DAY 1- APRIL 25 WASHINGTON D.C.
Late this morning board your Boeing 777 for a non-stop flight
to Addis Ababa departing from Washington D.C. (Dulles).
DAY 2-APRIL 26 ADDIS ABABA,
ETHIOPIA
Early morning arrival into the capital city. After clearing
Ethiopia customs our staff will transfer you to the Inter-Continental Hotel. The
city is the continent's diplomatic capital, headquarters of the United Nations
Economic Commission for Africa. This afternoon enjoy a tour to visit Trinity
Cathedral, the largest and most revered of all the churches. Continue to the
Ethnological Museum, an ideal place to start learning about Ethiopia's rich
ethnic diversity. View an impressive array of religious cross, triptychs and
murals, as well as Emperor Haile Selassie's bedroom and bathroom. This evening
join Patricia Schultz to enjoy a traditional Ethiopian meal, dance performance
and coffee ceremony. (D)
DAY 3-APRIL 27 TO GONDAR (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE
SITE)
This morning a short flight takes you to Gondar, once the old
imperial capital founded in the 17th century by Emperor Fasilides who built a
palace and seven churches. The subsequent five Emperors built their own
respective palaces and Gondar became known as the Camelot of Africa. Visit the
royal enclosure containing six castles, a complex network of connecting tunnels
and raised walkways. Proceed to the fascinating Debre Birhan Selassie Church
with its walls and ceiling decorated with scenes of Biblical lore and medieval
history. Check- in at the Florida International Hotel. (B, L, D)
DAY 4- APRIL 28 TO SIMIEN NATIONAL PARK (UNESCO WORLD
HERITAGE LIST)
This morning motor coach to one of the principal mountain
massifs of Africa, the Simien Mountains, made up of several plateaus, separated
by broad river valleys. A number of peaks rise above 13,000 feet. While at
Sankaber, there is a great chance to see troops of Gelada Monkey while enjoying
a relaxing trek in the most remarkable of sceneries. Check in at either a lodge
in the National Park or in the nearby village of Debark.
(B, L, D)
DAY 5- APRIL 29 TO AXUM (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE
SITE)
Enjoy great early morning photo opportunities with the
backdrop of the Simien Mountains. Depart late morning driving north to Axum
which was the center of a great empire, and the seat of learning for the ancient
Ge'ez language and literature. Late afternoon check in to the Hotel Yeha.
(B, L, D)
DAY 6- APRIL 30 AXUM (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE
SITE)
Tour Stealae Park, St. Mary Zion Church and the Sanctuary
Chapel, the reputed resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. Tour the
coronation yard, Queen of Sheba's palace ruins, the Axum museum and the tomb of
King Kalab. Return back to the Hotel Yeha with dinner at the hotel. (B, L,
D)
DAY 7- MAY 01 TO LALIBELA (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE
SITE)
A short flight takes you to one of the best kept secrets of
rock churches, nicknamed the “Petra of Africa”. Ethiopia's Emperor Lalibela, who
had visited Jerusalem, attempted to build a New Jerusalem in response to the
capture of Jerusalem by Muslims in 1187. Only its relatively remote locations
and international obscurity keeps Lalibela from seeing the same levels of
visitors to Petra. Visit the twelve majestic rock hewn churches, which are still
used as places of worship. Check-in to the Mountain View Hotel. (B, L, D)
DAY 8- MAY 02 LALIBELA
Visit Nakuto Le' Abe Monastery, a church built-rather than
excavated within a cave. King Nakuto Le'Abe abdicated his throne in 1270 and
went to a cave to lead a hermit life. The cave has ever since become a monastery
and has a dramatic setting. It houses one of the most interesting collections of
ancient crosses, illuminated manuscripts and other icons attributed to its
founder Nakuto Le'Abe. (B, L, D)
DAY 9- MAY 03 TO ADDIS ABABA/RETURN USA
Return flight to the capital city of Addis Ababa. After lunch
visit the National Museum, whose most important exhibit is a replica of the
skull of Lucy, a woman who had lived in Eastern Ethiopia about 3.5 million years
ago. Enjoy a farewell dinner at a private villa and after dinner be transferred
for your flight back to Washington D.C. (B, L, D)
DAY 10- MAY 04 WASHINGTON D.C.
Early morning arrival into Dulles Airport.
Return Home or Volunteer at Hope for Children in Addis Ababa
Day 9- ADDIS ABABA
After dinner at a local restaurant, check-in to the
Jupiter International Hotel. Your next 48-hours will provide a mutually
rewarding volunteer experience-one that enriches your visit to Ethiopia while
at the same time making a meaningful contribution to the lives of the
children at Hope for Children.
Day 10- ADDIS ABABA
This morning transfer to the School of St. Yared whose
mission statement is to empower the poorest and the brightest children with a
quality education. After an orientation briefing in the logistics of running a
volunteer organization, embark on a tour of the School and the Youth Center.
Have lunch with the HFC staff members and teachers and plan a schedule for
your return visit tomorrow to assist in teaching the children. This may range
from you teaching the children English, improving their computer skills or
participating in their art classes. This afternoon visit an HIV clinic and
talk with clinic administrators to better understand where hospice patients
come from and the successful implementation of programs by the Ethiopian
Health Minister.
(B, L)
Day 11- ADDIS ABABA/RETURN HOME
Return to the school this morning and embark in immersing
yourself with the children. Participate in teaching the young Ethiopians while
working with their respective teachers. One moment, you are assisting them with
their computers, later on in the day be up front and center teaching English.
Some poignant moments may find you sitting with a child on a “one on one” basis
to improve their mathematical skills. Perhaps during the day venture into the
school's kitchen and witness the preparation of nutritional meals; you would be
amazed how “one dollar” goes a long way in feeding the children. Enjoy a
farewell dinner with the children before you depart to the airport this evening
for your overnight flight to Washington D.C.
(B, L, D)
Day 12- ARRIVE USA
Early morning arrival into Washington D.C.
(Dulles)