Kibran Tours EXCLUSIVE LUXURY PROGRAM IN ETHIOPIA With private charter for 2014/2015 10 days in Ethiopia
ITINERARY DAY 01: ARRIVAL IN ADDIS ABABA Addis Ababa is to mean New Flower, the third highest capital in the world. Founded in 1886 by Menelik II, it is located at 2,500 m (8,202 ft) above sea level in one of the highest parts of the Entoto Mountain chain (3,000 m/9,842 ft above sea level. Addis Ababa is a pleasant city with wide avenues of jacaranda trees, interesting museums and one of the largest open-air markets in Africa, known as the Mercato. Addis Ababa is Africa s diplomatic capital with headquarters for the Organization of African Unity and the United Nation Economic Commissions for Africa. The capital is rich in impressive monuments of colonial architecture that are scattered among stretches of sun-bleached shacks. Up on arrival warm welcome by Kibran Tour Representative and get transfer in to Sheraton Addis hotel, ideally situated in the heart of the Ethiopian capital, sits on a hilltop overlooking the city with plunging views of the National Palace. Combining African refinement with modern accents, the hotel s unique design is the epitome of gracious living. The guest rooms are designed to delight with exceptional comfort and personalized attention. Amenities include glittering swimming pools with enchanting underwater music and the Aqva Club which offers an indulgent menu of soothing massage services. Gourmet restaurants with sophisticated menu options round out
the experience In Addis one can visit Mount Entoto as one drive up the hill there is an appreciable drop in temperature and the air is filled with the scent of the Eucalyptus trees which line the road. From the top, there is a panoramic view of the capital and surrounding countryside. (Here you will visit St Raguel and St Mary churches). The National Archeological Museum, its famous guest Lucy, One could find exhibits ranging from the 3.5 million-year-old bones of Lucy. The Ethnographic Museum, with its two main sections covering local crafts and on regions and people, this museum is an ideal place to start learning about Ethiopia s rich ethnic diversity. The museum has an impressive array of religious crosses, triptychs and murals, as well as Haile Selassies s (Ethiopia s last Emperor) bedroom and bathroom. The St. George s Cathedral (Giorgis Cathedral), designed in the traditional octagonal shape, this cathedral was built in 1896 to commemorate Ethiopia s victory over the Italians at the Battle of Adwa. The Cathedral houses the work of Afewerk Tekle, the renowned Ethiopian artist responsible for the stained glass windows of the Africa Hall and also houses a small museum in the compound. The Holy Trinity Cathedral, built in 1945, this cathedral is renowned for its stunning stain-glassed windows which depict scenes from the Old and New Testament of the Holy Bible. The Trinity Cathedral also houses the tombs of the late emperor and his family as well as the tomb of English feminist Sylvia Pankhurst. And also Merkato, the Largest Market in Africa, where virtually every possible commodity is on sale, from livestock to computers. For the visitor good at bargaining, there is a huge selection of Ethiopian arts and crafts. O/n: Sheraton Luxury Collection www.sheratonaddis.com (B LD)
DAY 02: FLY TO MEKELE & OVER FLY TO DALLOL & ERTA ALE After having breakfast transfer to the airport for your chartered flight to Mekelle, a capital city for Tigrian Region then overfly to Dallol and Erta Ale. Aerial visit of Erta Ale, the most regularly visited volcanic range in the Danakil and ranks as one of the most alluring and physically challenging natural attraction anywhere in the world. Erta Ale is a shield volcano with a base diameter of 30km and a 1km2 caldera at its summit. And Danakil (Dallol) Depression, which straddles the Eritrean border to the east of the Tigraian Highlands, is officially listed as the hottest place on earth, with an average temperature of 34-35degree centigrade. Much of this vast and practically unpopulated region lies below sea level, dipping to a frazzled nadir of -116m at Dallol, near Lake Asale, the lowest spot on the African continent & one of the driest and most tectonically activity areas on the planet. Then return back and drive to Hawzain about 130kms/ 2&1/2hrs drive. Up on arrival our spacious, over comfortable V8 will await you and then you will be driven to Hawzain, then Check in to your lodge Gheralta lodge, the Gheralta area, with its unique chain of mountains, is the home of the rock churches, some famous for their architecture, ancient paintings and manuscripts and others known for their magnificent view. The lodge is famous for its restaurant with leisure area and service zone besides the four big secular ficus trees and a breathtaking view of the Gheralta mountains landscape. En route based on availability of time visit the Tigray Rock Churches date from 4th-15th century this include Wukro Cherkos- a semi monolithic church, dated back to the 4th century, is said to have been carved at the
time of the introduction of Christianity to Ethiopia, Abreha Atsbeha- a rock-hewn church. Its interior is painstakingly decorated, and Dugum Selassie church. O/n: Gheralta lodge www.gheraltalodgetigrai.com (BLD) DAY 03: FLY TO AXUM After having your breakfast drive back to Mekelle and overfly to Axum. Axum is the land of the Queen of Sheba and the capital of the kingdom of Ethiopia in the 10th century. Once the center of a great empire, and the seat of learning for the ancient Ge ez language and literature and it is the prime historical site in the North of Ethiopia. The earliest records and legends of Axum date back at least 3000 years. The town and its surroundings are filled with archaeological sites, ruins of palaces, underground passageways, tombs and stelaes. Start your tour by visiting the Stelae Park - the park has a number of pre-christian obelisks (made of solid granite from the surrounding hills) some of which are thought to be more than 3000 years old. With its row of windows, and door complete with an imaginary knocker and lock, this symbolic house is thought to have been a dwelling of the spirits of the dead. Alternatively, it may have marked the tomb of an important monarch of ancient times. The Queen of Sheba s Palace - the site contains the remains of what was once a massive palace with finely mortared stonewalls, deep foundations and its own impressive drainage system. It is believed to be the oldest building in Axum. To date, over 50 chambers have been excavated. The floor of a large throne-room
has been discovered intact and, although the upper floors and roof have long since fallen in, it is not difficult to imagine the rulers of ancient Axum holding court there. The Church of Saint Mary of Zion (a panoramic visit)- the church was built by Emperor Fasiladas in 1665, and the podium on which the church is standing, may well belong to the original church erected by King Ezana or King Kaleb in the 4th or 6th centuries after the adoption of Christianity. Unfortunately, the original church was destroyed during the Muslim Christian war. Legend has it that the current church is the sanctuary of the Ark of the Covenant. According to the legend, Emperor Menelik I, the son of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon, brought the Ark of the Covenant from Jerusalem to Axum, where he settled and established one of the world s longest known uninterrupted monarchical dynasties. The Ark, according to Ethiopian belief, has remained in Axum ever since. It is kept in a special chapel annexed to the church of St. Mary of Zion. The Ark is in the care of an old and especially holy guardian monk, and according to tradition, he is the only man who is allowed to gaze upon it. And finally make a stop at the Axum Museum which houses exhibits on ancient pottery and glass, Roman amphorae, bronze jewelry and clay figurines. Then transfer to the airport for your flight to Bahir Dar. And check into your hotel, sitting on the shores of Lake Tana, the Kuriftu Resort offers spacious rooms, luxurious accommodations and modern amenities including a spa. Attention has been paid to emphasize the resort s environment, with an effort made to retain indigenous vegetation, plant additional trees and to promote the regions beautiful cultural roots, history, amazing climate and hospitable people. O/n: Kuriftu Resort & Spa www.kurifturesortspa.com (BLD)
DAY 04: FULL DAY IN BAHIR DAR Bahir Dar means by the side of the sea After having breakfast embark on a cruise of Lake Tana, the largest highland lake in Ethiopia. Lake Tana is also the source of the Blue Nile, a fact that may explain many of Ethiopia s links with the ancient world. Even today, the papyrus tankwa that sail the lake bear a striking resemblance to the boats of Ancient Egypt. Visit the Zeghie Peninsula, known for its 14th century, round, grass roofed churches and their magnificent wall murals, the Azoa Mariam and Ura Kidane Mehret churches, its architectural style is a typical example of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church having mud plastered round wall with conical thatched roof. Ura is known especially for its fine frescoes, manuscripts, ecclesiastical objects like crown of various emperors dated from the 14thc, processional crosses of silver& gold, silver-drum and royal vestments. And then walk through dense forest with lots of bird life, before return in to the hotel. Then after lunch depart overland to the Blue Nile Falls known locally as Tissiat which means Smoking Water. The Falls are 328 feet wide and the water plunges some 150 feet, giving rise to picturesque stream clouds and rainbows. With time availability it is also possible to have a look around the city tour of Bahir dar including the Bazawit Hill Top which offers a spectacular view of the surrounding, the city, the islands of Lake Tana and Blue Nile
leaving the lake. With some luck hippopotamus colonies can be seen at the bottom. There is the palace of Emperor Hailesillasie built in the 1960s which you could see from the outside. O/n: Kuriftu Resort & Spa www.kurifturesortspa.com (BLD) DAY 05: FLY TO GONDAR Gondar is famous for its medieval castles and churches, Gondar is known as the Camelot of Africa. En route enjoy the scenic view. Gondar was founded by Emperor Fasiladas in 1636 as the royal capital of Ethiopia. For several centuries Ethiopia had been ruled from a succession of temporary capitals and Fasiladas recognized that a permanent capital might help provide greater internal stability. By the time of Fasiladas death in 1667 Gondar was the largest and most important city in the empire. It retained its position as the capital of Ethiopia for 250 years, though this status was largely nominal from the late 18th century onwards. Start your tour by visiting the Royal Enclosure or Fasil Gibbi within the compound visit the castles of various
Gondarene emperors. The Fasiladas Palace; the Quskuam Church (believed to be the home of famous explorer James Bruce during the 1770 s). After 2-km drive from the town center visit the bath of King Fasilides. The pool is now the central stage on which the Timkat or Epiphany festival is celebrated in Gondar. Finally drive to Debre Berhane Selassie church, the only church that was saved from Mahdist invasion in the 1880s. The walls and ceiling are completely covered with murals - the angels faces on the ceiling have become a common motif in Ethiopian design. Then leave Gondar behind and catch your chartered flight to Lalibela by overflying through the Magnificent Simien Mountain National Park. The Simien Mountain is 138kilometers away from Gondar and its altitude ranges from 1900-4620 meters above sea level. Ras Dashen, the highest peak in Ethiopia and the fourth largest mountain in Africa, is part of the National Park. The temperature in the Simien National park varies from 15oc to -5oc. The area was designed to be a National Park in 1969 so as to preserve its spectacular scenery and scarce bio-diversity. In 1978, UNESCO ascribed the park as world natural heritage site. The Dramatic topography of the Simien National park has resulted from the volcanic activity that occurred during the Oligocene period (C.40-25 million years ago). The lava flow of this period ended up with a creation of gigantic cliffs, towering battlements of flat-toped Ambas, dog tooth hills and great escarpments. In its scenic beauty, the Simien National park is very akin to the Grand Canyon of America. Mighty waterfalls gushed out from these overhanging cliffs. Dijnabr fall near Sankaber, for example, throws itself from 800 meters cliff. The Simien Park is graced by exceptional botanical phenomena that are so unique, abundant and rare some of which are olives, cedar, Abyssinian rose, junipers, giant heather, giant lobelia, erica and hundreds of species of flowers and shrubs. It is also a zoo of wild life that are found nowhere in our planet. Walia Ibex, Red fox, and Chilada/ bleeding heart Baboons are few to site. Over fifty species of birds have been also identified in the Simien Mountains National Park, which vary from minute to unusually huge creations. A typical example
of the huge birds is the Lammergeyer. This magnificent bird has three meters wing and its feeding habit is amusing. It takes a larger bone into the sky and then throws it down on a huge rock and breaks into pieces. Then it enjoys the tasty bone marrow. Attending the indigenous culture of the local people is another interest for tourists. O/n: Mount View Hotel www.mountviewhotel.com (BLD) Mountain View Hotel sits at the edge of the Lasta Mountain chains at an altitude of nearly 8800 feet treating its guests to breath-taking panoramic mountain views. The exterior design and architecture of the hotel is very similar to the region s rock-hewn churches. Day 06: FULL DAY IN LALIBELA Lalibela (formerly known as Roha) is the New Jerusalem. The city was built by King Lalibela of the Zagwe Dynasty with the help of Angels in the 12th Century, in an almost inaccessible mountain stronghold at a height of nearly 7700 feet above sea level. Like much of Ethiopian history, there are many legends about the building of the city. One legend tells of rivalry between the young Prince Lalibela and his elder brother, King Harbay, following their mother s revelation that Lalibela would be King. Harbay attempted to murder Lalibela with a poison, which merely put Lalibela to sleep. During this sleep, Lalibela was taken to Heaven by angels, where God ordered him to build churches in Roha.
After awakening from his sleep and forgiving his brother, the two traveled to Roha, where Harbay abdicated to make way for Lalibela. On his coronation, Lalibela set about building the churches - the work being completed quickly because angels were said to have continued the work at night. The churches are carved from the rock they stand in, and many are comprised of labyrinthine tunnels and crypts connecting galleries and grottos. The city tour of Lalibela includes visit of the first group of six churches lie in rock cradles one behind the other, namely Bet Golgotha, Bet Mikael, Bet Mariam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel and Bet Medhane Alem. Bet Medhane Alem, the largest one is built like a Greek Temble. In a corner are three empty graves symbolically dug for biblical patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Then after having lunch and attending a special traditional coffee ceremony where you observe the timehonored roasting and brewing process, which is done in a special jebena (clay kettle). Continue your visit to the second group of churches, including the famous Bete Georgis. This Greek cross-shaped church is located in a deep pit with perpendicular walls; accessible only by a tunnel located a small distance away. The church was built by Lalibela for Saint George, who is said to have supervised its construction himself just ask the monks who will show you the hoof marks left by his horse! Also visit the group of four, south of the Jordan River, comprise of Bet Emanuel, Bet Mercuiros, Bet Abba Libanos and Bet Gabriel-Rufa el. Bet Emanuel s elaborate exterior is much praised by art historian and some nearby churches of Lalibella. O/n: Mount View Hotel www.mountviewhotel.com (BLD)
DAY 07: FLY TO TURMI VIA ADDIS ABABA Your today s experience will give you the other picture of Ethiopia. After having breakfast, transfer to the airport to catch up your chartered flight to Murulle visit the Kolcho Village place for the Karo tribes on a very good view of River Omo. Among the people living along the Omo, the Karo excel in face and body painting. Then drive to Turmi, 66kms with our Spacious and over comfortable V8s. After Check in the Buska Lodge, an unpretentious eco-lodge offering travelers the best accommodation and meal service in this region. Overlooks the plains of Buska Mountain and has been constructed to blend beautifully in to the natural surroundings. This well designed lodge is ideally located offering comfortable and relaxed visits to the main Omo valley tribes namely, Hammer, Karo, Dassenech, Bume, and Benna. Visit the Hamer village. the Hamer are fine looking people, both men and women take great pride in their appearance, shaving and coloring their hair, oiling their bodies and decorating themselves with beads and bracelets worn around arms and legs. O/n: Buska Lodgewww.buskalodge.com (BLD)
DAY 08: FLY TO THE BALE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK Today after having breakfast visit the Turmi Village luckily if this day falls in one of the Market day s you also be taken to attend the nearby market like in Dimeka or Key Afer, the most exciting weekly Thursday market (Key Afer) with its plentiful chances of taking photos of different tribes who attend the market (visiting the market will provide you a chance of witnessing more than one tribe at a time) and then late afternoon catch your private flight to Bale Mountain National park. Bale Mountains National park is known for its wildlife, over 60 mammals Species and 260 bird species have been recorded here. Amongst an interesting collection of upland birds you are likely to see eleven of Ethiopians 29 endemic: Blue winged Goose, Rouget s Rail, Spot-breasted plover, white -collared pigeon, Black-winged Lovebird, Golden-backed woodpecker, Abyssinian Long claw, Abyssinian Catbird, White-backed Tit, Blackheaded Siskin and Thick-billed Raven. You may also encounter many mammals including the endemic Mountain Nyala (a magnificent antelope unique to these hills). Check into your lodge the Bale Mountain Lodge, a Forest Wilderness Lodge in the Bale Mountains National Park (BMNP) of south central Ethiopia. The location of the lodge has been selected to provide an excellent opportunity for guests to experience a pristine wilderness that incorporates the largest tract of Afro-alpine moorland remaining on the continent, the majority being over 3800m above sea level, whilst living in a stunning cloud forest which offers access to the Rift Valley and wider local attractions. O/n: Bale Mountain Lodgewww.balemountainslodge.com (BLD)
DAY 09: FULL DAY IN BALE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK Today make best use of your time in the Bale Mountain National Park, focusing on the high altitude Sanetti plateau. Observe the endemic Ethiopian Wolf, the Giant Molerat, and much more. Walk about the plateau enjoying the awe-inspiring landscape. The road is lined with the orange-blossomed Lenontis and in the wet season the red hot pocker (Knip hofia) is blooming beneath the trees and attracting the brilliant iridescent Tacazza and Malachite sunbirds. On this area Wintering spotted, Imperial and other Aquila eagles are amongst the birds of prey that you may see, and almost all Ethiopians vulture species regularly occur. After spending the morning on the plateau, drive back to your lodge and visit the spectacular Harenna Escarpment, some remarkable views and an afternoon in which to descend the Escarpment. It will be more realistic to set your sight on such endemic birds if you are bird Watchers / Lovers as white-backed Black Tit, Abyssinian catbird, Black-winged Lovebird, Golden-backed wood pecker and Black-headed Siskin perhaps. O/n: Bale Mountain Lodge www.balemountainslodge.com (BLD)
DAY 10: FLY BACK TO ADDIS ABABA Last minute shopping / leisure time then tonight enjoy our memorable farewell dinner in one of the traditional Restaurant in Addis Ababa along with traditional Ethiopian s food and cultural dances together with us. O/n: Sheraton Luxury Collection www.sheratonaddis.com (B LD) Please also contact us for the possible extension tours to the neighboring countries to Djibouti, Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania. * This program can be done also with helicopter.
MAP ETHIOPIA
Aircraft type: Pilatus (PC-12) Eurocopter Helicopter AS 350-B3+
Selected accommodations for the above program: Sheraton Luxury Collection Mountain View Hotel Kuriftu Resort and Spa Gheralta Lodge Coming soon Buska Lodge Bale Mountains Lodge