial buildings, markets, hustle and bustle. Roca Sunday gives an old plantation experience and Sundy Praia a luxury beach experience. Very friendly (from time to time a bit slow) service, great fresh food, specifically if you like fish/seafood, vegetables and fruits (almost all sourced locally). Nice temperature between 23 and 30 degrees Celsius, nice swimming conditions. We really recommend this for those who want to experience a pristine destination with few other tourists and friendly and welcoming people. The islands also feel (and I believe are) very safe. At Principe, there are no dangerous animals, snakes or whatever, and it was great to be able to hike in the jungle without being very conscious of where to put your hands and feet. Go before everyone else does!

3 Jul 2024
Henri Papenfus

Back home again, basking in the joys of a superb safari. Every aspect you arranged for us, including linking up with Mack Air and Wild Horizons locally to transport us. The choice of camps, Camp Hwange in Zimbabwe and Muchenenje Safari Lodge in Botswana, was spot on and exactly what we had hoped for - ideally situated, comfortable, in good surroundings, and with excellent wildlife on the doorstep and throughout the wider country. The service staff in each looked after us very well, catering was excellent, and the game guides were professional, knowledgeable and helpful. The weather was, as usual for that part of the world, also good at the time of our visit. Blue skies and stunning sunsets. Warm but not too hot during the day, although quite cold at sunrise when viewing game. The viewing started. You made us happy, and we recommend you to similar safari enthusiasts with confidence.

28 Jun 2024
AC

Far and Wild went above and beyond to make sure my trip to Zambia was special. I would definitely recommend them and their services to anyone wanting to travel to Africa.

5 Jun 2024
Tiny

Lovely holiday at the amazing Almanara on Galu beach, a beach like no other. Far and Wild excelled themselves from beginning to end of our holiday in beautiful Kenya.... What a country!,

5 Jun 2024
Stodge

Wow! These guys are amazing. Can’t recommend them highly enough. Friendly AND efficient! Sorted out our trip (last minute and lots of different family member needs, sorry!) in record time and everything worked like clockwork. Trip of a lifetime to the Masai Mara. Will be back (and use F&W again!)!

5 Jun 2024
Fiona C

It was a dreamy holiday on the Kenyan Coast - Far and Wild, their efficiency and professionalism allowed us to relax and be the happiest family alive !! We cannot fault them, their care and understanding of what we wanted from a holiday ensured we had the most memorable trip. We will be booking with them again for sure!

5 Jun 2024

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