Theme: Faith • History • Living Christian Tradition
Best travel window: January 2–12
Style: Cultural, respectful, immersive
Key highlight: Genna at Lalibela (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Itinerary
Day 1 :
Arrival in Addis Ababa
- Arrival at Bole International Airport
- Hotel check-in & rest
- Welcome dinner
- Introductory briefing:
- Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity
- Meaning of Genna
- Overnight: Addis Ababa
Day 2 :
Addis Ababa City Tour
- Focus: National & religious history
- National Museum (Lucy)
- Holy Trinity Cathedral
- Ethnological Museum
- Merkato (optional)
- Overnight: Addis Ababa
Day 3 :
Addis Ababa → Bahir Dar
- Morning flight to Bahir Dar
- Afternoon walk along Lake Tana
- Sunset views at Blue Nile outlet
- Overnight: Bahir Dar
Day 4 :
Lake Tana Monasteries
- Focus: Origins of Ethiopian Christianity
- Boat trip on Lake Tana
- Visit island monasteries:
- Ura Kidane Mehret
- Azwa Mariam
- Learn about manuscripts, icons & monastic life
- Overnight: Bahir Dar
Day 5 :
Bahir Dar → Gondar
- Scenic drive through rural Amhara region
- Arrival in Gondar
- Evening orientation walk
- Overnight: Gondar
Day 6 :
Gondar Historical Tour
- Focus: Imperial & religious capital
- Royal Enclosure (Fasil Ghebbi – UNESCO)
- Debre Berhan Selassie Church (angel ceiling)
- Discussion:
- Role of the Orthodox Church in Ethiopian history
- Overnight: Gondar
Day 7 :
Gondar → Lalibela
- Morning flight to Lalibela
- Rest and acclimatization
- Evening:
- Cultural music & storytelling
- Overnight: Lalibela
Day 8 :
Lalibela Churches (Preparation for Genna)
- Focus: Sacred architecture & pilgrimage
- Visit northern church cluster:
- Bet Medhane Alem
- Bet Maryam
- Bet Golgotha
- Observe pilgrims arriving on foot
- Overnight: Lalibela
Day 9 :
Day 9 – Lalibela | GENNA NIGHT & CHRISTMAS DAY
- Main highlight of the tour
- Late evening (Jan 6):
- Join thousands of pilgrims at Bet Medhane Alem
- All-night vigil, chanting, drums, prayer
- Early morning (Jan 7):
- Christmas Mass celebration
- Daytime:
- Priests & youth playing Genna (traditional hockey-like game)
- Rest afternoon
- Overnight: Lalibela
Day 10 :
Day 10 – Lalibela Churches & Village Walk
- Focus: Reflection & community life
- Visit southern church cluster:
- Bet Amanuel
- Bet Abba Libanos
- Bet Giyorgis (St. George)
- Optional village walk
- Farewell dinner
- Overnight: Lalibela
Day 11 :
Lalibela → Addis Ababa → Departure
- Morning flight to Addis Ababa
- Final shopping (religious items, crafts)
- Departure
