Ryton 2 Ethiopia

www.ryton2ethiopia.org

Ethiopia

Ethiopia is a fascinating country with a rich cultural heritage. Its history dates back to the dawn of mankind - fossilized human remains more than 3 million years old have been discovered in the country. More recently, the 2000 year old Axumite empire dominated the Horn of Africa for more than 700 years and was one of the most powerful civilizations of ancient times. Furthermore, Ethiopia boasts one of the oldest Christian civilizations in the world. It is an experience not to be missed.

The landscape is amazingly diverse, ranging from the beautiful Simien mountain range which rises to more than 4000m above sea level, to the searing heat of the Danakil Depression, the hottest place on earth which drops to more than 100m below sea level. There are spectacular waterfalls and mighty rivers, whilst the peaceful Rift Valley lakes are a paradise for bird watchers.

For the more adventurous traveller Ethiopia represents a golden opportunity – it is undoubtedly Africa’s best kept secret.

Bahir Dar

Bahir Dar, the capital of Amhara Region, with its approximately 140.000 inhabitants, is beautifully situated right on the southern shore of Ethiopias largest lake, Lake Tana. This town is with it's broad palm- and flametree-lined boulevards, the scenic setting on the lakeshore, beautiful surroundings and Mediterranean climate a perfect place to settle down for a little while. The town boasts many hotels and restaurants with both local and international cuisine, several lively asmari beyts, many bars and small tedj beyts.

Bahir Dar market is well worth a visit especially on busy Saturdays where the local farmers come to town to sell their produce. Everything is being sold here from live sheep and chickens, beautiful coloured fabric and traditional clay coffeepots, algilgils and bamboo furniture to vegetables and honey.

Just out of town, on a hilltop, is the palace of Emperor Haili Sellassi, from where there is a stunning view over the town, especially beautiful at sunset. Cycling or driving to the palace, there is a good chance of spotting crocodiles on the way, since the road is right on the lake side.

Bahir Dar is also the starting point from where to visit the spectacular Blue Nile Falls and the monastery-islands on Lake Tana, and the place from where to board the 2 day boat trip which will take you to Gorgora, the northern most tip of the lake.

The Blue Nile Falls

Locally known as Tis Issat (‘Smoking fire’) or Tis Abay (Smoking Nile). About 30 km after The Abay (The Nile) exits Lake Tana it drops over a 45 meter high rock face to form the dramatic sight of the Blue Nile Falls. 400 meters wide in flood and with a depth of 45 meters the Tis Issat surly is a fantastic sight. During and just after the rainy season in October/November the falls are the most impressive.

The falls have created its own microclimate, and a mini-rainforest has grown up beside it. The luscious vegetation is home for lots of vervet monkeys and the area teems with lots of different

birds including parrots, kingfishers, carmine bee-eaters and lovebirds. Walking around the Falls and passing the rive by boat you might also be lucky to see crocodiles.

Lake Tana

Lake Tana is the largest lake in Ethiopia. It covers more than 5000 square km and is situated on the north central plateau of Amhara Region in the Ethiopian highlands. Lake Tana lies 1829 meters above sea level; is about 85 km long, 65 km wide and reaches a depth of about 15 m. The outlet of Lake Tana is at its south-eastern corner, which forms a bay from which The Blue Nile River also known as The Abay River exits the lake to flow for about 30 km before it plunges over the rock to form The Blue Nile Falls.

The lake has a fascinating history of its own associated with the Ethiopian Orthodox Church with a tradition of monastic retreat. For hundreds of years men of religion have come here from all parts of Ethiopia to devote their lives to quiet contemplation amidst its calm serenity. The lake contains more than 30 small islands. In around 20 of these islands ancient monasteries are to be found, some dating back to the 13^th century and still inhabited today. Here small communities of monks isolate themselves from the world and dedicate themselves to meditation and prayer.

You can visit some of these islands by boat from Bahir Dar and see the monasteries. These beautiful round churches made of compacted mud and straw in a traditional Ethiopian design, with their colourful frescos painted on all walls from floor to ceiling is definitely worth a visit, and despite their somewhat modest appearance they provide an atmosphere as impressive in its own way as that evoked by the great European places of worship.

By boat from Bahir Dar you can also go to see the Source of the Blue Nile River and on your way there, you are almost certain to see hippos.

Gondar

The founder of Gondar was Emperor Fasilada’s who moved his capital here in 1636 AD and Gondar became the first permanent capital of Ethiopia for more than 200 years, hereafter. Much of the modern town centre dates from the Italian occupation of 1936-41, and there is several outstanding examples of Italian Fascist Art Deco architecture.

The Royal enclosure

The Royal enclosure, which is surrounded by high stonewalls, covers an area of 76.000 m2. On the compound are five castles, a complex of connecting tunnels and raised walkways, and several smaller buildings and houses.

Emperor Fasiladas built the first and most impressive castle here in the late 1940s. The castle is made of stone and shows a unique combination of Portuguese, Axumite and even Indian influences. It stands two storeys high and from the high tower in the southwest corner, it is on a clear day possible to see all the way to Lake Tana. Succeeding emperors erected buildings on the compound but after 1755 the monarchy decreased in importance and no further building took place in the royal enclosure.

Fasilada’s bath

A little out of town is the beautiful building thought to have been Emperor Fasilada’s second home. Surrounding the building is a bathing pool which is empty most of the year but during Timkat, January 19^th, it gets filled with water and this otherwise very peaceful and quiet place gets crowded with thousands of people coming to Gondar from all over Ethiopia for the ceremony that replicates Christ’s baptism in the Jordan River, and seen as an important renewal of faith. This spot is really peaceful and beautiful and definitely worth a visit, even if it is not Timkat. 

Debre Birhan Sellassi Church

Probably the most fantastically decorated building in Ethiopia, this little church is one of the highlights of Ethiopia. The story is that the Emperor planned to bring the Ark of the Covenant here from its resting place at Aksum, and that the church was in effect especially designed to house such a prestigious relic. Totally covered in beautiful coloured paintings on all walls and ceiling with stories from the bible, this church represents Ethiopian art at its best.

Angles on the ceiling of Debre Birhan Sellasi church

Lalibela

Lalibela town which is situated in the Lasta Mountains at an altitude of 2630 meter is famed for it’s rock-hewn churches, and a place often referred to as the eight’s wonder of the world. A centre for pilgrimage, where everyday life continues exactly as it has done for centuries.

Lalibela is best described as a living sculpture carved and dedicated to the glory of God. No one visiting here can fail to be stunned and awed by the remarkable human achievements that the churches of Lalibela represent. Lalibela undoubtedly ranks among the greatest historical sites not only on the African continent, but in the entire world.

The churches are estimated to date from the 12^thcentury, during King Lalibela’s reign. There are twelve churches and chapels, including various shrines, within the town itself. Four churches are monolithic in the strictest sense; the remainder are excavated out of the rocks to different degrees. The churches are all inter-connected one with another by a maze of tunnels and passageways. Historians speculate that these tunnels and alleyways must originally have been built for defensive purposes, like the churches themselves also remain totally invisible from afar, due to the way they have been excavated downwards into the rock, surrounded by deep trenches, only to be seen when standing directly above them.

From the town it is possible to trek out in several directions into the surrounding hills on mule-back to explore the many other rock-hewn and cave churches of the region, or simply for the pleasure of a ride up steep winding pathways that provide dramatic and spectacular views of the mountains.

Simien Moutains

Children of the Simien Mountains

Also know as The Roof of Africa is without a doubt one of the most beautiful stretches of unspoilt mountain wilderness surviving in the world today. 

The Region includes many summits above 4000 meters and culminates in the highest point in Ethiopia, Ras Dashen, at 4620 meters, the fourth highest mountain in Africa. Its dramatic topography is the result of the erosion of basalt lavas, which have been calculated to be nearly 3000 meters thick. 

The unique character of Simien wildlife is mirrored in the many unusual kinds of vegetation that make this region of Ethiopia a botanical wonderland. Close to the Equator, its great altitude accounts for the specialised ecology in which Afro-alpine flora can thrive. Here plants grow which are related distantly to species found in the tropical lowlands, but which have evolved in bizarre ways to cope with the climatic rigours of the highlands.

In addition to spectacular scenery, the Simiens contain a number of unusual botanical phenomena and some of the rarest animals in the world.

The Simien fox also known as the Abyssinian wolf is found nowhere else but in these mountains and in the highland of southern Ethiopia. Walia ibex, a type of large wild goat with long densely ridged, curved horns is also found only here. It is estimated that fewer than 1000 individuals of this species remain in existence, although fortunately for the trekker in Simeins one of their favourite grazing ground is only a few hours walk from one of the campgrounds. The gelada, a primate, which looks like a cross between a baboon and a lion, is another exclusively Ethiopian species, which lives in this habitat. 

Well over 50 species of birds have been positively identified in the Simien Mountains, these includes an unusually large number of birds of prey and carrion-eaters. One of the most spectacular of these is the lammergeyer, or bearded vulture. This magnificent bird with its three-metre wing spread is very common in the Simien. Moreover probably about nine of the 23 species of birds, which are endemic to Ethiopia, are found in the Simiens.

Example itinerary Ryton2Ethiopia

Sat	11^th	Newcastle to Addis Ababa
Sun	12^th	Yonas Hotel Morning in Addis. Group meeting after breakfast. Orientation day.
Mon	13^th	Morning visit to market Visit to local project. Afternoon at the United Nations. Yonas Hotel.
Tues	14^th	Fly to Lalibela Visit churches 7 Olives Hotel.
Wed	15^th	Day walk to rock hewn church 7 Olives Hotel.
Thu	16^th	Fly to Gondar Belegez Hotel.
Fri	17^th	Transfer to Sankobar Camp
Sat	18^th	Walk to Geech. Camp
Sun	19^th	Walk to Imet Gogo camp second night at Geech (3926m) Camp
Mon	20^th	Walk to Sankobar (4430m) Camp
Tues	21^th	(Walk to Debark) – return to Gondar Belegez Hotel.
Wed	22^th	Bus to Bahir Dar Ghion Hotel.
Thu	23^th
Fri	24th
Sat	25^th	(Blue Nile Falls)
Sun	26^th	(Cycle ride to Palace)
Mon	27^st
Tues	28^nd
Wed	29^rd	Finish project
Thu	30^th	Bahir Dar to Addis Yonas Hotel.
Fri	31^th	Visit to the British Embassy. Evening meal and celebration at Ethiopian restaurant. Yonas Hotel.
Sat	1^th	Free day – museums/souvenir buying. Yonas hotel
Sun	2^nd	Addis to Newcastle

Health Information Ryton2Ethiopia

Keeping healthy is relatively straight forward if you are sensible about what you eat, where you eat it and keeping clean.

The group will be carrying a full medical kit, and students will be supplied with a sterile kit.

The Basics

You will be expected to consider and carry precautionary medication for the following:

• Sunburn – high factor sun cream
• Insect Bites – insect repellent and antihistamine cream
• Diarrhoea – Rehydration salts (Imodium should be used only when travelling)
• Blisters and Cuts – plasters, antiseptic cream
• Aches and Pains – paracetamol and Ibuprofen

Preventative Measures

• Immunisations – you must visit your doctor for personal advice and prices. You must have a yellow fever certificate and may need some boosters. You will probably be told by their GP that you are required to have or should have the following vaccinations: Yellow fever, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid and the Tetanus, Diphtheria and Polio injection.

• Meningococcus meningitis and rabies are optional.

• There are a variety of malaria options. We will be in a malarial zone for around 11 days while in Bahir Dar.
• Anti Malarial Medication – follow the advice of your doctor and avoid insect bites

Things to do…

• Visit your doctor and dentist

• Start preparing a small medical kit to include painkillers, plasters, bite cream and any other necessities.

• Get fit and healthy!!

Useful websites:

http://www.mdtravelhealth.com/destinations/africa/ethiopia.html

Cost Example

Costs	Costs	Budget	Costs
Flights Newcastle Addis	£11,000.00
Internal Flights	£3,000.00	Total Cost	£21,400.00
Accommodation	£2,000.00	Total raised	£10,000.00
Trips	£1,000.00
Food	£1,500.00	To pay	£712.50
Transfer	£800.00
Extra accommodation (misc)	£500.00
Project	£1,600
Total	£21,400.00

Payment Schedule

Please note that this is based on money raised in addition to the £820 being paid.

Deposit	Dec	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun
100		120	120	120	120	120	120