Meskel or the true cross
The Meskel Festival – Discovery of the True Cross is an Ethiopian national holiday which is celebrated on September 27; The country celebrates Meskel by lighting a huge fire which represents “the cross” called “Demera” in Amharic. Unique opportunity for Ethiopians to come together in great moments of joy, song and dance.
The legend of Meskel dates back to the discovery of the True Cross by Empress Helena (Nigist Eleni), mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine, in the 4th century. According to legend, the Empress had a revelation telling her to make a large pyre, called Damera, and that the smoke would show her where the cross was buried.
So she ordered the people of Jerusalem to go get wood and make a huge pile of it. After adding incense, the fire was lit and the smoke rose high into the sky before returning to the earth exactly where the Cross had been buried.
Thus, the Meskel celebration commemorates this event and is marked by colorful festivities, processions, traditional dances, and the creation of large pyres in the shape of a cross. The Feast of Meskel is a time of great significance for Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia, symbolizing the discovery of the True Cross and marking the end of the rainy season.
This “pyre” is prepared the day before by the population and the next day the cross is set ablaze to the rhythms of songs and dances. Charcoal collected from the remains of the fire is then collected and used by worshipers to draw the shape of a cross on their foreheads.
On this exciting trip, you will visit Lalibela, Bhardar, Axum and Gondar where you will witness this ceremony.
Like all religious festivals, these are celebrated throughout the country. We remain at your disposal if you wish to experience this event in another city in Ethiopia.
Note that the celebration in Addis Ababa is one of the most grandiose. Your program can be arranged if you wish to attend in the capital.
The main points
- Witness the true cross celebrations in Gondar
- visit the UNESCO sites of the north and in particular the rock churches of Lalibela
- Church of Tigray
On arrival, meet the team at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and transfer to the hotel for check-in.
After breakfast, you will visit the national museum where Lucy is located.
You will have lunch in town and in the afternoon visit the Trinity Cathedral and the Mausoleum of Emperor Menelik II.
Hotel night
Morning, flight to Bhardar (times communicated later) and drive to the small town of Tiss Abay (32 km of track) to visit the impressive Blue Nile Falls, known locally as Tis Issat “Smoke of Fire”.
Walk around the falls where you can see the Portuguese bridge dating from the 17th century and the surrounding countryside. The area around the waterfall is very fertile and the Amharas who live here grow wheat, sorghum and teff (from which injera, the national bread, is made).
In the afternoon, boat trip on Lake Tana to visit the monasteries built between the 14th and 19th centuries. Depending on the time available, the most representative and still in service are: Ura Kidane Mehret and Azwa Maryam and Entos Eyesus.
Night Unison hotel or Abayminch lodge or similar
Day 3: After breakfast, for Gondar. On the way you will visit the Awra Amba community. After lunch you will arrive in Gondar and visit the castles of Emperor Fassiladas, its swimming pool, the palace of Empress Minitab, the banquet hall of Emperor Bakaffa,
Day 4: After breakfast you will attend the ceremonies on the foundation of the true cross (Meskel festival) with a very colorful procession; This Ethiopian Orthodox religious festival is still practiced and the Ethiopian Government has proposed that it be listed as a UNESCO world heritage site.
In the afternoon, visit the church of Debre Birhan dating from the 17th century (Light of the Trinity).
Nights Hotel Hailé resort or similar
This price includes
- Two domestic flights
- Accommodation in hotels***/****double room local standards
- Full board
- Non-alcoholic drinks (1 mineral water or 1 soda per person with lunch and dinner)
- Mini bus with AC, or 4x4 vehicle, driver and fuel
- All entries and visits planned in the program
- All transfers
- French-speaking guide for the entire duration of the trip
- Specialist local guides for northern sites
- Boats on Lake Tana
- All government taxes
This price does not include
- International flights
- Visa
- Cancellation/repatriation insurance (optional)
- Laundry service
- Alcoholic drinks
- Fees for videos and photos
- Tips
Single room supplement: 450.00 euros per person
- 10 days / 9 nights
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September 24, 2025
- Hotels/Resort
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Transport :
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