Day 1. Arrival and Addis City Tour
Our 11 days Ashenda Festival tour begins by exploring the city of Addis Ababa’s during your Addis Ababa city tour and see the highlights on one comprehensive full-day tour. Addis Ababa is Ethiopia’s geographic, political and cultural hub. Addis is distinct from many other African capitals because it was not founded or developed under colonial rule. Our main Addis Tours are ; Mount Entoto with the best panoramic views over the capital and refresh your self, Ethnographic museum , where you can see a variety of arty facts from all the different regions reflecting the history and culture of the country,The National Museum which among other exhibits the replica of the 3.5 million year old bones of Lucy. St. George Cathedral where paintings by the famous Ethiopian artist Afework Tekele and other ecclesiastical wealth and cultural heritage of the past are displayed ,Trinity Cathedral this is the burial place of members of the imperial family and noted patriots; the cathedral is the most magnificent of its kind in the country, ornamented with carvings, mosaics and other artistic works and lastly, Merkato the largest market in Africa where virtually everything is on sale from livestock to computers to a huge selection of Ethiopian arts and crafts is always quite an experience and it gives you the highlights of the real life of African people. O/n Addis
Day 2: Excursion to Lake Tana and Blue Nile Falls
In the morning ,fly to Bahir Dar and expedition to Lake Tana Monastries . afternoon, drive south of Bahirdar to visit the Blue Nile falls . Immerse in a short hike to see the Blue Nile falls that offers stunning landscapes and glimpse of local flora and fauna. Then , return to the city for spending comfortable night .
O/n Bahirdar
Accommodation: Abay Minch Lodge
Day 3: Bahir Dar – Gondar
In the morning ,drive on the chain mountains to Gondar and visit afternoon the city embark from the Royal palaces and castles of 17th century kings and continue to see the church of Debre Birhan Silassie, finally , ended your tour by the swimming pool of Emperor Fasiledes .
Accommodation: Goha Hotel
Day 4: Fly to Lalibela
Morning departure to Lalibella and visit the wonders of 12th century rock churches of King Lalibella.
Accommodation: Sora lodge
Day 5: Lalibela -Axum
Fly to Axum and explore the ancient city of Axum. Aksum is a city located in northern Ethiopia tigray region. It’s known for its tall and carved obelisks, relics of the ancient Kingdom of Aksum, ancient ruins , inscriptions , tombs and religious sites .
O/n Yared Zema hotel
Day 6. Aksum –Gherealta
After breakfast drive to Gherealta on the way visit Yeha Temple and debre damo monastery. Accommodation: Gherealta Lodge
Day 7. Gheralta Churches
In the morning,visit the church of Medhani Alem Adikosho /Holy savour /then,drive back to Hawzen town for lunch. Afternoon, proceed to see the famous and remarkable church of Abune Yemata Guh .The church was built in the sky mountain during 6 th c A.D by Saint Abune Yemata one of the nine saints come to Tigray to spread Christianity .
Accommodation: Gheralta Lodge
Day 8. Gheralta
Today, we climb to the churches that were built on top of a spectacular view, Mariam Korkor and Daniel Korkor, dated back to 4th -15 th c A.D
Day 9. Gheralta –Mekelle
After breakfast, drive to see Abune Abrham church, an hour walk and climb from the main road. On the way back, continue to see Abraha we Atsibha church and then, stop in Wukro town for lunch .In the afternoon, visit the wukro cherkos church . Finally , drive to Mekelle to see the eve of Ashenda festival. O/n Axum Hotel
Day 10. Mekelle – Attend the Ashenda Festival
Today is the Ashenda festival day. Ashenda is a unique Tigrian traditional festival which takes place in August 25 to mark the ending of fasting called filseta. This event is mostly for girls and young women, which they await very eagerly every year. It is unique to the people in the state of Tigrai in northern Ethiopia. The name of the festival “Ashenda” comes from the name of a tall grass that the girls make in to a skirt and ware it around their waist as a decoration. O/N Axum Hotel
Day 11. Visit Mekelle , fly back to Addis Ababa
In the morning, visit Yohannes IV museum one of the best museum in Ethiopia and it has a lot of nice collections, as well as the spicy market of Mekelle in between stop for lunch .In the afternoon, good bye Mekelle and Ashenda Festival then transfer to Mekelle airport to fly to Addis. Evening transfer to Bole international airport to transfer to depart home .
