Ethiopia, Timkat Festival Tour Code: 48460 & the Simien Mountains Grade 6/SS Holiday Duration: 16 nights Magnificent walking in Ethiopia's Simien HOLIDAY DATES Mountains, plus experience the colourful 14th Jan 2021 - 30th Jan 2021 religious Timkat Festival in Gondar Magnificent views in the Simien Mountains, colourful Timkat Festival, explore rock churches and enjoy a traditional coffee ceremony. Ethiopia is a diverse melting pot of culture and history. HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS Simien Mountains – experience dramatic scenery and some of Africa’s finest walking Attend the most important festival in Ethiopia - Timkat Discover rock churches and religious architecture Explore the beauty and history of Gondar and Lalibela Savour incredible cuisine and the coffee ceremony Spot Gelada monkeys, hamadryas baboon, hyena and jackal and descent with walks in some remote areas. Paths Ethiopia, Timkat Festival are mostly good, but there may be some steep and & the Simien Mountains rough ground. Walks will last up to 6 hours and could involve as much as 750m of ascent and descent. See the Walks & Excursions section for A visit to Ethiopia unveils so many contrasting more information. experiences. From the Roof of Africa in the Simien Mountains to the Danakil Depression, from the rock- hewn churches to the centuries-old Ethiopia coffee ceremony, from Gelada monkeys to a visit to the earliest human, the country's epic landscapes, culture and rich history make every day one to Sightseeing savour. We begin our adventure in the bustling city of Addis The sightseeing element of the holiday will be Ababa. We then fly to Bahir Dar and explore Lake significant allowing you to get a good feel for the Tana and its centuries-old monasteries. Here we sites as well as the trails of the destination. also see hippos, visit the Blue Nile Falls, and discover Gondar, known as the Camelot of Africa, with its castle and stone churches. We spend four days hiking and camping in the Simien Mountains which give the Grand Canyon a serious run for its money. We encounter Mother Nature's finest work and spot Gelada monkeys as you leave civilisation behind. Delve into religious history in Axum and get amongst rock churches in Lalibela. This departure coincides with Timkat Festival. Timkat, which means ‘baptism' in Amharic, is the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church's celebration of Epiphany, which represents the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. The Timkat celebration in Gondar is considered the most colourful and vibrant festival in Ethiopia. Plus, if you opt to join our extension to the Danakil Depression, you can visit 410 ft below sea level for active volcano views, salt pans and camel trains from the edge of the world. WHAT'S INCLUDED Flights from London Heathrow to Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines) Internal flights and airport transfers Twelve nights in en suite hotel accommodation All costs associated with Timkat Festival Three nights fully supported tented accommodation (four season sleeping bag recommended) 13 breakfasts, 14 dinners and 5 lunches English speaking local guide All local transport costs HOLIDAY GRADE This is a Grade 6 moderate holiday which includes full day walks with appreciable amounts of ascent Proposed Itinerary Day: 3 - Addis Ababa (B, D) Our bottom line is happy travellers, and to that end We drive out of the city for an hour, following the we trust our tour leaders to use the itinerary below snaking road towards Mount Entoto (2600-3100 as a basis for providing you with a great holiday. We metres above sea level), the highest peak of the expect our leaders to make adjustments to the Entoto Mountains where we are rewarded with itinerary if the weather, group ability or other local panoramic views over Addis Ababa. This historic conditions make that necessary. There are normally area was where Emperor Menelik II resided before more options available to our leaders than those founding Addis Ababa and we'll visit the old palace. listed below and one or more of these options may Jumping at the chance to stretch our legs, we enjoy well be chosen. All distances, heights & timings are a leisurely 20-minute walk down the mountain approximate. through eucalyptus trees. Key to Meals: In the afternoon, we enjoy a guided sightseeing tour B - Breakfast, L - Lunch, D - Dinner. of the National Museum of Ethiopia, home to the In flight meals, if appropriate, will be advised in remains of your final travel documents ‘Lucy', Ethiopia's most famous ancestor who roamed Day: 1 - Overnight flight (no meals) this country some 3.2 million years ago. The museum helps put into perspective the importance We depart from London on our overnight flight with of Ethiopia's history. Ethiopian Airlines. If you are booking your own flight, it is important to fly internationally with Our introduction into Ethiopia's heritage continues Ethiopian Airlines otherwise you will be charged a with a guided visit to the Holy Trinity Cathedral, one supplement for internal flights locally. of the most important places of worship in Ethiopia and home to the remains of the last emperor, Haile Day: 2 - Addis Ababa (B, D) Selassie. After an early morning arrival into Addis Ababa Accommodation: Addis Regency Hotel (2400 metres above sea level), our local guide will transfer us to the hotel. The rest of the morning is Meals: Breakfast and dinner free to wash, sleep and enjoy breakfast. Addis Ababa is the gateway to the rest of the country. Day: 4 - Bahir Dar (B, D) Visitors sometimes bypass the contradictions of this complex city but we know where to go and its This morning we fly to Bahir Dar where we enjoy a attractions set the scene for modern Ethiopia, one hour walk around a section of Lake Tana. This is before we explore the older parts. the largest lake in Ethiopia, located in a depression of the northwest plateau, 6,000 feet (1,800 metres) This afternoon we'll visit the Ethnological Museum, above sea level. set within Emperor Haile Selassie's former palace and surrounded by the beautiful gardens and We then set sail across Lake Tana to explore the fountains of the university's main campus. The remote islands, visit some of the regions famous museum has a wealth of fascinating displays which churches and monasteries and hopefully encounter delve into the culture and customs of Ethiopia's some of the lake's famous hippos! We'll visit Ura ethnic groups and tribes. The city is infamous for its Kidane Mehret, arguably the most beautiful church heavy traffic problems so expect to travel to a in the Tana region where we have approximately cacophony of horns and brightly coloured cars. 30-40 minutes' walk time. This monastery dates to the 14th century and its inner walls are covered Accommodation: Addis Regency Hotel with hundreds of restored paintings that depict every face of Ethiopian ecclesiastical life. Meals: Breakfast and dinner In the afternoon you can choose to do an optional This evening will be the first of our three nights excursion to the Blue Nile Falls. This is one of camping in the Simien Mountains. Most equipment Ethiopia's most popular attractions and you'll is provided and transported for you each night, plus understand why when you stand beneath the 42m- camp will be set up and taken down for you. The high cliff, watching the water cascade over it. There exception being a day pack and trekking poles which is a short walk to the waterfall and back along you will carry yourself. Please note that uneven surfaces, and down to the waterfall itself. temperatures drop at night so you will need to bring Worth noting that the journey will take warm clothing and a four-season sleeping bag. approximately 1 hour each way along an extremely bumpy road; it is not for the faint hearted but the Accommodation: Wild camping (basic in nature) view at the end is worth it. It will be a long day for anyone opting to do both activities. Anyone Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner choosing to stay behind will enjoy free time. Distance: 9 kms / 5.6 miles Accommodation: Homeland Hotel Duration: 4 hours Meals: Breakfast and dinner Total ascent: 320m Day: 5 to 6 - Gondar (B, D) Total descent: 320m Departing Bahir Dar, we drive approximately four hours north to Gondar, the former capital of Day: 8 - Simien Mountains (B, L, D) Ethiopia. Our hotel is perfectly positioned on a cliff top with wonderful views looking over the city. Today will be our first full day trekking in the Simien Mountains. Along the scenic route to our next camp, Timkat is the most important day in the Ethiopian we'll stop and enjoy the incredible Jinbar Waterfall Orthodox calendar and on arrival, we visit the as it cascades down a sheer cliff on the other side of Timket procession in the evening, a precursor to the the valley. Throughout the day we will slowly gain in main event the following morning. On day 6, we rise altitude, stopping along the way to take in the early to join in the Timkat festivities. We link in with majestic views and catch our breath. Keep your the crowds at Facilides baths whose water has been eyes out for Gelada monkeys which are commonly blessed by priests, and by the side of which the spotted along the way. Talbot (replica of the Arc of the Covenant) has spent the night. Younger males dive into the water to Life in camp is simple and relaxing. We will stay in symbolise the baptism of Jesus Christ in the River designated campsites, but services range from Jordan.