Timkat Festival – Ethiopia – The Village Experience

Timkat Festival – Ethiopia

Jan 15 - Jan 25, 2028

Inclusions: airport transfers, all accommodations, meals as listed, local guide, domestic flights, private transportation, Addis Ababa tour, all entry fees, coffee ceremony, Lalibela church tours, Gondar tours, Timkat Eve and Timkat Day festival activities, Simien Mountain hike and park entry fees, Axum tours, visit to Tomoca Coffee, farewell dinner at Temsalet Kitchen Social Enterprise, and all bank/wire processing fees.

At The Village Experience, travel inspires impact. To date, TVE has operated over 800 responsible tourism programs around the world. Our programs have immersed nearly 3,000 travelers into our partner communities and impacted more than 25,000 people on the ground. Together, we have implemented programs to tackle social justice issues such as access to education & healthcare, women’s empowerment, and sustainability in these communities.

It is only through this unique relationship of responsible travel + philanthropy, that we have been able to raise $3,500,000 for our partner communities. You inspire and contribute to the impact…so keep traveling with The Village Experience!

Pricing

$5699 per person – double occupancy
$6299 per person – single occupancy

$1000 deposit due with registration
*passports due the following week

$2000 payment due January 15, 2027

Final balances, flights and travel insurance due August 15, 2027

Email all documents to trips@experiencethevillage.com

Itinerary

January 15 – Arrive to Addis Ababa Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Meet your Village Experience representative and transfer to hotel for the evening.

January 16 – Addis Ababa City Tour today including stops at the National Museum to see Lucy and Selam (both over 3 million years old), the Palace of Menelik II, and the Ethnological Museum. Then, enjoy a traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony and lunch. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)

January 17 – Transfer to airport for late morning flight to Lalibela. Lalibela is a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating to the 12th century. Upon arrival, visit the first group of rock hewn churches including Bete Medhane Alem, Bete Maryam, Bete Mesmer, Bete Golgotha, and Bete Mikael. Check into lodge and enjoy dinner in the evening. (B,L,D)

January 18 – Today, we’ll spend the day exploring the second group of rock hewn churches of Lalibela including Bete Amanuel, Bete Qeddus Mercoreus, Bete Abba Libanos, Bete Gabriel-Rufael, and Bete Lehem. We’ll also visit nearly monasteries and a traditional village. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)

January 19 – Transfer to airport for late morning flight to Gondar. This former imperial capital is famous for its 17th and 18th century castles and churches. This is also the epicenter of the Timkat Festival celebrated by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Upon arrival, visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Fasil Ghebbi – this royal enclosure contains 6 castles! We’ll then visit Debre Birhan Selassie Church and the Fasilides Bath. Check into hotel. Tonight is Timkat Eve. We’ll watch the Ketera procession and the beginning of the festival activities. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)

January 20 – Timkat Festival Day! This vibrant and colorful celebration of the Epiphany – the baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan – will be the highlight of the trip. During the famous Tabot Procession priests carries replicas of the Ark of the Covenant from every church to a designated body of water. We’ll also witness activities around the “Blessing of the Waters.” We can’t wait for this deeply special and spiritual experience. (B,L,D)

January 21 – In the morning, we’ll drive to the gorgeous Simien Mountains National Park. Check into hotel for lunch. Then enjoy an afternoon hike to observe the stunning Gelada Baboons amongst the mountain scenery. Dinner and overnight at hotel. (B,L,D)

January 22 – Today, we take a leisurely drive through the Ethiopian countryside farther North to reach Axum. Axum is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was seen as a superpower from the 1st through the 8th centuries AD. It is believed by Ethiopian Orthodox Christians to house the Ark of the Covenant in the Church of St Mary of Zion. Check into hotel and relax in the evening. (B,L,D)

January 23 – Today, we’ll explore Axum by visiting the Stelae Park (4th century obelisks), The Archeological Museum, Tombs of King Kaleb and King Gebre Markel, Queen of Sheba’s Palace, and the famous St. Mary of Zion Church. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)

January 24 – Relax in the morning and then head to the airport for afternoon flight back to Addis Ababa. Upon landing, we’ll stop at Tomoca Coffee Shop – Ethiopian owned and operated since 1953. We’ll then visit a local art gallery and shop and have a fun farewell dinner at Temsalet Kitchen Social Enterprise Restaurant. This is a women led social enterprise rooted in community, culture and purpose. Check into hotel in the evening. (B,L,D)

January 25 – Transfers to airport for flight home. Standard check out time is 10am. (B)

Flight Reservations

Arrival & Departure: Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa

Vaccinations

Visit the Center for Disease Control website for up-to-date requirements (www.cdc.gov) and/or speak with a local travel doctor regarding vaccinations.

We also advise that you speak with your doctor regarding a prescription for an antibiotic to combat food and water borne illnesses.

Recommendations for Ethiopia include:
Hepatitis A & B
Typhoid

To learn more go to the Health Information for Travelers to Ethiopia page on the CDC website.

Required Documents

Passport – Your passport must have at least two blank pages and a minimum of six months’ validity from the date of entry.
eVisa – Apply for your eVisa one month in advance at the following link: https://www.evisa.gov.et/visa/apply
Travel Insurance – Medical evacuation, repatriation and medical coverage are required by The Village Experience. We strongly recommend that you purchase trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage.

Registration | Timkat Festival - Ethiopia

Personal Information

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Please check the appropriate rooming options, and if you have a roomate, please include their name below. Note: If we are unable to secure you a roommate, you will need to pay the single supplement cost.
Note: If we are unable to secure you a roommate, you will need to pay the single supplement cost.*
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You can find the terms of TVE's Traveler's Agreement, Cancellation Policies and Media Release: HERE.
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Email*
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Passport Information (optional)
Please complete the passport section to the best of your knowledge.
Passport Number
Date of Issue (mm/dd/yyyy)
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Date of Expiration (mm/dd/yyyy
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Additional traveler 2
Name
First Last
Gender as Identified on your Passport*
Address
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
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Date of Birth*
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Dietary Restrictions / Special Needs
Email*
Emergency Contact Name*
First Last
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Passport Information (optional)
Please complete the passport section to the best of your knowledge.
Passport Number
Date of Issue (mm/dd/yyyy)
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Date of Expiration (mm/dd/yyyy
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Nationality
Place of Issue
Additional traveler 3
Name
First Last
Gender as Identified on your Passport*
Address
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
Phone
Date of Birth*
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Dietary Restrictions / Special Needs
Email*
Emergency Contact Name*
First Last
Emergency Contact Phone*
Passport Information (optional)
Please complete the passport section to the best of your knowledge.
Passport Number
Date of Issue (mm/dd/yyyy)
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Date of Expiration (mm/dd/yyyy
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Nationality
Place of Issue
Additional traveler 4
Name
First Last
Gender as Identified on your Passport*
Address
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
Phone
Date of Birth*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Dietary Restrictions / Special Needs
Email*
Emergency Contact Name*
First Last
Emergency Contact Phone*
Passport Information (optional)
Please complete the passport section to the best of your knowledge.
Passport Number
Date of Issue (mm/dd/yyyy)
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Date of Expiration (mm/dd/yyyy
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Nationality
Place of Issue
Additional traveler 5
Name
First Last
Gender as Identified on your Passport*
Address
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
Phone
Date of Birth*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Dietary Restrictions / Special Needs
Email*
Emergency Contact Name*
First Last
Emergency Contact Phone*
Passport Information (optional)
Please complete the passport section to the best of your knowledge.
Passport Number
Date of Issue (mm/dd/yyyy)
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Date of Expiration (mm/dd/yyyy
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Nationality
Place of Issue
Payment
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