Ethiopian Odyssey 2018/19 Dates: 22 nd 3 rd Jan, 22 nd Dec 6 th Jan, 27 th Dec 6 th Jan, 27 th Dec -6 th Jan. CELL: +254 777 118 114 +254 725 157 834 Ethiopia is one of the oldest Civilizations in the world. The country is divided into the southern and northern Sector. This trip basically takes you through the best of both sides in a few days. This is a trip flexible in that you can reduce the number of days easily at will to suit your demand to as low as 8 days thanks to a robust domestic airline network by Ethiopian Airline.
Trip Itinerary Day 1: Nairobi Marsabit: 22 nd December Transit through the unexploited lands of Northern Kenya which offer the most beautiful and scenic part of this country. The vast unoccupied land makes you realize just how big Kenya is. On the way we pass the Buffalo Springs, Shaba, Losai and Samburu, National reserves as well as Marsabit National park. On arrival, we take a 4X4 Landcruiser and drive up the park to see the little visited Lake Paradise. Dinner and overnight in Marsabit town hotel. Day 2: Marsabit Yirgachefe: 23 rd December Further north we drive through the inhospitable and unforgiving Dida Galgallo desert that was for many years a treacherous stretch to the overland travelers between Cairo and Nairobi before the road was tarmacked. Leaving the semi-arid northern Kenya we drive up the Moyale hills and cross into Ethiopia driving through the panoramic Oromia region to Yirgachefe. Yirgachefe town is home to the World s best coffee. We will be welcomed with a cup of special Ethiopian coffee and get an opportunity to buy coffee beans. Their coffee is so popular that even in the US some restaurants have Yirgachefe Coffee on their menu, and may restaurant chains including starbucks source their coffee from Yirgachefe. The coffee here is also used to blend other coffee from the rest of the world. Days 3: Yirgachefe - Lake Awassa: 24 th December Driving from Yirgachefe, you get a chance to interact with the Gedo as you drive through the cosmopolitan town of Dilla before arriving at Awassa our next stop. Awassa or Hawassa is home to Lake Awassa and is the biggest city south of Addis. A top tourist stop, you will enjoy taking a walk through the town as well as along the paved walkways of the lake shores. A boat trip on the lake gives pleasant views of the town from the lake as well as one of the greatest population of birds on the rift valley. Later in the evening enjoy a night out at the top city spots. Day 4: Awassa- Shashamane Wendo Genet - Langano Beach: 25 th December Driving north we arrive at the vibrant Shashamane town, home to the repatriated Rastafarian community mainly from the Caribbean islands, USA and the UK. The 1955 Land grant by His Imperial Majesty Haile Sellassie 1 was given to the Ethiopian World Federation (EWF) offering 500 Hectares of land for those Black people who wish to come back home to Africa and settle back. We will also have a special visit to the home of Teddy Dan and his private art gallery, an international Reggae artiste and friend who repatriated back to Africa and lives in Shashamane. Teddy Dan s most popular song is United States of Africa. His thoughts on African renaissance are intriguing. After this intriguing session, head out to Wendo Genet( Green heaven ), a unique place with flowing hot water springs that come from the mountains and have been converted to a man-made pool and shower place. Later in the evening head out to Langano Beach for the night. Day 5: Langano Beach Abijatta Shala National Park: 26 th December In the morning we explore Langano Beach. The absence of Bilharzia makes Lake Langano the only Rift Valley Lake suitable to swim. The beach has hosted huge beach parties by major international acts. You also get a chance to visit the adjacent Shala and Abjatta lakes.the two lakes are separated by three kilometers of hilly land. The deep blue Shala is the deepest lake in Ethiopia going as deep as 266km. There are a number of hot springs on the northeast corner of Lake Abijatta, and large numbers of flamingoes on the lake. Later return to Langano beach for a sunset swim.
Day 6: Langano- Ziway Lake Bishoftu: 27th December In the morning head north and visit Ziway Lake. Surrounded by volcanic hills and covering a massive 425 sq km, it is the largest of the northern group of Rift Valley lakes. It is well known for its birdlife. Enjoy lunch on the shores of this amazing lake. Afterwards drive up to join the Addis- Adama Expressway and drive up to Bishoftu (Debre Zeyt) one of the resort towns of Ethiopia just 50km out of Addis Ababa. Days 7: Bishoftu Addis Ababa: 28 th December Bishoftu is a beautiful resort city surrounded by 5 crater lakes. We wake up in the morning for a tour of Babogaya Lake the first of the three main lakes. On this trip we will also pass by the new double rail from Addis to Djibouti as well as the express way in one spot. The second lake to visit is Kuriftu popular for the beautiful 5 star lodge Kuriftu Resort and Spa where we will stop by for rest before heading to the final lake Bishoftu the most dramatic and beautiful of the three. After a sundowner we drive out to Addis Ababa, one of the largest cities in Africa. Days 8: Addis Ababa: 29 th December Addis Ababa is known as the capital of Africa due to it hosting the headquarters of the African Union. Addis Ababa is a well-organized metropolis with a decent public transport network. We start by enjoying the new urban light rail transport network. During the day we have historical city tour of the 18th Century palace of King Menelik the Second, the beautiful church of Saint Mariam perched on top of a hill and the national museum. Later in the day after lunch at Via Via Travellers Cafe we visit the beautiful market of Shiromeda and shop amazing Ethiopian Traditional Clothes. In the evening it s time to check out Addis Ababa s great party spots. On the September trip, this falls in the Ethiopian New Year Eve s Celebration! Days 9: Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar: 30 th December This morning we begin the Historical route to the North and see what Ethiopia s 3,000 years of history has to offer. In the Morning we depart north to Debre Markos and continue to do a long day drive to Bahir Dar with a late arrival. On the way we will pass through the spectacular Blue Nile Gorge. The gorge extends nearly 400km and reaches depths up to 1500m. Bahir Dar is Ethiopia s 3rd largest city and is designed as a resort city set on the shores of Lake Tana. Day 10: Bahir Dar (Lake Tana): 31 st December In the morning, embark on a boat trip on the Blue Nile or 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 monasteries of Azuwa Maryam and Ura Kidane Mehret and the island monastery of Debre Maryam near the outlet of the Blue Nile River. In the afternoon, drive out to the Blue Nile Falls for a short hike in the area. Finish the day with the sunset over the lake. Overnight celebrations in Bahir Dar. Day 11: Bahir Dar - Gondar City: 1 st Jan Early in the morning, head north to Gondar City. Gondar is barely 80km north of Bahir Dar but turns out to be Ethiopia s 4 th largest city. Gondar is home to the great castles of various kings still standing tall and key among them the Fasilides Castle (16 th Century) together with the Fasilides Swimming pool where the famous Timkat Festival s main celebration takes place. To also visit is the amazing Debre Birhan Selassie Church with great Ethiopian art to see. The day ends with a sundowner at the hill top Goha Hotel from where you can see the whole of Gondar city as the sun sets. For September trip this day falls on Enkutatash (Ethiopian New Year s) Eve. This festival celebrates both the New Year and the Feast of John the Baptist at the end of the long spring rains, when the Highlands are covered with wild flowers. Ethiopian children, clad in brand-new clothes, dance through the villages giving bouquets of flowers and painted pictures to each household. September 11 is both New Year s Day and the feast of St John the Baptist. The day is called
Enkutatash meaning the "gift of jewels." When the famous Queen of Sheba retuned from her journey to visit King Solomon in Jerusalem, her chiefs welcomed her back by replenishing her treasury with enku, or jewels. The spring festival has been celebrated since these early times and as the rains come to their abrupt end, dancing and singing can be heard at every village in the green countryside. Day 12: Gondar Lalibella: 2 nd Jan Early the following morning we head east towards Weldiya. The West - East road between Weldiya and Bahir Dar is known as the China Road because it was built in the 1970s with funds from the Chinese Government. It is a spectacular road, rising up 45km to Dilbe and then running along the top of the ridge to Gashena. Arrive early in the afternoon at Lalibella, a must see attraction in Ethiopia and a UNESCO world heritage site. Start your tour of the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, visit the most famous of all the churches Bet Giyorgis, constructed in honor of the patron saint of Ethiopia Saint George. Continue with the Northwestern Cluster of churches - Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, and Bet Mikael & Bet Golgotha (entry not permitted for women). Overnight in Lalibella. This pretty much brings to an end the first part of the Trip. The first exit team takes the morning flight out of Lalibella or returns with the truck to Addis Ababa for onward flight to Nbi. Road Transit Back to Nairobi: Day 13-17 Day 13: Lalibella to Nairobi: 3 rd Jan After breakfast transfer to Lalibella Airport where you will take a domestic flight to Addis Ababa before connecting to Nairobi later in the afternoon. PS: You may choose to return to Addis via Overland truck, a 2 day s journey from Lalibella. OPTIONAL TRIP EXTENSION TO DANAKIL DEPRESSION AND AXUM Day 13: Lalibella to Mekele: 3 rd Jan Drive North from Lalibella to Mekele passing via Weldiye. This is one of the most scenic roads in Ethiopia with great mountain passes and gorges to descend. The drive north seems to lead to drier parts with less vegetation until you land on the surprisingly big city by the name of Mekele. Mekele is an industrial city and the 2 nd largest in Ethiopia in size though Dire Dawa takes the number 2 on population. Day 14: Mekele to Danakil: 4th Jan We start early after breakfast from Mekelle and drive to Dodom (at the base of Erta Ale). This is interestingly one of the worst roads in the world but the drivers make it such a fun sport on the way. The 70 km distance may take about 5 hrs passing through changing landscape of solidified lava, rock, sand and occasional palm lined oasis. After you pass several small hamlets scattered here and there in this desert land, Dodom is about 9.5km from ErtaAle and it takes about 3 hrs trekking. Early dinner around 17:00 and trek up to ErtaAle at 20:00 hours. Camels transport all the camping materials and some food (sleeping materials like light mattresses and mat and water) to the rim of the volcano, where we spend the night watching the dramatic action of the boiling lava. ErtaAle ranks one of the most alluring and physically challenging natural attractions anywhere in Ethiopia. It is a shield volcano with a base diameter of 30 km and 1km square caldera at its summit. ErtaAle contains the world s only permanent lava lake. ErtaAle is 613 meters, with a lava lake, one of only five in the world, at the summit. It is notable for being the longest existing lava lake, present since the early years of the twentieth century. O/n camping on the mountain.
Day 15: ErtaAle - Lake Afdera HamadEla: 5th Jan Waking up early leave ErtaAle for Dodom.From Dodom drive to Lake Afdera. Lake Afdera is one of the saltiest lakes in the world. A non-swimmer enjoys the swim too and floats easily. Later you can rinse off at a nearby hot spring. We enjoy lunch then drive to HamadEla 100km away. It s a small village with a total population about 500 people. You will see lots of camel caravans and you will have the sun set look from the very shallow salt lake Asale. Overnight camping at HamadEla. Day 16: HamadEla- Dallol- Mekelle: 6th Jan Morning tour Drive to Ragad (Asebo), the place where the locals are involved in mining salt. 1,200 km2 (460 sq mi) the Afar Depression is covered by salt, and you will Look the activity of breaking the salt from the ground, local people are cutting in to rectangular pieces and loading on camels. You drive ahead to Dallol and visit the difference landscape formed by volcanic activity; Dallol + Lake Assale + salt canon, camel caravans, follow up camel caravans and Drive back to HamadEla for lunch and proceed to Mekele. PS: You may choose to fly back to Nbi on this evening, sleep in Mekelle and fly out next morning or continue to Axum as below. Optional Extension to Axum Day 18: Mekele to Axum to Nairobi: 7 th Jan Depart early and head North to Axum, a 3 hour journey in the Tigray region, the farthest points up North of Ethiopia towards Sudan and Eritrea. Axum is the most significant city in the history of the church in Ethiopia and hosts the Church of Saint Mary of Zion that is said to host the true Ark of the Covenant. Visit this amazing church, the obelisk of Aksum, Queen Sheba s bath and the Dungur palace (Ruins of Queen Sheba s Palace). In the evening as the suns sets, take the last flight out of Axum and forward to Addis Ababa before taking the last flight out to Nairobi at 11pm. PS: If proceeding to Simien Mountains take the flight to Gondar in the evening. It is the same flight that connects to Addis Ababa. Optional Extension to Simien Mountains (3 Days) Day 19: Gondar Simien Mountains :8 th Jan Early in the morning drive North to Debark and onwards to the Simien mountains for an overnight trip of great fun. Drive into the mountain stopping at various viewpoints around Sankaber visiting Jinbar waterfalls a 15 minutes walk from the road and featuring one of the tallest waterfalls in Africa averaging 500-800m canyon. Later on leave the vehicle and hike a few kilometres to Geech Camp standing high at 3,600m. The Sunset from Geech camp is the best in the whole mountain. Camp overnight at Geech camp as you listen to the distant cry of the Ethiopian wolf. Day 20: Simiens Mountains Gondar: 9th Jan Early in the morning hike up the ridge to Imet Gogo(3,926m) which is the most outstanding and remarkable view point in the whole mountain with views of the entire valleys sweeping across all the way to the higher peaks of Buyit Pass and Ras Dashen. After a brief rest and photos, walk down and across the valley to pick our transport back to Debark. Final Celebration in Gondar before heading back to Nairobi. Day 21: Gondar Addis Nairobi After breakfast transfer to Lalibella Airport where you will take a domestic flight to Addis Ababa before connecting to Nairobi later in the afternoon. Inclusions on Danakil Trip (Cost USD 360)
4WD land cruisers with AC and 4 clients in one car All fuel expenses and drivers allowances 3 meals per day All needed Entrance fees and licenses Accommodation and all meals throughout the tour Plenty bottles of water and coffee or tea with meals Local guide service for the Afar region -Cooking, camping equipment Experienced cook throughout the whole tour What You Need for Danakil Light (walking in the night) Small backpack for the trek to the top of the volcano Closed, comfortable shoes (trekking shoes) Sun protection like sun cream, hat Jacket for the night on the volcano Sleeping bag, pillow or blanket (can also be provided by the agency for free Community Gifts: If you want be friendly and helpful to the people in the Danakil, you can bring to them old closes, sun glasses, school materials for the kids, aye drop and simple medicines, then you are the kings and queens of the dessert. If Doing Axum you need an Extra USD 70-100 for this. Trip Charges & Important Information SELF-ASSESSMENT We want you enjoy your trip to the fullest extent possible, so we ask that you take some time before departing to fully consider the nature of your trip and your physical abilities to enjoy it. Please take time to fill the attached self-assessment form. WHAT TO CARRY To make your trip more comfortable, please use the following checklist. 1. Passport, Visa if Non East African and International Yellow Fever Certificate 2. Head lamp 3. Sleeping Bag 4. Personal effects (wash kit, sun-screen, slippers, soap, tissue paper, tooth brush + paste) 5. Small day pack (bag) for day trips and excursions 6. Swimming costume 7. Camera, spare batteries and film 8. Clothing 9. A hat and shades to shield from the sun 10. Insect repellant 11. Cash for personal use see section on currency 12. Warm Clothing for evening 13. Hike gear if doing Simiens Any other personal items you may deem necessary. PS: Heavy suitcases discouraged for bush trips.
EXPEDITION CHARGES The expedition rates for the Road trip as follows:- 7 Days Road Tour: KES 62,300 /- 13 Days Road Tour: KES. 89,300/- ** This price does not include Flights and Extras as per schedule below. PACKAGE INCLUDES Transport in Overland expedition truck. Meals as per itinerary. Accommodation arrangement in hotels as per itinerary. Select excursion as per itinerary. Professional English speaking Guide PACKAGE EXCLUDES International Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate (Mandatory) Visa fees for Non-Kenyans Non Compulsory Activity Extras: See the activity schedule on this. Tips for guides and staff Personal items as in D above Drinking Water and Drinks Select lunches as per itinerary. TRIP SCHEDULE OF EXTENSIONS AND IMPORTANT APPLICABLE EXTRAS TRIP OPTION SUMMARY PLAN COSTS OPTION A: 13 Days Road Tour from Road Package KES 89, 300 Nairobi : 22 nd Dec 6 th Jan OPTION B: 19 Days Road Tour with a flight back to Nairobi Dates: 22 nd 6 th Jan OPTION C: 13 Day Road Tour with a flight back from Lalibella to Dates: 22 nd Dec 3 rd Jan OPTION D: 7 Days Road Tour with a flight back to Nairobi Dates: 27 th Dec- 3 rd Jan OPTION D: 7 Days Road Tour with Danakil & flight back to Nairobi Road Package KES 89, 300 Flight from Axum to Nairobi KES 32,000 Danakil Depression KES 36,000 Return Flight from Nairobi to Addis & KES 32,000 Axum to Nairobi Road Package KES 89, 300 Road Package KES 62, 300 Flight from Lalibella to Nairobi KES 32,000 Road Package KES 62,300 Flight from Mekelle to Nairobi KES 32,000
Dates: 27 th Dec- 6 th Jan Danakil Depression KES 36,000 OPTION E: Flexible 5-10 Day Tour Talk to us for a customized trip to join TBC the itinerary at convenience. PS: Flight costs vary with the time of booking. This must be confirmed at the time of booking. PAYMENT TERMS Please refer to Bucketlist Adventures Booking Terms and conditions. A deposit of 15% is required to secure the trip. This is a 20 guest s trip. You may contact us for a more flexible arrangement. Flight bookings need to be done early to avoid last minute costs. Please make all payments payable to:- KES Payments A/c Name: Bucketlist Adventures A/c No: 1005055788 Branch Name: NIC Bank, The Mall Westlands. Postal Address: - P.O.box 44599,00100- Nairobi Kenya. Branch code: 105 Bank Code: 41 Swift Code: NINCKENA For MPESA or card payments please contact our bookings team. USD Payments A/c Name: Bucketlist Adventures A/c No: 1005055853 Branch Name: NIC Bank, The Mall Westlands. Postal Address: - P.O.box 44599,00100- Nairobi Kenya. Branch code: 105 Bank Code: 41 Swift Code: NINCKENA MEALS ON TOUR Meals and menu s vary as food is purchased en-route, and is subject to produce that is available seasonally in the areas we travel through. As we support the local communities along the way, fresh produce is mostly purchased direct from the producer or local grower and therefore has an organic appearance. Our safari cooks are able to offer a wide variety of menu s with the ingredients available, even if the produce on offer is not of the same selection as what you may be used to back home. Lunches are mostly prepared in the morning or en-route with a supply of build your own sandwich ingredients available. Dinners are cooked in the evenings on arrival at the campsite. TRANSPORT ON TOUR Our overland vehicles are custom built SCANIA trucks that have seating space for our passengers and storage areas for luggage and all trip equipment. The trucks seat between 25-30 passengers on our camping trips. Most seats are forward facing, though some models have a combination of forward, backward and some inward facing seats with tables. Vehicles have sliding glass windows. Seats are
cushioned and there is storage space for personal items like cameras, snacks and day packs in the rear area. PARTICIPATION ON TOUR All of the tours operated are participation trips meaning that all passengers are expected to help out around camp on cooking and as well keeping the truck clean.this is not only to make the trip easier for all involved but also for you as the passengers to get to know one another while on trip. ACCOMODATION AND VEHICLES This is a budget trip. It is designed for people who have an adventurous spirit in mind. Accommodation on this trip is in two person sharing in budget hotels as well as camping in the mountain. All cooking and camping equipment, with the exception of your sleeping bag is provided. Transport is on specially converted SCANIA trucks that are completely self-sufficient - carrying all the necessary equipment, passenger's luggage, fuel, and fresh water and food stocks. In addition, vehicles carry a range of spare parts and the driver is well versed at fixing common faults. Before each truck begins a trip it will have been thoroughly serviced and overhauled, but it is comforting to know that in the unlikely event of a breakdown the necessary spares and experience are available. All our vehicles carry full cooking and camping equipment, music players, and interior lighting, longrange fuel tanks and 300 to 400 litre water tanks. (Bring along a USB disk to connect your selection.) CREW Your Tour will have 3 crew members your Driver, Trip Leader and Safari Cook. ITINERARY FLEXIBILITY This information and the itinerary we ve given you, are intended to serve as guidelines only. Each trip must be flexible to allow for all variables that are beyond our control such as adverse road conditions, complications caused by the weather, unstable political situations, etc. Our trips generally run as planned, and you ll, more than likely, get see everything listed, if not more. PRE-DEPARTURE CONTACT The Pre-Departure contact is established via a whatsapp group where travelers get to meet and also use the forum to clarify any issues they may have with the trip prior to departure. SPENDING MONEY Only you know to what extent your spending habits will tax you! We advise you to bring your spending money in both cash preferably in US dollars or ETB. Credit Cards are not widely accepted. U$ notes should be clean, un-torn and printed in recent years. Larger denomination notes attract a better exchange rate, but we suggest you bring along a mix of both small and large denomination notes. You may need to change only a small amount to tide you over in a country and you should try to get rid of each country s currency before you leave that country as you won t be able to change it anywhere else! Your trip leader will advise you on when & where to change to local currencies. OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS: Below is a selection of Optional Excursions available on this trip. Please Note these prices are approximate and are subject to change Activities are not pricey in Ethiopia and range from guide. We shall keep this updated as much possible.
ACTIVITY BUDGET MARSABIT Sundowner visit to Lake Paradise in Marsabit National Park by 4X4 $15 LAKE AWASSA One hour boat tour on the massive lake. $20 LANGANO & ZIWAY LAKE Swimming on the Langano beach Free Ziway Lake Boat Tour $10 Half Day Tour to Abijatta - Shalla National Park TBC ADDIS ABABA Full Day Tour: Start by enjoying the new Addis urban light rail. Visit "Lucy", one of $20 the oldest complete hominid skeletons ever found, at the National Museum, Stroll through Various sites like the market, visit the Ethnological museum as well as the Church of Saint Mary at the top of Mt. Entoto inclusive of transfers. Abyssinia Hot Air Balloon in Addis $150 BAHIR DAR Full Day Tour: Visit the ancient Coptic monastery on the island by boat. Later stop by for fish at the lake before heading out to Blue Nile falls for a small hike and boat $25 trip across the Nile. LALIBELLA Take a full guided tour of the 12th-century rock-hewn churches and monasteries at $50 Lalibela. AXUM Take a guided tour of the ancient 4th-century tombs and palaces of the Axumite $15-25 Kingdom in Axum, the Church of saint Mary and the Pools of Queen Sheba SIEMENS Head out on a 2 days of guided drive and treks in the phenomenal scenery of the Simien Mountains National Park. GONDAR Learn all about medieval Ethiopia on a half-day guided tour of the castles, churches and baths of Gondar. DANAKIR DEPRESSION A 3 nights visit to one of the hottest places in the world with great scenery including Dallol (116m below sea level and one of the lowest points in Africa),Lake Assal (burning sulphur lake) and camel caravans (come to mine salt) $230 $25 USD 390 PLEASE NOTE: That this is not a full list of available activities. There are many more to choose from. Prices are approximate and can change at any given time. Only to be used as a guideline. Welcome to the mystical Ethiopia.