Trek through Ethiopian Highlands

March On Magdala
Ethiopia
Retracing the footsteps of General Napier and the British Army’s
fascinating 1868 campaign against the Emperor of Abyssinia
7-21 April 2012
“In a little way it was a great campaign. The fame
of it resounded with loud reverberations over wide
Asia and established England’s prestige on a
firmer base than ever” Henry Stanley
This is an expedition to retrace the footsteps of a unique chapter
in British Imperial history- the fascinating campaign of General
Robert Napier (later Field Marshal the Lord Napier of Magdala)
against the Abyssinian monarch, Emperor Tewodros (Theodore) II
in 1868.
It was in effect, the first British hostage rescue mission. We will
explore this seldom visited corner of the Simien Mountains in the
North East of Ethiopia by foot and mule over the course of two
weeks in the spirit of the Victorian explorers.
Ethiopia – Riven by many deep and stupendous gorges, crowned by high and
magnificent mountains neck-laced by a chain of lakes, watered by majestic rivers,
studded with burning deserts and great escarpments that plunge down from its
highlands, Ethiopia remains a land of incomparable beauty.
But it is not simply the sheer scale of its physical beauty which characterises this land
where the Blue Nile has carved one of the world's greatest and most awesome gorges.
Its ancient and medieval monuments, its proud and colourful cultures, and its varied
and often unique wildlife set it apart from all else.
Ethiopia, dissected through its middle by the scar of the Great Rift Valley, is as old as
time itself. It is a land claiming a history that goes back to the Old Testament.
SECRET COMPASS
The burning fortress at Magdala
Secret Compass is an organization that has been set up to provide ‘Expeditions and
Exploration” and it has always been our aim to inspire people to get to incredible
places that would otherwise remain inaccessible. We are therefore truly proud to be
able to offer this real adventure into Ethiopia’s unexplored wilderness.
The start of our expedition at Lake
Hashengie
Duration: 15 Days
Max group size: 10
Dates: 7-21 Apr 2012
Cost: £2300 (Land only)
To apply for a place email us at:
info@secretcompass.com
Highlights
1.Visiting one of the most remote parts of
Ethiopia
2.Discovering the history of the first 'hostage
rescue'
3.Experience the hospitality of the Ethiopian
people.
4.Trekking in the stunning Simien mountains.
5.Addis Ababa, a unique African capital
6.Camp on the edge of the escarpment of Mount
Magdala watching the beautiful sunset
7.Enjoy indigenous flora and fauna as well as
millet, barley and wheat fields
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa
Day 2: Fly to Mekele, Drive to Lake Hashing
Day 3: Trek to Lat
Day 4: Trek to Marrawah
Day 5: Trek to Dildey
Day 6: Trek to Muja
Day 7: Trek to Santerra Plain
Day 8: Trek to Talet Mariam Village
Day 9: Trek to Betehor (also called Kon)
Day 10: In Betehor (Kon)
Day 11: Trek to Delanta Plain
Day 12: Trek through the Beshlo Gorge
Day 13: Trek to Maqdala
Day 14: Trek to Tenta, Drive to Kombolcha
Day 15: Drive to Addis Ababa
Reality of Travel – The itinerary to the left is our proposed plan.
However, things can be unpredictable. Rivers flood, local situations
change, group speeds vary and the weather can be unpredictable.
While it serves as a guide the itinerary could possibly change due to
situations we don’t foresee. We do have contingency plans for
various situations which will be clarified with you at a later date.
About the Expedition
The old fort at Magdala as it stands today
The March on Magdala - The expedition will attempt to trace the (final 150 miles)
exact route taken by Napier and his twelve thousand strong contingent of British
and Indian army regiments on their arduous campaign to secure the release of the
British Consul and other Europeans being held captive by Emperor Tewodros II at
Magdala.
Like Napier on the expedition we will be using pack animals (mules and horses)
[but alas no elephants like Napier]. The route keeps to the most accessible of a
very inaccessible landscape considering Napier had an estimated 35 thousand
pack animals for his supplies. The country is very rough and most of the route is
above 2000m (6550’) with some high ridges above 3000m (10,000’).
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There are some 4x4 tracks (and we will cross one main road) but most of the
country is only accessible on foot. We may well be the first Europeans some of the
local Amhara people will have seen such is the nature of our route.
Getting there and away
SC operates on a LAND ONLY basis. You must book
your own flights but we can suggest airlines and
flight times. Further information will be provided
upon booking.
Expedition price
All our expeditions are priced on a LAND ONLY
basis, giving you maximum flexibility when deciding
how to get to and from the expedition.
Single Supplements
These are NOT compulsory for this expedition.
Where single supplements are available please
note that a single room cannot always be
guaranteed. On this expedition we are happy to
offer an optional single supplement for the two
night’s hotel accommodation.
The Expeditionary Force on the march
About the Expedition
Practicalities
Accommodation A three star hotel is arranged in Addis Ababa for the first night and a
two star hotel for the return journey. For the remainder of the trip we will be camping
in tents.
Food A professional cook from Addis Ababa will accompany this trip to serve food for
camping with hot meals provided at every sitting.
Transport on the trip will involve an internal flight and a hired Toyota “Coaster” bus to
the start and from the finish point. The remainder of the trip will be in the form of mule
supported trekking.
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Suitable Clients should be very fit and healthy as this trip involves 11 days of trekking
(covering 150 miles) with only one day off. We will be trekking in remote areas at
altitudes of between 2000 - 3000 metres. No technical ability is required.
What is included?
‐ Secret Compass Leader, special qualified guide as well as mandatory local
guide and scout fees in parks and villages
‐ Hotel in Addis Ababa and outside of Addis Ababa
‐ All accommodation based on twin room occupancy
‐ All camping gear, trekking staff and packing animals
‐ All meals.
‐ Farewell dinner in Addis to enjoy traditional Ethiopian food and music
‐ All entrance fees at parks and villages
‐ All transfers and visits according to the itinerary
‐ All ground transportation with a coaster BUS including insurance, fuel
and all costs of the drivers
‐ Government taxes
What is not included?
‐ International flights
- Visa’s
‐ Any kind of drinks, alcoholic or non‐alcoholic
‐ Video filming and photographing fees
‐ Incidental meals, snacks and drinks
‐ Tips and items of personal nature like laundry, souvenirs, etc.
About the Expedition
At the time of this event, Gladstone and the Liberals were the
ruling party in Britain and they were deeply reluctant to get
involved in any imperial adventures. This was despite the fact
that their own inaction had helped to create this particular
problem. Letters from Captain Cameron to the British press,
and the fact that British women and children were numbered
amongst the hostages, meant that the profile of this incident
was high in the public imagination.
Background to the Napier Expedition
SECRET COMPASS
This is an expedition to retrace the footsteps of a unique chapter in
British Imperial history- the fascinating campaign of General Robert
Napier against the Abyssinian monarch, Emperor Theodore II in 1868. It
was in effect, the first British hostage rescue mission.
In 1862, Emperor Tewodros II of Abyssinia made a request to the
British for munitions and military experts. He was a Coptic Christian
who was regularly engaged in warfare with his Muslim neighbours. He
thought that an infusion of expertise from the British could help his
realm in this turbulent part of the world. With this in mind he
dispatched a letter to Queen Victoria asking for help.
As time passed by, it became clear that the British Foreign Office had
completely ignored this particular request. This did not please the King
at all. He became even further infuriated when he found out that the
British Consul, Captain Charles Cameron, had just returned back to
Abyssinia after a visit to neighbouring Egypt; A country that the King
considered to be one of his enemies. Exasperated by this antipathy of
the British, Emperor Tewodros decided to hold Captain Cameron, and
others, as hostages until he received a reply to his letter.
A relief expedition was organised and the British Indian army
landed at a bay in what is now Eritrea. The march took two
and a half months before the army successfully stormed the
kings fortress high in the Simien Mountains. General Napier
lead this expedition accompanied by infantry, artillery, cavalry
altogether about 13000 British and Indian soldiers, 26000
camp followers and 40000 pack animals, including camels and
elephants. The 390 mile long expedition began in Kumayli, at
the Red Sea, crossing Eritrea, along Lake Hashengie and ended
finally in Magdala. Tewodros II committed suicide when he was
defeated by the English troops.
The Hostages of 1868
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Ethiopia
Geological History
Exploration of the Western Highlands
The Ethiopian highlands were thrust up by volcanic activity
over 70 million years ago. Seismic action later formed the
Great Rift Valley that tore the plateau in two, heavy
fracturing and massive volcanic activity in the early Tertiary
period (30 million years ago) cracked the plateau forming
massive ravines and escarpments and further weathering
and seismic activity gives us the massive landscape of today.
The most notable early explorer (apart from some Spanish and
Portuguese missionaries) was James Bruce of Kinnaird who in
1769/70 trekked through the highlands is search of the source of
the Blue Nile (he found it). He also discovered a book of
Ethiopian legends called the Kebra Nagast detailing the history of
Ethiopia from the time of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba
(and the fabled Ark of the Covenant).
Anthropological History
Apart from the Napier traverse of the area we know of no other
exploration references.
The East African Rift valley can almost certainly lay claim to
be the cradle of modern humans. In an area less than 100
miles from where the expedition will end a nearly complete
skeleton was discovered in 1974 by Donald Johnson and
dating to 3.5 million-years-old. Locally known as Dinknesh
(you are wonderful) but popularly called ‘Lucy’ after the
Beatles song “Lucy in the sky with diamonds” that was
playing in camp when the find was made. The remains are
today on display in the National Museum, Addis Ababa.
Prehistory
The first known inhabitants of the Ethiopian Highlands were
stone-age hunter-gathers who were closely related to the
Khoisam of South Africa. Stone-Age rock paintings have
survived in places like Dire Dawa and tools have been
unearthed at Melka Kunture near Addis Ababa. Traditional
History (Ethiopia is still predominantly a land of myth and
legend) According to oral tradition, Ethiopia was settled by
Ethiopic, the great grandson of Noah. Ethiopic’s son, Aksumai
founded the capital of Axum and also a dynasty of rulers that
lasted between 52 and 97 generations (depending on who’s
telling the story).
Warning!
The British Foreign & Commonwealth Office currently advises against certain
travel within Ethiopia. Most of the advice warns against travel near or the
crossing of any of Ethiopia’s domestic international borders which we will
NOT be doing.
Before choosing to join this trip you should first read the relevant sections of
their website (www.fco.gov.uk). If travelling from the UK you will also need
insurance that is not FCO sensitive. For more information, please contact
Secret Compass. You will need insurance that provides cover for emergency
repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all expeditions.
You should be aware that many standard insurance policies may not cover
you adequately for all aspects of a Secret Compass trip and so we strongly
recommend that you purchase a suitably designed insurance policy.
General Napier at Dover Station prior to departure
‘”Expeditions and Exploration”
Further information:
When you make a confirmed booking with Secret Compass we
will send you our confirmation pack with complete pre
departure information giving you details on visas, health and
vaccinations, packing lists, suggested reading on the region,
insurance, photography and other useful tips to make the
expedition more enjoyable.
SECRET COMPASS (Ltd)
A UK registered company
7746209
Email: info@secretcompass.com
Tel: +44 (0)20 3239 8038 (UK)
Tel: +1 347 6900182 (US)
WWW.SECRETCOMPASS.COM
Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO): The FCO Travel advice highlights potential hazards people might experience when travelling abroad. Given the nature of
destinations offered by Secret Compass it is inevitable that from time to time some itineraries contravene this advice. Whilst SC takes the safety and security of its clients
extremely seriously, we will not necessarily cancel a trip because of the FCO advice. It is recommended therefore that clients check this advice before booking and
contact us if they have any queries or concerns. Please see our website for further information.