2019 Wilderness Travel Catalog of Adventures

Lost Worlds of Ethiopia TRIBES OF THE OMO VALLEY AND SPECTACULAR FESTIVALS

Ethiopia is a world unto itself, from its Orthodox Christian heritage, revealed in the stunning rock-hewn churches of the mountain highlands, to its array of animistic tribes in the Great Rift Valley. Our in-depth adventure

Days 1-6 Addis Ababa / Axum / Lalibela / Gondar / Lake Tana In Ethiopia’s mountain highlands, Christianity has been part of the culture since the 4th century. We explore the ancient city of Axum where, according to Ethiopian legend, the original Ark of the Covenant resides in the ornate Church of St. Mary of Zion. We’ll see Lalibela’s astonishing World Heritage churches, and Gondar, the royal capital, with its castles and battlements. At Lake Tana, we boat to a richly painted island monastery that dates to the Middle Ages. Days 7-12 Tribes of the Omo River Valley In the bushy savanna of the Omo River Valley live a fascinating mix of nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes, from the Bume and Karo to the Bena and Hamar. Their body adornments, such as scarification, face painting, and lip plates, hold rich cultural symbolism. Among the villages we visit are those of the Karo, with their elaborate hairstyles, and the Bume, known for their huge necklaces. Days 13-15 Addis Ababa / Timkat or Meskel Festival Our private charter flight (avoiding a two-day drive!) whisks us to Addis, and we witness Timkat’s processions of Orthodox priests and parishioners in traditional dress (January), or the dancing and celebratory bonfires of Meskel (September). Depart on Day 15.

“The great leadership, the group size, and the excellent itinerary make this the best possible way to experience Ethiopia.” Jeff P. Paradise Valley AZ

takes in the full sweep of this storied land, uncovering its mystique at intriguing places such as Axum, Ethiopia’s holy city (and legendary birthplace of the Queen of Sheba) and Lalibela, with its remarkable 12th century subterranean churches carved out of

ANDREW MCCONNELL

solid rock and complete with bas-reliefs. A different side of Ethiopia is revealed to us in the far south, where we discover the indigenous tribal cultures of the remote Omo Valley, from the Mursi to the Karo tribes. Each trip is timed for a festival— January trips attend Timkat, the exuberant Epiphany celebration; in September you’ll witness Meskel, with its flickering bonfires and carpets of meskel daisies.

HIGHLIGHTS • The rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, the medieval city of Gondar • Tribal villages of the Karo, known for their body painting, and Bume and Mursi tribes • Spectacular festival on each trip: Timkat (January) or Meskel (September) • See traditional dances of the Karo • Small group size—maximum 8—for greater flexibility and more intimate cultural encounters DETAILS • 15-day trip begins and ends in Addis Ababa • 3 nights at the 5-star Sheraton in Addis, 11 nights hotels and lodges • All meals included

Our cultural odyssey brings us to Ethiopia’s remote Omo Valley, home to some of Africa’s most fascinating tribal cultures. PHOTO: CAROL BECKWITH & ANGELA FISHER

DATES Jan 6-20, 2019 Timkat Festival

Jan 11-25 Timkat Festival Sep 14-28 Meskel Festival

TRIP COST $7895 (7-8 members) $8395 (4-6 members) Single supplement: $1250 Internal airfare: $1390-$1890 (subject to change) Harar Post-Trip Extension: from $1390 TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Rugged road travel by 4WD vehicle, easy walks, cultural explorations

FOR A DETAILED ITINERARY: 1.800.368.2794 OR EMAIL AFRICA@WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM 34