Tour Notes

Historic Ethiopia - Timkat Festival Tour Duration – 13 Days

Tour Rating Fitness ●●●●○ | Off the Beaten Track ●●●○○ | Culture ●●●●○ | History ●●●●● | Wildlife●●●○○ Tour Pace Busy Tour Highlights

Join worshippers celebrating at Ethiopia’s most important religious festival Engage with some of Africa’s finest scenery in the Simien Mountains Visit the unique rock hewn churches of Lalibela and Tigray

Tour Map - Ethiopia - Timkat Festival

Tour Essentials Accommodation: Mix of simple but comfortable hotels and lodges Included Meals: Daily breakfast (B), plus lunches (L) and dinners (D) as shown in the itinerary. Group Size: Maximum of 12 Start Point: Addis Ababa End Point: Addis Ababa Transport: Minibuses (groups of 1-8), Coaster buses (groups of 9-12) & internal flights Countries: Ethiopia Extension options: Harar and Danakil Depression. Also, the Omo Valley Explorer tour runs back to back with this tour.

Ethiopia - Timkat Festival Join us on this small group tour to Ethiopia for the Timkat Festival which is the Ethiopian Orthodox Church’s celebration of Epiphany. Pilgrims travel for days to the churches at which the celebrations are held and we will join them this year in Gondar. In addition, discover Ethiopia’s natural beauty as revealed in the Simien Mountains, where we walk amidst some of Africa’s most captivating scenery looking for endemic gelada baboons and other wildlife. In Lalibela, we spend time exploring both the main churches and lesser known ones before driving to the region of Tigray. It is similar to Petra with churches hewn out of the surrounding landscape, but quite spectacular, with many built halfway up almost inaccessible cliff faces. We spend time learning about the history of the ancient Axumite Empire at Axum and travel to ‘Africa’s Camelot’; the wonderful castles and palaces of Gondar. A truly unforgettable tour. Tour itinerary notes While our intention is to adhere to the day-by-day itinerary as printed below, a degree of flexibility is built in. Overnight stops may vary from those suggested and on occasions alternative accommodation, of a similar standard to that named below, will be used. Tour Guide Our guides are a key strength, chosen for their knowledge of and passion for the areas in which they work. All of our guides are carefully hand-picked, and are not just passing through these countries, but are usually locally born. Unlike some companies it should be noted we do not send a guide or tour leader from Undiscovered Destinations in the UK as we have every confidence in our locally appointed representative who is responsible for operating the tour on our behalf. Groups of 1-4 people will have a driver and different guides in each place visited, rather than one guide accompanying the trip throughout. Groups of 5- 12 people will have the same guide throughout.

Itinerary Please Note – Dates shown are for the January 2021 Departure. Day 1 – 13

th January- Addis Ababa

Arrive in Addis Ababa and transfer to hotel accommodation. The rest of the day is free to relax. Overnight at Nexus Hotel or similar. No meals are included today.

Day 2 – 14th

January- Addis Ababa – Adigrat and Tigray churches (260 km, Approximate driving time: seven hours) A morning flight takes us to Mekele and on by road to Adigrat. We explore the sites of Tigray, visiting some of the region’s 130 rock churches including Medhane Alem Adikusho, Wukro Cherkos and Abraha Atsbeha. The architecture is notably different here. Churches are in part or wholly excavated within the living rock, rather than carved from it. Overnight at Agoro Lodge or similar. (BD)

Tigray’s rock-hewn churches The rock-hewn churches of the Tigray region are one of Ethiopia’s most enchanting and fascinating sites. Many of them are carved into sheer cliff faces which take effort to reach, perhaps to protect the treasures that many of them hold in terms of paintings and artefacts, or to provide the solitude necessary for religious meditation. Isolated and mysterious, the churches are still used today and if lucky enough to visit when a religious festival is taking place, an unparalleled place to witness Ethiopia’s spiritual traditions. Even without this though, they retain an aura which is spellbinding, enhanced by the fact that very few western travellers actually get here. However, the time and effort it takes to reach them makes them all the more special.

Day 3 – 15th

January- Day 3 – Mekelle - Axum (130 km, Approximate driving time: three hours) The road to Axum passes through spectacular landscapes. Axum is Ethiopia’s holiest town and since 1980 a World Heritage Site. Highlights include a remarkable collection of ancient stelae, the bath and palace of the Queen of Sheba, and St Mary of Tsion Church, claimed by some to hold the Ark of the Covenant containing the original stone tablets handed down to Moses. Overnight at Yared Zema Hotel or similar. (BD)

Axum The northern town of Axum is reputed to have been the capital of the legendary Queen of Sheba, in the 10th century BC. Once a great city and the capital of a powerful empire around the time of the birth of Christ, it is thought by some to be one of the great civilisations of antiquity, controlling the all-important trade routes between Asia and Africa for many centuries. Today it is a site of pilgrimage, containing many important religious buildings as well as palaces and tombs belonging to past Emperors of Ethiopia. The most notable of these is the church of St Mary of Tsion, which is said to contain the Ark of the Covenant and is watched over by a guardian who prevents anyone from seeing it. According to legend, the ark was brought here by Emperor Menelik, son of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. Axum is also famous for its collection of stelae, sculpted from single pieces of granite and intricately carved. Although some are in ruins, those that remain are the legacy of one of Africa’s most powerful civilisations.

Day 4 – 16th

January- Axum - Simien Mountains (290km, Approximate driving time: five- six hours) The journey to the Simien Mountains is long, but as we ascend towards the mountains the scenery is rewarding. Along the way it’s worth keeping an eye out for endemic Ethiopian wildlife, including Gelada Baboons and many species of birds. Depending on our arrival time there may be an opportunity for a short walk in the park to glimpse the breath-taking beauty of Simien mountainscapes. Overnight at Ras Dejen Hotel or similar. (BD)

Please Note: it can be very cold in the mountains at night so you should bring warm clothing to wear.

Simien Mountains Ethiopia is sometimes called the ‘Roof of Africa’, and the spectacular Simien Mountains hold its highest point Ras Dashen, at 4620m the fourth highest mountain on the continent. The Simiens are a dramatic landscape of green carpeted gorges and chasms which are home to some of the country’s rare and endemic species. It is relatively easy to see large troops of gelada baboons, shaggy maned primates with bright red patches of flesh on their chests, grazing on the vegetation, which are found only in Ethiopia’s mountains. You are less likely to see two of its other rare creatures, the Walia Ibex and the Simien wolf, the rarest of the world’s canine species. Walking in these mountains, watching lammergeier vultures swoop into deep ravines, offers one of the scenic highlights of travel in Africa.

Day 5 – 17th

January- Simien Mountains Today we walk in the mountains, taking in awe-inspiring viewpoints and spotting some of the endemic wildlife. The effects of altitude, though mild, will be apparent. We’ll make frequent stops, stay well hydrated and travel at the pace of the slowest. Shorter hikes are possible for those preferring not to walk for the whole day. Overnight at Ras Dejen Hotel or similar. (BL)

Day 6 – 18th

January- Simien Mountains - Gondar (145km, Approximate driving time: three hours) Drive to Gondar, once Ethiopia’s imperial capital, and famous for its beautiful castles and palaces. This afternoon, you can witness the Eve of the Timkat Festival celebration. Overnight at Goha Hotel or similar. (BD)

Day 7- 19th

January- Timkat Celebrations Early in the morning we will go to the church to see the Timkat celebration and the crowd waiting to be baptized by the holy water. The water which symbolizes the Jordan River is blessed by the priest, and the patriarch then dips a golden cross into it, and extinguishes a burning consecrated candle on the altar. He then sprinkles water on the assembled congregation in commemoration of Christ's baptism in the Jordan River. The ceremony will be over around 8am and afterwards we visit some of the town’s main sites, which include the Bath of King Fasiladas and the ornately decorated Debre Birhan Selassie Church (Light of Trinity) known for its colourful murals. Overnight at Goha Hotel or similar. (BD)

Gondar The Royal Enclosure at Gondar is one of Ethiopia’s key sites, and rightly so. Enshrouded in mystery as to its origins, Gondar became the capital of King Fasiladas in the 17th century and an important city in the region. What is astonishing about Gondar is its collection of castles, very European in character and seeming very out of place in this corner of Africa. There are different theories as to who constructed them – some say Portuguese architects and builders were responsible while others claim that Ethiopian craftsmen constructed them. The best preserved is Fasiladas’ Palace, a two storey building with towers and parapets. There are several buildings within the enclosure, including a lion cage, a chancellery and the Royal Archive. Wandering through these medieval relics it is not difficult to see why Gondar has been christened the ‘Camelot of Africa’.

Day 8 – 20th

January- Gondar - Bahir Dar (175km, Approximate driving time: three hours) After breakfast we continue to explore Gondar before the drive to Bahir Dar, close to Lake Tana, stopping at points of interest en route. On arrival check into our hotel which overlooks Lake Tana, source of the Blue Nile. Overnight at Avanti Blue Nile Hotel or similar. (BD)

Day 9 – 21st

January- Blue Nile Falls and Lake Tana From the town we drive to the Blue Nile Falls, taking a short walk to view the falls themselves, before returning. We take boats out onto Lake Tana to explore its collection of ancient monasteries, dramatically situated on the lake’s islands and peninsulas. Overnight at Avanti Blue Nile Hotel or similar. (BD)

Blue Nile Falls Some 30km from Lake Tana, near the village of Tis Isat, lie the Blue Nile Falls, discovered by the Scot James Bruce in the 18th century. Some 400m wide, they are the second largest set of falls in Africa, after the mighty Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. However, in 2003 a large hydro-electric dam was constructed upstream, which has reduced the flow over the falls considerably – the falls are only ‘switched on’ on certain days of the week. The walk to the falls, invariably accompanied by small children, starts in Tis Isat and takes you over a small bridge constructed by the Portuguese in the 17th century, before ending up at a fantastic viewpoint.

Lake Tana Lake Tana is Ethiopia’s largest lake, and its shoreline and islands are home to several monasteries dating back to the 15th century, most of which are still in service today. Many contain excellent murals and frescoes, painted in the unique Ethiopian style, while others contain ancient books which are sometimes possible to see, guarded by monks in their religious finery. Many monasteries were used as repositories for royal and religious treasures, to keep them safe from any invaders, and their remains of previous emperors are said to be housed at Daga Istafanos. The shoreline is dotted with small villages, whose inhabitants traverse the lake on tankwas, small boats made from papyrus, often carrying impossibly large loads. Lake Tana is the source of the Blue Nile and contains excellent birdlife, as well as hippos.

Day 10 – 22nd

January- Bahir Dar- Lalibela (380km, Approximate driving time: seven hours) After breakfast start the journey to the town of Lalibela, stopping at points of interest along the way. Overnight at Mountain View Hotel or similar. (BD)

Day 11 – 23

rd January- Lalibela

This morning we will begin to explore the rock hewn churches known in some circles as the 8th wonder of the world. This afternoon we will continue visiting these intriguing monuments to discover more of Ethiopia’s enigmatic past. Overnight in Mountain View Hotel or similar. (BD) Lalibela The small dusty town of Lalibela in the north of Ethiopia is home to some of Ethiopia’s most amazing sights, a collection of rock cut churches dating back hundreds of years. Often known as ‘Africa’s Petra’, Lalibela is a great centre of pilgrimage among Ethiopians, flocking here to worship, and during religious festivals is packed with priests and monks. Lalibela and the surrounding area are dotted with excellently preserved churches, still used today. Many of them are connected by underground tunnels and passages, with tiny caves hollowed out in nearby walls used as homes for ascetic monks and hermits who stay here for years on end. Many legends surround the origins of Lalibela, but the most popular is that the churches were constructed by angels in one night. They date back to the 11th and 12th centuries, and the most spectacular is Beta Giorgis, built in the shape of a cross in a large pit in the ground. Some contain ancient religious artefacts, which resident monks are often happy to show to visitors, including intricately decorated crosses and a wooden box said to be carved by King Lalibela himself. Day 12 – 24

th January- Lalibela – Addis Ababa

Take a flight back to Addis Ababa where we will visit some of its best known sites including the Entoto Mountains with a fabulous view over the city, Trinity Cathedral and the Merkato, reputedly the largest open air market in Africa. Overnight at Nexus Hotel or similar. (BD) Day 13 – 25

th January- Departure- Final day of main tour- first day of Harar extension

At a suitable time, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight. Tour ends. (B) Addis Ababa Addis Ababa was founded in 1887 by Emperor Menelik II, and its name means ‘new flower’ in Amharic. A large city, it is the third highest capital in the world sitting at an altitude of 2400m. It hosts East Africa’s largest market, the Mercato, a sprawling mass of stalls where one can find just about anything for sale, including the much favoured national drug qat, and is well endowed with other sights. Churches such as St George’s Cathedral and the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity give a great insight into Ethiopia’s particular brand of Christianity. The Cathedral of St George, named after Ethiopia’s patron saint (the famed dragon slayer who also serves as patron saint of England) was built by Emperor Menelik to commemorate his victory over Italian forces at Adwa, and houses a small museum with a collection of important religious paintings, books and artefacts. A good National Museum holds an interesting selection of artefacts from Ethiopia’s wide and varied history. Ethiopia was the only African nation never to be fully colonised, although the Italians occupied parts of it for a time in the first half of the twentieth century, and it is still possible to see remnants of their legacy in Addis, particularly in the Piazza area which is a great place to walk around and soak up the atmosphere.

Harar Extension

Day 1 – 26th January- Awash A morning drive takes you from Addis Ababa to Awash National Park. This park is one of the most beautiful in Ethiopia. The River Awash runs through a spectacular gorge; the park itself is home to 392 species of birds and many mammals live there including onyx, gazelles and antelopes. Upon arrival take a game drive in the park. Overnight at Genet Hotel or similar. (LD)

Day 2 – 27th January- Harar Early in the morning we will return to the park, to enjoy wonderful birdlife, hot springs, and the Awash Waterfalls. Afterwards continue to Harar, which is unique within Ethiopia. With its 368 alleyways squeezed in to just 1sq km, it is more reminiscent of Fez in Morocco than it is of any other Ethiopian city. Its countless mosques and shrines, coffee –scented streets, busy market place - probably the most colourful in Ethiopia- crumbling walls and charming people are reminiscent of a bygone era. Overnight at Heritage Plaza Hotel or similar. (BLD)

Day 3 – 28th January- Harar Explore the old city on foot with its many sites including the house where Rimbaud lived; Harar was the poet's favourite city and he based himself there in order to trade in arms, eventually destined for the emperor Menelik. In the evening, see the renowned ‘hyena men’. Overnight at Heritage Plaza Hotel or similar. (BLD)

Day 4 – 29th January- Dire Dawa The road and surrounding fertile lands rise up the Cercer Mountains (3,000 metres above sea level), offering magnificent panoramas. On the road we begin to see crops of 'chat', a bush whose leaves are chewed because they provide light stimulation. The women of this region wear very brightly coloured clothes. We arrive in Dire Dawa and explore the city in the afternoon. Overnight at Samrate Hotel or similar. (BLD)

Day 5 – 30th January- Addis Ababa Drive back to Addis Ababa to connect with your departure flight. (B)

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Pre tour extension to Danakil Depression- 3 days/2 nights

Day 1- Arrival in Addis Ababa (first day of the Historic Ethiopia group tour) Arrive in Addis Ababa where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax. Overnight at Nexus Hotel or similar. No meals are included.

Day 2- Hamed Ela Transfer to the airport for a flight to the remote Tigray region, and on arrival you will be met and driven to the village of Hamed Ela via Berhale. The Danakil Depression can be said to ‘begin’ here, one of the most amazing regions in the world, with its spectacular scenery, full of eye-catching colours, as seen in the sulphur springs. The desert has several points lying more than 100 meters (328 ft.) below sea level. On the way you will see many long caravans heading for the salt mines and others coming out of the Danakil with their camels loaded with salt. Overnight camping at Hamed Ela. (BLD)

Day 3- Erta Ale Volcano Break camp at Hamed Ela and cross the Danakil desert, past herds of camels and traditional Afar homes, to Kursawad to make the final arrangements for our evening hike to the Ertale Volcano. After lunch with the village elder, begin a slow, but spectacular drive through fields of hardened magma, which will bring us to the base of Mount Ertale where we pause to rest and wait for it to cool before our trek. As the sun sets, we leave behind the jeeps and set out for a three-hour hike, accompanied by a camel caravan carrying gear and water, to the edge of Mount Erta Ale. We camp here for the night by the light of the stars, and the glow of the nearby volcano. (BLD)

Day 4- (Day 2 of the Historic Ethiopia group tour)- Mekele and Tigray churches After breakfast, drive back to Mekele and continue to Adigrat to join the rest of your group for the main tour.

We will visit the marvellous churches of Medhane Alem Adikusho, Wukro Cherkos and Abraha Atsbeha. Overnight at Agoro Lodge or similar. (BD)

Inclusions/Exclusions

Inclusions: Arrival and departure transfers Domestic flights based on flying internationally with Ethiopian Airlines. If another airline is used the price will be higher. Transport throughout All accommodation Services of English speaking guide / tour leader (please note that groups of 1-4 people will have a driver and different guides in each place visited, rather than one guide accompanying the trip throughout. Groups of 5-12 people will have the same guide throughout.) Meals as listed (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner) Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary Excluded: International flights Any airport taxes Travel Insurance Visas Drinks Tips (discretionary)

Important Information Foreign Office Travel Warnings We constantly monitor the advice posted by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). In particular we will always advise clients of any travel warnings. At the time of writing there is no Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice against travel to the areas of Northern Ethiopia that we visit on our Historic Ethiopia tour. The same applies to the Harar extension. Please feel free to contact us should you have any specific concerns or would like to know in detail what measures are being taken to ensure visits remain trouble free and without incident. It should be noted that this information applies to British citizens. Other nationals are asked to check the current position of their respective government. Accommodation and Meals Hotel Check-in Times As a general rule most hotels will allow guests to check-in from 2pm. Please note that the price of your tour does not include guaranteed early check-in. Therefore please advise us if you would like to ensure that your room is available for an earlier arrival. This is particularly relevant on the first day of the tour and for early morning arrivals. One option is to pre-book and pay for an extra night at the beginning of your tour which will

guarantee your accommodation is available irrespective of what time you arrive. Please contact us for information and costs. It should also be noted that on many of our tours we have set-aside Day 1 of the itinerary as an ‘arrival day’. For this reason and because tour participants are likely to be arriving at different times, and often from different countries, guided sightseeing or other activities are not included. If you are arriving early or before the start date of the tour and would like to organise some extra arrangements on a private basis please contact us. Accommodation Rating On this tour you will be staying in simple but comfortable hotels and lodges. Please have realistic expectations with regard to accommodation in Ethiopia. On occasion the supply of hot water may be unreliable or water pressure low. You can expect rooms to be en-suite, with private bathroom and in general you will find your hotel has a restaurant and/or bar.

We welcome solo travellers and single rooms will be allocated subject to the applicable tour supplement. Please note that on occasions you may not always be allocated a double or twin room, as some hotels have designated single rooms. These may be smaller in size. However, the supplement payable takes this into consideration Food & Drinks The daily meal basis is shown in the tour itinerary; breakfast (B), lunch (L) and dinner (D). Please note that lunch may be a picnic. Drinks are not included and will be payable locally in cash. Dietary Requirements If you have any special dietary requirements you must notify us at the time of booking. While we will make every effort to cater for you, we cannot guarantee that this will be possible. Budgeting for your Tour You will need some extra money to cover meals and drinks not included in the tour price, any optional sightseeing, souvenirs and items of a personal nature such as laundry. Food The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses eaten and so the prices given are an average guide. Local restaurants located off the beaten track may be less expensive, whereas an upmarket restaurant located in the centre of a major city may charge more. Lunch $5-6 Dinner $5-6 Drinks The prices for drinks can vary greatly depending upon location and the prices detailed below are an average guide. In general you would expect that drinks purchased in a supermarket or local bar to be less expensive, whilst drinks in an upmarket bar or restaurant may be more expensive. Bottle of Beer (Imported) $2 Bottle of Water $1

Tipping – Guide and Drivers Tipping is common practise in Africa. If your local guide has been helpful then you could think about tipping. This amount can obviously be left to you. When tipping a driver, a guide or hotel staff a few dollars will always be gratefully received. Foreign Exchange ATM Availability: There are a growing number of ATM machines across the country but we recommend that you bring cash Credit and Debit Card Acceptance: Cards are not widely accepted Local Currency: Birr (ETB) Recommended Currency for Exchange: Sterling, Euros and US Dollars are all easy to change. However please note that smaller towns often have very limited or no exchange facilities Where to Exchange: It’s relatively easy to exchange money in Ethiopia, either at the airport on arrival or in one of the many banks Joining your Tour Flight Information Our advertised prices do not include the cost of international flights. Please contact us if you would like a quotation to book a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme. Joining Your Tour Abroad Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will receive a free airport transfer ,if arriving and departing on the first and last days of the tour . In order that the transfer can be arranged please ensure that you advise us of your flight information once available. Please advise the date, time and flight number for your arrival/departure. If we have not been advised of this information at least 2 weeks before travel, then you will be required to make your own way to the hotel on Day 1 of your tour. Travel Insurance and Altitude It is a condition of booking with Undiscovered Destinations that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your home country and be valid for the entire duration of your holiday. Please note that your tour involves some walking at altitude. Some travel insurance policies may exclude walking and trekking above a certain altitude. Please ensure that your travel insurance is valid for walking at altitude and if you have any doubts please contact your insurance provider. Visa Information You will need a visa to enter Ethiopia. E-visas can be purchased in advance from the Ethiopian Immigration website. Visas on arrival are also available for tourists at Addis Ababa (Bole) airport, at a cost of approximately $US50 for 1 month and $US75 for 3 months. It's recommended that you bring $US cash to pay for this. All other nationalities must get a visa from the Ethiopian Embassy closest to their legal residence before travelling.

Regulations do frequently change so we advise that you check the current requirements with your nearest embassy. Passports It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, valid for at least six months after the date of return to the UK. We strongly advise that your passport contains a minimum of two blank pages, as this may be a requirement of the local immigration authorities. In addition certain countries will stipulate that the two blank pages are opposite each other. If you are unable to meet these requirements you may be refused boarding by your airline or denied entry by the immigration authorities. For specific information about the requirements for your destination please check with the country’s embassy or consulate. Alternatively UK citizens can visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. Vaccinations & Protection As with travel to most parts of Africa, we strongly recommend that you contact your doctor’s surgery or a specialist travel clinic for up-to-date information, advice and the necessary vaccinations. For a visit of less than one month, almost certainly you will be advised to have immunisations against the following: Diphtheria and Tetanus, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Meningitis. Anti-malaria medication may also be required and the use of a DEET-containing insect repellent is highly recommended. The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or purchased in your home country can be different in other countries. If you’re travelling with prescription or over-the-counter medicine, read this guidance from NaTHNaC on best practice when travelling with medicines. For further information on the legal status of a specific medicine, you’ll need to contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country or territory you’re travelling to.

Preparing for your tour Climate Most of Ethiopia is blessed with a fairly pleasant temperature year round, but like much of Africa it has wet and dry seasons. In the north most of the rain falls between June and early October, while in the Omo Valley the rains typically arrive between March and June but climate change is making the weather more difficult to predict. (The improved condition of the roads used in this area means that tours are not affected by this.) The temperature in the south, including the Omo Valley, can be quite hot, while the altitude of the north means that temperatures are typically more moderate and it can be cold in the mountains at night. Clothing When it comes to clothing it is usually recommended that lighter clothes are worn through the day, but it can be very cold at night, particularly in the Simien Mountains, so you should bring warm clothes to wear. It is advisable to wear a hat through the day to protect from the sun, along with at least one piece of waterproof clothing for any days that the weather may be wet or windy. Equipment The first thing on your list should be a first aid kit. Whilst there is no undue cause for alarm, travellers are best advised to travel well-prepared: adequately immunized, with sufficient supplies of prescription drugs, along with a medical kit. Suncream/sunblock is a must. Insect repellent, including a bite spray will also be useful to

have. It is advisable to take a torch, as the electricity supply can be erratic. Honey is a popular purchase in the north of Ethiopia but the containers in which it is sold are not efficiently sealed. If you are considering purchasing some you may wish to take a container with you. Footwear Footwear is a main priority on this tour. Sturdy but comfortable walking shoes/boots are recommended. Luggage on tour Your luggage should not exceed 20kgs (44lbs). One large suitcase/rucksack, and one small hand luggage rucksack is acceptable.

Service Standards Please note that standards of service in much of Africa are not comparable to those of more developed countries, especially in the more off the beaten track locations. Service is often slow and lacks the same attention to detail, and your patience and understanding will be appreciated.

Electric Supply & Plugs Electrical supply is 220V/50 Hz and plugs usually have two round pins. Tour Itinerary Versions Please ensure that you have an up-to-date copy of these tour notes immediately before you travel, as from time to time our itineraries may be amended, either for operational reasons or in response to feedback from customers. You will be informed of any major changes to your tour but small changes may just be added to these tour notes. These tour notes were updated on 27 February 2020.