For detailed departures, itineraries and prices please visit our website60ethiopiaEthiopia is a unique and secluded country. It has never been colonised by a European power, and as a result the people have retained a strong cultural identity and are renowned for their warmth and hospitality. It possesses some of the most impressive architecture found anywhere, particularly at Lalibela, where the rock-hewn churches have been described as the Eighth Wonder of the World. The landscape is equally memorable and Ethiopia is home to some of the finest mountain scenery in Africa. The Simien Mountains, famed for their volcanic pinnacles, are particularly beautiful. This World Heritage Site is home to the Walia Ibex, Gelada Baboons and the rare Ethiopian Wolf.ItineraryDiscover Ethiopia 14 days Superb scenery and rich heritage; Africa's most fascinating and varied countryTrip InfoDeparture DatesDay 1 / Adis Ababa Arrive Addis Ababa, tour of city including the Church of the Holy Trinity and National Museum.Day 2 / Bahar Dar Fly to Bahar Dar; afternoon optional boat trip on Lake Tana.Day 3 / Bahar Dar Visit Tississat Falls, source of Blue Nile; afternoon tour of Bahar Dar.Day 4 / Gondar Drive to Gondar, former capital of Ethiopia; visit castles and famous church of Debre Berhan Selassie.Day 5 / Simien Mountains Drive to Debark; first view of spectacular Simien Mountains; afternoon walk in N.P.Day 6 / Axum Continue to Axum via Tekeze River Valley.Day 7 / Axum Full day visit to Axum; Stele Park, tombs of ancient Axumite kings, Archaeological Museum, church of St Mary of Tsion and ruined palace of Queen of Sheba.Day 8 / Lalibela Fly to Lalibela; explore rock-hewn churches.Day 9 / Lalibela Mule trek to church of Ashatan Maryam.Day 10 / Adis Ababa Fly to Addis Ababa.Day 11 / Wendogenet Drive to Wendogenet in Rift Valley; visit Lake Abiata-Shala N.P. to see flamingos, pelicans, geese and possibly gazelles and bushbuck.Day 12 / Wendogenet Walking excursion through lush tropical forest and villages of Sidama people.Day 13 / Awassa Drive to Awassa; visit early morning fish market; return to Addis Ababa.Day 14 / Adis Ababa Tour ends.Transport: travel by mini or coaster bus depending on group size; 3 internal flights.Group size: normally min. 4, max. 18, plus leader and local staff. Accommodation: 13 nights hotels.Meals: all breakfasts includedStart day: Monday End day: SundayTour code: EAYEStart FinishStart Finish201113-Jan* 26-Jan15-Jan* 28-Jan07-Feb 20-Feb28-Feb 13-Mar21-Mar 03-Apr21-Sep# 04-Oct10-Oct 23-Oct24-Oct 06-Nov14-Nov 27-Nov05-Dec 18-Dec19-Dec 01-Jan201214-Jan* 27-Jan16-Jan* 29-Jan06-Feb 19-Feb27-Feb 11-Mar19-Mar 01-Apr*Timkat Festival departure (not Mon to Sun)#Meskal Festival departure

BOOK NOW at www.imaginative-traveller.com or CALL 0845 287 0769ETHIOPIA61The Omo Valley 14 days An encounter with extraordinary people in a unique part of Ethiopia.Visiting the people of the South Omo is an enriching and educational experience. Over twenty tribes inhabit the area and we visit villages and local markets in the hope of meeting several of them. The most famous are the Mursi, renowned for their clay lip plates, but there are many other vivid encounters with some fascinating tribes. Whilst the emphasis of the trip is on the people, we also visit the Rift Valley lakes with their beautiful scenery and fertile surroundings, and we are likely to see a wide range of mammals in Nechisar and Mago Parks.Trip InfoDeparture DatesTransport: 4WD vehicles. This is a demanding trip in an area with little infrastructure and rough roads.Group size: normally min. 6, max. 18, plus leader and local staff. Accommodation: 9 nights hotels (2 of these nights are in simple hotels) and 4 nights basic camping.Meals: 13 breakfasts, 12 lunches and 11 dinners included.Start day: Sunday End day: SaturdayTour code: EAYOStart FinishStart Finish201123-Jan 05-Feb03-Jul 16-Jul07-Aug 20-Aug30-Oct 12-Nov25-Dec 07-Jan201222-Jan 04-FebItineraryDay 1 / Adis Ababa Afternoon tour including the Church of the Holy Trinity and Ethnographical Museum.Day 2 / Rift Valey Drive into Rift Valley, home of the Oromo people. To Lake Langano; visit Lake Abiata-Shala N.P., home to many water birds and antelope..Day 3 / Arba Minch Visit Chencha village, home of the Dorze people who live in beehive shaped houses.Day 4 / Arba Minch Visit Nechisar N.P; boat trip on Lake Chamo.Day 5 / Key Afer Drive to Key Afer for colourful market of Ari, Bena, Hamer and Tsemai people; continue to Jinka.Day 6 / Mago To Mago N.P. Continue to Mursi village; visit Mursi tribe.Day 7 / Turmi Long drive to Turmi via Korcho village, meet Karo people, known for their elaborate body painting.Day 8 / Omorate Continue south to Omorate to visit the Desanech (also known as Geleb) village.Day 9 / Omorate Full day to explore the Monday Market of the Hamer people and other villages in the region.Day 10 / Konso To Konso via an Arbore village where we may see the Erborie people and their neighbours the Tsemai.Day 11 / Yirga Chefe To Yirga Chefe through the valleys of the Konso Hills. Visit weekly market of Hagere Mariam.Day 12 / Yirga Chefe Visit ancient anthropomorphic and phallic stelae fields of Tuta Fela or Tututi; continue through beautiful landscapes to Wondogenet with its lush tropical forest and hot springs.Day 13 / Lake Awassa - Adis Ababa Drive to Lake Awassa with its lakeside fish market. Return to Addis Ababa.Day 14 / Adis Ababa Tour ends.