AFRICA
IMAGES OF ETHIOPIA NEW
12 Days from £2595 pp twin share with flights The ancient lands of Abyssinia are home to one of the oldest Christian civilisations in the world, with an archaeological, cultural and natural pedigree to match anywhere.
Blue Nile Falls Saint Giorgis Church, Lalibela
DAYS 1/2 – Fly to Addis Ababa Depart London on Ethiopian Airlines overnight fl ight to Addis Ababa. Morning arrival, freshen up before taking a city tour. Visit the National Museum which is home to the hominid fossil remain of ‘Lucy’. Continue to Mount Entoto which was the site for the fi rst palace of Emperor Menelik-II, the founder of Addis Ababa. Overnight at the Hilton Addis Hotel.
DAY 3 – Bahir Dar Today fl y to Bahir Dar, visit the Blue Nile Falls considered by many as the most spectacular falls in Africa. After lunch cruise on Lake Tana and visit the island monasteries of Ura Kidane and Azwa Maryam. Overnight at Kuriftu Resort and Spa.
DAY 4 – Gondar Drive to Gondar, passing rural villages, cross mountain passes with stunning vistas. Often called Africa’s Camelot, we spend the day exploring Gondar and its castles, ornate churches and resplendent bathing pools. Overnight at the Goha Hotel.
DAYS 5/6 – Simien Mountains Travel to the staggeringly beautiful Simien Mountains which reach 4000m into the sky and are home to several of Ethiopia’s endemic species. Stay 2 nights at Simien Eco Lodge with game drives included, go in search of the walia ibex, gelada baboon, Ethiopian wolf, jackals and bushbuck.
DAY 7 – Gondar Final morning hike in the Simien Mountains before departing back to Gondar, visit a Felasha village enroute. Overnight at Goha Hotel.
BIRDING IN ETHIOPIA Ethiopia enjoys a well-founded reputation as an ornithological paradise. To date some 826 known species have been recorded here, of which 23 are uniquely endemic to the country. Much of this is due to its unique range of habitats, which encompass everything from freshwater lakes and lush highlands, to acacia savannahs and semi-arid deserts.
DAY 8 – Axum Fly to Axum. Take a city tour that includes the Cathedral of St. Mary of Zion allegedly home to the Ark of the Covenant. Afternoon visit to the ‘Stele fi eld’ (4th Century AD) a UNESCO World Heritage Site before visiting the residence of the legendary Queen of Sheba. Overnight at Yeha Hotel.
DAYS 9/10 – Lalibela
Fly to Lalibela, arguably one of the most important religious and historical sites in all of Africa. Stay 2 nights at the Mountain View Hotel. There are no less than 200 churches in Lalibela, during our time here we will discover a cluster of 11 churches which demonstrate master craftsmanship and are referred to as the “Eighth wonder of the world”.
Special Somewhere Timkat Festival TIMKAT FESTIVAL
Celebrating the Epiphany of Christ, the three-day festival of Timkat is one of the most important events in the Ethiopian religious calendar. Celebrated on 19 January each year, the festival is a ritual re-enactment of the baptism, involving colourful ceremonies and singing and dancing in the streets of Gondar and other major cities. Special Timkat departure on 12th January 2012.
DAYS 11/12 – Return to the UK Return to Addis Ababa, day room available on arrival. Later there is a farewell dinner and cultural show. Late evening fl ight with Ethiopian Airlines to Heathrow, arriving the following morning.
Timkat Festival departure 12th January – longer duration (14 days) Meskel Festival 16th September
12 Jan ‘13 16 Feb ‘13 16 Mar ‘13 04 May ‘13 17 Aug ‘13 16 Sep ‘13 £2895
£2595 £2595 £2595 £2995 £2695 £2695 £2695 £2695 £2795
12 Oct ‘13 16 Nov ‘13 12 Jan ‘14 15 Feb ‘14 15 Mar ‘14 19 Apr ‘14 £2595
£2695 Comments Our
“Ethiopia is a land packed with legendary tales of the Ark of the Covenant and Knights Templar, however I can assure you it has tangible treasures too. From the stunningly illustrated island monasteries on Lake Tana to the imposing castle rich town of Gondar. Along with the endemic bleeding heart baboons there are a staggering array of bird species within
Ethiopia. The highlight however must be Lalibela with its unimaginable rock cut churches, experience it for yourself, it certainly won’t disappoint.”
Phil Ellis, Product Manager
Visit our website for further information –
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DEPARTURES
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