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  • 7/25/2019 ETHIOPIA - ADDIS TO AXUM

    1/11www.keadventure.com UK: +44(0)17687 73966 US (toll-free):1-888-630-4415

    HOLIDAY CODE: ATA

    ETHIOPIA - ADDIS TO AXUMExperience the ancient kingdom of Abyssinia

    See the `Smoking Water` of the Blue Nile Falls & Lake Tana

    Enjoy the beauty of Simien Mountain viewsJourney to Axum and explore the ancient heart of Ethiopia

    Visit the monolithic rock-hewn churches of Lalibela

    Max group size: 15

    Ethiopia, Discovery, 13 Days

    12 nights hotels and lodges, 12 days touring and sightseeing,Max altitude - 3250 metres, Join in Addis Ababa, MEAL PLAN: Allbreakfasts, 11 lunches and 11 dinners included

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    PAGE 2 ETHIOPIA - ADDIS TO AXUM

    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 theSaint 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!

    Holiday Summary and Grading

    A touring holiday exploring the highlights of Ethiopia. Overall this trip falls

    within our EASY grade. However, there are several long drives and some

    days where we may clock up considerable walking time as we tour the

    historic sites. Road conditions can be variable, so you should be

    prepared for adventurous journeys and occasional delays. In the Simien

    Mountains we will hike for approximately 3 hours to various viewpoints.

    You should ensure that you are fit enough for this trip.

    Domestic Flight Update

    Included in the land only package are 2 domestic Ethiopian Airlines

    flights. These domestic flights are priced against the international carrier

    of arrival into Addis Ababa. If you are not arriving into Addis Ababa with

    Ethiopian Airlines, the domestic flights included in the land only itinerary

    will be subject to a surcharge of approximately 150 imposed by

    Ethiopian Airlines. To avoid this surcharge we strongly suggest that you

    choose to fly with Ethiopian Airlines internationally. If you have any

    further questions about international flights or prices, please do contactthe office [email protected]

    Land Only Itinerary

    Day 1. Arrive Addis Ababa

    Rendezvous at the group hotel in Addis Ababa. A single timed group

    transfer is provided in the morning (See Joining arrangements and

    transfers). KE Land Only package services begin with lunch and

    afterwards we set off on a city tour which includes its museums, churches

    and the 'mercato'. Addiss central produce market is the largest in East

    Africa and has an array of fascinating goods and colourful people. It is a

    perfect place for exploration and people watching. At an altitude of over

    2200 metres, in the foothills of Mount Entoto, Addis Ababa is one of thehighest capital cities in the world. On account of the need to acclimatise,

    we will take it easy on our first day in the country. Overnight at the group

    hotel. Meals are not included on this day.

    Day 2. Fly to Bahir Dar

    Return to the airport for the internal flight to Bahir Dar (1840m) on the

    shores of Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile. We visit the Blue Nile

    Falls at Tisisat, meaning "smoking water" in Amharic. The spectacular

    falls are 100m wide and plunge 45m when in full spate ending spray high

    in the air and forming multi-rainbows. We have a 1 hour round trip walk

    and cross a 17th century bridge to get a close-up view of the falls. We

    then return to Bahir Dar for some lunch before heading into the colourful

    market. Later in the afternoon we drive up Bezawit Hill for impressive

    views over the town, the Blue Nile, and of Lake Tana with its island

    monasteries. We aim to get here shortly before sunset to enjoy the

    magnificent natural light show. Afterwards we return to our hotel for

    dinner. Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner. (B,L,D)

    Day 3. Full-day boat cruise on Lake Tana

    Today we have a full day of boat cruise on Lake Tana. Along the way we

    stop to explore some of the 30 islands populated with churches and

    monasteries, some containing relics and frescos dating from the 16th

    century. After a day of cruising, we land at Gorgora on the north shore

    where we meet our vehicle and drive north (35 kilometers/20 miles) to

    Gondar to check into our hotel. (B,L,D)

    Day 4. Sightseeing in Gondar

    Gondar, founded by Emperor Fasilidas around 1635, has become one of

    Ethiopia's largest and most impressive cities, with its walled Royal

    Enclosure which contains several well-preserved and very

    medieval-looking castles, dating from as early as 1650. The castles are

    unusual for the Horn Of Africa, deriving their architectural style from the

    Moors and the Portuguese. Additionally, Gondar has dozens of

    churches, the most important being Debre Berhan Selassie (Trinity

    Church of the Mountain of Light), which has an impressive hilltop

    location. The yellow-robed priest there will explain the story of the many

    paintings and carvings inside the churchthe interior of the church was

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    PAGE 3

    covered in paintings by a famous artist called Haile Meskel and the

    famous ceiling is covered with the winged heads of 80 Ethiopian cherubs.

    Gondar is well-placed, watered by mountain torrents and sitting at an

    altitude of 2300 metres. There are views from the city which extend

    across the surrounding farmland back to Lake Tana. This is an historic

    settlement with an atmosphere of mystery. In the afternoon, we will make

    a sightseeing tour of Gondar to include a visit to the Royal Enclosure. We

    spend a second night at the group hotel in Gondar. (B,L,D)

    Day 5. Drive to Debark

    We now make the highly scenic 2 to 3-hour drive from Gondar to Debark,

    a small market town at an altitude of 2700 metres with a colourful and

    busy market. Debark is close to the boundary of the Simien Mountains

    National Park, which boasts one of the most spectacular landscapes in

    the world and is listed by the UNESCO as a world heritage Site. Arriving

    in Debark we check into a basic hotel. (B,L,D)

    Day 6. Drive to Sankaber in the National Park

    We start the day with a drive to the town of Sankaber inside the national

    Park. En route, we pass through the foothills of the Simien Mountains,

    with carefully tended fields and open pasture with grazing horses, stands

    of trees and distant rocky peaks. At the high-point of the road, there are

    superb views across the weirdly eroded foothills of the range. The Simien

    chain of mountains is the steepest and most precipitous on the continent

    and is often compared to the Grand Canyon. Its highest peak, Ras

    Deshen, is 4543m above sea level which makes it the fourth highest

    mountain in Africa. The area is also famous for being the habitat of three

    large endemic mammals: Geladas, Ethiopian Wolf and Walia Ibex. From

    Sankaber we will make a small trek in the company of a park guide who

    will take us to local viewpoints, and we may also be lucky enough to spot

    lammergeiers and Gelada Monkeys. Afterwards we return to our basic

    hotel in Debark. (B,L,D)

    Day 7. Drive across Tigray to Axum

    Today we leave the Simiens and drive to Axum. The road snakes down

    through the Simien foothills on one of the most dramatic roads in Ethiopia

    losing close to 2000 metres elevation within just a couple of hours. We

    descend to the Tigray region, the most northerly of the nine ethnic

    regions of Ethiopia, famous for its rock-hewn churches and continue to

    the town of Axum, once the capital of a mighty empire that ruled the

    region from 400 BC to the 10th century. Arriving in Axum after a full day

    of driving and sightseeing we check into our hotel. (B,L,D)

    Day 8. Exploration around Axum

    Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage, Axum is believed to date back over

    2000 years and tradition has it that it was the Queen of Shebas own city.We visit the Stelae Park, a collection of giant columns (stelae) each

    carved from a single piece of granite. The stelae resemble tall, slender,

    multi storey houses and are totally unique architecture. We will also visit

    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 ofEthiopia'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)

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    Day 12. Sightseeing in Lalibela

    It is impossible to see all that Lalibela has to offer in a single day and we

    have scheduled a second day for sightseeing in and around this

    fascinating town. (B,L,D)

    Day 13. Fly to Addis Ababa

    After breakfast, we transfer to the airport and take the short flight back to

    Addis Ababa where, we have the use of day-rooms at the group hotel.

    Meals other than breakfast on this day are not included in the trip price to

    give the group freedom to choose the restaurant for the final dinner. KE

    Land Only package services end with a single, timed group airport

    transfer in the evening. (B)

    Important: The above day-to-day holiday schedule should be

    taken only as a general guide. Although we update our itineraries

    on a regular basis, to take into account such things as changes to

    trekking routes and changes in the routing or availability of local

    transport, it is not possible to guarantee that any of our holidays

    will run exactly according to the proposed itinerary. A variety of

    factors, including adverse weather conditions, political instability,

    or difficulties with transportation, can lead to enforced changes.

    We recommend you download and print a final copy of the up to

    date holiday dossier from our website a couple of days prior to

    travel in case there have been changes that may affect your

    plans. If during your holiday the itinerary is effected by immediate

    or local circumstances, the leader will make any changes that are

    necessary.

    Holiday Details

    Group size and Holiday Status

    For each of our group adventures, 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 'Spaces' to

    'Guaranteed to Run'. You can check the trip status by accessing our

    website at www.keadventure.comOther than in exceptional

    circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this

    guaranteed to run status and so you are free to proceed with your

    international flight booking and other travel arrangements.

    Joining Arrangements and Transfers

    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

    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.

    Services Not Included

    Travel Insurance

    Visa

    Airport transfers (other than for preferred group flights)

    Meals as detailed in the Meal Plan

    Addis Ababa Departure tax (if applicable)

    Tips for staff

    Miscellaneous personal expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc.

    Meal Plan

    All meals except 2 lunches and 2 dinners are included

    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

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    PAGE 5

    eaten with an array of different lentil and meat curries.

    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 Ethiopiaas 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.

    Group Leader and Support Staff

    The group will be accompanied by an experienced English-speaking local

    guide plus drivers and various local support staff.

    Equipment

    We provide an Equipment List for each of our holidays. These highlight

    any specialised equipment you will require and also act as a packing

    check list. You can find the Equipment List at the end of the dossier.

    Baggage Allowance

    The weight allowance on this trip is governed by the internal flight

    baggage allowance which is usually 20kg. We ask you to restrict your

    luggage to one main bag (your KE trek bag) and a small daypack.

    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.

    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 inDebark 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 availabilityand prices may vary.

    General Information

    Language

    The official language of Ethiopia is Amharic although there are several

    regional languages throughout the country. You will find that a lot of

    people in the cities speak some English, certainly enough for you to buy

    souvenirs, order in restaurants etc. In the countryside you are unlikely to

    find people who speak any more than just a few words of English. We do

    recommend that you take a pocket phrase book and learn some basics

    such as common greetings

    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 wil l

    find daytime temperatures of 25C / 77F to 35C / 95F.

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    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 ofvisa 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

    First AidA 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

    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

    Preparing For Your Holiday

    This is not a trekking trip but it makes a lot of sense to spend some time

    before coming on any adventure holiday getting some additional

    exercise. The fitter you are, after all, the more enjoyable you will find the

    experience. Although the walking on this holiday is not difficult, the heat

    and altitude can make this much harder than the same distances back

    home. We suggest that you take regular exercise walks in the period

    leading up to departure, and also try to fit in at least a couple of longer

    walks (2 3 hours) preferably in hilly country.

    Know Before You Go!

    As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign &Commonwealth Offices Know before you go! campaign to enable British

    citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas, and we recommend that

    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.govfor 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.

    Reference Books and Maps

    Books

    Ethiopia & Eritrea. Lonely Planet

    Guide to Ethiopia. Phillip Briggs.

    Ethiopia. The Bradt Travel Guide.

    Lonely Planet. Trekking in East Africa.

    In Ethiopia with a Mule. Dervla Murphy

    The Sign & The Seal. Graham Hancock

    Maps

    ITMB - International Travel Maps. 1;20,000,000

    Indexed road map with historical information about the

    country and a basic plan of Addis Ababa. Contours and

    altitude colouring show the general relief. Road network

    includes seasonal tracks and oxcart paths, with

    intermediate driving distances on main roads. Also

    indicated are border crossings, bus stations, police,

    medical facilities, banks, places of interest including the

    national parks, accommodation (hotels, campsites, rest

    houses, etc.). Latitude and longitude are marked at

    intervals of 1. Map legend is in English.

    Click here to order Books and Maps on our website

    http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/http://www.keadventure.com/page/altitude.htmlhttp://www.travel.state.gov/http://www.keadventure.com/page/books_and_maps.htmlhttp://www.keadventure.com/page/books_and_maps.htmlhttp://www.travel.state.gov/http://www.keadventure.com/page/altitude.htmlhttp://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/
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    PAGE 7 ETHIOPIA - ADDIS TO AXUM

    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).

    Booking Your Own Flights from the UK

    The LAND ONLY dates and prices are for the itinerary joining in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. For clients making their own flight arrangements, Addis Ababa

    International airport is the most convenient for transfers to the group hotel. Please refer to the 'Joining arrangements & transfers' section in the trip

    dossier for further details.

    Domestic Flight Update

    Included in the land only cost are 2 domestic Ethiopian Airlines flights. Please note, clients not travelling with Ethiopian Airlines internationally will incur a

    surcharge on the domestic flights of approximately 150, which will be confirmed at the time of booking. As this surcharge, imposed by Ethiopian

    Airlines and is beyond our control we strongly advise travelling with Ethiopian Airlines internationally to avoid any extra charges.

    Flights SHOULD NOT be booked until you have received your booking confirmation and the trip is showing 'Guaranteed to Run' or 'Limited'.

    Booking a Flight Inclusive Package from the UKThe FLIGHT INCLUSIVE dates and prices are based on UK flights from London (Heathrow) to Addis Ababa with Ethiopian Airlines. Outbound flights

    will depart from the UK in the evening, arriving in the morning of the following day (day 1 of the Land Only itinerary). Return flights will depart in the very

    late night (after midnight) of the last day of the itinerary, arriving in the UK the following morning. Regional departures and/or alternative carriers are

    available on request.

    Please be aware that there are often only a limited number of seats available at the advertised price. To avoid paying flight supplements, we

    recommend that you book as early as possible, especially during peak times. If we are unable to secure seats at the price shown, or you have

    requested regional departures, we will contact you with an alternative quote. Please note that you may be asked to pay for your flights in advance of

    your final holiday balance. Note that if you book a package including flights with KE you will benefit from full financial protection.

    Flight Options for the US

    You can book your flights through a travel agent, directly with an airline, or online using a variety of travel search engines and consolidator sites.

    For help and advice with booking your flights, we recommend you consult our friends at Exito Travel, airfare specialists since 1994. The air team at Exito

    are familiar with our destinations and know the airports, best airlines and potential pitfalls. If there is ever a flight change, cancellation or air-related issue

    before or during your travels, it's nice to know you have someone on the Exito air team looking after you. Isaac Hilpman deftly manages the flight

    requests for many of our U.S. travelers. Please contact Isaac at: [email protected] &/or via phone at: 800.655.4053 ext. 8507. If Isaac is

    traveling or unavailable, any of Exito's air agents can assist.

    Alternatively we can recommend Luxury Adventure Trips, particularly if you are in the north west of the USA as they are based in Seattle. Contact

    Susan Kelly, Luxury Adventure Trips toll free on 866-318-5396 or on Seattle 206-361-7334 or by email at [email protected].

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    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.comdoes not sell flights, it quickly searches several

    hundred websites to find the best deals available.

    General Flight Information

    http://kayak.com./http://kayak.com/http://www.keadventure.com/page/land_only.htmlhttp://www.keadventure.com/page/land_only.htmlhttp://kayak.com/http://kayak.com./
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    PAGE 9 ETHIOPIA - ADDIS TO AXUM

    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.

    Responsible Tourism and AwardsResponsible Tourism has always fitted naturally with KEs travel ethic. It is important to us that our clients are not the only beneficiaries

    of the travel experience, but that we share a two-way relationship with the areas that we visit. We make sure that our local staff are well

    treated and well paid, we respect indigenous cultures, take care to protect the environment and make the most of every opportunity to

    make a positive contribution wherever we travel.

    In addition to holding an AITO 5-star Responsible Tourism rating, we are recipients of AITOs Achievement in Responsible Tourism

    Award in recognition of the work carried out over the past 20 years, giving back to the communities and areas we visit. We have been

    awarded Highly Commended status in the Best Tour Operator category of the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards, and were

    named Best Trekking Operator on Earth by National Geographic Magazine, whose criteria included commitment to responsible tourism.

    We continue to travel responsibly, and more information on our policy, practice, and specific projects can be found at keadventure.com,

    and on the website of our partner charity the Juniper Trust:junipertrust.co.uk.KEs Mountain Code is issued to our staff, trek leaders and

    overseas agents, and we recommend it to our clients, too!

    The KE Mountain Code

    Protect the environment its flora, fauna and landscapes

    Respect local cultures traditions, religions and built heritage

    Benefit local communities both economically and socially

    Conserve natural resources from office to destination

    Minimise pollution through noise, waste disposal and congestion

    Carbon Offsettingwww.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.

    Your Complete Financial Protection

    KE Adventure Travel is a fully licensed and bonded tour operator. We are a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO), bondedwith the CAA (ATOL 2808) and ABTA licensed (W4341). You can book your trip with KE Adventure Travel in complete confidence that all monies you

    pay for a trip are fully protected.

    http://keadventure.com%2C/http://junipertrust.co.uk./http://www.climatecare.org/http://www.climatecare.org/http://junipertrust.co.uk./http://keadventure.com%2C/
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    KE Adventure Travel, 32 Lake Road, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5DQ, UK

    www.keadventure.com UK: +44(0)17687 73966 US (toll-free):1-888-630-4415

    PAGE 10 ETHIOPIA - ADDIS TO AXUM

    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.

    Adventure Travel Insurance

    Important notice.

    It is a condition of joining any of our trips that you are insured against medical and personal accident risks (to include repatriation costs,

    air ambulance and helicopter rescue services). We also strongly recommend that you take out holiday cancellation insurance, as all

    deposits paid are non-refundable. Please ensure that your insurer is aware of your KE Adventure itinerary and can agree to cover the

    activities being undertaken. You will then need to advise us of your policy details and complete an Insurance Declaration Form.

    CAMPBELL IRVINE DIRECT travel insurance is available to EU residents

    and will cover the majority of KE Adventure holidays. It has been designed to

    provide cover for activities normally excluded by other insurers such as

    trekking, mountain biking and climbing. Please note that certain activities

    may attract a higher premium. In addition cover cannot be provided by

    Campbell Irvine Direct for KE climbing trips above 6000m. Cover for these

    can be obtained through either the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) or

    Snowcard. Please click on the logo for a quote.

    TRAVELEX is a USA based insurer offering travel insurance which can be

    used by US citizens and US residents only. KE recommends the "Travelex

    Select" package for our holidays. If your holiday involves using

    mountaineering equipment (ropes, harness or crampons), for climbing or

    glacial travel, you should consider the "Adventure Plus Pak" optional

    upgrade on the Travelex Select Plan. Please refer to the 'Description of

    Coverage' for a summary of the terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations

    of the applicable Protection Plan. This policy will also cover KE climbing trips

    above 6000m. Please click on the logo for a quote.

    We hope that this dossier has answered most of your questions.

    Please feel free to contact us and speak to one of our experts.

    http://www.campbellirvine.com/asp/quotationChooseSTMT.asp?aid=131http://www.travelexinsurance.com/index.aspx?LOCATION=06-0054&go=bp
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    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.

    You must bring the following items:

    Lightweight boots or strong walking shoes

    Trainers or sandals

    Socks

    Lightweight trousers / pants

    Warmer trekking trousers / pants

    Underwear

    T-shirts

    Lightweight UV and insect-proof safari shirt

    Warm fleece jacket or jumper

    Lightweight windproof/waterproof jacket

    Sunhat

    Eyewear - sunglasses

    Daypack c.20 litres 1200 cu inHead torch (lamp) with spare batteries

    Sun protection (including for lips)

    Insect repellent (DEET)

    Basic First Aid Kitincluding: A broad spectrum antibiotic, antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), altitude (Diamox),

    painkillers, plasters (band-aids) and blister treatment, insect repellent, and re-hydration salts (Dioralite). Glucose tablets and multi-vitamin tablets are

    also a good idea.

    The following items are optional:

    Water bottle 1 litre / 1 quart

    Washbag and toiletries

    Antibacterial handwash

    Small towel

    Selection of dry bags (to keep trek bag contents dry)Small padlock (to lock your KE trek bag)

    Travel washing line

    Spare laces

    Shorts

    Swimwear (for hotel pools)

    Binoculars (for the game drive)

    Camera with telephoto lens (at least 200mm recommended)

    Pen-knife

    Nailbrush

    Travel clothes

    This document was last updated 22nd December 2014