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ITINERARY
Joy Trip
July 23 - 29, 2016 (short version)
OR
July 23 – 31 (longer version includes Mekelle)
This trip is organized as a post-climb extension option for those who will be climbing Kilimanjaro on the Joy
Climb. It is also available to anyone who is not participating in The Joy Climb and has a desire to visit
Ethiopia on an itinerary which features the work of one of our philanthropic partners, Healing Hands of Joy.
Traveling with a private guide and Allison Shigo, founder of Healing Hands of Joy, you will visit two of their
Centers and gain a deeper understanding the issues and their programs. You’ll have a chance to be out in the
field to witness the communities where Safe Motherhood Ambassadors are engaged in the mission of
improving maternal health.
And all along the way, you will experience the beauty of Ethiopia! Visit the Lake Tana island monasteries and
rock-hewn churches in Lalibela and much more!
Ethiopia Information
Saturday, July 23
Those coming from Tanzania: Depart JRO at 5:15 p.m. on ET#814 & Arrive ADD at 7:30 p.m.
You will be met on arrival in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
1 Night at Harmony Hotel on a bed & breakfast basis
Sunday, July 24
This morning we will be collected after breakfast and transferred to the airport to check in for our flight to
Bahir Dar.
ET#126 Departs ADD at 7:50 a.m. & Arrives BJR at 8:50 a.m.)
We will be met on arrival and transferred to our lodge on the shore of Lake Tana. Depending on arrival
time, we will arrange to go to a local church service for those interested. After lunch our private guide will
take us on a hike to the Blue Nile Falls.
2 Nights at Kuniftu Resort & Spa
Monday, July 25
Visit our Quashes and Empowers Africa Center in Bahir Dar and the Fistula Hospital this morning. Later
this afternoon our guide will take us to visit the Lake Tana monasteries.
Tuesday, July 26
This morning, we depart on a three hour drive through mountainous areas adorned with amethyst-colored
peaks and deep gullies on our way to Gondar which sits in the foothills of the Simien Mountains. This was
the 17th century royal city of Ethiopia and we will tour some of the castles and palaces from those imperial
days including the Fasil Ghebbi, a fortress-enclosure, and the Baths of King Fasiledes, a UNESCO World
Heritage Site surrounded by a 300-foot-long wall. The oldest and most impressive structure is the palace of
Emperor Fasilidas, constructed of solid basalt stones.
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And the Church of Debre Birhan Selassie is an impressive and an imposing structure with its harmony of
brightly colored ceilings completely covered with intricately painted angels.
We will have lunch at the Four Sisters restaurant and learn how the Ethiopian traditional wine called Tej is
prepared. This sweet wine, similar to mead, is made from fermented honey and a special kind of hops called
gesho. It is traditionally served from a vase-like vessel called a berele.
1 Night at Mayleko Lodge on a full board basis
Wednesday, July 27
Rise early for the short flight over amazing rust colored peaks and canyons to Lalibela, one of the most
important religious and historical sites in all of Africa.
ET#122 Departs GDQ at 9:15 a.m. & Arrives LLI at 9:45 a.m.
It was created as the ‘new Jerusalem’ by King Lalibela who was exiled in Jerusalem and then returned to
Ethiopia in the 12th century. The site features 11 rock-hewn churches which are now a UNESCO World
Heritage Site, and most are still in use today. These brilliant feats of engineering and architecture are often
referred to as the "Eighth wonder of the world". Many different theories exist on how they were built and by
whom, including angels.
This afternoon you will visit the first group of the churches which represent the earthly Jerusalem. This group
includes Bete Medhanialem (Saviour church), Bete Miriam, Bete Denagel, Bete Meskal, Debra Sina, and Bete
Golgotha. . Standing 38 feet tall with seventy-two pillars, Medhane Alem is not only the largest in Lalibela,
but it is the largest monolithic rock-hewn church in the world. The oldest of the churches, dedicated to the
Virgin Mary, Bet Maryam is the only Lalibela monolith with a porch. The remains of exquisite early frescoes
can be seen on the ceiling and upper walls, and there are many elaborately carved details on the piers, capitals,
and arches. Bet Golgotha houses remarkable reliefs of figures, early Christian art rarely seen in other parts of
Ethiopia.
2 Nights at Maribela Hotel on a full board basis
Thursday, July 28
This morning we will visit the second group of
the Lalibela churches representing the
heavenly Jerusalem. In this group are the Bete
Gabriel & Raphael, Bete Merquorios, Bete
Emmanuel which is architecturally the finest,
and Bete Abba Libanos. Finally, visit the most
interesting cross-shaped church of Bete
Giorgis (St. George), which is said to be the
symbolization of Noah’s ark. The cruciformshaped Bete Giorgis is the finest of all; its
interior is dominated by depictions of Saint
George killing the dragon.
Friday, July 29 (last day of short itinerary)
Today we will be transferred back to the airport to check in for our flight to Addis Ababa.
LLI – ADD flight time to be confirmed.
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For those continuing on to Mekelle, the flight is via Addis Ababa.
ADD – MXQ flight time to be confirmed
We will be met on arrival and transferred to the hotel. Later this afternoon we will visit the HHOJ Center for
a welcome and coffee ceremony.
2 Nights at the Planet Hotel on a full board basis
For those heading home, you will fly to Addis Ababa and then depending on your international departure
time, we can arrange activities and day rooms.
Saturday, July 30
We will spend the day at our InMaat Foundation Mekelle Center.
Sunday, July 31
We will be transferred to the airport to check in for our flight back to Addis Ababa.
MXQ – ADD flight time to be confirmed
We will be met on arrival and proceed on a tour of the city including:
Merkato: This is the largest open-air market in Africa. Here you will be presented with a fascinating, glimpse
of the vast range of goods and artifacts available from all parts of the country and you will enjoy the
Ethiopian trade exchange tradition in the open air.
National Museum: It comprises of many archaeological and historical findings including the famous
complete hominid fossil remain of ‘Lucy’ locally known as ‘Dinknesh’ meaning wonderful. Visiting this
museum gives you a good summary of your visit to the historic Ethiopia.
After lunch we will be transferred to the hotel where day rooms are arranged. Tonight we will be transferred
to the airport for our homeward flights.
1 Day Room at Harmony Hotel
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Reservation Deadline is March 1, 2016
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Full Itinerary July 23 – 31, 2016
Price:
$2,179 per person sharing a room
$ 490 additional Single Supplement
Internal Flights:
$ 695 per person
Your international flights must be booked on Ethiopian Airlines for this price, otherwise
you do not qualify for the discounted rate.
Shorter Itinerary July 23 - 29, 2016
Note:
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Price:
$1,553 per person sharing a room
$ 375 additional Single Supplement
Internal Flights
$ 395 per person
Your international flights must be booked on Ethiopian Airlines for this price, otherwise
you do not qualify for the discounted rate.
These prices are based on a minimum of 4 persons traveling together on this trip. If there are less than 4 travelers, the
land price will be increased accordingly. If there are more than 4 persons, the land price will decrease accordingly.
A custom-tailored itinerary option is available for anyone who is interested in extending their trip either before or after
this itinerary. Contact Carol Oken to discuss your interests. [email protected]
INCLUDES
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Accommodations on a bed & breakfast basis
Lunches & Dinners with soft drinks, teas & coffees included outside of Addis Ababa
Flights within Ethiopia as specified
Airport transfers and all ground transportation
English-speaking, private guide will escort the group throughout
Private boat for Lake Tana island touring.
All entrance fees and government taxes
EXCLUDES
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Gratuities for your private guide, drivers, porters
International air
Alcoholic drinks
Passport & Visa fees
Travel insurance (Duffle & Compass will handle for you)
All items of a personal nature