Ancient History and Tribal Beginnings: Ethiopia in Depth Nov 1-13 2019
Domestic airfare in Ethiopia if on Ethiopian Airways overseas at writing is $399. If flying other airlines even code shares: $831 Domestic airfares can change; we will notify you if they increase.
Book here November 1-13, 2019
Suggested Flights on October 31:
ET501 departs 11AM Washington DC arrives 7:15AM next day or Nov 1 Addis Ababa
ET713 departs Rome 111:45AM arrives Addis next day or Nov 1 6:20AM
ET710 departs London Heathrow 9PM arrives Addis 6:35AM next day or Nov 1
There will be 2 return transfers to the airport on the departure day, times tba
Some women each year overnight at the Rome Airport Hilton and take the quick Rome-Addis flight
Nov 1 Arrival Addis Ababa AM
Sightseeing Addis Ababa.
Sightseeing Addis Ababa.
Be
met upon arrival, transfer to Radisson Blu Hotel (early arrival rooms included). After a rest, we begin a city tour with a drive up Mount Entoto then proceed
to the Ethnographic Museum, with a large collection of
crafts and historical items. Visit The Archeological Museum which houses the prototype of
3.4 million year old fossil ‘Lucy’, plus other interesting finds. Visit Trinity
Cathedral, outside of the synagogue and mosque. To
wrap up, drive through the largest open-air recycling market in Africa. (We will stop at one museum quality craft vendor in Addis today or tomorrow).
This evening (or tomorrow) attend a folkloric dinner with national dishes,watch dances of the ethnic groups some of whom we visit in the South. Traditional coffee + a ceremony is performed.
Ethiopia is world famous for its coffee; cuisine is Italian and stews-quite pleasant to western stomachs. Overnight Radisson Blu Hotel. (Dinner).
Nov 2 We continue in Addis with sightseeing we might have missed due to traffic or late arrival of flights.There will be time later on for shopping. Addis is a safe city with many taxis and we will recommend a few fine stores. Altitude is 8,000 so it is cool. (B- breakfast D- Dinner).
Nov 3 Addis - Bahir Dar
Nov 3 Addis - Bahir Dar
Transfer to the airport for flight (55 minutes) to Bahir Dar. Be met
and transferred to our hotel. We take a boat cruise on Lake
Tana to visit the 14th century Monastery of Ura Kidane Mihret, the most
famous of the Zege monasteries with painted icons
and priceless collections of crosses and crowns. The uphill walk to the monastery is fascinating with vendors along the way. You are now in very early Christian country.Note: today includes walking; if you wish to stay behind, one of our guides will help you.
Afternoon, drive to see the Blue Nile Falls (the water level is minimal still impressive). Overnight at the Kuriftu Resort &Spa .B.D.
Nov 4 Bahir Dar - Gondar
After
breakfast drive to Gondar on the spectacular route around Lake Tana. Gondar was founded in 1636 by the Emperor Fassiladas. Set in a landscape of
incomparable beauty, it was the Royal Capital.
Visit the Castles and Churches built by Emperor Fassiladas and his
descendents. Proceed to the fascinating Debre Birhan Selassie
Church (UNESCO World Heritage Site) its walls and ceilings decorated with
scenes of Biblical lore and medieval history. Overnight at the Goha
Hotel. B.D.
Nov 5 Gondar-Simien Mountains UNIQUE FEATURE OF OUR TRIP
Nov 6 Simien Lodge to Gondar
We drive to Gondar after a morning game drive/walk. Overnight Gondar. The road to/from Simien is rocky and bumpy but the park is worth every bump. There will be some walking in the park. Again if you do not wish to walk, we can drive you around. Goha Hotel B.D.
Nov 7 Flight to Lalibela. Be met and transferred to the hotel. Lalibela, known as ‘Africa’s Petra,’ is the scene of major religious ceremonies. Visit the magnificent rock Churches, the “Eighth Wonders of the World,” created 800 - 1200 AD and still active worship places. You often hear ancient prayers or festivals, funerals, etc. Overnight Mountain View Hotel or Tukul Village. B.D. We pick up passengers in Gondar if any chose not to go to Simien.
Nov 7 Flight to Lalibela. Be met and transferred to the hotel. Lalibela, known as ‘Africa’s Petra,’ is the scene of major religious ceremonies. Visit the magnificent rock Churches, the “Eighth Wonders of the World,” created 800 - 1200 AD and still active worship places. You often hear ancient prayers or festivals, funerals, etc. Overnight Mountain View Hotel or Tukul Village. B.D. We pick up passengers in Gondar if any chose not to go to Simien.
Nov 8 Lalibela – Addis –Langano
Be
transferred for flight to Addis, then drive to Langano- 95 miles. We finish at beautiful Lake Langano in the Rift Valley. This is a resort and birding area surrounded by rolling green hills. Overnight African Vacation Club or Sabana B.D.
Nov 9 Langano-Chencha-Arba Minch
Nov 10 Arba Minch- Konso-Turmi-Key Afer Market OMO RIVER AREA
Nov 11 Turmi -Omorate- Turmi
Tribal visits during the day as we drive through the Omo River area. Over night at Buska Lodge. B. D.
Nov 12 Turmi-Murelle
We drive towards the Murelle to see the Karo ethnic group, experts
in body painting, using clay and vegetable pigments to
trace fantastic patterns on their faces, chests, arms, and legs. Karo
men are also famous for their unique hairstyles. Visit and drive back to Arba Minch Overnight at Paradise Lodge B.D.
Nov 13 Arba Minch-Addis Today fly Arba Minch to Addis We leave on Ethiopian Airlines, around 11:30PM. We have late departure rooms to freshen up in Addis. B. (Radisson Blu). Group transfer to airport.
Please note: this trip includes some long drives but we have modern range rovers. We use best available hotels. All hotels have private bathrooms some are basic. See itinerary for high altitude day in Simien. Ethiopian Airlines is a modern well run airline. We did not include lunches but will stop in acceptable places for a drink/light fare. We supply water daily. Physical challenges like getting into a dugout on the Omo River are met with lots of local helpers. Our group goes South to the Omo River tribes who still see very few visitors. Guides will instruct us at each tribe on how to interact. This trip has some walking on steep and rocky terrain.
Phyllis at Phyllisnycity@gmail.com or 646 309 5607
Price and Airfare Information
Dates: Arrive Nov 1. Depart Nov 13 or 14 if after midnight.
Price: $4599. Domestic Airfare if on Ethiopian Airlines from overseas: $399 If not: $831
Single Supplement: $699 and limited.
Deposit due: $600 (on booking of land and domestic airfare in Ethiopia) of which $350 is not refundable. Write checks to ECPS Consulting Corporation or use Pay Pal, Chase Quick Pay or other. Balance due 90 days before departure and non refundable 75 days before departure.
Included are: Hotel accommodation on a double/twin room occupancy and breakfast (no breakfast on Day 1), welcome dinner with entertainment, all other dinners mentioned in the itinerary, early arrival rooms on day 1, airport transfers for Ethiopian Airlines from Rome or DC, and ground transport per the above itinerary in modern bus in the North and air conditioned vans in the South, English-speaking professional guide, all entrance and scout fees, and 15% VAT. Not Included are other meals, alcoholic drinks, photographing/video fees, gratuities, and other related expenses of personal nature, transfers other than the group transfer on Ethiopian Airways flights in itinerary, Rome airport hotel. And international and domestic airfare to / from Ethiopia.
Passport Information: You must have six months left after date of departure on your passport and sufficient empty visa pages for each entry and departure visa stamp. For more on The State Department's advice on Ethiopia , go to http://travel.state.gov. Special Note: Medical facilities are minimum and we strongly suggest you consult a travel doctor for information on malaria prevention and any other information you might need.
