AFRICAETHIOPIA 198 " Excellent itinerary - lots of free time, small groups and good prices. Best part is that there are lots of optional activities and free time so I didn't feel like it was too structured. Great trip!" Wendy Hodge africa Imaginative Facts Tour code: KTEE • Activities: Extensive walking at sites, short trek in Simien Mountains, boat ride on Lake Tana • Accommodation: 11 nights in simple hotels or guesthouses, 2 nights camping in Simien Mountains • Transport: Private bus, 4WD vehicles, boat, plane • Flights: Addis Ababa to Lalibela, Lalibela to Axum, Bahir Dar to Addis Ababa • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller leader or local tour leader • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Add our ' Harar Extension' tour DAY 1: ADDIS ABABA- Arrival day. DAY 2: ADDIS ABABA- Today we go on a guided tour around the city, visiting various sites including St George's Cathedral, the site of Emperor Haile Selassie's coronation, as well as the Merkato, East Africa's largest market. ( B) DAYS 3 & 4: LALIBELA- We fly to Lalibela today, home to a spectacular collection of churches hewn out of the surrounding rock, so astounding that many believe they are the creations of angels. We'll visit the churches within the town and then head out into the surrounding countryside, travelling along dirt tracks, to visit some of the churches that lie nearby, all made from the rock and dating back to around the 12th Century. ( BD) DAYS 5 & 6: AXUM- Fly to Axum, a once great city that was under the control of the Queen of Sheba. Axum is home to many fascinating tombs and churches, and has an unusual collection of stelae dating back to the third and fourth centuries. On Day 6 we have a full day sightseeing at Axum, including the Church of St Mary of Zion, which is believed to contain the Ark of the Covenant. ( BD) DAY 7: SIMIEN MOUNTAINS- Heading south, we travel through fantastic scenery to Debark, on the edge of the Simien Mountains National Park. This area is characterised by enormous chasms and gorges, and offers some of the most dramatic scenery in Africa. We take a short trek to Sankaber, where we camp for the night. ( BD) DAY 8: SIMIEN MOUNTAINS- We spend today trekking through these magnificent mountains, hoping to see some of the fascinating wildlife that lives here. We're almost guaranteedto see Gelada baboons, a species that is found nowhere else on earth, and if we're lucky we may see Walia Ibex. ( BLD) DAYS 9 & 10: GONDAR- After a short hike we leave the mountains behind and head to Gondar. Upon arrival we head to Debre Berhan Selassie, perhaps Ethiopia's most beautiful church. The following morning we explore Gondar, the old capital of Ethiopia. Today it is home to the Royal Enclosure, a collection of superbly preserved castles built in the 17th century, and we spend some time exploring these. ( BD) DAY 11: BAHIR DAR- Today we drive to Bahir Dar, a pleasant town situated on the shores of Lake Tana, Ethiopia's largest lake and the source of the Blue Nile. This afternoon we head out to the Blue Nile Falls, the second largest in Africa. ( BD) DAY 12: LAKE TANA- A full day visiting the many island monasteries that lie on Lake Tana. We travel by boat to visit some of the more remote monasteries and churches, most of which date back to the 13th Century. We return to Bahir Dar for the night. ( BD) DAY 13: ADDIS ABABA- Today we fly back to Addis Ababa. ( B) DAY 14, ADDIS ABABA- Tour ends. ( B) A trip to one of the most unique and intriguing countries in Africa • Tour the astounding rock- hewn churchesat Lalibela, Africa's ' Petra' • Visit Gondar and Axum, alleged home of the Ark of the Covenant • Trekin some of the most dramatic scenery in Africain the Simien Mtns • Meet friendly locals in traditional marketsand spot Gelada baboons and Ibex • See the Blue Nile Falls and sail on the vast Lake Tana to island monasteries Ethiopian Explorer Ethiopia Ethiopian Explorer Lost Tribes of Ethiopia Ethiopian Odyssey Addis Ababa Lalibela Bahir Dar Gondar Simien Mountain N. P. Axum Arba Minch Jinka Murile Turmi Konso Yabello Wondo Genet Nechisar N. P. Lake Awasa Single Supplement £ 230 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 13.49 * Price includes tour price of £ 910and local payment of US$ 350All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 1095pp Land Only * traveller Tour duration 14 days © Imaginative Traveller Starts SunEnds Sat Addis AbabaAddis Ababa 2009 15- Feb- 0928- Feb- 09 29- Mar- 0911- Apr- 09 10- May- 0923- May- 09 27- Sep- 0910- Oct- 09 01- Nov- 0914- Nov- 09 Starts SunEnds Sat Addis AbabaAddis Ababa 2010 14- Feb- 1027- Feb- 10 28- Mar- 1010- Apr- 10 09- May- 1022- May- 10 26- Sep- 1009- Oct- 10 07- Nov- 1020- Nov- 10 We can also offer Extra Accommodation, Adventure Travel Insurance& Flights Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243

ETHIOPIA 199 AFRICA Imaginative Facts Tour code: KTLT • Activities: Boat ride on Lake Chamo, game drives, optional walks • Accommodation: 9 nights simple hotels or guesthouses, 4 nights camping • Transport: 4WD vehicles • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller leader or local tour leader, services of cook when camping • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Add our ' Harar Extension' tour DAY 1: ADDIS ABABA- Arrival day. DAY 2: ARBA MINCH- Pass through the high mountain plateau on our way to the south of Ethiopia, a region noted for its enormous variety of peoples and cultures. Many of these populations are nomadic or semi- nomadic and their ancient traditions have remained intact. ( BD) DAY 3: NECHISAR NATIONAL PARK-Nechisar National Park has been described as one of the most beautiful of Africa's game parks. A wide variety of wildlife lives here, including lion, cheetah and zebra. We also take a boat trip on Lake Chamo, inhabited by hippo and crocodile. ( BLD) DAYS 4 & 5: JINKA- We pass through the territories of several different tribes on our way to Jinka, including the Dorze, famous for their beehive huts, the Konso, who erect totem poles on the tombs of their ancestors, and the semi- nomadic Borena. On Day 5 we visit the Mursi tribe, whose women are famous for extending their lower lips with the use of clay discs, and whose men are known for their practice of stick fighting. ( Day 4 - BD, Day 5 - BLD) DAY 6: MURILE- Travelling through open savannah and often encountering herds of oryx and gazelle, we head towards Murile. We visit the Karo tribe, masters of body decoration and the Hamer people, known for their remarkable hairstyles. ( BLD) DAY 7: TURMI- Today we visit the colourful market of Dimeka and mingle with different tribes. There are many interesting handicrafts to be found too - don't forget to bargain. Hopefully we will also be invited into a couple of homes. ( BLD) DAY 8: TURMI- Today we visit the Geleb tribes, crossing the Omo River by boat. The people of Geleb have their own distinctive dress and decoration and villages with interesting architecture. In the afternoon we drive back to Turmi and spend the night camping. ( BLD) DAY 9: KONSO- Today's drive offers spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding scenery including the terraced hills of Konso. Along the way, we may be lucky enough to see beisa oryx, dik- dik, and lesser kudu. We visit Konso village where the people are known for their colourful, traditional dress and the unusual engraved wooden statues or totems they use as grave markers. ( BLD) DAY 10: YABELLO- Today we take a very scenic drive to El Sod village. Here we take a short hike to visit ' the house of salt', on the edge of a deep crater lake. We also drive to Dublock to visit the ' singing well'. ( BLD) DAY 11: LAKE AWASA- On the way to Awasa we stop at Wenago to visit the Tutu Fella stelae field - an unusual collection of carved stones. We then continue to Lake Awasa, which is surrounded by mountains and populated by countless species of birds. On arrival, we visit the fish market. ( BD) DAY 12: WONDO GENET - LANGANO-After a short drive we arrive at Wondo Genet, the site of an inactive crater and an area of hot springs. We then continue to Langano where the rest of the day is free; those who wish may visit the nearby park around lakes Abyata and Shala. The park provides beautiful views over the two lakes and the valley covered in acacia trees. Numerous birds, including the pink flamingo, live on the shores. ( B) DAY 13: ADDIS ABABA- We return to Addis Ababa. The rest of the day is free for you to explore or perhaps indulge in a bit of last minute shopping. ( B) DAY 14: ADDIS ABABA- Tour ends. ( B) Explore the people and game of the isolated Omo Valley • Travel through the panoramic Great Rift Valley to the remote Ethiopian south • Encounter numerous tribal groupswith distinct traditions and colourful dress • Spot wildlife by 4WDin Nechisar National Park and by boat on Lake Chamo • Visit the unusual ' house of salt' at El Sod and the ' singing well' of Dublock • Enjoy the area's scenic terraced hills, hot springs and crater lakes Lost Tribes of Ethiopia Imaginative Facts Tour code: KTEO • Activities: Extensive walking at sights, short trek in Simien Mountains, boat rides on Lake Tana and Lake Chomo, game drives, optional walks • Accommodation: 20 nights simple hotels or guesthouses, 6 nights camping • Transport: Private bus, 4WD vehicles, boat, plane • Flights: Addis Ababa to Lalibela, Lalibela to Axum, Bahir Dar to Addis Ababa • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller leader or local tour leader, services of cook when camping • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Add our ' Harar Extension' tour DAY 1: ADDIS ABABA DAY 2: ADDIS ABABA- ( B) DAY 3: LALIBELA- ( BD) DAY 4: LALIBELA- ( BD) DAY 5: AXUM- ( BD) DAY 6: AXUM- ( BD) DAY 7: SIMIEN MOUNTAINS- ( BD) DAY 8: SIMIEN MOUNTAINS- ( BLD) DAY 9: GONDAR- ( BD) DAY 10: GONDAR- ( BD) DAY 11: BAHIR DAR- ( BD) DAY 12: LAKE TANA- ( BD) DAY 13: ADDIS ABABA- ( B) DAY 14: ADDIS ABABA- ( B) DAY 15: ARBA MINCH- ( BD) DAY 16: NECHISAR NP- ( BLD) DAYS 17 & 18: JINKA- ( Day 17 - BD, Day 18 - BLD) DAY 19: MURILE- ( BLD) DAY 20: TURMI - ( BLD) DAY 21: TURMI- ( BLD) DAY 22: KONSO- ( BLD) DAY 23: YABELLO- ( BLD) DAY 24: LAKE AWASA- ( BD) DAY 25: WONDO GENET - LANGANO- ( B) DAY 26: ADDIS ABABA- ( B) DAY 27: ADDIS ABABA- ( B) Combine our ' Ethiopian Explorer' and ' Lost Tribes of Ethiopia' tours • Tour Gondar, Axum and the astounding rock- hewn churches at Lalibela • Trekin some of the most dramatic scenery in Africa in the Simien Mtns • See the Blue Nile Fallsand travel through the remote Great Rift Valley • Encounter numerous tribal groupswith distinct traditions and colourful dress • Spot wildlife by 4WD in Nechisar National Parkand by boat on Lake Chamo Ethiopian Odyssey Imaginative Facts Tour code: KTEX • Non- group Tour: For individuals only • Activities: Walking • Accommodation: 2 nights tourist class hotel • Transport: Private vehicle • Escorted: Services of local representatives DAY 1: ADDIS ABABA - HARAR- Drive to the city of Harar, a once important centre of Islamic scholarship. For many years the city was closed to Christians. ( D) DAY 2: HARAR- A guided tour of Harar, including the old city wall and the house of the French poet Rimbaud. This evening you may wish to go and see oneof the most amazing sights in Ethiopia - the nightly feeding of the hyenas that live in the countryside nearby. ( BD) DAY 3: HARAR - AWASH NATIONAL PARK - ADDIS ABABA- Awash National Park is one of the most beautiful parks in Ethiopia. The River Awash runs through a spectacular gorge; the park itself is home to 392 species of birds and many mammals including oryx, gazelles and antelopes. After visiting the park we will drive back to Addis Ababa where the tour ends upon arrival. ( B) Departs daily ex Addis Ababa. Extend your stay with a fascinating trip to the walled city of Harar • Take a guided tour of ancient Harar, a former centre of Islamic study • Chance to witness the nightly spectacle of the feeding of the hyenas • Take a safariin the beautiful Awash National Park Harar Extension Single Supplement £ 105 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 13.49 * Price includes tour price of £ 970and local payment of US$ 290All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 1120pp Land Only * Single Supplement £ 335 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 13.49 * Price includes tour price of £ 1820and local payment of US$ 470All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 2065pp Land Only * Solo Traveller Supplement £ 90( compulsory if you are travelling alone) All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 435pp Land Only traveller traveller traveller Tour duration 14 days Tour duration 27 days Tour duration 3 days Starts SatEnds Fri Addis AbabaAddis Ababa 2009 28- Feb- 0913- Mar- 09 11- Apr- 0924- Apr- 09 23- May- 0905- Jun- 09 10- Oct- 0923- Oct- 09 14- Nov- 0927- Nov- 09 Starts SatEnds Fri Addis AbabaAddis Ababa 2010 27- Feb- 1012- Mar- 10 10- Apr- 1023- Apr- 10 22- May- 1004- Jun- 10 09- Oct- 1022- Oct- 10 20- Nov- 1003- Dec- 10 Starts SunEnds Fri Addis AbabaAddis Ababa 2009 15- Feb- 0913- Mar- 09 29- Mar- 0924- Apr- 09 10- May- 0905- Jun- 09 27- Sep- 0923- Oct- 09 01- Nov- 0927- Nov- 09 Starts SunEnds Fri Addis AbabaAddis Ababa 2010 14- Feb- 1012- Mar- 10 28- Mar- 1023- Apr- 10 09- May- 1004- Jun- 10 26- Sep- 1022- Oct- 10 07- Nov- 1003- Dec- 10 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243