Ethiopia Itinerary

Lalibela, Ethiopia photo by Marc Veraart — Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 2.0 Generic

Read Stuart’s blog post “A Visit to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia”

February 6-16, 2011

The joy of traveling is that it can be enjoyed virtually anywhere in the world. Indeed one of the best recommended countries for all breathtaking scenery, rugged but majestic mountains, exotic flora, fauna (mainly endemic mammals, birds, plants) and pristine cultural diversity maintained by perpetual history is undoubtedly Ethiopia.

Located in the northeastern Horn of Africa, equidistant to the equator and the Tropic of Capricorn, Ethiopia is the oldest nation in Africa. Its bedrock belongs to the earth’s first continent, a continent known by geologists as Gondwanaland. Africa forms the largest intact remnant of this.

Sunday

Depart USA on overnight flight to Addis Ababa

Monday

Arrive in Addis Ababa and be met by Deluxe Kosher Tours staff at the airport, get assisted and transferred to Hilton Hotel. The name of the city, in Amharic, means “new flower.” Founded in 1886 by Menelik II, it is located at 2,500 meters above sea level in one of the highest parts of the Entoto mountain chain (3,000 m above sea level), which makes it the third highest capital in the world. It enjoys an excellent climate all year round, with an average temperature of 77°F. 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.” It also has a good number of restaurants and discotheques. Dinner and overnight Hilton Hotel.

Tuesday

Today you will be transferred to the airport where you board your short flight to Bahir Dar (which means “by the side of the sea” in the Amharic language). On arrival in Bahir Dar, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Next, you 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.

After taking a break for lunch, embark on cruise by boat on Lake Tana and visit the most known Island Monasteries such as: Ura Kidanmhiret and Azua Mariam Monasteries which are both well-known for their beautiful wall paintings. On the way back we will have a chance to view the Blue Nile River coming out of Lake Tana. Overnight Tana Hotel

Wednesday

Drive from Bahar Dar to Gondar (185km), 3-hrs pleasant drive will take you there. The wetlands between the towns support more water birds which you witness. At Tseda Town take the off-road to the right and drive over the difficult road for about 2hours return, and visit one of the oldest home of the Ethiopian Jewry, Ambober, where you will appreciate the price they paid to remain Jew. Though Ethiopian Jewry from the village was airlifted, still we have a chance to visit the Judaic elements such as: cemetery, synagogue (old and new). Then, drive to Gondar. Overnight: Goha Hotel

Thursday

The whole day is dedicated to visit the Ethiopian Jewry sites in Gondar. Start with the Visit of the Feeding Center and JDC clinic. Hundreds of Falash Murha in Gondar awaits word of their fate; they continue to flock to aid compounds in the city that are funded by the North American Conference on Ethiopian Jewry. The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee also runs health clinics close to it which we will visit. At the feeding center, nearly 1,000 children up to age 6 come with their mothers twice daily for cereal, eggs, bread, vegetables and fruit. Children ages 6 to 18 receive only one daily meal. After lunch, drive out to Gundu Gabriel and visit the town which was one of the old localities of Ethiopian Jews with all its memories alive. Overnight: Goha Hotel

Friday

Off we go on foot to Wolleqa, which was once a home for Ethiopian Jewry before they were airlifted to Israel by Operation Solomon in 1991, the walk could take 50 minutes per way. Once you are at the place move on to the abandned synagogue of Beta Israel where we can have some services. Shabbat program at our hotel in Goha. Overnight: Goha Hotel

Shabbat

Shabbat is enjoyed at leisure in Goha. Possible interaction with some members who remain in Goha. Overnight: Goha Hotel

Sunday

This morning off we drive 6kms north of Gondar to visit the cemetery of Beta Israel at Wolleqa and also the pottery work which once Bete Israel were very famous of and now suffered in the hands of the local Amhara people. Then, drive back to the hotel for lucnh before embarking on the sightseeing of Gondar. Gondar was the first capital city of the Ethiopian empire, which began in 1632 with the reign of Fasilidas. In Gondar, there are a dozen castles built by various emperors over the course of 236 years. The city seems more European than African and also has Islamic influences. The day is dedicated to visit Gondar which includes: Fasilidas’ castle complex, the bath of Fasilidas, the church of Debre Berhan Selassie (Light of the Trinity), which is located at the summit of a hill and surrounded by fortified walls and famous for 18th century painting of the angels’ faces over the ceiling. Lastly, visit the Qusquam Church and its compound where the Scottish Explore, James Bruce stayed in his quest for the source of the Blue Nile in 1770.

Monday                   Gondar-Lalibela

This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site to view some of its 11 medieval, and monolithic, rock-hewn cave churches. 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. Overnight: Roha Hotel

Tuesday                      Lalibela

After breakfast you journey to the Monastery of Nakutoleab. Located on the outskirts of the city, this monastery was hewn out of a rock cave. After lunch, you visit more of the cave churches built by King Lalibela, 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! Overnight: Roha Hotel

Wednesday                  Lalibela-Axum

This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Axum, 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, Axum 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. Considering the fact that 98% of Axum still remains unexcavated today, one can only imagine what still lays hidden underground!

This afternoon you will enjoy a tour of the city, which will include:

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.

The tallest, standing, obelisk rises to a height of over 75 feet, and is exquisitely carved to represent a nine-story building, similar in appearance to the tower-houses of South Arabia.

The tallest fallen stelae, which according to local legend crashed to the ground in 850 AD, was 110 feet high and represented a tall and slender 13-story building. 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.

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.

You will also make a stop at the Axum Museum before returning to your hotel. The museum houses exhibits on ancient pottery and glass, Roman amphorae, bronze jewellery and clay figurines. Overnight: Remhai Hotel.

Thursday          Axum-Addis Ababa-USA

Today you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight to Addis Ababa, where upon arrival you will be met and assisted with transferring to your overnight connecting flight back to the USA (hotel day room is provided during the connection) If you wish to extend your stay in a European city or in Israel we would be happy to assist with such arrangements.

Friday    Arrival back in USA

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