Ethiopian Timket Festival Tours – 3 Days

Day 1: Gondar – Addis Ababa

Take the morning flight to Gondar from Addis Ababa (1h 10min). After check in at the hotel, tour the famous castles of Gondar and Debre Berhan Selassie church famed for its colorful, Ethiopian church art.. After lunch, head to Medhane Alem Church to follow the procession of people taking the replica of the Ark of the covenant to Fasilides’ Bath. The Arks (or Tabots) from all the local Ethiopian Orthodox churches will also make their way to Fasilides’ Bath.

Day 2: Gondar Timket Holiday

The second day of the celebration is the official holiday of Timket. We will rise very early (as will most of the town) and go direct to Fasilides’ Bath for a 4.30 am start. The ceremony will be a mix of priests blessings, prayers and a ritual reenactment of Christ’s baptism in the River Jordan.

Around midday, the ceremony will conclude at Fasilides’ Bath and almost all the Arks (St Michael’s will remain behind) will be brought back, in a ceremonial procession, to their respective churches.

Day 3: Gondar ( St Michael’s Day) – Addis Ababa

After breakfast, return to Fasilides’ Bath to attend the celebration of St. Michael’s Day.
Late in the afternoon, fly back to Addis Ababa.