Ethiopia Meskel (Finding of the True Cross) - September 26, 2014
Meskal has been celebrated in the country for over 1600 years. The word actually means "cross" and the feast commemorates the discovery of the cross upon which Jesus was crucified, by the Empress Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great. The original event took place on 19 March 326 AD. but the feast is now celebrated on 27 September.
During this time of the year flowers gloom on mountain and plain and the meadows are yellow with the brilliant Meskal daisy. Dancing, feasting, merrymaking, and bonfires salutes mark the occasion. The festival begins by planting a green tree on Meskal eve in town squares and village market places. Everyone brings a pole topped with Meskal daisies to form the towering pyramid that will be a beacon of flame. Torches of tree branches tied up together called "Chibo" are used to light the bundle called "Demera".
We offer Meskel holidays of all destinations for groups and individuals of all size.
Program: Meskel Celebration In Addis With The Omo Valley Tour
Tour Code: PETT - F002
Duration: 13 Days and 12 Nights
Transport: Surface
Tour Code: PETT - F002
Duration: 13 Days and 12 Nights
Transport: Surface
Activities: colorful festivals, peoples, Alaba village, Chencha village, Tsemay, Bena and the Ari ethnic groups, National parks,Mursi village, Tsemay ethnic group, Dassenech ethnic group, hamer villages in Turmi , nature, culture, breathtaking scenery & much more
Day 01, Sep 25:
Arrival Addis: Upon arrival be met and welcomed by AETT Tour and Travel and Tours representative and transfer to Hotel
Day 02, Sept 26:
Meskal Festival at Addis Ababa: Morning, After break fast you will have a sight seeing of Addis Ababa which includes Trinity Cathedral beautiful church with a baroque style of European Architecture unique to both Ethiopia and Africa, National Museum-the home of the famous complete hominid fossil remain of Lucy dated 3.5 millions years back.Afternoon after lunch you will attend the very colourful Meskel Festival (the finding of the true cross) at the Meskel square
Day 03, Sep 27:
Addis - Arbaminch: in the morning drive to Arbaminch on the way visit Alaba village and their unique way of home decorating style, overnight in hotel ore lodge at Arbaminch.
Day 04, Sep 28:
Arbaminch: In the morning drive to Chencha village, to visit the Dorze ethnic group with their unique home building style and traditional weaving. (visit their market if it is a market day), drive back to Arbaminch. After lunch in hotel, boat trip on Lake Chamo to see crocodiles (at Crocodile Market) and hippos, overnight Arbaminch.
Day 05, Sep 29:
Arbaminch- Jinka: Drive to Jinka on the way visit the Tsemay, Bena and the Ari ethnic groups with their untouched culture, overnight in Jinka
Day 06, Sep 30:
Jinka- Mursi- Jinka: after breakfast drive to Mago national park and proceed to Mursi village to visit the Mursi people, whose females put lip plates on their lower lip. Drive back to Jinka for lunch, after lunch visit the Ari village or the museum in the town. Over night hotel in Jinka
Day 07, Oct 1:
Jinka -Turmi: After breakfast drive to Turmi-On the way visit the Tsemay ethnic group and the most Colorful market in the Omo valley- Key Afer market if it is Thursday and the Dimeka market if it is Tuesday overnight at lodge or hotel
Day 08, Oct 2:
Turmi - Omorate - Turmi: in the morning drive to Omorate and after crossing the Omo Rive by traditional boat visit the Dassenech ethnic group with their untouched culture. Drive back to Turmi, in the late after noon visit one of the Hamer villages in Turmi, over night lodge or hotel in Turmi.
Day 09, Oct 3:
Turmi - Murule - Turmi: in the morning drive to Murule to visit the Karo Ethnic group who are very well known for their body painting and their fascinating houses. Drive back to Turmi for over night, and visit market of Turmi if the day is Monday or Market of Dimeka if it is Tuesday. over night lodge or hotel in Turmi.
Day 10, Oct 4:
Tumi -Yabello: in the morning drive to Yabello on the way visit the Cushitic-Elbore tribe, and the Konso village who are famous for terracing and unique way of living, before arriving to Yabello you will see the Borena Oromo people, overnight at hotel in Yabello
Day 11, Oct 5:
Yabello - Awassa: after break fast drive to Awassa on the way you will visit 9th C Tutu Fela stele park, continue driving to Awassa trough the village of the Borena people, and also trough the breathtaking landscape and vegetation, over night hotel in Awassa
Day 12, Oct 6:
Awassa - Addis: After break fast drive to the beautiful fish market on the shore of Lake Awassa with many aquatic birds, and then continue driving to Addis, on the way to Addis you will visit Ziway lake which is rich in aquatic bird life and, over night in hotel.
Day 13, Oct 7:
City tour of Addis and Departure: Sightseeing tour that includes Trinity Cathedral-a beautiful church with a baroque style of European Architecture unique to both Ethiopia and Africa, National Museum-the home of the famous complete hominid fossil remain of Lucy dated 3.2 millions years back, Ethnological Museum-presents different collections to have an overview of the history, culture, tradition and religions of almost all tribal groups in Ethiopia, St. George Cathedral and Museum-a historical church with the traditional Ethiopian Orthodox Church architecture founded by Emperor Menelik-II, Mount Entoto panoramic view point at the highest pick in Addis with an altitude of 3200 meters, The Merkato: the biggest open air market in Africa. In the evening transfer to the air port for departure to home.
For more information Please visit:
http://www.vacationethiopia.com/ethiopia-meskel-festival-celebration-2014
Be welcomed by your guide on arrival at Addis Abeba Bole international Airport, and transfer in to your hotel.Beginning of the tour in Addis Ababa, Morning free (may be exchange foreign currency,when necessary briefing of the itinerary etc and be ready for the tour). Afternoon, tour of the capital: visit Entoto Mountains with spectacular views over the capital, the National museum and Trinity church. Overnight, O/N chosen hotel
Fly to Bahir Dar. Take a boat cruise on Lake Tana to visit 13th century Monastery of Ura Kidane Mihret which is the most famous of Zege Peninsula monasteries and Mahal Zeghie Gyorgis . In the afternoon, you will be taken to the village of Tis Isat to see the Blue Nile fall or “Tiss Issat” fall. O/NBahir Dar in a hotel
Drive to Gondar Visit the castles and churches built by the Emperor Fasiledes and his descendents, later proceeds to the fascinating Debre Birhan Selassie Church, one of the world’s heritage. O/N in a hotel
Drive to Sanka Ber a segment of the Semein Mountains. This is sight, which is termed as the most wild and spectacular of all Ethiopian landscape also termed as the 'Roof of Africa'. Observe the magnificent Scenery. O/N in a hotel
Early in the morning, drive to the ancient town of Axum through the chains of Semien Mountains and the Tekeze River Valley. O/N in a hotel
After early breakfast, visit Stelae Park, St. Mary’s Church the Sanctuary Chapel which is the repository of the Arc of the Covenant, the Coronation yard, Queen of Sheba’s Palace Ruins, Axum Museum and the Quarry where stelae used to be made. O/N in a hotel
In the morning, drive to Mekele visiting the 8-5th Century Temple of Yeha. The temple is believed to be the oldest standing building in the country. Proceed to the 6th century famous Monastery of Debre Damo established by Abune Aregawi one of the seven Saints came in Ethiopia in the 6th century in the reign of King Kaleb to spread Christianity in different parts of the country. O/N in a hotel
Drive to Lalibela via Ambalage chains of Mountains. O/N Lalibela in a hotel
Visit the magnificent Rock Hewn Churches of Lalibela: Bete Giorgis, Bete Medahne Alem, Bete Meskel, Bete Mariam, Bete Denagel, Bet Golegota, and Debresina, Bete Gebriel-rufael, Bete merkorewos, Betelehem, Bete Emanuael and Bete Aba Libanos.) O/N, hotel
After breakfast hike (or ride mules) up the church of Ashetun Mariam we pass small villages on the way up and there are marvellous views from the top of the surrounding countryside. In the afternoon, take a trip by car to the beautiful cave
After an early breakfast, leave Lalibela en route visit the monastery of Nakuto Leaband Genete Mariam and proceed to Dessie. O/N Dessie in a Hotel
Drive back to Addis Ababa via charming landscape of North Shewa. O/N Hotel
Morning rest may be shopping and packing for check out to overnight flight. Afternoon, Visit of the Ethnographic museum and the Merkato, biggest open air market in Africa and evening traditional dinner with folkloristic dances as a Farwell night party. Evening or next day will be departure. 
