On the trail of the Ark of the Covenant

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1 ETHIOPIA On the trail of the Ark of the Covenant With the Rev Mary Bowden Rock cut churches, magnificent African scenery and culture McCabe Spiritual Journeys October 2018

Our pilgrimage will help us to discover more about our world, the peoples who inhabit it and the faith which shapes our understanding of life.

2 Blue Nile Falls Dear traveller I invite you to join me on a McCabe pilgrimage to Ethiopia. It is a country whose landscape and history are full of beauty and mystery, with a Christian history reaching back to the very beginning of our faith. Our pilgrimage will help us to discover more about our world, the peoples who inhabit it and the faith which shapes our understanding of life. The journey will begin in an orientation day in Addis Ababa and then we will travel through time and through amazing landscapes to the historic capitals of the Ethiopian people Axum, Lalibella and Gondar. We will see the famous rock hewn churches, cut from living rock and richly carved and decorated, and find out more about the life of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, the largest Oriental Orthodox Church in the world today, with its long and proud history of Christian worship and witness. A particular highlight will be the painted churches, with ceilings full of angels and walls like story books. Our travels will also include encounters with the flora and fauna of this beautiful country and of course with its people. As with all McCabe pilgrimages, we will try to visit both a medical and an educational facility to help us understand more about the life of the country, so that we may return home with fresh insights into our own faith, enriched by all that we have experienced as we journey together. Mary Bowden Rev

BOOKING INFORMATION The cost of this pilgrimage is 2,975 to include four internal flights, accommodation in a twin-bedded room, breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, porterage, a full sightseeing

The highlight of our journey will be two nights in Lalibela, the African Jerusalem, one of the most important Christian sites in Africa.

3 BOOKING INFORMATION The cost of this pilgrimage is 2,975 to include four internal flights, accommodation in a twin-bedded room, breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, porterage, a full sightseeing programme, guiding, entrance fees and gratuities. We have included more or less everything. The highlight of our journey will be two nights in Lalibela, the African Jerusalem, one of the most important Christian sites in Africa. The rock-cut churches, like St George (pictured front cover), are unique. Ethiopia is the only country in Africa that has never been colonised. The countryside and the culture are a joy to behold. It is also one of the oldest Christian countries in the world, predating Constantine s conversion of the Roman empire. Axum is the land of the fabled Queen of Travel Insurance Everybody participating should have medical insurance. We can arrange this for a premium of 89 ( 134 if 75 or over). Please add this amount to your deposit payment if required. You may prefer to buy another policy, or an annual policy, which is fine, but please do take out cover against medical eventualities before you travel. Detail of our cover is on the back page. To reserve your place on this holiday please complete the enclosed booking form and send it with a deposit of 200 plus insurance premium if required to the tour leader or the McCabe office. Please make cheques payable to McCabe Pilgrimages. Sheba. The Ark of the Covenant was brought here, rescued from Jerusalem when the Temple was destroyed and transported down the Nile to Ethiopia. We will visit its reputed resting place. At Gondar, the Camelot of Africa we will visit medieval castles and churches. At Bahir Dar, we will sail on Lake Tana, source of the Blue Nile, and visit ancient island churches. We will drive a dusty road into the countryside to witness the Blue Nile Falls, amongst the biggest in Africa. Financial Security This pilgrimage is ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. The McCabe ATOL number is Single Rooms Some single rooms will be available on this holiday for a supplementary cost of 445. If you are on your own and would be prepared to share with someone in the party, request room share on the booking form and we will try to find a suitable sharer for you. The Rev Mary Bowden 24 Pine View Close Haslemere GU27 1DU Tel: revmarybowden@btconnect.com

Yemrehane Christos monastery How strenuous? You do not have to be super fit to participate in this tour, but expect a good deal of walking on uneven terrain and stair climbing.

If you have any heart or respiratory problems, please do ask your GP if this tour is for you.

4 Yemrehane Christos monastery How strenuous? You do not have to be super fit to participate in this tour, but expect a good deal of walking on uneven terrain and stair climbing. Be aware that Addis Ababa sits at an altitude of 2,500 metres: walking at altitude can be very tiring. If you have any heart or respiratory problems, please do ask your GP if this tour is for you. Ethiopia is not conducive to large groups of travellers so we will be a party of 18 pilgrims escorted by the tour leader and a local guide. We will avoid arduous coach journeys by taking short local flights on small planes over the most difficult terrain. The Ethiopians slept near a thousand years forgetful of the world by whom they were forgotten Edward Gibbon

5 12 Day PROGRAMME October 2018 Thursday 18 Oct : Travel to Addis Overnight flight from Heathrow to Addis Ababa. Flight ET701 departs Heathrow Terminal 2 at 21:00 (currently the only direct flight from London). Friday 19 : Addis Ababa 06:30 arrival. After checking in to our hotel with some time to relax, we take an orientation tour and visit the National Museum where we are introduced to the three million year-old bones of Lucy. We also visit Trinity Cathedral, where Emperor Haile Selassie is buried. Overnight in Addis at the Wassamar Hotel. Saturday 20 : To Mekele This morning, a 90 minute flight to Mekele. We drive to Wukro to visit its striking sandstone church and on to the cruciform church of Abraha Atsbeha. After lunch we drive on to Adigrat. One night stay in Adigrat at the Agoro Lodge. Sunday 21 : Axum We continue to Axum, ancient capital of the land of the Queen of Sheba. Visit to the obelisks at Stele Field, Dongar Palace and the reputed resting place of the Ark of the Covenant in the Cathedral church of St Mary of Zion. One night stay in Axum at the Sabean Hotel. Monday 22 : To Lalibela A 30 minute flight to Lalibela, one of the wonders of the world and called the African Jerusalem. We begin our visits to a group of 12th century rock-cut churches said to have been built with the help of angels. Time permitting, we will drive out to the little cave church of Na akuto La ab. Two night stay in Lalibela at the Tukul Village Hotel. Tuesday 23 : Lalibela We visit the Yemrehane Christos monastery in a beautiful isolated location, and then the second group of churches south of the Jordan river, representing the heavenly Jerusalem. Wednesday 24 : To Gondar 30 minute flight to Gondar, the Camelot of Africa famous for its medieval castles and churches. Our scenic tour features the Royal Enclosure of Fasil Ghebbi. Two night stay at Mayleko Lodge. Thursday 25 : Gondar We then drive north of Gondar to the Befiker Kossoye Ecology Lodge which has fantastic views over the Simien Mountains. We walk to enjoy the views, celebrate Holy Communion in the open air and have lunch. In the afternoon we visit a Felasha (formerly an Ethiopian Jewish) village to watch them making injura, the unique Ethiopian flat bread. Friday 26: To Bahir Dar A two hour drive to Gorgora on Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile. Here we visit the monastery of Debre Sina Mariam and sail to Dek island to visit Narga Sillasie monastery, continuing to the Zeghie peninsula to visit Ura Kidane Mihret. We then walk through the forest to visit Azwa Maryam Monastery before sailing on to Bahir Dar. Two night stay at the Kuriftu resort in Bahir Dar. Saturday 27 : Blue Nile Falls This morning we travel to the magnificent Blue Nile Falls, locally known as smoking water because of the steam clouds and rainbows it creates. Afternoon visits to an Orthodox school of deacons beside Abune Hara Monastery, an important place of pilgrimage for Ethiopians from all around the country, and also to the JeCCDO agricultural project. Sunday 28 : Flight to Addis Continue our visits before early afternoon one hour flight to Addis. Visit Hamlin Fistula Hospital and time for shopping before our farewell dinner accompanied by Ethiopian music and dance. Overnight in Addis at the Wassamar Hotel. Monday 29 Oct: Home Flight ET710 departs at 09:00 arriving back at Heathrow at 14:00.

Lake Tana Some Highlights Ethiopia is a plateau, riven by deep gorges, and its isolation has ensured that its people and culture are quite distinct from the rest of Africa.

6 Lake Tana Some Highlights Ethiopia is a plateau, riven by deep gorges, and its isolation has ensured that its people and culture are quite distinct from the rest of Africa. For thousands of years this has been reflected in its history. This is a poor country periodically devastated by famine, but beautifully green and fertile for the most part and constantly modernising. We will benefit from hugely improved roads and will avoid mountainous roads with short, strategic local flights. We tour the northern highlands around Lake Tana where there has been 3,000 years of literate civilisation. Christianity was the official religion here even before the days of Constantine and the newly Christian Roman Empire. Highlights include Lake Tana, which we explore by boat seeking out remote island monasteries, and view the spectacular Blue Nile Falls. We will explore the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, the African Jerusalem and unique selling point of Ethiopia. The stelae field in Axum is home to some of the world s largest free-standing stone monuments: the Ark of the Covenant also rests. The Royal Enclosure at Gondar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The geography is a wonder with the dramatic natural beauty of mountains, valleys, lakes and rivers constantly surrounding us as we journey.

Practical information Flights Direct flights from Heathrow to Addis Ababa. Duration 7 hours. Ethiopia is only 3 hours ahead of UK time, so jet lag is not usually a problem.

710 29 Oct to Heathrow 0900 1400 Flight times are subject to change Hotels Addis has excellent hotels and we stay in a four star property close to the airport at the beginning and end of our holiday.

7 Practical information Flights Direct flights from Heathrow to Addis Ababa. Duration 7 hours. Ethiopia is only 3 hours ahead of UK time, so jet lag is not usually a problem. ET October to Addis (+1) ET October to Mekele ET October to Lalibela ET October to Gondar ET October to Addis ET Oct to Heathrow Flight times are subject to change Hotels Addis has excellent hotels and we stay in a four star property close to the airport at the beginning and end of our holiday. Outside Addis we stay in best available hotels, all of which are of a very acceptable standard. Rooms have private facilities. Addis Agoro Lalibela also commonly available. Wednesdays and Fridays are traditional fasting days and restaurants usually only serve vegetable dishes. If you have special dietary requirements, let us know and we will do our best to satisfy these, but we cannot guarantee that this will always be possible. Visa A visa is required and can purchased on arrival at Addis Ababa Airport The cost is currently $50 for British passport holders. Please make sure your passport has six months validity and two blank pages. Food and drink Hotels generally cater well for western guests offering local as well as familiar dishes. Lunches are simple, perhaps wat (stew) accompanied by injura a unique Ethiopian bread, which looks like a pancake and is made from tef, a type of cereal found only in Ethiopia. Most dishes are lamb or beef based, but vegetarians are catered for, though the choice may be limited. Pasta and spaghetti dishes are

TRAVEL INSURANCE Travel insurance is arranged by Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd for McCabe Travel Ltd who are an Appointed Representative of Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd, authorised and

8 TRAVEL INSURANCE Travel insurance is arranged by Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd for McCabe Travel Ltd who are an Appointed Representative of Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Our status can be checked on the FCA Register by visiting or by contacting the FCA on This Insurance is underwritten by ERV. ERV is authorised by the Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsi cht (BAFIN and the Prudential Regulation Authority and subject to limited regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority. It has been specifically designed so that it covers all McCabe holidays; protecting you in full if you have to cancel and providing you with the very best and most effective protection if you are unfortunate enough to require medical attention whilst away from home. A unique feature of the policy is that you will not need to call a medical help line to discuss health issues. Most Pre-existing health conditions are covered as long as your doctor agrees that you are fit to travel. Standard exclusions apply and are listed on the summary document. Please check that you are not affected by the Main health Exclusions. You will not be covered for any ongoing tests or treatment of an undiagnosed condition, or for any terminal illness, or if you claim as a result of a condition arising within the past twelve months. Note that you will pay an excess of 1,000 on any claim that results directly from a pre-existing medical condition. In our experience a very few claims result from pre-existing medical conditions. With this policy you are covered with no declaration of health required. A full policy wording will be sent to you with your confirmation of booking, or ask us and we will send you a copy now. Full details are also on our website. If you would like more information or are unsure of any details, please call Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd for further advice on This insurance is only available to persons who are permanently resident and domiciled in the UK and is valid for travel up to 31/12/2018. McCabe Pilgrimages 11 Hillgate Place, London SW12 9ER Tell: rosemary@mccabe-travel.co.uk

ETHIOPIA The Historic Route and the Simiens Addis Ababa, Axum, Lalibela, Gondar, the Simiens & Bahir Dar

ETHIOPIA The Historic Route and the Simiens Addis Ababa, Axum, Lalibela, Gondar, the Simiens & Bahir Dar Day 1: Addis Ababa You will be met on arrival in Addis Ababa and transferred to your hotel in the