TOUR HISTORIC ETHIOPIA
Fall, 2013
Ethiopia is a land of diverse sights, sounds, and tastes, and it has a long and varied history. You
will sample all of these on this two-week tour of Ethiopia’s “historic route”. From the bustling
capital of Addis Ababa, you will travel north to Bahir Dar on Lake Tana, the source of the Blue
Nile River. You’ll visit the 16th century capital of Gondar, with its castle complex and historic
churches. From there, you travel to Denver’s sister city of Axum, believed to be the resting
place of the Arc of the Covenant, the birthplace of the Queen of Sheba, and home to some of the
largest single obelisks in the world. Finally, you’ll visit Lalibela with its incredible stone-hewn
churches, before returning to Addis Ababa. Along the way you’ll see beautiful mountainous
landscapes, encounter some of the indigenous wildlife, and meet with Ethiopia’s friendly
people. An optional tour extension to the Great African Rift Valley and lake region is available
for those who want to see more of the varied wildlife and landscapes of the country.
The dates for the tour have not yet been finalized, but will most likely take place in late October
– early November of 2013. The tentative itinerary is listed on the following pages.
Tour group at Denver Street, in Axum, 2007
ITINERARY (tentative)
Ceiling paintings at Debre Birhan Selassie church in Gondar
Day 1: Depart Denver International Airport for Ethiopia.
Day 2: Arrive in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia. Unwind at the hotel so as to get acclimated
to the 8,000-ft altitude of the city. Perhaps take a stroll around the landscaped gardens of the
hotel, or explore nearby shops.
Enjoy some of the world’s best coffee, which originated in Ethiopia
Day 3: Full day city tour of Addis Ababa including Menelik's Mausoleum and the National
Archaeological Museum. Drive to Mount Entonto for a breathtaking view of the capital where
the palace of Emperor Menelik II and the Entonto Mariam church will be visited.
Colorful Entonto Mariam Church
Day 4: Fly to Bahir Dar on Lake Tana, an area known for its island monasteries and the
source of the Blue Nile. Ethiopia provides over 85% of the flow to the Nile River, and is
sometimes referred to as the “water tower of Africa”. Boat trip on Lake Tana to visit island
monasteries and see local fisherman plying the waters of the lake.
Reed boat on Lake Tana
Day 5: Excursion to the Blue Nile Falls. Great birding enroute. Cross a 17th century bridge
built by Goan artisans sent to Ethiopia by Portugal. Return across the Blue Nile River by
tankwa - the traditional Ethiopian reed boats. After lunch, a guided visit of the town Bahir Dar.
Woman spinning cotton at Abay (Blue Nile) Falls
Day 6: Drive from Bahir Dar to Gondar, best known for its Royal Compound, which has led
to its being called the 'Camelot of Africa'. Explore the castles and visit the Debre Birhan
Selassie church.
Castle complex in Gondar
Craftsman in Gondar
Day 7: Excursion to the Simien Mountains, the 'roof of Africa' with many peaks over 12,000
ft. Observe the magnificent scenery, birds & probably some game like the endemic Gelada
Baboon.
View of part of the Simien Mountains
Curious children that you meet wherever you stop
Day 8: Fly to Axum, the cornerstone of Ethiopian Christianity and Denver’s sister city.
Afternoon visit to the Obelisk Park. The seven granite stelae, the tallest rising to 33 m tall, are
decorated with doors, windows and beams to resemble multi-storied palaces and marked the
royal cemetery where the tombs of kings are still being excavated. We visit the excavations and
explore the tombs.
Obelisk in Axum
Local hand-made baskets for sale near the Obelisk Park in Axum
Day 9: Visit nearby Yeha, the site of 2,500 year-old ruins of a Sabaean city. The 12 m high
stone temple now encloses a church, is inscribed with Sabaean inscriptions and reliefs of ibexes.
Judaic relics and historical artifacts are housed here. Drive back to Axum via impressive
mountain scenery of Adawa, site of the defeat of the Italian army by the Ethiopians in the
1890’s.
Priest at the church in Yeha
Day 10: Morning tour includes stops at the quarry from which the stelae were carved; the 4th
century tablet inscribed in three ancient languages (Sabaean, Ge'ez and Greek) by King Ezana
to record his victories; the Queen of Sheba's bath (a water reservoir) and the impressive ruins
of her so-called palace (Taakha Maryam); Axum's museum, widely rated as Ethiopia's best; the
outside of the chapel where the Ark of the Covenant is said to have been housed some 3,000
years ago; and the 17th century Maryam Tsion Cathedral (closed to women), the holiest church
of Ethiopia. Afternoon at leisure, although some members of the group representing DSCI will
probably meet with Axum city officials this day. Worth visiting are some of the local shops
(including the Denver City Handicrafts Shop) for exquisite locally made clothing and jewelry.
Visiting a school in Axum
Day 11: Fly to Lalibela, arguably the most important stop on the historical circuit. Here, 11
awesome rock-hewn churches are carved into the rugged mountainsides Afternoon excursion to
the first group of the 11 rock churches.
Bet Giorgis church, one of 11 rock-hewn churches in Lalibela
Day 12: Mule trip to Acheton Mariam monastery. Afternoon, visit the second group of the 11
rock churches. A vehicle will meet you to take you back to the hotel.
Your ride to Acheton Mariam monastery
Day 13: Fly to Addis Ababa. Balance of the day free. At night, enjoy an Ethiopian
traditional dinner with beautiful local dancers showing the different cultures of the country.
Flying on Ethiopian Airlines between tour stops
A traditional Ethiopian meal and dancer in Addis Ababa
Day 14: Transfer to airport for return flight to Denver, USA (or proceed on Optional
Extension offered below).
OPTIONAL EXTENSION 2013
ETHIOPIA
Day 14: Drive to Lake Langano, 50 km south of Addis Ababa through fertile, intensely
cultivated teff fields to the important Neolithic site at Melka Kunture on the banks of the
Awash River, where archaeological excavations are uncovering exciting 1.5 to 1.8 million year
old evidence of early man. Outside the small village of Tiya, we see a group of 40 engraved
menhirs, possibly erected between the 12th to 14th centuries. Proceed to the Rift Valley
Lakes of Ziway, Abiata and Shala.
Young fisherman and maribu storks at Lake Ziway
Day 15: Early morning walk along the shores of Lake Langano where you can see more than
50 species of birds. Drive to Sodore with its large thermal pool and abundant monkeys by the
side of the Awash River.
Vervet monkey at Sodore
Day 16: Drive from Sodore to Awash National Park, set in savannahs with a spectacular
gorge and waterfalls. Animals include Beisa oryx, Soemmering's gazelle, Defassa waterbuck,
Hamadryas baboon, striped hyena, and golden jackal.
Waterfall on the Awash River in Awash National Park
Day 17: Drive from Awash to Addis Ababa with a short stop at Debre-Zeit Volcanic Crater
Lakes. Balance of day free to relax.
Day 18: Transfer to the airport for departure to Denver, USA.
ESTIMATED PRICING
Price (double occupancy) $3993.00 based on a group of 10-14 passengers. For a group of less than 10
passengers, the prices will be adjusted according to the final number.
Single supplement is $385.00.
OPTIONAL EXTENSION
For a group of 10-15 paying passengers, cost will be $549.00 per person.
For a group of 10 passengers or less, cost will be approximately $615.00 per person. (adjustable).
Single supplement is $135.00 per person.
ABOVE PRICES INCLUDE: International Round Trip airfare from Denver, Colorado to Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia (space can be reserved from any US city with adjustment in cost); five internal air flights within
Ethiopia (ADD/BJR/GDQ/LLI/AXU/ADD; all transfers to and from airports/hotels in Ethiopia; all hotel
accommodations (double occupancy); all (three) meals each day; all ground transportation by bus; porters and
tips at airports; expert English-speaking guides; government taxes and service charges; fees/tips to bell boys,
hotel staff, restaurant waiters, drivers and local guides; (1) liter of water per passenger daily on buses; boat trip
on Lake Tana; excursion to Simien Mountains; scouts and guards in the Parks; all entrance fees at all places;
Trip Insurance; and $100 tax-deductible donation to the Denver-Axum Sister Cities Committee for a septic
truck for the city of Axum.
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE: Passport/visa fees, inoculations, excess baggage fees, beverages, telephone
calls, laundry, any items of a personal nature, souvenirs purchased, tip to Ethiopian Tour Manager that
accompanies the group from beginning to end; or any item not specifically included in the itinerary. Tour price
is per person for double occupancy. Single supplement fees are additional as noted above.
Travel arranged by:
Jose Goncalves
J-G Travel Inc.
87787 So. Kipling Way 101
Littleton, CO 80127
Tel: 303- 777- 3736
Fax: 303- 777-2860
[email protected]
All photos by Pat Tucci and Zelda Bailey