MIDDLE EAST, NORTH AFRICA AND ETHIOPIA - Setur

Priests Dancing at Bete Mariam,LalibelagondArgoreERITREAjimaaxumsimienmountainsbahar darAddis AbabaETHIOPIAAWASAHAWZIENlalibelayemengulf ofadenSOMALIAarabianseaBEST TIME TO BE HERETemperatures varythroughout but peak at nomore than 25 degrees inmost places thanks to thehigh altitude. In the northernregions the main rainyseason runs from June to theend of September, and insouthern parts from Marchthrough to June.sudanugandaHIGHLIGHTSomo vallEykenyaAxum Axum is one of the holiest towns inEthiopia. Legend has it that in the helms ofthe Church of St Mary lies the Ark of theCovenant. On the outskirts are the remains ofthe Queen of Sheba’s palace.Lalibela Impressive rock-hewn churchesfrom the late 12th and early 13th centuries wereeach carved by hand out of a single block ofstone with roofs at ground level, many joinedtogether by secret underground passages.GondAr Gondar is famous for its manycastles and churches, including the 17thCentury walled compound of The RoyalEnclosure and the beautiful Debre BirhanSelassie church decorated with some of thefinest wall art in Ethiopia.WE RECOMMENDBahar Dar Bahar Dar enjoys a picturesquelocation on the shores of Lake Tana, thelargest lake in Ethiopia and perfect for visitinglakeside villages and the many monasterieson secluded islands within the lake. It is alsothe base from which to see the Blue Nile Falls,one of Africa’s most spectacular falls. Theriver above measures a depth of 400 metres.Simien Mountains One of Africa’s largestmountain ranges with peaks reaching as highas 4,000 metres, the mountains are home tothree endemic mammals: Gelada baboons thatare known to graze in groups 400 strong, theEthiopian Wolf that is now very rare and theendangered Walia Ibex.Addis Ababa Addis is the world’s thirdhighest capital city sitting at an altitude of2,400 metres at the foot of Mount Entoto.The Mercato is the largest open-air market inAfrica, offering a vast array of colours, aromas,jewellery and locally-grown agriculturalproducts – most notably coffee. The NationalMuseum of Ethiopia houses a replica of ‘Lucy’,the skull of a woman hominid that is 3½million years old. Discovered in the Hadarin 1974, this skull proved that our ancestorswere walking 2½ million years earlier thanoriginally thought.Pricing 12 nights from £4,125 per person,including international flightsEXTENSION SUGGESTIONOmo Valley Ethiopia’s OmoValley is home to some 20different tribes. This areadepicts Africa as it oncewas with each of the tribesfollowing tribal traditionswhich have remainedunchanged for generations.One of the most well knowof these tribes is the Mursiwhose women wear a clayplate inserted in their lowerlip. Other tribes includethe Ari, the Karo andthe Hamer-Bena whosetraditions include bodypainting. The area is also oneof Ethiopia’s most fertile asit falls within the Great RiftValley which offers amazingscenery and beautiful lakes.The Nechisar Park is hometo a wide range on animalsand birds. Accommodationhere is relatively basic – theexperience is the reason tocome here.call 0845 0700 611 to speak to an expert or visit www.abercrombiekent.co.ukETHIOPIA P63