The African Diaspora Heritage Travel Series: Ethiopia and Istanbul
12 days

The African Diaspora Heritage Travel Series 

Tour Coordinators - Mrs. Antoinette Bryant and Mrs. Tracie Hightower 

$1950.00 Single Supplement

Tour Conditions

For more information, please contact: Antoinette Bryant at abryant3454@yahoo.com

(please read about tour cancellation policy)

Ethiopia and Istanbul 

September 14  DETROIT / ISTANBUL Depart Detroit to Istanbul aboard Turkish Airlines nonstop service.  Meals will be served on board.

September 15:  ISTANBUL / ADDIS ABABA  Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight.

September 16:  ADDIS ABABA Morning sightseeing of modern Addis Ababa, visit Africa Hall, Trinity Cathedral, Liberty Monument, Martyrs' Square, and the Ethnological Museum.  In the afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing tour of historic Addis Ababa, including the Mercato Market, Menelik II Square, St. George's Cathedral, and Mt. Entoto with its panoramic view. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

September 17:  ADDIS ABABA/BAHIR DAR Early morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Bahir Dar on the southern shore of Lake Tana. The Blue Nile originates in Lake Tana, just as the White Nile originates in Lake Nyanza ("Lake Victoria") in Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya.  The two rivers merge together to form the Nile River in Khartoum, Sudan. Visit the majestic Tis Isat Falls (Smoke of Fire) where the waters of the Blue Nile thunder some 200 feet into a chasm At Tis Isat Falls climb down to the base of falls for up-close look and climb back up from the other side. Proceed to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

September 18:  BAHIR DAR/GONDAR Explore the city of Bahir Dar, including the market and Bezawit Palace (formerly Palace of Selassie).  Drive to the Woyito Village to see the production of papyrus boats (tankwas). Continue our drive to Gondar (former capital of the Empire of Ethiopia) along a new road, enjoy the nice scenery and visit the Amhara peoples villages.  This afternoon, you will visit visit the Imperial Castle Compound of Gondar (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the ‘Bath of Emperor Fasiladas’, the church of Quskuam Mariam (17^th century AD), the residence of Empress Mintewab, and the church of Debre Birhan Sillassie which is famous for its wall and ceiling paintings.  Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

September 19:  GONDAR/LALIBELA After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Lalibela which is home to the 12th century hand carved rock churches of King Lalibela (1181 - 1221) whom the town is named after. After lunch in your hotel, visit the first group churches of Lalibela (UNESCO World Heritage Site) which are found northeast of a stream named ‘River Jordan’. Dinner and overnight.  

September 20:  LALIBELA Day at leisure. Dinner and overnight. 

September 21:  LALIBELA In the morning, Yimrhanae Krsoto Monstery.  The peak of the hill offers a wonderful viewpoint to have bird's eye view of the surrounding area, including the town of Lalibela. In the afternoon, visit the second and third group of churches of Lalibela. 

September 22:  LALIBELA/AXUM   Fly to Axum, once the fabled capital of the Queen of Sheba.  Among the notable sights are the astounding array of towering granite obelisks or stelae; the stone Throne of the Judges; tombs of the kings; and the Church of St. Mary of Zion, containing crowns of past Emperors of Ethiopia. It is in Axum that the Ark of the Covenant is allegedly kept. The well-guarded sanctuary chapel of the Ark of the Covenant stands in town, the visitor may approach but never hope to enter. Dinner and overnight.  

September 23: AXUM/ADDIS ABABA / ISTANBUL  Full day at leisure or flights depending on the schedule. Transfer to the airport in time for your flight to Istanbul (12:45am). Upon arrival at the airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

September 24:  ISTANBUL Arrive at 6:00am. Morning at leisure to rest and freshen up. this after will visit In the afternoon discover the city visit Church of Chora and Spice Market..  Dinner and overnight.

September 25:  ISTANBUL. Full day tour of Istanbul. In the morning drive to the old town and visit Hipodrome and the famous Blue Mosque, visit Topkapi Palace Museum, see the Sultan's Treasury and Porcelain collections. In the afternoon visit St. Sophia Church and The Grand Bazaar. Dinner and Overnight.

September 26:  ISTANBUL / DETROIT   Depart Istanbul to  Detroit. Arrive the airport in the afternoon local time.

SUGGESTED READING FOR THIS TRIP:

Ben-Jochannan, Yosef, “The African Origin of the Major Western Religions”, Black Classic Press, 1970.

Ben-Jochannan, Yosef,  “We the Black Jews”,  Black Classic Press, 1993.

Jackson, John G., “Man, God, and Civilization”,  Kensington Publishing Corp., 1972.

Ullendorff, Edward, “Ethiopia and the Bible”,The Schweich Lectures, 1967, Oxford University Press, UK, 1968.

Please go to www.ctoinc.com to register for this tour.