Timkat in Addis, Historic North and the Omo Valley

Ethiopia is distinguished from many African destinations by the country’s wealth of historic sites, as well as its lengthy history and diverse cultures.

The highlights of this itinerary are the colourful Lake Tana Monasteries; the 16th century castles of Gondar known as the Camelot of Africa; the UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site of Simien Mountains National Park which has some of the most dramatic scenery in Africa; Axum previously centre of the Axumite Empire; the magnificent rock-hewn churches of Lalibela and the extraordinary cliff churches of Tigrey. This trip will also provide a discovery to the tribes of Omo Valley, the most fascinating on the continent of Africa and around the world, who staunchly keeps their unique and so diversified traditional costumes, and beliefs, and the central rift valley Lakes region, and national parks.

Timket (Ethiopian Epiphany) is a three-day affair and the ceremonies are conducted all over the north of Ethiopia with great pomp. The celebrations commemorate Jesus Christ’s Baptism in the River Jordan, and occur on the 18th, 19th and 20th January. The celebrations are accompanied by special sacred dances by the clergy with their prayer sticks and sistera, the beating of drums, ringing of bells, and blowing of trumpets. Everyone in the towns and the countryside around joins the processions, which are fun as well as spiritual. 

Visitors who want to take photos of the ethnic groups in the Omo are expected to pay for each photograph.