Best Cultural Experiences to Enjoy on Your Ethiopia Tour

Ethiopia is one of the most fascinating places in Africa with ancient traditions, colorful festivals, and stunning scenery that makes a journey to Ethiopia a journey of a lifetime. Ethiopia is referred to as the land of origins and it is the place where a visitor can travel in time and have an opportunity to visit a rich and richly preserved cultural heritage. Far off churches hewn out of rock, brightly painted tribal ceremonies, an Ethiopia Tour is not merely sightseeing- but experiencing culture in its best form.

Travellers who seek significant things to find in their travels have no better experience than visiting Ethiopia and undertaking the cultural tour. Having different ethnicities, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and one of the oldest Christian traditions in the world, Ethiopia is not only a vacation, but it is also the possibility to explore the traditions that still survive in the country in the modern world. And whether you reserve the Ethiopia Tour Packages or design the Ethiopia Holiday Packages of your own, you will have inexhaustible possibilities to experience the local lifestyle.

These are the Best Cultural Experiences to have on your Ethiopia Tour.

Lalibela Rock-Hewn Churches.

A visit to the rock carved churches of Lalibela is one of the most memorable events in any tour of the Ethiopian culture. Created in the year 12 the  century, these amazing structures are hewn out of solid rock, a testament to the rich Christian roots of Ethiopia. The churches (e.g. Bete Giyorgis (St. George's Church) are actively used up to date and pilgrims worldwide come there. When one is walking through the tunnels and corridors that link the churches, one gets an acute feeling of both the spiritual and architectural splendor of Ethiopia.

Attending the Timket Festival.

When visiting Ethiopia your Ethiopia Tour happens during the month of January, you will have the unique opportunity to attend the Timket Festival, the Ethiopian Epiphany celebration. This festival recreates the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, where colorful processions, singing priests and happy locals dressed in white traditional robes, come out to play. It is one of the most energetic festivals in Ethiopia and being among them will be a memorable Ethiopia cultural tour experience.

The Tribes of the Omo Valley.

The Omo Valley is cultural treasure where one can meet various tribal ethnic groups each having a different tradition, language and rituals. The valley offers an experience of cultural immersion to travelers with the lips-plate worn by Mursi women and the rich body paintings of the Hamar tribe. Most Ethiopia Holiday Packages have guided tours to this place and they also ensure that there is a respectful and authentic interaction.

The Historic City of Axum.

Axum is regarded as the birthplace of Ethiopian civilization and there are ancient obelisks, king tombs and the Church of St. Mary of Zion, which many people consider is the home of the Ark of the Covenant. Traveling around this historical city is similar to flipping of the pages of living history book as one gets to see the mighty ancient kingdoms in Ethiopia.

Having Coffee Ceremonies.

Coffee was born in Ethiopia and no Ethiopia Tour is complete without a traditional coffee ceremony. Not only a drink, it is a social and cultural rite, the roasting, grinding and brewing of fresh coffee beans in a clay pot known as a jebena. By sitting among locals and sipping on the aromatic coffee, the travelers can be in touch with the day to day life of Ethiopia.

Travelling to Gondar and Its Castles.

It is dubbed Camelot of Africa and has come to be known to have splendid castles and palaces as early as the 17 th century. The Royal Enclosure possesses the well-maintained architecture that presents the tourists with the insights into the royal life of Ethiopia. Gondar is a key destination in many Ethiopia Tour Packages and it is a must visit destination to cultural explorers.

Meskel - Finding of the True Cross.

The other festival that should be featured in your Ethiopia Holiday Packages is the Meskel, held in September. This event is recognized by the UNESCO, to remember the finding of the True Cross by Empress Helena. Large bonfires, folk music and loud celebrations permeate the air with life and piety. It is one of the most appropriate moments to experience the Ethiopian spiritual heartbeat.

Fields of Harar - The Walled City.

Harar commonly known as the City of Saints is a UNESCO world heritage site with more than 80 mosques and hundreds of shrines. It has a reputation of colorful markets, small lanes, and the peculiar tradition of hyena feeding. The walk around Harar provides one of the purest experiences of an Ethiopia cultural tour to the tourists.

Experience in Ethiopian Food.

Food is a very important aspect of culture and Ethiopia provides an amazing food experience. Since the well-known injera (soft flat bread) with a variety of stews to raw meat meals at the festivals, the Ethiopian food is quite original and tasty. Eating at traditional restaurants where there is also a music and dance show make the cultural experience more immersive.

The Monasteries and Lake Tana.

The largest lake in Ethiopia, Lake Tana, is covered with centuries old monasteries that have ancient manuscripts and colorful murals. Travelers can also take boat tours all over the lake to these monasteries and this provides them with a serene and also a cultural experience.

Attending Traditional Music and Dance.

Ethiopian music and dance are closely related to identity, as the vibrant dance Eskista is as well as some of the tribal drumming in the Omo Valley. Live performance, particularly at festivals, is a rhythmic and a joy-filled addition to your Ethiopia Tour.

Cultural Planning of your Ethiopia Tour.

Ethiopia Tour Packages is better done in itineraries that encompass the old routes to the north (Lalibela, Axum, Gondar) as well as, the cultural south (Omo Valley). That way you reap the spiritual, historic and tribal benefits of Ethiopia. Ethiopia Holiday Packages are tailor-made also, and you will not miss such important festivals as Timket or Meskel.

Go Kite Oman is proposing Ethiopia tours to the Omani and the rest of the Middle East that would cater to the comfort and authentic experiences of the travelers. Your tour journey in Ethiopia is effortless and interesting with professional guides and well prepared itineraries.

Conclusion

The Ethiopia cultural tour experience is more than a holiday, it is an adventure of ancient cultures, living heritage and colorful communities. Be it the awe-inspiring nature of the rock-hewn churches in Lalibela to the colorful practices of the Omo valley tribes each point brings out a new aspect of Ethiopian identity. Festivals, food, music, and architecture are all united in order to form a cultural mosaic which impresses travelers worldwide.

Booking your Ethiopia Holiday Packages with Ethiopia Tour Packages or customizing your Ethiopia Holiday Packages, you will get unlimited opportunities to touch the soul of the country. To have a smooth sailing and authentic enriching experience, your partners such as Go Kite Oman can guarantee that your Ethiopia trip is laden with genuine cultural experiences. Begin preparing now and open the most exciting cultural experiences Ethiopia has to offer to you.