Festival · Private
Timkat Festival Journey
Ethiopian Epiphany — processions, an all-night vigil, and the royal bath flooded at dawn.
The Journey
7 nights, designed around the hours that matter
A single fixed window each January (Timkat falls around 19 January on the Gregorian calendar), planned a full year ahead because rooms and procession vantage points in Gondar book early.
Who this is for
Travellers who want a private 8 Days journey through Addis Ababa, Gondar, Lalibela, reshaped around their pace.
What this is not
Anyone expecting a rigid large-group package that cannot change once booked.
Tailor-made journey
Priced to your plans
Quoted individually once we know your dates, lodges and group size.
- Duration
- 8 Days · 7 nights
- Best season
- January only
- Group size
- 2 – 10 guests
- Style
- Festival · Private
Final pricing depends on season, room category and group size. No deposit is taken until the itinerary is right.
Day by Day
The itinerary, as it usually runs
A working draft rather than a fixed schedule — we move days around for weather, festivals and how you are feeling.
Day 1
Arrive Addis Ababa
Arrival and a quiet evening — festival energy begins in Gondar, not the capital.
Day 2
Addis & Holy Trinity
Holy Trinity Cathedral and a briefing on the liturgical calendar behind Timkat: Ketera eve, the vigil, and the baptismal immersion at dawn.
Day 3
Fly to Gondar
Morning flight north, settle into rooms held for festival week, and a first walk of the royal enclosure without the crowds.
Day 4
Ketera — eve of Timkat
Tabots leave their churches in procession toward Fasilides' Bath; we hold reserved positions along the route and stay for the evening atmosphere.
Day 5
Timkat dawn
All-night vigil options for those who want them, then the flooding of Fasilides' Bath at dawn and the joy of the immersion — the heart of the journey.
Day 6
Fly to Lalibela
A soft travel day south-east to Lalibela while Gondar empties; evening light on Bete Giyorgis if energy allows.
Day 7
Lalibela churches
Northern and eastern clusters at quieter post-festival hours, with your scholar-guide on the liturgy that still fills these trenches year-round.
Day 8
Departure
Return flight to Addis Ababa and an evening departure.
What Is Included
- Reserved viewing positions at Fasilides' Bath
- Domestic flights and all private transfers
- Accommodation held twelve months in advance
- An Orthodox Christian scholar as festival guide
- Breakfast daily and festival-day catering
- Guidance for photographing the processions respectfully
Not Included
- International flights and Ethiopian visa fees
- Travel insurance (required)
- Gratuities
Enquire
Make Timkat Festival Journey yours
Send us your dates and we will confirm availability, quote precisely, and suggest the two or three changes we would make if it were our own trip.
Runs January only · 2 – 10 guests · priced to your plans
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Speak With a Designer
Questions before you enquire?
Altitude, road time, how hard the walking really is, whether the children will cope. Ask us anything — a designer will answer honestly.
Or call us directly on +1909-450-7246