3-Day Ethiopia Timket Festival Tour

Destinations: Addis Ababa or Gondar (depending on where you want to experience Timket — both offer excellent, but different, experiences)

Timket is the Ethiopian Orthodox celebration of Epiphany, commemorating the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River. It is held on January 19 (or 20 during leap years). Celebrations last three days and involve vibrant processions, traditional chanting, dancing, and colorful religious ceremonies.

🗓️ Option 1: Timket in Gondar – 3-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Gondar – Eve of Timket (Ketera)

• Arrive in Gondar (by flight from Addis Ababa).

• Meet your guide and transfer to your hotel.

• In the afternoon:

  • Join the Ketera Procession, where the Tabots (replicas of the Ark of the Covenant) are carried from churches to Fasilides’ Bath, accompanied by priests, church choirs, and faithful in traditional white attire.

  • Witness the joyful singing, drumming, and dancing along the streets.

• Evening:

  • Tabots are placed in tents near the ceremonial pool.

  • Locals camp overnight, singing and praying.

📍 Overnight in Gondar

Day 2: Timket Day – Main Baptism Ceremony

• Early morning (around 4–5 AM):

  • Arrive at Fasilides Bath to witness the dramatic re-enactment of Christ’s baptism.

  • Priests bless the water, and participants leap into the pool in a symbolic purification.

• Late morning:

  • Tabots begin their return processions to their home churches with joyous celebration.

  • Opportunity to take photos of the vibrant procession, traditional costumes, and religious rituals.

• Afternoon:

  • Optional Gondar city tour:

    • Visit the Royal Enclosure (Fasil Ghebbi).

    • See Debre Berhan Selassie Church with its famous angel ceiling.

• Evening at leisure.

📍 Overnight in Gondar

Day 3: Post-Festival Exploration – Departure

• Morning:

  • Visit any missed sites or relax at the hotel.

  • Optional: Short walk through the town, interaction with locals.

• Transfer to Gondar Airport for return flight to Addis Ababa.

• If time permits in Addis:

  • Visit Entoto Hills or National Museum before international departure.

✈️ End of Tour

🗓️ Option 2: Timket in Addis Ababa – 3-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa – Eve of Timket (Ketera)

• Transfer to hotel and rest.

• Afternoon:

  • Join Ketera processions from major churches (e.g., Jan Meda Field, St. Mary Church, or Entoto Maryam).

  • Watch the Tabots carried by priests, with songs, colorful umbrellas, and processions.

• Evening:

  • People gather at field sites for overnight prayers and chants.

📍 Overnight in Addis Ababa

Day 2: Timket Celebration

• Early morning:

  • Attend blessing of the water at Jan Meda.

  • Watch or join in the joyful splashings and ritual baptisms.

• Mid-morning:

  • Processions of Tabots return to churches.

• Afternoon:

  • Optional city tour:

    • National Museum, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Ethnological Museum.

• Evening cultural dinner (optional).

📍 Overnight in Addis Ababa

Day 3: Departure

• Morning:

  • Visit Mount Entoto or shop at local markets.

• Transfer to Bole International Airport for departure.

✈️ End of Tour

✅ Tour Inclusions (Sample):

• Domestic flights (if applicable)

• Accommodation (2 nights)

• Airport transfers

• Professional English-speaking guide

• Timket ceremony access

• Entry fees for sites (if chosen)

• Ground transportation