Begin your journey in the vibrant capital, exploring its museums, markets, and landmarks.
Ethiopian Orthodox Easter | Axum Pilgrimage Tour
Exploring Ancient Marvels and Celebrating Palm Sunday in Ethiopia
Celebrate Ethiopian Orthodox Easter on a seven-day pilgrimage that fuses Palm-Sunday pageantry with Axum’s stelae, Lalibela’s rock chapels and Gonder’s castles. Crafted as an Axum pilgrimage tour for culture-seekers, the route also tips its hat to an emerging favourite—Palm Sunday Ethiopia—placing you at the nation’s most hallowed celebration while noting that the feast is honoured in churches across the country.
Destination Highlights
Highlighted Destinations
Embark on a boat excursion to visit isolated churches on the tranquil shores of Lake Tana, immersing yourself in the spiritual essence of Ethiopian Christianity.
Discover the medieval castles and churches of Gonder, known as the 'Camelot of Africa.'
Take a scenic walk in the breathtaking landscapes of the Simien Mountains.
Explore the awe-inspiring rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Attend the vibrant Palm Sunday processions and church services in Axum, the heart of Ethiopian Christianity, and explore the historical treasures of this ancient city.
Itinerary at a Glance
Day by day Tour Itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN ADDIS ABABA & CITY TOUR
- Fly to Addis Ababa; upon arrival at Bole international airport, your hospitality begins. We provide you with a meet-and-greet service at the airport and then transfer you to your hotel. This afternoon, enjoy a tour of Addis Ababa, a pleasant capital city with wide jacaranda-edged avenues, interesting museums, and lively markets.
- Start our visit with the Ethnological Museum for an overview of Ethiopia's history, culture, and traditions, and its collections from thousand-year-old nomadic tribes. Next, see the beautiful baroque-styled Holy Trinity Cathedral which contains the thrones and the tomb of Emperor Haile Selassie (the last king of Ethiopia) and some other members of the royal family. We end up the city tour by inviting you to the oldest and best coffee roaster and coffee shop-Tomoca. Not only do they serve fantastic Ethiopian coffee, but they also offer other fine coffees.
- Overnight in Addis Ababa
DAY 2: FLY TO GONDER
- This morning board a short flight to Gonder, upon arrival transfer to your hotel. You will spend today exploring the city of Gondar. It was founded in 1636 by Emperor Fasilades as the royal capital of Ethiopia, and is also known as “the Camelot of Africa”. In Gondar, there are a dozen castles, built by various kings and a queen over the course of 236 years. You will visit the Royal Enclosure, among these the Castle of Fasiledes, the oldest and probably the most impressive of all the castles found in the area.
- You continue on to the church of Debre Berhan Selassie (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The interior of Debre Berhan Selassie is decorated with beautiful murals, cherubs, and paintings. It is rumored to have once been the proposed final resting place of the Ark of the Covenant.
- Overnight in Gonder
DAY 3: FLY TO LALIBELA & VISIT THE ROCK-HEWN CHURCHES
- From Gonder, a short flight takes you to Lalibela, home of the rock-hewn churches and a World Heritage Site. It is located at an altitude of 2,600 meters above sea level. Lalibela is the 8th wonder of the world; 11 rock-hewn churches have been cut out of a solid red volcanic rock, some completely hidden in deep trenches, while others stand in open quarried caves and a complex series of tunnels and narrow passageways connect the churches.
- Lalibela indeed offers a great opportunity for any traveler. After checking in and having your lunch in your hotel, the afternoon will be devoted to visiting the first group (or the north–western cluster) of churches: Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Mariam, Bet Meskel, and Bet Danaghel.
- Overnight in Lalibela
DAY 4: EXPLORE MORE ROCK CHURCHES
- After breakfast, drive to the cave church of Yemrhan Kristos. The drive will be on a good gravel road passing through the most dramatic landscape of the countryside. This exquisite church is a masterpiece of Axumit wood and stone construction style. It is renowned for its interior decoration, its beautiful wooden coffer ceiling inlaid with hexagons, and medallions with both figurative and geometric motifs. Drive back to Lalibela.
- In the afternoon, you will visit the remaining rock-hewn churches of Lalibela that include the churches of Bet Gabriel - Rafael, Bet Emanuel, and Abba Libanos. Then you will continue your visit to the cruciform-shaped Bet Giorgis, the most beautiful church here. Its interior is dominated by depictions of Saint George killing the dragon. It is one of the newest and best-preserved churches.
- Overnight in Lalibela
DAY 5: FLY TO AXUM & EXPLORE THE SIGHTSEEING
- In the morning you will fly to Axum, where you are met and transferred to your hotel. You will proceed to a city tour of Axum –a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will visit the stelae: granite monoliths dating from pre-Christian times and decorated with symbolic engravings. You also visit the Archaeological Museum, before you head to attend the festivities of the Eve of Palm Sunday.
- Today is the main Palm Sunday; you will be taken to witness the morning processions and celebrations. During this important festival day, the whole city comes alive in celebration, with the Church of St Mary of Zion at the center of the festivities.
- After lunch, you head to the Queen of Sheba's Bath. Visit also historically important dedicatory stone dating to about 320 AD with an inscription written in three languages - Sabaean, Ge'ez (earliest written Ethiopian language), and Greek. Then continue on your visit to the church of Saint Mary of Zion. A chapel in the church is believed by many to contain The Ark of the Covenant. There is also a small museum here which contains the crowns of Ethiopian kings and other treasures. You then continue to the Queen of Sheba's Palace. The palace area has been fully excavated and is definitely worth a look.
- Overnight in Axum
DAY 6: ATTEND PALM SUNDAY & EXPLORE SIGHTSEEING
- Today is the main Palm Sunday; you will be taken to witness the morning processions and celebrations. During this important festival day, the whole city comes alive in celebration, with the Church of St Mary of Zion at the center of the festivities.
- After lunch, you head to the Queen of Sheba's Bath. Visit also historically important dedicatory stone dating to about 320 AD with an inscription written in three languages - Sabaean, Ge'ez (earliest written Ethiopian language), and Greek. Then continue on your visit to the church of Saint Mary of Zion. A chapel in the church is believed by many to contain The Ark of the Covenant. There is also a small museum here which contains the crowns of Ethiopian kings and other treasures. You then continue to the Queen of Sheba's Palace. The palace area has been fully excavated and is definitely worth a look.
- Overnight in Axum
DAY 7: DEPART FROM ADDIS ABABA
- This morning take a flight back to Addis. You will have the afternoon at leisure. Depending on your flight schedule, a transfer is arranged to Addis Ababa Bole international airport for the flight back home. Thanks for vacationing with Sawla tours.
Begin Your Adventure with Sawla Tours
At Sawla Tours, we believe that every journey should be as unique as the traveler. Our expert team is dedicated to crafting personalized itineraries that reflect your interests and passions, ensuring an unforgettable Ethiopian experience.
Whether you're seeking cultural immersion, wildlife adventures, or breathtaking landscapes, we tailor each tour to your preferences. From the moment you reach out, our travel designers work closely with you to create a bespoke itinerary that captures the essence of Ethiopia.
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