Duration
5-Day
Accra, Ethiopia
5-Day Ethiopian Meskel Festival and Lalibela Tour
Overview
One of Ethiopia's more popular attractions to catch the eye and interest of tourists is the yearly Meskel celebration. The September Meskel Festival marks the finding of the True Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. The festival is ancient, dating back over 1,600 years. It is celebrated with yellow Meskel daisies placed on top of huge bonfires that are lit in the evening in front of the throngs of celebrants.
Plan snapshot
Quick Facts
Route
Addis Ababa to Addis Ababa (City)
Via Lalibela (Town)
Country & park
Ethiopia
Style
Safari
Group size
1-12 travelers
Starts
On request
Minimum age
4 years
Activities
Getting around: normal 4x4 vehicle & air transfer
Accommodation
Monarch Parkview Hotel - Mid-range hotel in Addis Ababa (City) – All Meals Included
Meals
All Meals Included
Pickup
Airport transfer included
Booking
Request quote
Currency
EUR
Rates
Rates Per Person
EUR
Start datesSingle2+ people
Sep 24, 2026
€963 EUR
€842 EUR
Sep 24, 2027
€963 EUR
€842 EUR
Sep 24, 2028
€963 EUR
€842 EUR
Click a Rate to Request a Quote EUR
- EUR
Before booking
Important To Know
Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
This tour is offered in Euros (EUR).
This tour accepts children who are 4 years and older.
Rates include a fixed budget for flights during this tour. Flights may cost more, depending on travel dates. If so, your quote will reflect this.
Quote flow
Request Guidance
We advise requesting quotes from 3 operators ()
Requests are sent directly to the tour operator
If preferred, you can contact the tour operator directly
Route
country
Ethiopia
Start
Addis Ababa (Day 1)
Day 2-4
Lalibela (Town)
End
Addis Ababa (City) (Day 5)
Tour Features
Budget tour
This budget tour uses hotels.
Private tour
This tour will be organized exclusively for you and won't be shared with others.
Scheduled departures
This tour starts on fixed start dates only.
Can be customized
You can request changes to this tour.
Suitable for solo travelers
Solo travelers can book this private tour.
4
Minimum age of 4 years
The minimum age for this tour is 4 years.
Activities & Transportation
Getting around: normal 4x4 vehicle & air transfer
This operator can book your international flights
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Accommodation & Meals
Day 1
Monarch Parkview Hotel
Mid-range hotel in Addis Ababa (City) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 2-4
Top Twelve Hotel Budget hotel in Lalibela (Town) – All Meals Included
Budget hotel in Lalibela (Town) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 5
End of tour
(No accommodation)
All Meals Included
Day By Day
Tour step
Arrival
You'll be collected from the airport. Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.
Day 1
Arrival in Addis Ababa and City Tour
Up on arrival at Bole international airport and met by our representatives and transfer to hotel. After check in to hotel, city tour of Addis. Which includes; National Museum, the home of the famous complete hominid fossil remains of Lucy dates 3.2 million years back, Mount Entoto, panoramic view point at the highest peak in Addis with an altitude of 3200 meter above sea level, Trinity Cathedral, a beautiful church with a baroque style of European architecture unique to both Ethiopia and Africa, Ethnographic Museum and Merkato (the largest open-air market in Africa). Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Addis Ababa (City) Stay: Monarch Parkview Hotel Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 2
Fly to Lalibela and Visit
Fly to Lalibela and take the airport shuttle transfer to the Town (40 minute) and visit the rock hewn churches of Lalibela. Lalibela is most famous for its churches. After lunch will drive to the site where we find a concentration of some of Ethiopians most famous Rock Hewn churches, mostly referred by many as ʺthe living wonders of the worldʺ these churches are an active christen shrine, the spiritual center of the counters religious life. Bete Medhanialem, the largest monolithic Rock hewn churches of the world, measures 37.7 ft in Height, covers an area of almost 2625 Square ft and has walls that are up to 6 feet thick. A plain building supported by 36 pillars on the inside and anther 38 pillars around the outside. Bete Medhanialem modeled on the original St. Merry-zion church build by king Ezana in 4th century at Axum. we will be the first group of churches included: Bete Medhanialem, Bete Mariam, Bete Meskel, Bete Denagl and Bete Gologota-we-Michal. Budget hotel located in Lalibela (Town) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Lalibela (Town) Stay: Top Twelve Hotel Budget hotel located in Lalibela (Town) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 3
Visit Yimirhane Kiristos and The second Clusture of Lalibela Churhces
After breakfast we will drive to Yimrhanne-kirstos, Yimrhanne-kirsos located 2 Hour drive from Lalibela. Yemrehane-Kirstos church predates the Lalibela churches and was built using a completely different style of construction involving marble and wood. The church is built inside a cave. Pass through different villages and learn about local crops on different plateaus, spectacular scenery till your reach the church. Yimrhanne-kirstos is 80 years older than churches of Lalibela and it was a big impact for the Lalibela Church. Let afternoon, we will attend Demera, the Eve of Meskel where the priest and deacons dressed in their colorful dress, singing and dancing march to a place near the churches to assemble the firework to be lit in the coming morning. The faithful, dressed in their dazzling white flock to this place most of them with a piece of firewood. Then goes the blessing, the chanting and dancing until the evening. It is a very colorful eve to be seen. Budget hotel located in Lalibela (Town) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Lalibela (Town) Stay: Top Twelve Hotel Budget hotel located in Lalibela (Town) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 4
Attending Meskel Festival and Asheten Mariam Monastery
In the morning, we will witness one of the most colorful festivals held in Ethiopia, the Meskel Festival at Lalibela. Meskel festival commemorates the finding of the True cross on which Jesus Christ of Nazareth was crucified in Golgotha in the fourth century by Empress Helena, the mother of Constantine. After a mass song and prayer there will be a big boom fire for the commemoration of the Meskel festival. After Lunch Drive to visit the monastery church of Asheten Maryam (3150m). Ashten Mariam monastery located 40-minute drive from Lalibela, enjoy the spectacular view starting you left the town, Asheten Mariam is the first church of king Lalibela but Lalibela he didn’t finish the church it was completed by his nephew and successor king Nakute-Laab. The church has ancient sculptures. After you visit the church walk to the near hill to enjoy the panoramic view of the area. Budget hotel located in Lalibela (Town) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Lalibela (Town) Stay: Top Twelve Hotel Budget hotel located in Lalibela (Town) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 5
Fly back to Addis Ababa
In the morning, visit the nearby monastery of Naakuto-Laab, set on the side of a cliff. After the visit, proceed to the airport for the return flight back to Addis Ababa. The last day of your unforgettable visit to Ethiopia brings us back to Addis Ababa. A hotel room for day-use is available. You can visit some of the sites that you weren’t able to visit them from your first day or do Shopping. We say goodbye Ethiopia with a visit to a cultural restaurant, enjoying the great Ethiopian food together with traditional music and dance from all over this fascinating country. After diner we take you to the airport for your flight back home. All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Addis Ababa (City) Stay: No accommodation (End of tour) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Tour step
End of tour
Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost. You'll be dropped off at the airport.
Included
All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
A professional driver/guide
All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
All flights during the tour
All Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Excluded
Park fees (For non-residents)
International flights (From/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Getting There
This tour starts and ends in Addis Ababa
This operator can book your international flights
Fly to/from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD - Check price)
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
Offered by
Finot Tour Ethiopia
4.9 operator rating
12 reviews
Finot Tour Ethiopia is your option for a responsible and nature friendly tour in Ethiopia. We are always available to serve you the tour experience of your dreams. Our tour programs are flexible; you can feel free to make your own ideal tour package and then contact us for any information. If you are interested in History, Culture, Nature, Bird watching, Trekking, Adventure, Documentary Films, Rafting, Biking, Volcano and sightseeing, you will contact us for further information.
Office In
Ethiopia
Size
20-50 employees (Founded in 2011)
Tour Types
Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
Destinations
Djibouti, Ethiopia
Traveler feedback
Reviews
Overall
5.0/5Communication
5.0/5Accuracy
5.0/5Value
5.0/5Safety clarity
5.0/5Cultural value
5.0/5Very reliable, experienced, friendly, customerorientated - excellent tourguide to explore Ethiopia.
Our tour preferences were very well combined, we received a very detailed tour description for the 4 weeks in advance, which then also took place as planned, with a fair value of money . The communication was perfect. Flights, hotels, visits to attractions, entrances, and transportation were very well organized and coordinated. Our tour guide Haile was very friendly, absolutely reliable, and trustworthy. On-site, he has a good network, the local guides, and drivers were also always very good. Our safety was Haile's top priority. We can wholeheartedly recommend Finot Tours Ethiopia.
Michaela · Germany
One of the best experiences in Africa ever
Great experience! My wife and me did a 13-day long tour of Harar, Bale mountain an Omo valley and considering the very high quality of both the guides and the tour itself we felt we got our money's worth. Hailemeskel of Finot Tour Ethiopia has specially for us developed great tour itinerary! We have a good 4WD car and accommodation in nice hotels and lodges. Our main guide and driver Lmuel, was fantastic. He's very knowledgeable and has a very nice attitude towards guests! We discussed various aspects of life and nature in Ethiopia and we began to feel him as a friend. Both gentlemen were very kind and nice and they made our experience so wonderful. So it really feels like we made friends and it made us feel as if we weren't just tourists. All in all this was an amazing experience. We highly recommend Finot Tour Ethiopia. Thank you very much Haile and Lmuel!
Stanislav Moynov · Bulgaria
Great services
Traveling with Finot is a great, real adventure. A great guide with good contacts in the places you visit. Thanks to this, we were able to see more interesting things than others. Trip to the tribes of the Omo Valley.
Piotr Banasik · Poland
Reliable and helpful
My six day trip to the Lower Omo Valley was very interesting and well organized. A good guide (Danny), a comfortable car and nice lodges/hotels made the trip most enjoyable. Danny's knowledge about culture and nature was great. He also knew the names of all the birds we saw which I appreciated. Since I was a solo guest we also had a flexible schedule. From time to time we also met friendly Haile who travelled with another group. Since all costs were included I did not have to think about paying local guides etc. But they all appreciate a small tip. I can highly recommend Finot Tour.
Rolf · Sweden
Practical answers
Tour FAQs
Are rates charged per person?
Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
Which currency is this tour priced in?
This tour is offered in Euros (EUR).
Can children join this tour?
This tour accepts children who are 4 years and older.
Can the itinerary be customized?
You can request changes to this tour.
Where do travelers stay during this tour?
Monarch Parkview Hotel - Mid-range hotel in Addis Ababa (City) – All Meals Included. Meals: All Meals Included
Where does this tour start and end?
This tour starts and ends in Addis Ababa
Are airport transfers included?
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
How does the quote request work?
We advise requesting quotes from 3 operators () Requests are sent directly to the tour operator If preferred, you can contact the tour operator directly
Operator policy
Terms and Conditions
Disclaimer
This tour is offered by Finot Tour Ethiopia, not SafariBookings.
This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.
If you request changes to this tour, the advertised rates will likely change.
Rates include a fixed budget for flights during this tour. If flights cost more, your quote will reflect this.
The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability.
If an accommodation is fully booked, the operator will suggest a comparable alternative.
This tour is subject to the terms & conditions of Finot Tour Ethiopia.
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