Lion Of Judah Travel Tel.: +1-323-936-1101 www - All African Travel

Lion Of Judah Travel Tel.: +1-323-936-1101 www.lionofjudahtravel.com

1400 S. Hayworth Ave. Fax: +1-323-936-2966 [email protected]

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Weather Prospects for the Hybrid Eclipse / November 3, 2013 By eclipse meteorologist Jay Anderson

Ethiopia presents a challenge that extends beyond meteorology, as the eclipse duration becomes very short, the altitude of the Sun at totality sinks below 10 degrees, and transportation becomes more difficult to any location except those along the major highway from Addis Ababa to Moyale (Highway 6). While these might appear to argue against Ethiopia as an eclipse-viewing destination, in fact just the opposite is true. The short duration promises a near-circumferential ring of red chromosphere (the innermost layer of the solar atmosphere) around the dark lunar disk, and dynamic displays of Baily’s beads. The low altitude will deliver a dramatic converging lunar shadow, whose width is barely 10 km, centred on a briefly eclipsed solar disk. The remote location promises a travel adventure into the variegated cultures and terrain of a country that tourists usually overlook.

The convective character of the daily cloud cycle suggests that eclipse day has a reasonable probability of being sunny. A typical day will have afternoon cumulus clouds, that reach their maximum areal extent around 4 in the afternoon. Some will get big enough to form virga. By 5 p.m., they are largely dissipated. The cooling associated with the approaching lunar shadow will speed up this cycle, and so the “median” eclipse day has a high likelihood of sunshine, though possibly diffused through a thin cirrus layer.

From Awassa, the eclipse centre line can be reached by long drive to the south along Highway 6. The road is paved, but speeds are limited by the inevitable cattle, goats, and sheep that drift across the highway, oblivious to all forms of wheeled transportation. The closest community to the track of any size is Yabello (or Yebello), a dusty crossroad town that provides truckers with a brief respite on the trip from Nairobi to Addis. From Yabello, the eclipse centre line is about an hour away, through a countryside that alternates between flat sandy fields vegetated by the ubiquitous Acacia bush and steep reddish hills. The centreline landscape is inauspicious and open, with moderate hills to the west and southwest that should not interfere with a view to the Sun (Figure 14). About 2 km north of the track lies the village of Madaccho, a community of several hundred that is now aware of the impending spectacle.




Tour Overview

October 24 – November 8, 2013 Witness a 9-second sunset total eclipse of the Sun See an eclipse that sets in partial phases over an exotic landscape in an exotic land – an

event that makes up in excellence what it lacks in duration Experience Ethiopia’s incredibly varied cultures and ancient past

Yet even today this vast land in east Africa – the only nation on the continent never colonized by Europeans – remains largely unexplored by travelers.

A unique opportunity to venture deep into the heart of Ethiopia, and capture your own unforgettable images. From the bustling markets of Addis Ababa to remote tribal communities seldom visited by outsiders, at every turn you encounter another dimension of this exotic land and its welcoming people. And then on November 3, at a southern site near the Kenyan border, you complete your journey of discovery with a chance to view a total eclipse of the Sun.

A Rare Opportunity

You will discover four of the eight attractions registered by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites

during your visit to Lalibela, Axum, Gonder, and Harar.

Bahir Dar, situated on the shores of Lake Tana, the largest lake with an area of 3,600 sqms, is

also a point of interest to see the Blue Nile Falls and one of the island monasteries on Lake

Tana. Hence, the programme combines some of the historical, cultural, and natural attractions

the country is endowed with.

It also enables to explore Addis Ababa, the unchallenged diplomatic capital of Africa.

You will have also a trip to the Southern Part of Ethiopia along the Great Rift Valley, which is

known for chains of lakes, Culture and abundant birdlife.

And then, of course, there’s our astronomical centerpiece – at sunset on November 3, 2013, viewing the 11-second total solar eclipse from a carefully chosen site in Ethiopia’s southern mountains.




Planning for an Adventure

We serve clients worldwide, we specialize in African travel and tours, domestic and other international travel. Our expert travel agents pride themselves in consistently going above and beyond to make planning your journey an easy and economical event. You can be confident that our experts have sought out the best activities and accommodations in each place you visit, and that extensive research has gone into the selection of the eclipse-viewing site. This trip is no exception.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Thursday, October 24, 2013

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

We welcome you on your arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and transfers the

group to your Hotel. The best gate way to Abyssinia (Ethiopia) is Addis Ababa, a city that is very

young as compared to the country which has a history dating back over 3000 years. In Amharic,

the Federal language of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa means new flower.

Founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II, Addis Ababa is located at 2500m (8,202 ft.) above sea

level. Addis Ababa is also the seat of African Union (AU) which was used to be called

Organization of African Unity (OAU) since 1960s and many other international organizations

and over 100 Embassies. It enjoys an excellent climate all year round; with an average

temperature of 160C. Addis Ababa is a pleasant city with wide avenues of Jacarandas,

interesting museums and one of the largest open-air markets in Africa, known as Merkato.

Overnight Addis Ababa




Day 2 – Friday, October 25, 2013

Bahir Dar – Lake Tana Monasteries

Your day begins with an early morning flight to Bahir Dar on the shores of Lake Tana, one of the major headwaters of the Blue Nile. Perhaps Ethiopia’s prettiest city, with stunning lake views from wide avenues lined with palm and jacaranda trees, Bahir Dar has been a regional trading center for centuries. Even today, traditional papyrus boats, or tankwa, can be seen transporting goods across the lake.

After dropping our bags at the hotel, we cruise across Lake Tana to visit two of the famed monasteries of the Zege Peninsula. While onboard our private boat, keep an eye out for local traders sailing their tankwas, as well as a wide variety of aquatic birds. After a short walk through a traditional village and a coffee farm, we reach the monastery of Ura Kidane Meret, home to an important collection of religious relics dating back to the 16th century. On the walls, colorful painted murals tell the stories of Ethiopian saints.




We then carry on to discover our second monastery, Azwa Maryam, set among pleasant gardens and overseen by an affable young priest. In the afternoon we explore Bahir Dar, stopping at Bezawit Palace for a scenic outlook. We also visit Weito village to meet the local Amhara people, makers of papyrus boats and handicrafts.

Overnight: Bahir Dar

Day 3 – Saturday, October 26, 2013

Gonder Castles

Setting out from Bahir Dar, we drive three hours along an asphalt roadway, passing through rural villages and across stunning mountain passes, until we catch our first glimpse of the remarkable castles of Gonder.

Often called Africa’s Camelot, Gonder retains much of its past glory as a center of imperial power. King Fasiledes named the city Ethiopia’s capital in 1636, and by the time of his death three decades later, Gonder’s wealth and beauty were renowned throughout the region. We spend the day exploring the castles of the Royal Enclosure, the bathing pools of Fasiledes (where ancient Timkat ceremonies are still performed), and the Debre Birhan Silassie Church, whose elaborate decor includes 80 ornate cherubs.

Overnight: Gondar




Day 4 – Sunday, October 27, 2013

Lalibela’s Rock-Hewn Churches

We rise early for our short Ethiopian Airlines flight over craggy peaks and rust-colored canyons to Lalibela – a remote town situated high in the Lasta Mountains at more than 2,590 m (8,500 ft). Here there are eleven rock hewn churches, registered by UNESCO as world heritage site. The churches are described by many travel writers as the eighth wonder of the world. They were hewn during King Lalibela in the 12th century which took 24 years to complete the construction. In the afternoon we visit three clusters of remarkable rock-hewn churches in the nearby mountainsides. Carved out of massive red stone monoliths, the churches reach heights of more than 10 m (30 ft) and have intricately detailed interiors – though their precise origins remain clouded by legend. Exploring their quiet courtyards and connecting tunnels and passages feels like we’re journeying deep into Ethiopia’s past.

Overnight: Lalibela




Day 5 – Monday, October 28, 2013

Aksum – St. Mary of Zion Complex – Ancient Stele Field

A morning flight brings us to Aksum, now a rustic frontier town in Ethiopia’s most northern region but once the country’s capital. According to legend, Aksum was home to the Queen of Sheba, and today many believe it is the resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. As we explore this ancient place, we discover that its fascinating historical past is wrapped in a deeper sense of mystery around the events that may have unfolded here.

Our first stop is the complex at the church of St. Mary of Zion, which features an unexpected blend of ancient and modern architecture. While the oldest existing church was completed in 1665 by King Fasiledes (who also built Gonder), its foundations are likely from a temple build by King Ezana in the 4th century AD, or perhaps by King Kaleb two centuries later – making this the oldest Christian site in Africa. It is said that in the church’s hidden and guarded chapel lies the Ark of the Covenant. In stark contrast, the new St. Mary of Zion church is a modern circular structure built by Emperor Haile Selassie in the 1960s. Beneath the cathedral is a museum housing many of Ethiopia’s priceless relics.

The other highlight of our visit to Aksum is the mysterious Stele Park, with its small but impressive Archaeological Museum of Aksum. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Park contains more than 120 inscribed stone stele dating from the 4th century AD — some standing upright, others broken or partially buried. The tallest, at 25 meters, is the Obelisk of Aksum, which was shipped to Italy in 1937 on the orders of Benito Mussolini. It was subsequently returned by the Italian government and re-erected in 2008.




In the afternoon we visit the ruined palace of King Kaleb and King Gebre Meskel (6th century AD), and what some believe was the residence of the legendary Queen of Sheba (9th century BC). Beneath Kaleb’s palace, steep stone steps lead down to a series of underground galleries and chambers that some believe housed the imperial treasury. We can also explore the tombs of Kaleb and his son Gebre Meskel. Nearby is the Erana Stone — an important dedicatory stone from about 320 AD with an inscription in three languages: Sabaean, Greek and Ge’ez, the earliest written Ethiopian language.

Overnight: Axum

Day 6 – Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Addis Ababa – Awash Park

After a morning flight back to Addis Ababa, we board a motor coach to begin our drive to Awash National park. It is one of the best birding sites in Ethiopian Rift Valley. Not only birds can be seen in Awash but also we can see different mammals like Beisa Oryx, Defarsa Water Buck, Semmering Gazelle, Salt’s Dik-Dik, Greater and lesser Kudu, Warthog, Hamadrayas Baboon, the endemic Hartebeest and Visit the hot spring lakes. Travel Distance 234 km, Travelling Time 4 hours)

Overnight: Awash Park




Day 7 – Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Dire Dawa – Harer – Hyena Man

Early morning; game view in the Awash National Park and drive to Harar via Diredawa and visit the colorful market place of Dire Dawa- Ethiopia’s second largest city (pop. 310,000) and the Chat market ( mildly stimulant plant ) market of Aweday. In the evening head to see one of Harer’s most famous attractions: the “Hyena Man,” who beckons seemingly wild hyenas out of the darkness, calls them by name, and hand-feeds them animal bones. It’s an experience not soon forgotten! (Travel Distance 270 km, Travelling Time 4 hours)

Overnight: Harar

Day 8 – Thursday, October 31, 2013

Adama In the morning visit the walled city of Harar ( the 4th Islamic center in the world ) namely, the traditional Harari Museum, the famous poet, Arthur Rimbaud`s former house, the grand Jami mosque, the Ras Teferi`s ( the last king of Ethiopia, Haylesilasse ) former house, the colorful Christian and Muslim Markets. Continue driving through the great rift valley to the busting town of Adama. (Travel Distance 372 km, Travelling Time 6 hours)

Overnight: Adama




Day 9 – Friday, November 1, 2013

Awasa

Drive to Awassa through the rift valley lakes, the capital city of the southern region, which is very popular in fish market and its volcanic lake. The Rift Valley is a deep fission that extends for over 6,000 km(3,800 miles) from the Middle East to Mozambique- testimony to the massive shifting of the earth’s tectonic plates. The rift contains a marvelous series of lakes, which are teeming with fish and provide a habitat for hundreds of species of birds. Visit Lake Awassa and the fish Market. (Travel Distance 186 km, Travelling Time 3 hours)

Overnight: Awasa

Day 10 – Saturday, November 2, 2013

Yabelo

After a final breakfast at our lakeside resort, we set out on a journey of five to six hours (over asphalt roads) to Yabelo, our home base for viewing the eclipse. As we drive southward, there are plenty of stops to take photos, enjoy a local lunch, and visit the Sidama people, who grow enset – also called false banana – one of Ethiopia’s most important crops. After checking into our hotel, we gather for an eclipse weather briefing followed by a dinner featuring foods from the area.

Two nights: Yabelo




Day 11 – Sunday, November 3, 2013

Yabelo Centerline Eclipse Viewing

Viewing from Yabelo, Ethiopia:

Following are contact times for the proposed eclipse-viewing site, 80 km (50 mi) south of Yabelo at 4.196° North Latitude and 38.281° East Longitude. This site is 1.2 km (.75 mi) north of the centerline, to take advantage of the longest viewing time possible in this area. The times are Eastern African Time (Universal Time +3 hours).

Start Partial Eclipse 16:15:25 EAT

Start of Total Eclipse 17:26:02 EAT

Sun Altitude 9.6°

End of Total Eclipse 17:26:13 EAT

Approximate Sunset 18:07 EAT

End of Partial Eclipse 18:27:31 EAT

Duration of Totality: 11 seconds




*http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/OH2013.html#SE2013Nov03H

Because the solar eclipse does not begin until late afternoon, we pay a morning visit to a nearby village to learn more about the local way of life. After lunch, we depart for our carefully selected eclipse-viewing site.

What Will You See? A total solar eclipse is one of the most beautiful events of the natural world. It is an extraordinary quirk of geometry that the apparent sizes of the Moon and Sun are nearly equal in our sky and when the Moon passes directly between Earth and the Sun the result is a spectacular piece of natural theatre for those lucky enough to be within the narrow band of the Earth's surface beneath the shadow. During the minutes of totality the sky darkens and the earth is bathed in a dusky light. Stars and planets become visible and the wispy sun’s corona and solar prominences can also be seen. The final act of totality is the stunning 'diamond ring' which occurs as the first rays of sunshine can be seen emerging around the moons limb.. Imagine a landscape with a 360° horizon sunset glow — so close you can almost reach out and touch it. This is what awaits you in Ethiopia.

This is an eclipse that will occupy the front pages of your scrapbook, making up in excellence what it lacks in duration.




Day 12 – Monday, November 4, 2013

Konso and Borena Tribes – Turmi

After an early breakfast, we set out from Yabelo on a full day’s drive, stopping to visit the nomadic Borena tribe, as well as Konso tribal villages. Our final destination is Turmi, the main community of the Hamer people who live in Ethiopia’s famed Omo Valley. Once settled into our picturesque lodge for the evening, we attend an Evangadi, a traditional dance performed by the Hamer. (Travel Distance 280 km, Travelling Time 6 hours)

Overnight: Turmi




Day 13 - Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Hamer and Benna Tribes – Jinka

In the morning we head down the road on a four-hour journey to Jinka, stopping en route to visit the Dimeka market, traditional meeting place of the Hamer, Benna, and other tribes. (Travel Distance 128 km, Travelling Time 4 hour)

Overnight: Jinka

Day 14 – Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Mursi Tribe – Arba Minch

Leaving Jinka early this morning, we head into Mago National Park to encounter the most famous tribe of the Omo Valley – the Mursi people, whose women are known for the ornamental clay plates they insert into their lower lips. In the afternoon we drive on, visiting a Konso village and concluding our long day’s adventure at Arba Minch, a scenic town set above two impressive Rift Valley lakes, Chamo and Abaya.( Travel Distance 350 km, Travelling Time 7 hours)

Overnight: Arba Minch




Day 15 – Thursday, November 7, 2013

Addis Ababa

Drive to Addis Ababa en route visit the pale ontological site of Melka Kunture which is nearly 2 million years old and Tiya Stele field (World Heritage Site by UNESCO), - one of the most attractive archaeological sites found in Ethiopia. The site holds 36 stelae, around tombstones of 500 years old. In the evening you will have a traditional Ethiopian dinner and dance at the renowned restaurant of Addis Ababa. (Travel Distance 460 km, Travelling Time 8 hours)

Overnight: Addis Ababa

Day 16 – Friday, November 8, 2013

Addis Ababa – Onward

Following a late-morning checkout, enjoy an expert-guided tour of Addis Ababa –including a visit to Holy Trinity Cathedral, a beautiful baroque-style Orthodox church that is the burial site of Emperor Haile Selassie, as well as many Ethiopians who resisted the Italian occupation. In the evening, join us for a farewell dinner at one of the best traditional restaurants in Addis, where we sample cuisine from around the country while enjoying folkloric dances and the music of various Ethiopian peoples. After dinner, we transfer you to the airport for your evening flight onward.




City Hotels

Addis Ababa

Sheraton Addis

Hilton

Intercontinental

Desalegn

Sidama Lodge

Ababa Villa

Arba Minch

Paradise lodge

Bekele Mola Hotel

Swaynes Hotel

Axum Yeha

Remhai

Awash Awash Falls Lodge

Genet Hotel

Bahir Dar

Kuriftu resort

Summerland Hotel

B&B the Anex

Abay Minch

Gondar

Goha hotel

Quara hotel

Lodge du Château

Hawassa

Haile’s Resort

Lewi Resort

Harar Heritage Plaza

Ras Hotel

Jinka Jinka Lodge

Eco Omo Lodge

Lalibela Mountain View

Tukul village

Nazareth( Adama)

Kelly’s retreat

German House

safari loadge




Turmi Buska Lodge

Evangadi lodge and Campsite

Yabelo Yabelo Motel

Documents

Lion Of Judah Travel Tel.: +1-323-936-1101 www - All African Travel