Gondar: Timket Festival 4-Day Tour with Flights

Experience the Timket Festival in Gondar on a 4-day tour. Explore the city’s historic sites, attend the Ketera celebration, and witness the main Timket ceremony.
Day 1: Addis Ababa to Gondar

In the morning, fly to Gondar, once the Royal Capital of Ethiopia, founded in 1636 by Emperor Fasilides. Upon arrival, meet your guide and visit the Royal Enclosure, Fasilides Bath, and the fascinating Debre Birhan Selassie Church with its breathtaking 17th-century wall and ceiling paintings.

Day 2: Gondar: Attending Ketera (Eve)

In the afternoon, enjoy a city tour of Gondar. Then, attend the celebration of Timket, which starts on the afternoon of this day, known as Ketera. Experience the procession with chanting and dancing crowds in dazzling white traditional dress, contrasting with the colors of the ceremonial robes and sequined velvet umbrellas of the priests. The Tabots stay overnight near the water, and ceremonies continue overnight.

Day 3: Gondar: Attending Timket

The main Timket celebration starts in the morning with pre-sunrise rituals, including the Kidane (Morning Prayer) and the Kidasie (the divine clergy). Attend the blessing and sprinkling of blessed water on the assembled congregation in commemoration of Christ’s baptism at Fasiladas Bath. Spend the better part of the day before the procession breaks by returning the Tabots to the churches in the afternoon. By afternoon, all the Tabots (except the Tabot from St. Michael’s Church) are returned to their churches in a procession with the priests and young people animated and leaping like King David in the Bible.

Day 4: Gondar to Addis Ababa

Transfer to the airport to take your international flight.

To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.

This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 24 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 24 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.