Ethiopian Epiphany (Timket) Celebrate the Baptism of Jesus in Ethiopia
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Individual or In Groups of 10+ People
Est 3 or 4 Days
Starting from:
$566 - $2961
UNESCO Logo UNESCO World Heritage Sites Included
Itinerary Overview
The Timket Festival (Epiphany) is one of the most significant religious and cultural celebrations in Ethiopia. This grand celebration, which begins on the eve of the holiday, commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan by John the Baptist. Ethiopian Christians celebrate the feast with a procession of priests carrying replicas of the Ark of the Covenant, accompanied by countless believers dressed in beautiful traditional attire.

The Feast of Timket (Epiphany) is one of the most important religious and cultural festivals in Ethiopia. This major festival, which begins on the eve of the holiday, commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. Ethiopian Orthodox Christians celebrate the festival with a procession of priests carrying replicas of the Ark of the Covenant, accompanied by countless worshipers in beautiful traditional clothing.

While the festival is celebrated throughout Ethiopia, Addis Ababa and the historic city of Gondar are important venues.

The festival takes place every year on January 18th and 19th (the date may vary by one day every 4 years)
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To make it easier for customers to choose and participate in the festival, we have created two itinerary sections for both cities.
Tour Plan (Itinerary I - Addis Ababa)
  • Upon arrival at Bole International Airport, you will be greeted by our tour guides and transferred to your booked hotel. Most flights to Addis Ababa arrive in the morning, leaving the remaining hours of the day available for a city tour of Addis Ababa. Learn more here
If you arrive at night, the next day will be reserved for a full-day city tour of Addis Ababa.
  • After a leisurely breakfast, we prepare for the day before the main festival day, which is also part of Epiphany. We secure a good spot for photography.
  • We have lunch at a suitable location. Vegetarian and vegan dishes are available. Afterwards, we join the afternoon celebration.
  • After breakfast, we go to the site of baptisms and other ceremonies and participate in the gatherings. We follow the priests carrying the replica of the Ark of the Covenant and return to the church with the others who spent the night at the assembly site.
  • Around 2:00 PM, after the end of the feast, a lunch with vegetarian and vegan options is served, and after a short rest, the farewell night begins.
Farewell Night:
  • Rest a bit, and enjoy an early dinner in one of Ethiopia's best jazz or (reggae optional) lounges, or in one of the most beautiful dance and folklore houses with a traditional coffee ceremony. This concludes the three-day trip.
Tour Plan (Itinerary II - Gondar)
  • Upon arrival at Bole International Airport, you will be greeted by our tour guides and transferred to your booked hotel. Most flights to Addis Ababa arrive in the morning, leaving the remaining hours of the day available for a city tour of Addis Ababa. Learn more here
If you arrive at night, the next day will be reserved for a full-day city tour of Addis Ababa.
  • We fly to Gondar (flight times vary due to the busy flight schedule on this day).
  • After arrival, we visit the 16th-century stone palaces and castles of the Kingdom of Gondar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This palace was built when Gondar was the seat of the Ethiopian central government.
  • We later participate in the eve of the festival.
  • After breakfast, we head to the 16th-century swimming pool to participate in the baptism ceremony and the assemblies. We follow the priests carrying the replica of the Ark of the Covenant and return to the church with the others who spent the night at the assembly site.
  • Around 2:00 PM, after the end of the festival, lunch with vegetarian and vegan options will be served and the evening will be spent at the House of Cultural and Folk Dancers, where you can taste the very famous Ethiopian honey wine (Tej).
  • We travel to Gondar Airport according to our flight schedule and fly back to Addis Ababa. (Flight times vary due to the busy flight schedule on this day).
Farewell Night:
  • Upon arrival in the city, we'll have lunch (if we arrive early), rest a bit, and enjoy an early dinner in one of Ethiopia's best jazz or (reggae optional) lounges, or in one of the most beautiful dance and folklore houses with a traditional coffee ceremony. This concludes the four-day trip.
What's Included:
Hotel fees
Pickup and drop-off
Private transportation (fuel included)
Entrance fees to all listed sites
Professional English-speaking tour guide
Lunch, Dinner, hot drinks and bottled water
Not Included
Alchoholic Drinks Not Listed On The Package
Tips and Gratitude
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FAQs
Timket is celebrated annually on January 19th, or January 20th in a leap year, with festivities beginning on the eve of the festival.
The festival includes a procession of priests carrying replicas of the Ark of the Covenant (Tabot), night-long prayers, a blessing of water ceremony, and symbolic baptisms.
Yes, Timket was inscribed by UNESCO in 2019 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
We offer two distinct Timket festival itineraries to accommodate different preferences and locations:
  • Addis Ababa Itinerary (3 days): Experience the vibrant Timket celebrations in Ethiopia’s capital, including the procession of priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant, traditional ceremonies, and baptismal rituals at local water sites. This itinerary includes city tours, festival participation, and cultural experiences within Addis Ababa.
  • Gondar Itinerary (4 days): This option includes flights to Gondar, where you will attend Timket festivities at the historic Fasilides’ Bath, visit the 16th-century castles and churches, and enjoy cultural events unique to this northern city. The tour concludes with a return flight to Addis Ababa and farewell activities.
Both itineraries provide full support with accommodations, transportation, guides, and meals, allowing travelers to choose the festival experience that best suits their interests and travel plans.
Pricing
All-Inclusive Timket Festival Tour (Itinerary I)
Number of People
Price per Person
Individual:
$1030
Group of 2:
$772
Group of 3:
$694
Group of 4 to 9:
$624
Group of 10+:
$566
(Discounted Prices From 25% up-to 45% For Groups) Book Now
Pricing
All-Inclusive Timket Festival Tour (Itinerary II)
Number of People
Price per Person
Individual:
$2961
Group of 2:
$2220
Group of 3:
$1998
Group of 4 to 9:
$1798
Group of 10+:
$1628
(Discounted Prices From 25% up-to 45% For Groups) Book Now
Tour Infomation
Download Travel Itinerary