HOLIDAYS
Discover Ethiopia
Day 8 - Axum is the seat of the ancient capital of the
Finland Winter Adventure
Kingdom of Axum, which was once one of the pow-
Dates: 22nd Dec 2009 – 5th Jan 2010 erful kingdoms of the ancient world. Axum is also Dates: 31st January – 7th February 2010
Place: Ethiopia, Africa the origin of Christianity in Ethiopia and believed to Place: Lake Lammasjarvi, Finland
Costs: £1979pp twin share
be the resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. The
Costs: £1399 twin share
(no local payment)
old church of St Mary of Zion was the first church
(no local payment) TBC
Deposit: £200 + Insurance if necessary +
to be built in Sub-Saharan Africa around 330AD.
Deposit: £150 + Insurance if required +
We also visit the famous monolithic stelae of Axum.
Single supp. if desired.
Plus, we visit the ruined palace of the Queen of
single supp if necessary.
Includes: Flights, transport, 13 night’s hotel accom-
Sheba who is said to have given birth to Menelik
Includes: Flights, accommodation, transfers, 7
modation, all breakfasts & 12 dinners.
the First, fathered by King Solomon, the founder of
nights half board plus 6 lunches, full day snowmo-
Extras: Single Trip Insurance £41, Annual Worldwide
Ethiopia’s ruling family until the late Emperor Haile
biling (2 persons per machine) with ice fishing , half
insurance from £70. Single supp £155. Drinks, some
Selassie.
day cross country skiing, full day dogsledding (2
meals and personal extras.
Day 9 - We take a short flight to Lalibela and visit the
persons per sled). Instructors & guides as required.
Flights: London Heathrow– no supp.
first cluster of rockhewn churches. These churches
are the world’s greatest religious historical site and
Extra: Single trip insurance £34, Annual insurance
from £50. Single supplement £120 TBC, one lunch,
Ethiopia is unique and secluded in its highland fast-
Ethiopia’s top attraction. The churches are mostly
drinks, personal extras. Optional activities.
ness. It possesses some of the most impressive yet
cut from solid rock, and therefore have the ap-
Flights: London Gatwick– no supplement. Regional
little known architecture to be found anywhere, par-
pearance of being underground. The most famous
flights may be available on request. (NB – prices on
ticularly at Lalibela where the rock hewn churches
church is Bete Giorgis (St George, patron saint of
this holiday are still to be confirmed therefore book-
have been described as the Eighth Wonder of the
Ethiopia), carved in the form of a Greek cross.
ings will be taken subject to this confirmation)
World. The landscape is equally memorable as Ethi-
Day 10 - In the morning we enjoy an adventurous
opia is home to the finest mountain scenery in all of
journey by mule to visit Ashetan Maryam (St Mary),
Profile - None of the included activities require pre-
Africa, as well as the delightful Tississat Falls.
built on a ridge with excellent views over the sur-
vious experience nor are particularly demanding.
Day 1/2 - Fly to Addis Ababa, the 3rd highest capital
rounding countryside. In the afternoon we visit the
Grade: A/B.
in the world at 2400m. Afternoon’s sightseeing tour
cluster of churches that include the twin churches
that takes us to the National Museum, the Church of
of Bete Gabriel and Rafael, Merkorous, Emanuel and In the remote east of Finland, close to the Russian
the Holy Trinity where Haile Selassies’ remains were
Abba Libanos. The rest of the day is free. border, and surrounded by frozen lakes and vast
reburied, and the Menelik Mausoleum.
Day 11 - The morning will be free for final explora- forests, is the lovely Kalevala Hotel. Here we enjoy
Day 3 - A spectacular flight to Bahar Dar. See the
tion before flying back to Addis in the afternoon. a programme of varied winter activities, from ice-
extraordinary nature of the Ethiopian plateau, cut
The afternoon is free. fishing to snowmobiling and cross-country skiing to
again and again by immensely deep gorges. Bahar
Day 12 - We travel south to Lake Abiata-Shala Na- a full day driving dogsleds with friendly and lively
Dar is a small but fast growing town on the southern
tional Park. This region is home to the Oromo huskies. Two days are left free for optional trips (fur-
shore of Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile. The
people, farmers and cattle herders. We should see ther details available in the full information pack).
afternoon is free, perhaps to take the excursion by
Grants gazelle, greater and lesser flamingo, as well All the excursions (apart from dogsledding) begin
boat on the lake.
as a variety of water birds, including the sacred ibis, directly from the hotel.
Day 4 - Travel to the Tississat Falls, located about
which loves to perch in fig or acacia trees. Our final Day 1 - Fly Heathrow to Kajaani via Helsinki with Fin-
30km from Lake Tana. It is a charming sight and
destination is the little oasis of Wendo Genet. nair. Transfer to Kalevala Hotel by road (1hr 30mins).
amazing to see the Blue Nile pouring over the fern-
Day 13 - Wendo Genet is a hot springs resort with Day 2 - Start with an exciting snowmobile safari
fringed lip to be channelled into the incredibly nar-
the remains of the original Ethiopian forest. Papaya, through forests and across frozen lakes, usually
row gorges on its journey to Khartoum in Sudan. We
mango, bananas, false banana (enset) and coffee about 30kms - a total of about 3 hours of driving.
take a gentle walk to the falls (approx 2 hours then
all grow here and Colobus monkeys, parrots and Snowmobiles are shared 1 betwe en 2 and we take
head back to the river for a short boat ride to meet
baboons play in the trees beside the hotel. This is it in turns to drive. All drivers must have a valid (car)
the vehicle.
a relaxing end to the trip. We can take a walk in the driving license. During the tour we stop for lunch by
Day 5 - Drive north to Gondar, former capital of Ethi-
morning or relax in the hot spring pool. an open fire, where we try ice-fishing.
opia. We visit the castles, which were built in the 17
Day 14 - Before returning to Addis we drive a bit Day 3 - A morning of cross-country skiing instruc-
& 18th century by several generations of Ethiopia’s
further south to the freshwater Lake Awassa. A rich tion. There are many miles of prepared trails around
kings. Nearby is Debre Birhan Selassie church with
variety of plankton and fish inhabit the lake and the hotel, and we will start off on the flatter routes.
its sensational angelic ceiling, and the bathhouse of
support an interesting lakeside market where the In the afternoon you can hang on to the equipment
Fasilides. Our hotel is up on a cliff top with wonder-
Marabou storks will undoubtedly perform impres- to continue touring unguided.
ful views looking over the town.
sive dives to capture fish. More attractive birds are Day 4 - A free day to choose your own activities or
Day 6 - Drive to Debark on the edge of the Simien
also common by the shore and hippos are some- relax and use the Jacuzzi and sauna. Further details
Mountains. In the afternoon we drive up into the
times sighted in the lake. of activities available in the full information pack.
mountains for some spectacular views. Vast and
Day 15 - Return to UK is an early morning flight. Day 5 - Snowshoeing day starting straight from the
unique, the highland plateau is capped by a dra-
hotel. Our circuit will last about 3-4 hours, stopping
matic skyline of jagged volcanic plugs and split by
Trip Profile - Travel by mini or coaster bus depending en-route for lunch by a campfire. Snowshoeing
deep gorges and gullies. On a good day, the views
on group size; 3 internal flights. is easy to learn, and modern snowshoes are light-
are sensational.
weight and perfect for travelling through deep,
Day 7 - Full day’s drive to the fabled city of Axum via
Tour Operators Website -
http://www.exodus.co.uk/holi-
fresh snow.
days/aye/overview
the lowlands of the Simien Mountains and Tekeze
Day 6 - Possibly the highlight of the week is a day
The Tour Operator is Exodus (Atol 2582) for whom we act
River gorge. We arrive in the late afternoon with
with husky dogs. We start with a drive towards the
as agents and their terms and conditions apply. Your money
time to enjoy the beautiful sunset (weather permit- is protected via our Trust account in compliance with EC
Russian border to the husky centre. The dog teams
ting) from the hotel terrace. travel regulations.
are harnessed and everyone will receive instruction
60
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