Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
www.keadventure.com
US (toll-free):1-888-630-4415
PAGE 2
Introduction
North of the pleasant capital of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia can boast a wealth of historical and cultural treasures unlike anything else on Earth. Our 'Northern
Circuit' starts out with a short flight to Bahir Dar, where we visit the Blue Nile Falls and take a cruise on Lake Tana. Proceeding to Gondar, we have a
day there to explore the Royal Enclosure, with its ruined fairy-tale castles. Heading north-east, we spend time in the Simien Mountains, famous for
far-reaching views and for rare wildlife species. Our next port of call is Axum, home to giant engraved obelisks, the Queen of Sheba's palace and the
Saint Mary of Zion Church, the resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. We have time to check out more of Tigray's amazing rock churches before
heading south to Lalibela, a medieval city that ranks amongst the wonders of the world, thanks to its outrageous complex of 12th century rock hewn
churches. The landscapes, people and history of northern Ethiopia are a revelation!
www.keadventure.com
US (toll-free):1-888-630-4415
PAGE 3
www.keadventure.com
the 17th century church of saint Mary of Zion where the original ark of
covenant is said to reside. The archaeological Museum which houses
several stones bearing Sabean and Geez inscriptions, as well as many
other artefacts is next on the list, and in the afternoon we visit the hill
tombs of Kaleb and his son Gebre Meskal, and also Queen of Sheba's
palace. After a full day of sightseeing we return to our hotel in Axum.
(B,L,D)
Day 9. Drive via Yeha Temple to Hawzeen
After breakfast we drive across an arid landscape to visit the Yeha
Temple. The town of Yeha is one of the oldest sites in Northern Ethiopia,
probably predating Axum by a thousand years. The temple itself now a
ruin is certainly the oldest building in Ethiopia. We continue our drive via
visits to Adigrat and the rock-hewn Tigray church of Wukro before arriving
in the late afternoon at Hawzeen where we check into Gerhalta Lodge.
From the lodge we have panoramic views of the stunning rock formation
after which it is named. Please note: it is not always possible to confirm
rooms at Gerhalta Lodge due to the limited supply. Where we cannot
accommodate our groups at Gerhalta Lodge, the closest acceptable
accommodation is in the town of Mekele where we will use a hotel.
(B,L,D)
Day 10. Exploration around Hawzeen
We have allowed a full day to explore the fascinating rock-hewn temples
and famous Tigray churches of the area. The only way to see these
impressive structures or sculptures (depending on your point of view) is
on foot and so we have quite a bit of trekking to do today and it can be
hot work. At the end of the day we return to Gherhalta Lodge or our
Mekele Hotel.. (B,L,D)
Day 11. Drive to Lalibela
We have a long drive toady from Hawzeen to the city of Lalibela with the
spectacular Ambalage mountains as a backdrop. Lalibela is one of
Ethiopia's holiest cities and a centre of pilgrimage for much of the
country. It was built in the 12th century to be the New Jerusalem
following the capture of Jerusalem by Saladin, and was laid out to
resemble that city. Lalibela is most famous for its rock-hewn churches
which like those of Tigray, are literally carved out of the surrounding rock,
and which date back to the 12th century. In all there are 11 rock
churches, assembled in four groups. Bete Giyorgis (the Church of Saint
George) in the Western group is the best known and most impressive.
Described as the eighth wonder of the world the church is carved in the
shape of the cross and stands 12m high in a square cut hole in the rock
outcrop from which it is carved. Overnight in hotel. (B,L,D)
US (toll-free):1-888-630-4415
PAGE 4
Holiday Details
assist with this transfer. The transfer is timed to the arrival of the
Ethiopian airlines flight from London Heathrow and will normally depart
the airport around 8.30 - 9.00 am. Anyone may use this transfer
regardless of flights. If you cannot take advantage of these group
transfers, you will need to make your own transfer arrangements at Addis
Ababa Airport. Ethiopian Airlines run a free shuttle bus into the city.
Metered and fixed-price taxis are also available. At the end of the trip
there will be a single group transfer from the group hotel to Addis Ababa
Airport in the late evening of the last day of the trip itinerary. Private
airport transfers each way can be arranged at an additional cost through
the KE office. Clients booking a Land Only Package MUST provide the
KE office with full details of their flights. . Hotel contact details and an
emergency number will be provided with your booking confirmation.
Services Included
An experienced English-speaking local guide
Addis Ababa Airport single timed transfers
Internal flights and associated airport transfers
All land transport involved in the itinerary
All accommodation as described in the trip dossier
Meals as detailed in the Meal Plan
Entrance fees and local guides for all mentioned excursions.
Meal Plan
Food
Meals during the trip are provided from breakfast on day 2 to breakfast on
Day 13. Breakfasts consist of bread and jam, porridge, omelette or
pancake, tea and excellent Ethiopian coffee. Depending on the days
activity we may eat at a restaurant or have a picnic lunch of sandwiches
(cheese, egg or ham) and fresh fruit. Dinner will be a variety of local and
international dishes. A local speciality is Injura, a flat bread made from a
grain grown in the highlands called Tef. It's served in a big basket, and
You must rendezvous with the group at the hotel in Addis Ababa,
preferably by lunchtime on Day 1. A single group transfer from the airport
is provided and the trip leader or a representative of our local agent will
www.keadventure.com
US (toll-free):1-888-630-4415
PAGE 5
Spending Money
Approximately 150 - 200 (or equivalent in Euros or Dollars) should be
allowed for miscellaneous expenses. This should be sufficient to cover
the non-included meals and staff tips as well as miscellaneous personal
spending. If you expect to buy considerable quantities of soft drinks or
beer, you should make an allowance for this. It is not necessary to
purchase local currency (Ethiopian birr) prior to travel and sterling, euros
and US dollars are all readily exchanged in Addis Ababa. We suggest
you carry your travel money in the form of cash as it can be difficult to
change travellers cheques in Addis Ababa and there are no bank ATMs
currently in service. If you are intending to buy expensive souvenirs, you
should also budget accordingly. Credit cards can be used to purchase
goods and services and it is a good idea to carry one in case of
emergency.
Guidance on Tipping
Tipping should not be seen as something you have to do but in Ethiopia
as in many parts of the world it is an appropriate way of saying thank you
for a service well done. For each of your drivers and guides on this trip
we would recommend an equivalent of 5 - 10 per day from the group
as a whole.
Accommodation
During this trip the group will spend 1 night at a tourist class Hotel in
Addis Ababa. We also have the use of day-rooms in this hotel during our
final day in the capital. In Bahir Dir we have 1 night in a centrally located
hotel where rooms are in separate bungalows set in a peaceful garden. In
Gondar we stay 2 nights at a tourist class hotel. We stay 2 nights in
Debark in a basic hotel (there are few accommodation options here) and
2 nights in Axum in a modern tourist standard hotel. We have 2 nights in
the Gheralta Lodge in Hawzeen: please note that it is not always possible
to confirm rooms at Gheralta Lodge. When this is not possible, you will
be accommodated in a hotel in the town of Mekele. In Lalibela we have 2
nights in a comfortable tourist class hotel close to the town's major sites.
It pays to remember that Ethiopia is a developing country and that
accommodation can be basic in comparison to European standards. All
accommodation is based on twin sharing. If you are travelling by yourself
you will be paired up with another single client of the same sex.
Depending on availability, it may also be possible to book a single room
for the hotel nights. For single supplement please refer to the dates and
prices page of the trip on our website. Hotels are subject to availability
and prices may vary.
General Information
Language
Baggage Allowance
Climate
Ethiopia has a wet season from June to September and a dry season for
the rest of the year. Following the wet season, the country is lush and
green, with lots of flowers and growing crops. Thereafter, the country
dries out progressively until the next rains. The climate of the Simien
Mountains has been likened to the perfect English summer day with
temperatures around 15C / 59F to 20C / 68F. In the lowlands we will
find daytime temperatures of 25C / 77F to 35C / 95F.
Equipment
KE Trek Bag
All KE clients will receive a FREE KE trek bag. These have been
specially made to stand up to the rigours of adventure travel. Your KE
bag will be posted to you when your trip is guaranteed to run or on receipt
of your booking if the trip is already guaranteed. If you have travelled with
us before, already have a KE trek bag and would prefer a KE T-shirt or
baseball cap, please be sure to tick the appropriate box when you are
making your booking.
www.keadventure.com
US (toll-free):1-888-630-4415
PAGE 6
Visa Requirements
A valid passport (with at least 6 months remaining validity), and a visa are
required. The easiest way to obtain your visa is on entry at Addis Aaba.
You will need 2 passport photos, 20 US dollars, and will have to fill out a
visa form. This facility is available to citizens of the UK, Australia, New
Zealand, South Africa, Switzerland, and most EU countries. Full details of
visa requirements for Ethiopia will be sent with your booking confirmation.
Vaccinations
You should attend your own doctor and dentist for a check-up. Your
doctor will have access to the most up to date information on the required
vaccinations for the country you are visiting. In general we recommend
vaccinations against the following: Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid, & Hepatitis
'A'. Malaria prophylaxis is not recommended for this trip.
A very good online resource is the NHS travel website at
www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk
all KE travellers take a look at the FCO Travel Advice for their chosen
destination on the official FCO website: www.fco.gov.uk. North
Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website:
www.travel.state.gov for essential travel advice and tips.
KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect
of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not
consider reasonably safe. Should the FCO advise against travel for any
reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss alternatives.
We receive regular updates direct from the FCO and are in constant
touch with our contacts on the ground. If you have any questions about
government travel advice, please call our office.
A medical kit will accompany each group. You should also bring your own
personal first aid kit, which should include the items listed in the
equipment list at the end of this dossier.
Altitude
Maps
This holiday involves going to moderately high altitude. During the course
of your trip you will reach altitudes in excess of 2500 metres. Most people
will have no difficulty with this level of altitude but before coming on the
holiday, we recommend you read the advice on trekking at altitude on our
website which can be viewed via the link below. You can also talk to one
of our trekking experts if you have any concerns about altitude.
www.keadventure.com/page/altitude.html
First Aid
www.keadventure.com
US (toll-free):1-888-630-4415
PAGE 7
Flight Information
On our website we display a UK Flight inclusive package price and Land only package price for the majority of our holidays. For some destinations we
have chosen to sell the holiday on a Land Only package basis only (for example, these are mainly trips to the Alps and Morocco where you can take
advantage of booking your own flights direct with low cost carriers).
www.keadventure.com
US (toll-free):1-888-630-4415
PAGE 8
Online Options for US and Other Worldwide Clients
There are many websites offering deals on air tickets which can be booked directly online. In addition many airlines operate their own online booking
facilities. If you are considering buying flights online, we recommend kayak.com. While Kayak.com does not sell flights, it quickly searches several
hundred websites to find the best deals available.
www.keadventure.com
US (toll-free):1-888-630-4415
PAGE 9
Why Choose KE Adventure Travel?
Experience
KE has 31 years experience of adventure travel worldwide. All of our holidays are accompanied by an experienced leader, some of whom have worked
with KE groups for many years. Many are professional guides and instructors with an unrivalled knowledge of the areas in which they work. In many
parts of the world, we recruit local guides with appropriate training and experience. In addition to having the technical skills to ensure your safety, KE
expects its leaders to be active members of the group. A leader should be fun to travel with and ready to share with you their enthusiasm for adventure
travel and their knowledge of the area. Alongside the group leader, there will be a local support crew, which could be just a driver, or a complete team of
guides, drivers, porters, mule-herders and cooks. The hard work of our support crews, along with the fascinating insight they can offer into their local
culture, is integral to providing you with the very best adventure travel experience.
The team of KE office staff is amongst the most experienced in the business, with the proven ability to set up and operate a worldwide programme of
adventures. Every one has adventure travel at heart and joins at least one trip a year. It is this depth of experience that makes KE stand out from other
adventure travel operators. When you contact KE, by phone or e-mail, or visit our office, you will find the help and advice you need, from someone who
has actually done the trip and can give you the benefit of their first-hand experience.
KE can guarantee the very best in trek support, excellent food, a good standard of hotel and camp accommodation, plus the back up of one of the most
respected companies in the business. Client satisfaction is at the top of our agenda and almost 50% of our bookings each year come from repeat
business. If you are looking for adventure then look no further than KE.
Carbon Offsetting
www.climatecare.org
After asking you for your opinion on Carbon Offset schemes KE have decided to lend our support
to Climate Care and provide you with a simple and effective way of balancing the CO2 emissions
from your flight. Although we believe that travel has huge global benefits, we all have a
responsibility to try to limit our impact on the environment. Climate Care works to reduce an
equivalent amount of CO2 on your behalf through a range of projects in renewable energy, energy
efficiency and rainforest restoration which not only fight climate change but bring benefits to
communities round the world.
www.keadventure.com
US (toll-free):1-888-630-4415
PAGE 10
Booking Your Holiday
Reserving Your Place
Having read this dossier, if you require further information, please don't hesitate to contact our office staff. The next step is to check the availability of
places on your trip either by checking the trip status on the KE website, or by e-mailing or telephoning us. We can usually hold you a place for 7 days
while you make a final decision.
Holiday Status
For each of our group holidays, there is a minimum number of participants required to enable the trip to go ahead. Once the minimum number is
reached, the trip status will normally change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to Run' on the website. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not
cancel a trip once it has achieved guaranteed to run status and so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel
arrangements.
Making a Booking
The easiest way to make your booking and our preferred method, is online through the KE website. You will need to pay a deposit at the time of
booking. This is normally 200 but for some holidays with special permit fees or internal flights, this may be more. The amount of deposit required for an
individual holiday is given on the dates and prices page of the holiday. It is also possible to reserve your place over the telephone, by mail, or email.
(Note that you will also need to complete a booking form to confirm your place). We cannot confirm any booking until we receive your fully completed
booking form. Any unreasonable delay in submitting your booking form may jeopardise your place on your chosen holiday.
US (toll-free):1-888-630-4415
PAGE 11
Equipment
The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum.
www.keadventure.com
US (toll-free):1-888-630-4415