Ethiopia the land of Origins & Ghana Tours

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1 Ethiopia the land of Origins & Ghana Tours ITINERARY Day 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 DAY 5 DAY 6 DAY 7 DAY 8 Depart Washington (IAD) ARRIVE ADDIS AND CITY TOUR FLIGHT TO AXUM(2 NIGHTS) AXUM FLIGHT TO LALIBELA FLIGHT TO GONDAR DRIVE BAHIR DAR FLIGHT TO ADDIS ABABA AND DEPARTURE to ACCRA, GHANA You will fly out of IAD (Washington DC) on April 26, 2018 TOUR HIGHLIGHT Ethiopia is the only African nation that was never colonized and the only African nation that can boast 17 centuries of Christian tradition. It is a country so rich in history that four destinations in northern Ethiopia have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Ethiopia from the time of King Solomon and Queen of Sheba is a land filled with historical, cultural and natural treasures. Above all, Ethiopia is a country of great antiquity with a culture and traditions dating back more than 3,000 years. Our main focus for the trip will be on the 17 centuries of Christian traditions. Our customized adventure in northern Ethiopia also includes overnights in Axum, Lalibela, Gondar and Bahir Dar. April 27, 2018 (DAY 2) - ARRIVE ADDIS ABABA AND CITY TOUR We will have an early morning arrival into the capital city. Meet and greet by our representative, and transfer to the Hotel. The city is the continent s diplomatic capital, headquarters of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. Brief the overall tour activities by your escorted guide. After a short break, enjoy a sightseeing tour and visit The National Museum, whose most important exhibit is a replica of the skull of Danknesh known as Lucy, a woman who had lived in Hadar in Eastern Ethiopia about 3.5 million 1

2 years ago. Visit St. George Cathedral built in In 1930 this church was the site of the coronation of Emperor Haile Selassie. The church is a place of pilgrimage for Rastafarians. The coronation throne is on display. The Cathedral also houses the work of Afewerk Tekle, a renowned Ethiopian artist. After lunch at a local restaurant, depart to Mt. Entoto for a breath taking view of the city, followed by the visit of the Ethnographic Museum of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies, located in a palace of former Emperor Haile Selassie. See precious pieces of Ethiopian Christian art. Accommodation: Capital Hotel and Spa or similar April 28, 2018 (DAY 3) AXUM After an early morning breakfast, we will check in to the airport for your flight to Axum. After arrival in Axum, check in to your hotel and visit Axum, Recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980, Axum is a testament to the rich and glorious past of the mighty Kingdom of Axum (2nd C. BC- 700 A.D.). This morning the visit will start with the famous Stelae field with its Axumite stelae in various sizes and shapes. The archaeological museum is nearby and it offers an opportunity to bring context to relics on view today. In the afternoon you visit the Kaleb and Gebremeskel tombs, dating to the 6th century A.D and on the way to town, the Ezana inscription (Ethiopia s Rosetta stone) is worth visiting. Tradition has it that the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Ethiopia in the 10th century BC by Menelik I and later Ethiopian kings and emperors would proclaim their legitimacy to rule by their lineage to King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. Through the day we will discuss the development of Christianity in Ethiopia and its relation to the Ark, and the story of Queen of Sheba too. Accommodation: Yared Zema International Hotel or similar April 29, 2018 (DAY 4) EXURSION TO YEHA TEMPLE AND ADWA MOUNATINS This morning after breakfast, we drive 50 kms through dramatic highland landscapes of Adwa to Yeha, passing unique Sandstone homesteads along the way. This city was founded at least 2,800 years ago and served as the capital of a pre-axumite empire. The well-preserved stone temple was built 2,500 years ago. It also served as a center of a monastic Christian community in the early 6th century. A modern church built next to the temple ruins contains some of the ancient temple stones and its treasury contains illuminated manuscripts and crowns. After touring in Yeha, drive back to Axum but stop at Adwa for lunch and discussion on the Battle of Adwa(1896) and 2

3 its significance to the Black World While discussing, the group will enjoy Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony. Ethiopian coffee ceremony is one of the most enjoyable events you can attend at an Ethiopian Restaurant. The coffee is taken through its full life cycle of preparation in front of you in a ceremonial manner. Coffee is called 'Bunna' (boo-na) by the Ethiopians. Accommodation: Yared Zema International Hotel or similar April 30, 2018 (DAY 5) FLY LALIBELA Lalibela is a striking town set at over 2500 metres in wild, craggy mountains with two-story stone houses that are quite different to those in the rest of Ethiopia. We are here to visit the huge 12th and 13th century rock churches carved below ground level and connected by a maze of subterranean passages. Each of the churches is unique and intricately carved, and is in continuous use. Visit some of these unique churches cradled among the rocks Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, Bet Mokael, Bet Danaghel, and Bet Golgotha. These churches are designated as World Heritage Sites in Afternoon explore the most elegant of Lalibela s churches, Bet Giorgis, located in an isolated part of the village on a sloping rock terrace. This is said to be one of the most finely executed and best preserved churches. Accommodation: Maribela Hotel or similar May 1, 2018 (DAY 6) FLY GONDAR After breakfast, we will check in to the airport for your flight to Gondar. After briefly settling in your hotel, explore the sites of Gondar, including a visit to the Royal Enclosure, with six castles and several other buildings. Additionally, visit Fasilidas s Pool, still used for Timket celebrations today, Ras Gimb Palace Museum and the Debre Birhan Selassie church, with the most famous ceiling in Ethiopia. Accommodation: Goha Hotel or similar May 2, 2018 (DAY 7) DRIVE BAHIR DAR After a morning breakfast, drive to Bahir Dar (180 km) to this ancient city,through a fertile landscape of wide open fields of a typical African tableau and then undulating farmland and mountainous areas adorned with amethyst-colored peaks and deep gullies. We will have an in route stop to visit local homesteads and Kchat plantation center to experience local daily activities. 3

4 After arrival, take a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit a selection of the monasteries hidden on the islands and shores of this sacred lake. Visit the Zege Penninsula and the monastery of Ura Kidane Mehret and visit the outlet of the Blue Nile River. Later, if time permits visit the Market at Bahir Dar and later Emperor Hailesilassie Bezawit Palace. The palace is built at the top of a hill and has a splendid view of the Blue Nile and Bahir Bar. Accommodation: Avanti Blue Nile resorts or similar May 3, 2018 (DAY 8) MORNING LAKE TANA AND FLIGHT BACK TO ADDIS ABABA After a relaxed and hearty breakfast, check in to the airport for your flight to Addis Ababa. After arrival in Addis Ababa, have a brief tour of craft shops along Churchill Road before returning to the traditional restaurant for the farewell dinner while enjoying traditional music. Then, proceed to the airport for your departure back home. Accommodation: NA Meals Included: Breakfast at the Hotel, Lunch a Itinerary continues same day after arrival in Accra, Ghana Itinerary, 3rd to 7 th May, 2018 for our tour of Ghana 5/3/18 (Day 8) Arrival and transfer to hotel La Palm Beach. Late afternoon A Forex, short presentation and orientation will be provided. Evening Welcome dinner with traditional music and dance. We will overnight at the hotel. 5/4/18 (Day 9) In the early morning we will participate in the rites of passage naming ceremony of a Ga child. The Ga s are the indigenes of Accra and they believe in having some cultural practices similar to the Israelites, i.e. the eight day circumcision of male children. The group will take a rest in the morning. After lunch - There will be a tour of the W.E.B. DuBois Centre on Pan Africanism and exhibition on the life and works of W.E.B. DuBois. The Centre was Dr DuBois last place of abode when he lived in Ghana between He has been buried there. Group will continue with a tour of the Kwame Nkrumah mausoleum where Ghana s first President and Pan Africanist has been buried. If there is time group will visit the Arts Centre curio shops or drive through Old Accra Township. Overnight 4

5 5/5/18 (Day 10) Group will depart to Kumasi which has been described as the Centre of Ghanaian cultures and Capital of the Asante region. On arrival, group will visit the Manhyia palace museum where relics of ancient Asante Kings are on display. After lunch, the group will visit the Bonwire Kente Village. This is where the Asante Kente cloth has been woven for over 300 years on artisanal looms. 5/6/18 (Day 11) Today group will visit Asante artisanal craft villages of Ahwia wood craft works and the Ntonso Funeral Cloth Making Village. Through the day we will continue to Cape Coast where the group Will visit the Castle which served as a British trading post and seat of administration of the Gold Coast colony before the Capital was transferred to Accra in /7/18 (Day 12) Early morning tour of the Elmina Castle which was built by the Portuguese in 1482 as the first European Architectural building in South Saharan Africa. After lunch, group will leave for Accra. Those interested in shopping will do so, after which we will continue to the airport for departure formalities. Say Good bye to Ghana and thank you for traveling with us! 5/8/18 (Day 13) Arrive back at Washington IAD airport in AM on May 8,