Celebrate Christmas In Ethiopia
Duration
Mass in Lalibela, Explore Danakil and Axum
About The Trip
Mass in Lalibela, Explore Danakil and Axum
Available Departure Dates
Dec 31 – Jan 10
What's Included
All transfers
What's Not Included
Domestic flights
Itinerary
Dec 31: Arrival in Addis Ababa & New Year’s Eve
Morning/Afternoon: Arrival at Bole International Airport; transfer to the city's premier hotel. Evening: Enjoy a New Year’s Eve gala dinner with live jazz or a traditional cultural performance at Yod Abyssinia. Accommodation: Ethiopian Skylight Hotel or Best Western Pearl. Meals: None
Jan 1: Fly to Semera
Morning: 06:45 AM flight to Semera. Drive 4 hours to Lake Afdera. Afternoon: Witness salt mining and swim in the hyper-saline waters of Lake Afdera. Drive to the base of Erta Ale volcano. Evening: A one-hour hike to the rim. Observe the dramatic activity of the permanent lava lake at night. Accommodation: Luxury mobile camp at Erta Ale rim . Meals: B.L.D
Jan 2: Dallol: The Alien Landscape
Morning: Sunrise view of the lava before hiking down to the 4x4s. Drive across the desert to Hamedela. Afternoon: Visit the salt flats to witness a picturesque sunset reflecting off the salt crust. Evening: Savor the silence of the desert under a vast expanse of stars. Accommodation: Hamedela campsite (Afar Wooden beds & Sleeping bags ). Meals: B.L.D
Jan 3: Dallol to Gheralta Cluster
Morning: Explore Dallol’s hydrothermal fields, featuring potash lakes, acid springs, and salt cones. Afternoon: Drive toward Tigrai, stopping at the 4th-century Wukro Chirkos rock-hewn church. Evening: Arrive at the sandstone spires of Gheralta. Accommodation: Gheralta Lodge Meals: B.
Jan 4: The Pillars of Faith: Gheralta to Axum
Morning: Hike to Abuna Yemata Goh, a church carved into a vertical cliff face with 5th-century frescoes. Afternoon: Scenic drive to the ancient capital of Axum. Evening: Evening at leisure in Ethiopia's oldest city. Accommodation: Atranos Hotel (Best in Axum). Meals: B.
Jan 5: The Ark of the Covenant & Return to Addis
Morning: Visit the Axum Stelae Field (UNESCO), the Church of St. Mary of Zion (Ark of the Covenant), and the Queen of Sheba’s palace ruins. Afternoon: Transfer to the airport for your flight back to Addis Ababa (13:55 flight). Evening: Refresh at your hotel in Addis for the journey north the next day. Accommodation: Ethiopian Skylight Hotel (5-star). Meals: B.
Jan 6: Fly to Lalibela – Christmas Eve Vigils
Morning: Morning flight to Lalibela (Morning flights only). Afternoon: Explore the first group of rock-hewn churches, including the massive Bet Medhane Alem. Evening: Witness the start of the overnight vigils; pilgrims in white gather by candlelight for chanting and prayer. Accommodation: Mezena Lodge or Sora Lodge . Meals: B.
Jan 7: Orthodox Christmas (Genna) in Lalibela
Morning: Attend the spectacular Christmas morning mass. Witness the rhythmic dancing of priests on the rim of the churches. Afternoon: Visit the second group of churches and the iconic cross-shaped Bet Giyorgis (St. George). Evening: Celebrate the holy day with a traditional Ethiopian Christmas dinner. Accommodation: Mezena Lodge or Sora Lodge . Meals: B.
Jan 8: Lalibela Mountaintop & Return to Addis
Morning: Optional mule trek to the mountaintop monastery of Asheton Maryam for panoramic views. Afternoon: Fly back to Addis Ababa. Evening: Farewell cultural dinner with traditional music and dance. Accommodation: Ethiopian Skylight Hotel (5-star). Meals: B.
Jan 9: Addis Ababa City Highlights & Departure
Morning: Visit the National Museum (to see "Lucy") and drive to Mount Entoto for a panoramic view of the city. Afternoon: Final shopping at Merkato or a coffee experience before your evening international departure. Meals: B.
Departure Dates
1 date window available.
Duration
Deadline: November 10, 2026