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Ancient churches springing to life, returned to their former glory. A festive buzz winding around city roads and shanty towns. Crowds of revellers gathering in red, yellow, and green to dance, sing, and pray.Welcome to Timkat, the grandest celebration on the Ethiopian calendar!
A ritual re-enactment of the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan by John the Baptist, Timkat Festival in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, a church as old as Christendom itself, takes place over 3 days with dancing in the streets, colourful robes, vestments, and umbrellas symbolizing the covenant between man and God, models of the Ark of the Covenant emerge from ancient churches wrapped in rich cloth, solemn processions of hundreds of elders, women, and children, with participants immersing in waters to renew their baptismal vows. It’s a celebration of life and renewal unlike any other in Ethiopia, or the world!
Lalibela is located in the heart of Abyssinian Highlands, on the side of mountain range culminating at 4284 mtrs. Its 2500 meter altitude provides a climate with daily temperatures 20-15C. The world recognized glory of the city comes from the churches curved in monolithic rocks, concept similar to Petra or Ellora gained Lalibela a spot not only on UNESCO World Heritage list but also on many travel connoisseurs bucket lists. We will discover this 7th or perhaps 8th world's wonder over an extended weekend trip.
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Although date of churches creation is speculated to be around 12th to 13th century, it has been widely attributed to King Lalibela 24 years' project, at the time when city was called Roha. The legend says the King was born surrounded by the bees, and it became the sign of his future reign. The name also relates to this event – Lalibela origin in ancient Amharic means “The one who eats honey”.
Its only in 1950s when the first road to Lalibela was finally constructed and so the former dwellings started being replaced with houses and corrugated iron sheet roofs. Until then it took forty to fifty hours on mule to reach the city.
With 8 rock hewn churches and 2 rock hewn palaces Lalibela contains a number of courts, tunnels, pools and was significant achievement of architecture of its times. City quickly became political and religious center, putting Aksum, capitol city on secondary position. Moreover, due to its remote location it is only Lalibela who survived religious wars ravaging Ethiopia over centuries, other places including Aksum were completely destroyed. No wonder the presence of churches is considered as holy protection to the northern Abyssinian plateaus.
Our plan is to visit this soaked with history UNESCO site but also spend some time outside to stretch the legs. We ll take the opportunity of Easter celebration which makes Lalibela a vibrant place and observe very unique celebrations.
Lets go!!
DAY 1 / Saturday
Meeting at Dubai Terminal 1 for a flight to Addis and connecting flight to Lalibela. Check in to our comfy lodge, lunch and start with visiting the remarkable rock-hewn churches of Lalibela built in the 11th and 12th century. Today we focus on first group of churches including St. George.
DAY 2 / Sunday
In the morning join the city for celebration of Epiphany - Timkat.
Further on, we head for a hike to a church located on a cliff with spectacular 360 degree view of the city, certainly the most breathtaking route around Lalibela. It is a trail to hidden church, one of the Lalibela best kept secrets.
Spend rest of the day discovering 3 church complexes: the most famous group Royal and Ecclesiastical.
After churches its time to visit famous local nightclub called Torpedo, although it is not included on UNESCO list.
DAY 3 / Monday
Early morning glimpse at markets and souvenir shopping. Flight to Addis and if time allows, quick look at bustling metropolis, visit Lucy and further fly back home.
Level: Easy- two short but steep in places hikes. Available for beginners.
Activities: sightseeing, trekking.
Accommodation & meals - all included: comfortable ROCK HEWN lodge (sharing rooms).
Single room / upgrades to traditional TUKUL subject of availability at the time of booking.
Approx. cost: 2,650 excl. flights until JAN 09th
Specifically excluded: e-visas, photography fees or other tips, meals in Addis.
See yah in Lalibela x
Trekkup Crew
Whatsapp 050 4848238 / [email protected]
Find all trekkups at linktr.ee/trekkup
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Dubai International Airport, ستاربكس, مطار دبي الدولي دبي, الإمارات العربية المتحدة,Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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