January 11 DEPART
Sunday WASHINGTON DC
Depart Washington DC (IAD) at 9:30 AM on Ethiopian Airlines ET503.

January 12 ARRIVE
Monday ADDIS ABABA
Arrive Addis Ababa (ADD) at 8:35 AM.
WELCOME TO ETHIOPIA!
Upon arrival, you will be assisted by your tour guide and driver, and transferred to the Hilton Hotel. Addis Ababa, founded in 1886 by Menelik II, is situated at 8000 feet above sea level. It is the third highest capital city in the world, after La Paz and Quito in South America. The city enjoys an excellent climate all year round, with an average temperature of 77°F. Addis Ababa is a pleasant city with wide avenues of jacarandas, interesting museums, and one of the largest open-air markets in Africa, known as the “Mercato.” Our group will relax and make preparations for tomorrow’s tour.

Hilton Hotel

January 13 ADDIS ABABA,
Tuesday BAHIRDAR
Following breakfast, transfer to Addis Ababa Airport for our short flight to Bahirdar, departing at 7:30 AM. After arriving at 8:30 AM, we check into Tana Hotel. Then we are off to visit the town of Bahirdar and its colorful local market.

In the afternoon, we will make a boat cruise upon Lake Tana to visit three ancient 14th century island monasteries of Lake Tana. The 37 islands of Lake Tana shelter 20 monasteries—surviving remnants of an old, contemplative tradition. Because of their isolation, they were used to store treasures and religious relics from all parts of the country. The monasteries are famous for their typical Ethiopian religious paintings, illuminated manuscripts, and other ancient church treasures. The monasteries that we are going to visit include Kibran Gebriel, Ura Kidanemihret and Azua Mariam.

Tana Hotel

January 14 BLUE NILE FALLS
Wednesday BAHIRDAR
This morning we will drive 28 miles to visit the majestic Blue Nile Falls, after breakfast at the hotel. About 18 miles after the water exits Lake Tana, it plunges 148 feet to form one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Africa. We will walk to the falls over the beautiful river gorge across the ancient bridge from the 17th century, and meet friendly and engaging local villagers on the way. After having lunch at the hotel and some free time, we will drive to Bezawit Hill to see the palace of Emperor Haile Selassie the First. It is also the best viewpoint to witness sunset on Lake Tana and to see the outlet of the Blue Nile River. It’s here that the Blue Nile begins its long journey all the way to Egypt and, finally, to the Mediterranean Sea.

Tana Hotel

January 15 BAHIRDAR,
Thursday GONDAR
After breakfast we’ll transfer to Bahirdar Airport for our 8:30 AM flight to Gondar. After a short air hop, we check in to the Goha Hotel in the town of Gondar. Founded by Emperor Fasiledas around 1635, it is famous for its many medieval castles and the design and decoration of its churches—in particular, Debre Birhan Selassie represents a masterpiece of the unique Ethiopian school of traditional art. Today we will visit the Royal Enclosure, a walled compound having six different castles built from the 17th century by different kings who ruled in different times. The pool of King Fasilidas still serves as a baptismal pool during Ethiopian Epiphany and the famous Debre Birhan Selassie is adorned with brilliant indoor frescos.

Goha Hotel

January 16 SIMIEN MOUNTAINS
Friday GONDAR
After an early breakfast, we will drive to Sankaber for our full day excursion to the Simien Mountains National Park (en route visiting Felasha or “Black Jewish Village”). It is believed that the Felashas settled at this village during the time of King Minlik I, the son of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon.

Driving from Gondar up to Simien Mountains National Park, nothing prepares you for the spectacular scenery that awaits at the top of the massif. The rolling grassy plateau comes to an abrupt stop and sheer cliffs plunge almost vertically for 3280 feet to the plains below. The massif itself was sculpted by 30 million years of up-thrust and erosion into a wonderland of jagged ridges, pinnacles and strangely cropped conical mountains. Looking out over the heart-stopping precipice, you feel you might just be at the edge of the world. At Sankaber, the group will have a chance to trek the terrain and see troops of the Endemic Gelada (or “Bleeding Heart”) Baboon, in the most dramatic sceneries of the park including Ginbar River Falls and Wolkafit mountain chain. We will have picnic lunch at Sankaber while enjoying the stunning landscape.

Goha Hotel

January 17 GONDAR
Saturday AXUM
After having an early breakfast at the hotel, we transfer to Gondar Airport for our flight to Axum, departing at 9:10 A.M. After check-in to Remhay Hotel, we will start to visit the ancient city of Axum. Our visit in Axum include the Stele Square, Kaleba Tombs, the 4th century Christian inscription of King Ezana, Queen of Sheba’s Palace, the Archeological Museum, and Tsion Mariam Church where the Ark of the Covenant is purported to be housed.

This is the birthplace of Ethiopian civilization and, by the first century, Axum was a major trading center for exotic goods from Egypt, Rome, Nubia, Greece, Syria and India. The Holy Ark of the Covenant may have been brought here before the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, and Axum is reputed to be the Second Jerusalem.

Remhay Hotel

January 18 AXUM, LALIBELA,
Sunday TIMKAT EVE
Transfer to Axum Airport for our 11:00 AM flight to Lalibela following our breakfast. After check-in to Mount View Hotel, we will drive to the site where we find a concentration of some of Ethiopia’s most famous rock-hewn churches, referred to by many as “the living wonders of the world.” These churches are, and have been for at least 800 years, an active Christian shrine—the spiritual center of the country’s religious life. King Lalibela carved these monolithic churches out of 27,986 square feet of natural rock terrace in the 12th century AD.

Bete Medhani Alem, the largest monolithic rock-hewn church in the world, measures 37.7 feet in height, covers an area of almost 2625 square feet and has walls that are up to six feet thick. A plain building supported by 36 pillars on the inside and another 36 pillars around the outside, Bete Medhani Alem was modeled on the original St. Mary Zion Church built by King Ezana in the 4th century at Axum. The rock-hewn churches that we will visit today include: Bete Medhani Alem, Bete Mariam, Bete Meskel, Bete Denagil, Bete Golgotha Michael and Bete Giorgis.

In the afternoon, we will attend the eve ceremony of Timkat, called Ketera. During Ketera, the priests take out the Tabots (replicas of the original Ark of the Covenant) from each church and bless the water of the pool where the next day’s celebration will take place. At Lalibela, all the Tabots are taken to the Tabot Maderia, accompanied by priests bearing prayer sticks and sistra, the ringing of bells and blowing of trumpets, and swinging bronze censors from which wisps of incense smoke escape into the evening air. The Tabots rest in their special tent in the meadow, each hoisting a proud banner depicting the church’s saint in front. The priests pray and chant with their drums and sistra throughout the night. After having dinner and leisure at the hotel, we will return to the Tabot Maderia to attend the night celebrations.

Mount View Hotel

January 19 TIMKAT FESTIVAL
Monday LALIBELA
Early in the morning, we return to the Tabot Maderia. The water that symbolizes the Jordan River is blessed by the priests and the patriarch. The patriarch then dips a golden cross and extinguishes a burning consecrated candle in the alter. Then he sprinkles water on the assembled congregation in commemoration of Christ’s baptism. Following the baptism, the Tabots start back to their respective churches, while feasting, singing and dancing continue all along the way.

Every year on Timkat, everyone—men, women and children—appear resplendent for the celebration. Dressed in the dazzling white of the traditional dress, the locals provide a dramatic contrast to the jewel colors of the ceremonial velvets and satins of the priests’ robes and sequined velvet umbrellas. The elders march solemnly, accompanied by singing, leaping priests and young men. All these activities of the priests and the deacons recall the ancient rites of the Old Testament, you can’t help but feel that you are witnessing scene similar to those enacted here every year for centuries upon centuries.
After lunch and relaxation at the hotel, we will continue our journey into Ethiopia’s long and marvelous history with a visit to others of St. Lalibela’s remarkable churches including Bete Gebriel, Bete Mercorios, Bete Amanuel, Bethlehem and Bete Aba Libanos—their architecture and artistry must be seen to be believed. Once we finish visiting the second group of churches, we will walk to the village through the complex and bewildering labyrinth of underground tunnels to the monastery were the monks and nuns live.

At the end of our tour, there will be a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony for the group prepared at a local house. Those who can’t face their day with out a cup of coffee may be surprised to know that in it’s birthplace (in Ethiopia’s Kaffa region, from which coffee it gets its name) the berries were originally only eaten, never roasted and ground for a drink. Only since the 13th century, coffee has been made a hot drink. Holding a coffee ceremony is a traditional Ethiopian way of welcoming a guest, and giving the guest the best hospitality. It is probably one of the most celebrated Ethiopian traditions, and a lifestyle with which most Ethiopians can identify.

Mount View Hotel

January 20 LALIBELA
Tuesday DEPART ADDIS ABABA
After breakfast, travelers can enjoy some last minute exploring and shopping before we transfer to Lalibela Airport for our 3:10 PM flight back to Addis Ababa. Everyone will transfer to the Hilton Hotel for farewells and photos with all those returning home on the 10:15 PM connecting flight to Washington D.C.

Those continuing to the Omo Valley Extension will stay the night and prepare for our morning
flight to Arbaminch.

January 21 ARRIVE
Wednesday WASHINGTON D.C.
We arrive at Dulles International Airport at 7:20 AM, regaining the day we lost.

Welcome home!

Flight schedules are subject to change.

January 21 - 30, 2009 from Ethiopia Addis Ababa • Arbaminch • Keyafer Jinka • Mursi • Dimeka • Turmi Omorate • Chencha • Langano

Day by Day Itinerary January 21 ADDIS ABABA Wednesday ARBAMINCH In the morning transfer to Addis Ababa Airport for the 8:30 AM flight to Arbaminch via Ethiopian Airlines ET135S. Upon arrival at 10:10 AM, our tour drivers will take us to Swayne’s Hotel. During midday, we will have a game drive around Nechsar National Park with thrilling landscapes of mountains and lakes—one of the most attractive parks in the country. We will have the chance to see different animals which inhabit the park including the endemic antelope, Swayne’s Hartebeest, Gerenuk, Grants Gazelle and Burchele Zebra. In the afternoon, we will have a boat cruise over Lake Chamo to see some of the biggest African Crocodiles. Hippopotamus and many beautiful aquatic birds including the lovely Kingfisher and African Fish Eagle. Swayne’s Hotel January 22 ARBAMINCH, KEYAFER Thursday MARKET, JINKA After an early breakfast, we will drive to Jinka, en route visiting different cultural people and their villages including the Konso among their undulating landscapes. The Konso are famous for their old and unique terracing and unusual engraved wooden statues for grave markers. Between Konso and Jinka, will also have brief stops to visit the Tsemay around Weito River, the Bena at Keyafer and the Ari at Kako Village. At Keyafer will visit the colorful weekly Keyafer Market—a multi-cultural market that is as colorful as any other in the region. Here every Thursday, the Hamer, the Bena and the Ari people come walking for miles for this special market. After our visit to the market, we will head towards Jinka. Jinka Resort Hotel January 23 JINKA, MURSI Friday After early breakfast, we journey to Mursi Village. The Mursi, undoubtedly the most celebrated residents of South Omo, are a distinctive group of pastoralists. The Mursi are best known for their unique item of decoration—lip plates. Women of Mursi wear circular clay plates on their lower lip and the bigger a women can wear, the greater her value when she gets married. We will picnic in Mago National Park and return to Jinka by way of a relaxing drive through the park. Jinka Resort Hotel January 24 JINKA, DIMEKA Saturday MARKET, TURMI After breakfast, we go to Dimeka where we will be visiting the colorful and multi-ethnic and multi-cultural peoples. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, numbers of the Hamer and the Bena people walk to the market from miles around. Here we will have the chance to see the tribes of the surrounding area in their traditional marketing activities and displaying their local handicrafts. We will also have an opportunity to bargain for varieties of handicrafts. After exuberant conversation and haggling, we continue to Turmi where we will be camping for two nights. Camping at Turmi January 25 TURMI, OMORATE Sunday In the cool morning, we will drive to Omorate to visit the Desanech (Geleb) tribal village after crossing the Omo River by boat. The Desanech are nomadic pastoralists found across the western bank of the Omo River south of Lake Turkana, very close to the Kenyan boarder. In the afternoon, we will drive to Hamer Village. The Hamer display an elaborate and diverse selection of body decorations. They are also identifiable for their high cheekbones, elaborate custom of beads, cowries and leather, and thick copper necklaces. At the same village we will enjoy the seasonal cultural activities including the famous Evangadi (Hamer Dancing). Camping at Turmi January 26 TURMI, ARBAMINCH Monday In the morning, we begin our return drive Arbaminch with brief stops to visit different villages along the way. Swayne’s Hotel January 27 ARBAMINCH, Tuesday CHENCHA, LANGANO Today we head north to Langano, en route visiting different villages and some of the beautiful Rift Valley Lakes. After a short drive from Arbaminch, we will make a detour to the mountain village of Chencha, the home of the Dorze people. The Dorze people, renowned cotton weavers whose tall beehive shaped and bamboo woven dwellings, are among the most distinctive structures to be seen any where in Africa. Once we finish our Chencha Village visit, we will continue to Langano, en route visiting Welyta at Sodo and Alaba at Tenbaro. We will also visit Lake Zway, one of the most beautiful rift valley lakes. After check in to Sabana Lodge, located on the shore of Lake Langano, you can relax along the shore of the beautiful Rift Valley lake or take a relaxing trek in the acacia forest full of birds and other animals. Sabana Lodge January 28 LANGANO, Wednesday ADDIS ABABA After spending part of the morning exploring the lake, we travel to Addis Ababa with brief stops at different towns, such as Mojo and Debrezeit. In the evening, there will be a farewell dinner party with traditional special buffet and local drinks. There will also be a cultural dance show of the different ethnic groups living in the country. There isn’t a better way of commemorating our amazing journey! Hilton Hotel January 29 ADDIS ABABA Thursday DEPART ADDIS ABABA Today, we have a full day’s tour of Addis Ababa including the National Museum, Ethnographic Museum, Bata Mariam Church, Mercato, Piassa and other interesting parts of the city. In the morning, we will visit the National Museum and the Ethnographic Museum. The National Museum of Ethiopia is one of the best museums in quality and diversity of exhibits. Archeological exhibits include the 3.5 million-year-old fossil of Lucy (or Dinkinesh, meaning “thou art wonderful”), a humanoid woman of the specious Australopithecus Afarensis. The discovery of Lucy’s fossil in 1974 forced a complete rethink of human genealogy, suggesting our ancestors were walking 2.5 million years earlier than had been supposed. The Ethnographic Museum is very different from the National Museum, but equally absorbing. This museum’s exhibits are a varied array of artifacts and daily objects related to most ethnic groups in Ethiopia. In the afternoon, we will visit Baata Church, also known as Menelik’s Mausoleum. It is one of the oldest churches in Addis Ababa. It houses beautiful paintings and the royal tombs of past Emperors. Our city tour continues with Mercato, the largest open-air market on the continent, and other parts of the city including Piassa and Churchill Avenue to discover last-minute souvenirs. In the evening, transfer to Bole International Airport for the flight back home with Ethiopian Airlines ET500, departing at 10:15 PM. January 30 ARRIVE Friday WASHINGTON, DC Arrive at Dulles International Airport at 7:20 AM. WELCOME HOME! Note: Flight schedule subject to change. THIS IS NOT THE FULL BROCHURE We invite you to call Sarah or Gwen at 1-800-762-4216 to request the full brochure. The brochure will include Important Traveler Information (and answers to most questions) and a Reservation Form. We can send the brochure through the Postal Service or as a PDF attachment. If you would like to receive a PDF, probably the best way to keep the message from going into a SPAM filter is to send a message to sarah@serioustraveler.com. If you are already on our mailing list, no need to complete the entire brochure request form.