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Ethiopian Christmas (Gena) celebration in Ethiopia

5–15 January 2027

Ethiopian Christmas (Gena) Expedition

A transformative cultural immersion through Ethiopia, shared with people who understand why the journey matters.

Secure Your Place. Confirm the five investment points to continue to the deposit step.Explore the journey

Limited to 30 people

5–15 January 2027

Hosted throughout by Omega_Axsal, ChakaBars and 19keys.

More than a holiday

A deeper way to experience Ethiopia.

This expedition was never designed to be another sightseeing tour. Instead of rushing between landmarks, you’ll discover Ethiopia through its people, traditions, landscapes and the meaningful moments that stay with you long after you return home.

“Christmas is experienced differently here.”

Every chapter of the expedition has been shaped around meaning rather than mileage. Cultural immersion, extraordinary landscapes, heritage, wildlife, wellness and shared experiences combine to create a journey that feels both deeply personal and unmistakably Ethiopian.

This is a rare opportunity to experience one of Africa’s oldest cultures alongside a small group of curious, open-minded travellers. Together, you’ll be welcomed into traditions, celebrations and places that many international visitors never experience, creating memories and friendships that extend far beyond the journey itself.

Ethiopian Christmas (Gena) celebration

Why January

Experience Ethiopian Christmas: Gena.

January brings one of Ethiopia’s most meaningful cultural and spiritual moments: Ethiopian Christmas, widely known as Gena. The expedition is timed so the group is in Addis Ababa as the country moves through the Christmas Eve atmosphere and into the 7 January celebration.

Gena becomes the opening cultural chapter of a wider journey through Ethiopia’s heritage, extraordinary landscapes, wildlife, local encounters and moments of genuine rest and reflection. Together, these experiences create a journey that is immersive, balanced and unlike any ordinary holiday.

Designed for the perfect balance

This trip is designed around a fully tailored itinerary that balances cultural immersion, exploration, adventure, wellness and relaxation. Thoughtful pacing, comfortable travel and dedicated recovery time allow every experience to be enjoyed without feeling rushed or overwhelming.

  • Candlelit crowd gathered in white at night
  • Group in white clothing gathered together in celebration
  • Faces lit by candlelight among a crowd in white
  • Evening view over a large gathering in the city

The experience

More than a route.A complete experience.

Four connected dimensions shape the expedition: culture, wellness, discovery and community.

  1. Crowds gathered in white at a historic site

    01

    Culture & Heritage

    Explore ancient churches, historic landmarks & monuments, and learn about local traditions surrounding Ethiopian Christmas (Gena) that reveal the country’s remarkable cultural and spiritual heritage.

  2. A traveller receiving a massage in a candlelit spa room

    02

    Wellness & Recovery

    Recharge with spa experiences, peaceful surroundings, comfortable accommodation and dedicated time to rest, reflect and enjoy the journey at a more relaxed pace.

  3. Zebras grazing in open grassland

    03

    Nature & Discovery

    Discover dramatic landscapes, remarkable wildlife, scenic viewpoints and unforgettable natural environments that showcase Ethiopia’s extraordinary diversity.

  4. People gathered around a fire at night

    04

    Community & Connection

    Travel alongside like-minded explorers, share unforgettable experiences and build genuine friendships that continue long after the expedition ends.

The route

North for heritage.South for culture.Lakeside to close.

The expedition turns around Addis Ababa. The group opens there, flies north into the highlands for Lalibela, returns, flies south for Arba Minch, returns again, then moves out to the lakes at Bishoftu for the final chapter.

Day by day sets out what happens across the eleven days.

  1. Addis Ababa

    Arrival, Ethiopian Christmas and cultural context

    Days 1–3

  2. North · domestic flight

    Lalibela

    Rock-hewn heritage and historic depth

    Days 4–5

  3. Addis Ababa

    Return leg

  4. South · domestic flight

    Arba Minch

    Dorze culture, landscape and discovery

    Days 6–7

  5. Addis Ababa

    Return leg

  6. Onward transfer

    Bishoftu

    Lakeside recovery and a softer final chapter

    Days 8–11

  7. Airport transfer

    Departure

Private group ground transport is included. Every domestic or international flight is arranged and paid for independently by the traveller.

Day by day

Designed for the best experience.

Eleven days balancing movement, heritage, recovery and shared experience.

The itinerary balances exploration with comfort, allowing you to experience Ethiopia without feeling rushed while making the most of your time. Plans may occasionally adapt to local conditions to ensure the best possible experience.

  1. Opening chapter
  2. Heritage chapter
  3. Southern chapter
  4. Recovery chapter
Addis Ababa and Ethiopian Christmas
Lalibela heritage and culture
Arba Minch, Dorze and Nechisar landscapes
Bishoftu wellness, lakeside recovery and relaxed closing moments

  1. Opening chapter

    Arrival, Addis and Ethiopian Christmas.

    Arrive in Addis Ababa, meet the group and begin the expedition through local culture, Ethiopian food, Gena Eve and the 7 January Ethiopian Christmas celebration.

    Addis Ababa and Ethiopian Christmas

    1. 5JANDay 1

      Addis AbabaStay: Kuriftu African Village

      Arrival and Welcome

      Arrival, check-in, group orientation and time to settle into the experience.

      • Airport collection and transfer to Kuriftu African Village.
      • Check-in, group orientation and time to settle into the experience.
      • A gentle opening day designed to help everyone arrive, breathe and meet the group.

    2. 6JANDay 2

      Addis AbabaStay: Kuriftu African Village

      Addis Ababa and Gena Eve

      Museum and market moments, Ethiopian food, cultural experiences and the atmosphere building toward Ethiopian Christmas.

      • Museum and market moments to ground the day in Addis Ababa.
      • Ethiopian food, cultural context and the atmosphere building toward Gena.
      • A day designed to experience the Christmas Eve atmosphere from inside the country.

    3. 7JANDay 3

      Addis AbabaStay: Kuriftu African Village

      Ethiopian Christmas (Gena)

      A dedicated Ethiopian Christmas day shaped around cultural experience, shared celebration and a considered pace with time to rest and reflect.

      • A dedicated Christmas Day shaped around cultural experience and shared celebration.
      • A considered pace with room for meaningful cultural moments.
      • Time to rest, reflect and enjoy the day without overcrowding the programme.

  2. Heritage chapter

    Lalibela, One of Africa’s greatest historic cities.

    Visit the ancient city of Lalibela and experience one of Ethiopia’s greatest cultural treasures, with time to explore its rock-hewn churches, history and remarkable heritage.

    Lalibela heritage and culture

    1. 8JANDay 4

      LalibelaStay: Lalibela accommodation

      Journey to Lalibela

      Fly to Lalibela, settle in and begin exploring selected historic churches.

      • Fly to Lalibela and settle into the heritage chapter.
      • Begin exploring selected historic churches.
      • A travel day shaped to protect comfort while opening the Lalibela experience.

    2. 9JANDay 5

      Lalibela / Addis AbabaStay: Addis Ababa accommodation

      Lalibela Heritage Day

      Spend time with Lalibela's major churches and historic setting before returning to Addis Ababa.

      • Spend time with Lalibela's major churches and historic setting.
      • A slower heritage-focused day with room for reflection.
      • Return to Addis Ababa after the Lalibela experience.

  3. Southern chapter

    Arba Minch, the Dorze people & Nechisar National Park.

    Meet the Dorze people and learn about their unique traditions before exploring the diverse landscapes of Nechisar National Park, home to remarkable wildlife, sweeping viewpoints and two of Ethiopia’s most beautiful lakes.

    Arba Minch, Dorze and Nechisar landscapes

    1. 10JANDay 6

      Arba MinchStay: Kuriftu Arba Minch

      Journey to Arba Minch

      Fly south to Arba Minch and settle into the southern chapter of the expedition.

      • Fly south to Arba Minch and settle into the southern chapter.
      • A change of pace into landscape, culture and nature.
      • Arrival time is kept considered rather than overcrowded.

    2. 11JANDay 7

      Arba MinchStay: Kuriftu Arba Minch

      Dorze Village and Nechisar

      Experience Dorze Village and explore the landscapes and wildlife setting of Nechisar National Park.

      • Dorze Village cultural immersion.
      • Nechisar National Park and its landscape / wildlife setting.
      • A fuller southern day balancing movement, culture and natural scenery.

  4. Recovery chapter

    Bishoftu, nature, wellness and a relaxed ending.

    Slow the pace with time in nature, lakeside surroundings, wellness experiences, meaningful conversations and space to reflect before bringing the expedition to a memorable close.

    Bishoftu wellness, lakeside recovery and relaxed closing moments

    1. 12JANDay 8

      Arba Minch / Addis Ababa / BishoftuStay: Bishoftu accommodation

      Wellness Morning and Bishoftu Transfer

      Begin with a lighter wellness-focused morning, return to Addis Ababa and transfer to Bishoftu.

      • A lighter wellness-focused morning.
      • Return to Addis Ababa and transfer onward to Bishoftu.
      • A transition day designed to avoid an exhausting sprint.

    2. 13JANDay 9

      BishoftuStay: Bishoftu accommodation

      Bishoftu Wellness and Lake Time

      A recovery-focused day with wellness, spa opportunities, lake experiences and optional Mastermind activity.

      • Recovery-focused wellness, spa and lake time.
      • Optional Mastermind activity where appropriate.
      • A softer day designed to restore energy near the end of the journey.

    3. 14JANDay 10

      BishoftuStay: Bishoftu accommodation

      Leisure, Water Experiences and Final Gathering

      A final full day with leisure, wellness, selected water experiences and weather-sensitive alternatives where needed.

      • Leisure, wellness and selected water experiences.
      • Weather-sensitive alternatives available where needed.
      • A final full day that closes the journey without overcrowding it.

    4. 15JANDay 11

      Bishoftu / Addis AbabaStay: Departure

      Departure Transfer

      Departure support and transfer from Bishoftu to Addis Ababa airport.

      • Departure support and transfer from Bishoftu to Addis Ababa airport.
      • Final logistics handled with care so the trip ends cleanly.

The people behind it

Hosted withintention.

All three hosts are present throughout the expedition, helping shape its energy, conversations, wellness moments and the collective experience of travelling together.

Expect shared meals, group conversations, cultural reflection and natural connection through the rhythm of the journey, not staged appearances or a conventional conference format.

Powered by TheSoulFam

A Decade of real group travel experiences.

@TheSoulFam has delivered group travel experiences across Ethiopia, Egypt, South Africa, Jamaica and Thailand over the last 10 years shaped around meaningful connection, cultural discovery and experiences that activate core memories that last forever.

travellers hosted
1,000+
group journeys delivered
30+
previous Ethiopia group journeys completed
2

The SoulFam dynamic

Come as strangers. Leave as family.

SoulFam groups bring together adults from different places, backgrounds and stages of life, often connected by an interest in heritage, culture, wellness and meaningful travel. The atmosphere is relaxed and naturally social, without pressure to perform.

  • Open to adults aged 18+, with no upper age limit
  • A naturally varied mix of personalities, backgrounds and life experience
  • Shared meals, laughter, reflection and conversation
  • Organic connection without a corporate or forced atmosphere, and space for downtime and your own rhythm
  • SoulFam community and Ethiopia journey moments

Previously in Ethiopia

We have travelledEthiopia before.

Ethiopia is not new ground for SoulFam. These frames are from previous SoulFam group journeys through the country, with the same hosting, the same kind of group, and the same way of moving through a place together that shapes January 2027.

What people tend to describe afterwards is not the itinerary. It is who they were standing next to.

A group dressed in white gathered on the steps in front of a carved rock facade.
A group walking together outdoors dressed in white clothing and woven shawls, one woman smiling.
A group in white clothing and woven shawls standing together in a leafy courtyard.
A man dressed in white holding a fly-whisk stands on rock above a deep carved excavation.

Ethiopia traveller voices

Ethiopia, in travellers’ words

Ethiopia really opened my eyes. The food, the culture, the views… I honestly wasn’t expecting it to blow me away like that.
Ms WorldlyEthiopia · traveller 01

01 03

Ms Worldly on The SoulFam Ethiopia journey.

Accommodation

Hospitality partner · Kuriftu Resorts

The Highest Standard For Luxury Stays In Ethiopia.

Kuriftu Resorts is one of Ethiopia’s leading luxury resort and wellness brands, creating destination stays that bring together unique & premium design, cultural character, comfort and restoration. Throughout the expedition, Kuriftu will provide accommodation and selected spa and wellness experiences bringing continuity, care and a higher standard of comfort to each stage of the journey.

Five planned resort, accommodation and wellness spaces across Ethiopia.

Five hospitality touchpoints

  1. Kuriftu African Village

    Kuriftu African Village

    Arrival stay, orientation and the opening group rhythm.

  2. Kuriftu Entoto

    Kuriftu Entoto

    A planned day above Addis Ababa for wellness, dining and Ethiopian Christmas season moments.

  3. Maribela Lodge Lalibela

    Maribela Lodge Lalibela

    Accommodation arranged through Kuriftu's trusted partner network in Lalibela.

  4. Kuriftu Arba Minch

    Kuriftu Arba Minch

    A southern base for the Arba Minch, Dorze and Nechisar chapter.

  5. Kuriftu Bishoftu

    Kuriftu Bishoftu

    Lakeside recovery, wellness opportunities and the expedition's final chapter.

Kuriftu African Village
Kuriftu Entoto
Maribela Lodge Lalibela
Kuriftu Arba Minch
Kuriftu Bishoftu

Specific room allocations, facilities and final property arrangements remain subject to operational confirmation.

Bishoftu wellness and restorative journey moments

The pace matters

“The point isn't just to simply see more. It's to have enough space to experience what you have come for.”

Rest and recovery

Wellness, rest and recovery are part of the journey.

A meaningful journey needs space as well as discovery. Throughout the expedition, moments of movement, stillness and comfort are woven into the pace giving you time to recharge, take in your surroundings and return home feeling restored.

A massage table prepared in a timber spa room
  • Optional morning movement
  • Spa and wellness experiences
  • Leisure and relaxation
  • Nature and lakeside escapes
  • A restorative final chapter
  • Time to slow down and reflect
Travellers relaxing beside an indoor pool
Traditional coffee being poured into small cups
A pool and gardens lit at dusk

All Tickets Include…

Everything listed below is organised before you arrive, so you can focus on enjoying Ethiopia rather than planning logistics.

What the investment includes

Almost everything is taken care of.

From the moment you arrive in Ethiopia, the main non-flight parts of the journey are organised for you. Accommodation, private ground transport, restaurants, activities, entrance fees, wellness experiences and host support are coordinated in advance. Every required flight is excluded and must be arranged and paid for independently by the traveller.

Simply arrive ready for the adventure and we’ll take care of the rest.

  1. Accommodation throughout the expedition
  2. Private transport throughout the journey
  3. 2-3 meals per day, excluding alcohol
  4. Curated cultural experiences
  5. All entrance fees
  6. Wellness experiences
  7. Experienced hosts
  8. Flight timing and route guidance
  9. Visa guidance
What is not included
  • All flights, including domestic and international flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Snacks and drinks outside included meals
  • Visa fees
  • Personal spending
  • Optional upgrades and extras
  • Additional wellness services
  • Tips and gratuities

Before the Price

Make sure this journey feels right for you.

Before revealing the expedition price, we’d like you to quickly confirm a few important details about the experience. It only takes a moment and helps make sure we’re all on the same page.

0 of 5 confirmed.

Expedition Cost

Complete the five acknowledgements above to reveal the investment.

This keeps the price connected to what is included, how the expedition works and what happens next.

Deposit & Onboarding

Every great expedition starts with the right people.

Your place is secured with a deposit. You then book a Q&A / onboarding call with the team, a chance to answer your questions, explain what to expect and help create the welcoming and connected group experience that makes these journeys so memorable.

Final balance due
14 Dec 26
Deposit
Secure your place with a deposit. The deposit is credited toward your total expedition cost.
Flexible balance
For bookings confirmed on or before 14 December 2026, the remaining balance can be paid in instalments up to 14 December 2026. Bookings confirmed after that date will receive an alternative payment deadline as part of their confirmation.
Secure payment
Your deposit is paid through Square’s secure checkout, and a receipt is issued once payment is confirmed. Remaining-balance guidance follows during onboarding.

Ready for the next step?

Secure your place with the deposit, then book your Q&A / onboarding call.

Secure Your Place. Confirm the five investment points to continue to the deposit step.Book a Q&A call

Before booking, read the Trip Terms and Booking Conditions.

Accommodation options

Shared rooms are included. Solo rooms are limited.

All tickets include shared same-gender accommodation.

A private-room upgrade is available for USD $400. Request it when you book and it is included in your agreed total straight away. Private rooms are limited and are confirmed in the order bookings are paid in full; if one cannot be confirmed, its cost is removed from your balance.

The team confirms or declines each private-room request, subject to availability, in the order bookings are paid in full.

Practical

We’ve done all the organization for you.

You will get helpful support built around the journey before you travel, during the group experience and as you prepare to arrive.

Secure Your Place. Confirm the five investment points to continue to the deposit step.Book a Q&A call

  1. Visa assistance

    We’ll complete your Ethiopian eVisa application on your behalf for USD $100, including the government visa fee. Prefer to apply yourself? We’ll happily guide you through the process.

  2. Flight guidance

    All flights are booked and paid for independently by each traveller through an airline or external booking agency. We can share general route and timing guidance for the expedition schedule.

  3. Arrival planning

    Before departure, you’ll receive practical guidance covering airport arrival, local preparation, what to pack and key information to help you arrive confident and fully prepared.

Common questions

A clear picture before you decide.

Everything you need to make an informed decision is here. Take a moment to explore the answers before you secure your place.

Traveller fit

For people seeking more than a standard holiday.

  1. Curious about Ethiopian culture, history and contemporary life
  2. Open to respectful group travel and shared experiences
  3. Interested in heritage, wellness, nature and discovery
  4. Comfortable arranging and paying for the itinerary's domestic flights independently, and with periods of walking
  5. Willing to follow a flexible group itinerary
  6. Interested in meaningful conversation and real community

Before you book

A clear picture of what to expect.

Secure Your Place. Confirm the five investment points to continue to the deposit step.Book a Q&A call
  • Domestic flights, early starts and travel between destinations are part of the journey. Every required flight must be arranged and paid for independently by the traveller.
  • Some experiences include periods of walking, uneven ground, steps and time spent exploring historical sites and natural landscapes.
  • The itinerary may occasionally adapt to weather, flight schedules, local conditions or opportunities that improve the overall group experience.
  • Comprehensive travel insurance is not mandatory, but it is advised. Travellers should also arrive in good health and prepared for international group travel.
  • This is a hosted group expedition designed around shared experiences, while still allowing time to relax, reflect and explore independently.
  • Meaningful cultural exchange is central to this expedition. We ask every traveller to approach people, traditions and sacred places with respect, curiosity and humility.

Next step

Secure Your Place

You’ve seen the journey, the people, where you’ll stay and what’s included. Secure your place with a deposit, credited toward the total, then book your Q&A / onboarding call with the team.

Secure Your Place. Confirm the five investment points to continue to the deposit step.Book a Q&A call

How booking works

  1. Secure Your Place

    Pay your deposit through Square’s secure checkout. The deposit is credited toward your total.

  2. Book Your Q&A / Onboarding Call

    After your deposit, share a few details about your travel plans and choose a Zoom time with the team to ask your questions and talk through the journey.

  3. Receive Your Onboarding Information

    Your onboarding information covers remaining-balance guidance, the traveller agreement and practical preparation for arriving in Ethiopia.