Monasteries and Landscapes of Ethiopia

Transcription

Monasteries and Landscapes of
Ethiopia
Escorted Group Tour
18 February 2016
Lammergeyer (bearded vulture), Simien Mountains National Park
We are very proud to have received a number of awards over
recent years including Best Tour Operator in the latest
Telegraph Travel Awards, as voted by their readers. We came
joint top in the June 2014 Which? Holiday Companies survey
and have also won awards in the Wanderlust Readers’ Travel
Awards, The Sunday Times Travel Magazine, Condé Nast
Traveller and the Guardian and Observer in recent years.
These awards are widely recognised as being the most
respected in the travel industry as they are professional surveys
of the publications’ readerships. With over 500 travel
companies for you to choose from in the UK alone, we hope
you find these awards are an additional reassurance of the
quality of service you can expect from Audley.
Contents
Meet our specialists_______________________________ 4
Introduction to tour ______________________________ 5
Day by day summary of our Monasteries and Landscapes of
Ethiopia arrangements _____________________________ 7
Price__________________________________________ 9
Why travel with us?______________________________ 10
Introduction to the region _________________________ 11
Photographs of the region _________________________ 14
Itinerary in detail ________________________________ 16
Accommodation information _______________________ 32
Charity support ________________________________ 37
General information _____________________________ 39
Terms and conditions _____________________________ 42
Booking form _____________________________ back page
Meet our Africa Specialists
The Africa team at Audley is made up of over thirty
Africa specialists each with bags of passion for and
experience of both Africa and safari. Many of us lived
and worked in Africa before joining Audley and our
knowledge of the different regions of South,
Southern and East Africa is unsurpassed. We return
regularly to our specialist countries, keeping up-todate with developments and discovering the best
safaris, lodges and beach hideaways for our clients.
Heading up the Africa team are Regional Managers
Terry Moohan, Sharre Fox, Glenn Evans, Kevin
Nicholson and Graeme Evemy.
4 Meet our specialists
Introduction to our Monasteries and Landscapes of Ethiopia tour
•
Tour overview
Ethiopia’s central plateau is a verdant area which has supported civilisations for thousands of years. Although it is not a
destination for those hung-up on creature comforts, the vibrant country of today is a far cry from the parched land ravaged
by famine that was portrayed by the press in the 1980s. In addition to this rich cultural heritage, the country also has a
variety of stunning scenery and unique wildlife. Exploring by road and domestic flights, this tour travels with an expert local
guide around the northern part of the country, visiting cultural sites such as the towering stelae at Axum, the rock-hewn
monolithic churches of Lalibela and the elaborate castles of Gondar. In addition to this you will enjoy hiking in the
stunningly beautiful Simien Mountains and searching for the endemic Ethiopian wolf and gelada baboon. As you will travel
around by road, the tour offers plenty of opportunities to view everyday life in Ethiopia and for interacting with the local
population.
•
Specialist knowledge
Each member of our Ethiopia team has travelled extensively throughout the country and we have pooled their collective
knowledge to create a trip that we think reflects the best of Ethiopia. Your initial enquiry will be handled by just one of our
specialists who will then proceed to be your main point of contact until you return from the tour. Please feel free to
contact them at any time.
•
Expert guides
You will be accompanied at all times by an experienced and knowledgeable guide who speaks English. There is not a tour
leader accompanying this group from the UK as your Ethiopian driver and guide will be leading the group as well as being
your point of contact on the ground. This policy takes advantage of the wonderful guides who work in Ethiopia, and ploughs
more money from tourism directly into the country.
•
Group size and transport
The group size will be between a minimum of four and a maximum of 14 participants. The small size of the group ensures
that the trip is a more personal experience and that you can always hear and speak to your guide. It also ensures that your
experience of a particular sight is not marred by the presence of too many people and each person has their own window
seat. The vehicle used in this tour will be a mini-bus.
•
Single travellers
Although we welcome single travellers, due to the complicated logistics of this tour, the single supplement can make this an
expensive option. There are still two options; you can choose to share a room with another single traveller on the tour
(providing that another single traveller of the same sex is also willing to share) and pay the standard tour price or if you
want to guarantee sole occupancy of a room, a supplement, detailed on the tour price page, will be payable. Please note
that due to limited numbers of rooms at some of the lodges on the tour, we are only able to accept a maximum of four
single travellers unless you are prepared to share a room.
•
Activity level: medium
To ensure that all participants get the most out of the tour, it is important that you are fully aware of the level of activity,
fitness and medical health required to successfully complete this itinerary. Please read this dossier carefully prior to
confirming your place on the tour. Having established the facts, it is your responsibility to contact us with any concerns
regarding individual levels of fitness, health or ability. Please be aware that our tour guides have the right to exclude
customers from the tour if they feel they are not sufficiently fit, healthy or able to complete the tour without affecting its
safety, comfort or smooth progress. If you would like to discuss any of these issues further please contact the Ethiopia team
on 01993 838 565.
•
Included in the price
Unlike other group tour operators in Ethiopia, our price includes all reasonable costs that your trip will incur - this includes
all permits, guide and park fees, transfers, all meals, accommodation and expertly guided excursions. The only money you
will be required to travel with will be for the purchase of drinks, curios and for tipping. We believe that this is the most
convenient way of planning for your travels and means that you do not arrive in the country with large amounts of cash.
•
Dietary requirements and meals
Special dietary requirements should be highlighted by you on the booking form when you return it to us. However, please
be aware that it is unrealistic to expect specialist diets to be catered for in some of the destinations we will be visiting. We
will advise hotels and airlines of your request but we cannot guarantee their availability. All of your meals are included in
your itinerary with a variety of traditional Ethiopian fare on offer alongside international dishes.
A change in eating habits when travelling abroad can often lead to an upset stomach and unfortunately a visit to Ethiopia is
Introduction to our Monasteries and Landscapes of Ethiopia tour 5
Introduction to our Monasteries and Landscapes of Ethiopia tour
no exception. If you do become sick it can make some of the long drives rather uncomfortable and impact on your overall
enjoyment of your journey. To minimise your chances of becoming unwell we recommend that you only drink bottled
water and ensure that your food is piping hot and cooked thoroughly. We also advise caution when eating shellfish, raw
vegetables and salad as they may have been washed in tap water. Finally, we recommend packing some Imodium - just in
case! We find that the liquid hand sanitiser and wet-wipes are really useful to carry around in your daypack.
•
Home truths
We aim to provide accurate and detailed information to make you aware of all the aspects of the journey you are
undertaking. Some facts that you should be aware of are outlined below:
There are a number of early starts in the itinerary. This is done invariably in order to capture the best part of the day for a
particular site, to avoid crowds, or if it is a busy excursion, to fit everything in to the day. For this reason we have built in
time at leisure, often in the middle of the day or in the afternoon, when you can relax.
Internal flight schedules are often changed at short notice. Generally times only alter by an hour or two, but changes are
sometimes more serious. If any of your flights are changed after booking we will notify you before you travel and amend the
itinerary accordingly. Serious changes can result in additional costs which in some cases will have to be met by you.
Tourism in Ethiopia is still in its infancy and the standard of accommodation outside of the capital is still developing. Most
new hotels are aiming to attract diplomats and professionals for a few days extension to their business trips in Addis and so
are built in an international hotel style with little charm or character. We have deliberately avoided these whenever there is
a suitable character alternative. The biggest hurdle for hoteliers seems to be with the access to comfortable mattresses and
so a common theme through Ethiopia is uncomfortably hard beds which is worth bearing in mind before booking this trip if
you struggle with a bad back or find it difficult to sleep on a firmer mattress.
Most of the activities included in this itinerary are on foot. There is a large amount of walking on this trip, with some
excursions possibly lasting four hours or more. Paths to the churches can be steep at times, often over uneven rock which
can be either worn smooth and therefore slippery or roughly hewn. You will need to be able to climb into and out of boats
as well as being capable of climbing stairs. There is some walking at an altitude of over 3,300m in the Simien Mountains and
although this is taken at a very relaxed pace you will need to have a good level of fitness to enjoy this trip fully. Some of the
journeys will be driving along rough, bumpy roads.
Travelling in Ethiopia requires flexibility, patience and understanding; arrangements often change at short notice,
accommodation is simple and there are long drives on unsealed roads. Standards of accommodation and service aren't
always as polished as they are in other African countries that are more established for tourism. This is improving all the
time but service remains reactive rather than proactive.
Visas
Ethiopia
British passport holders will need a visa to enter Ethiopia. Tourist visas can be obtained on arrival at Addis
Ababa (Bole International Airport) at a cost of approximately US$50 (euros and Ethiopian birr are also
accepted). If you are arriving by other means, or at another airport, you must get a visa prior to arrival.
Visa applicants in the United Kingdom should contact the Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of
Ethiopia in London (020 7589 7212). Penalties for overstaying your visa can be severe.
Important Note: We cannot under any circumstances guarantee that your visa application for any country will be accepted.
However, in our experience refusals are extremely rare. Visa information is given in good faith and is accurate to the best of
our knowledge.
6 Introduction to our Monasteries and Landscapes of Ethiopia tour
Day by day summary
1
Thursday 18
February 2016
Tonight you will fly from London Heathrow directly to Addis
Ababa on Ethiopian Airlines.
Overnight on board the aircraft
2
Friday 19
February 2016
On arrival at Addis Ababa airport you will meet the rest of
your group and your guide. You will then be driven in a minibus through the city to your hotel. After you have checked
in, had time to freshen up and eaten lunch you will set off on
a guided tour of the city. Dinner will be eaten at a city centre
restaurant this evening.
Radisson Blu, Addis Ababa
1 x Standard room - All meals
are included
3
Saturday 20
February 2016
This morning you will be taken back to the airport where
you will be ushered past the main check-in queues to take
your domestic flight to Axum on Ethiopian Airlines,
accompanied by your guide. On arrival in Axum you will be
met by your minibus and driver. You will first stop at the
hotel to check in and drop off bags, before embarking on
your tour of this remarkable city, home of the towering rock
stelae and the former seat of the massive Aksumite Empire.
Sabean Hotel, Axum
are included
4
Sunday 21
February 2016
Today you will fly from Axum to Lalibela where you will see
one of the most amazing sites in Ethiopia - the ancient,
monolithic rock hewn churches. This afternoon you will
discover the first group of churches with your guide.
Tukul Village, Lalibela
are included
5
Monday 22
February 2016
First thing today you will set off for the Naakuto Laab, a small
monastery outside of Lalibela town. After lunch you will
continue to the second group of churches in Lalibela
including the iconic Church of St George. Following your
tour you will enjoy a small traditional Ethiopian coffee
ceremony at a nearby house.
are included
6
Tuesday 23
February 2016
Flying from Lalibela you will travel to Gondar with your
guide. On arrival you will take a scenic drive through the
countryside into the mountainous scenery at the outpost
town of Debark, the entrance to the Simien Mountains. On
entering the park you will stop frequently to enjoy the
beautiful vistas before embarking on a short acclimatisation
walk before continuing to your lodge.
Simien Lodge, Simien Mountains
National Park
are included
7
Wednesday 24
February 2016
You will set off today on foot for a gentle hike through the
scenic Simien Mountains. The pace will be steady with plenty
of stops to enjoy the scenery. Finishing up at the Jinbar
waterfall you will then search for the elusive wildlife in the
region before returning to the lodge in time for lunch and a
well deserved rest this afternoon.
Simien Lodge, Simien Mountains
National Park
are included
8
Thursday 25
February 2016
After breakfast at the lodge you will leave the Simien
Mountains behind and return to Gondar by road. On arrival
you will take a tour of the fascinating European-style castles
in the imperial enclosure, and visit the pool of Emperor
Fasiledes. You may also visit the bustling market before
driving to your lodge in time for dinner.
Mayleko Lodge, Gondar
are included
9
Friday 26
February 2016
Leaving Gondar behind you will travel for around three hours
by road to Bahir Dar, nestled on the shore of Lake Tana
which is the source of the Blue Nile. You will have time to
settle into your hotel before taking a walk through some
beautiful scenery to view the Tissiat Falls. This evening you
will be able to relax with a massage of your choice at the
lodge.
Kuriftu Resort and Spa, Bahir
Dar
are included
Day by day summary 7
Day by day summary
10
Saturday 27
February 2016
A full day boat trip will be taken today to visit the unique
island monasteries of Lake Tana. Lunch will be taken with you
and enjoyed along the way.
Kuriftu Resort and Spa, Bahir
Dar
are included
11
Sunday 28
February 2016
You will fly from Bahir Dar to Addis Ababa today, arriving in
the capital you will be transferred to your hotel. This
evening`s farewell dinner will be taken at a traditional
Ethiopian restaurant in the city.
Radisson Blu, Addis Ababa
1 x Standard - Breakfast and
dinner are included
12
Monday 29
February 2016
After breakfast you will depart the hotel for the airport.
Flying from Addis Ababa to London, you will arrive at around
4pm.
8 Day by day summary
Prices
Arrangements as specified per person ____________________________________________________£3,495
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Please note the following supplements and/or upgrade options per person:
Single Supplement __________________________________________________________________£720
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Per person deposit required to confirm these arrangements _________________________________ £524
Optional carbon off-setting for your flights per person (see General Information section for further details) ____£23
The deposit required is detailed above and relates to the itinerary detailed in this quotation. In most cases the deposit is 15% of the
total cost or £200£200 per person (whichever is the greater), however in some instances a larger deposit is required in order to
secure particular services. Please refer to the Terms and Conditions section at the back of this booklet. Please note if you confirm
your booking within 60 days of your departure date full payment is required at the time of booking.
How to book
If you have any questions regarding the tour or would like to
hold a no obligation option for a place on the tour, please
feel free to contact Africa Team on 01993 838 500 who will
be delighted to assist you. To confirm an option, please send
us a completed booking form and the deposit specified
above. The deposit can be paid by cheque, bank transfer or
credit / debit card. Please make cheques payable to Audley
Travel.
Payment by credit card
Please note that we do not charge a fee on deposit payments
by credit card, except when a deposit is more than 15%. In
this situation a charge will apply. Credit card fees are
detailed on the booking form. We charge a credit card fee
due to the high fees charged to tour operators by the credit
card companies. We have chosen to make this transparent
rather than including it within the trip price. You may
therefore wish to pay the balance by bank transfer, debit
card or personal cheque.
Included in the price
• All flights as specified in the itinerary
• Twin share accommodation as specified
• All transfers and excursions as specified
• Services of experienced local guides
• Sightseeing and entrance fees
• Meals as specified in the itinerary
Not included in the price
• Meals not indicated within your itinerary
• Where applicable, local airport departure taxes; payable
locally on departure in some locations
• Items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks, etc.
• Tips for your guide and driver (discretionary)
• Any camera or video fees at any sites
• Entrance fees and other costs when on 'free time’
• Travel insurance (see general information section)
Prices 9
Why travel with us?
The New Mill, our offices on the outskirts of
Witney in west Oxfordshire
Reputation and quality
Well over 80% of our clients have
travelled with us in the past or have
had Audley recommended to them.
When you book with us you are
assured of quality arrangements if only
for the fact that we simply cannot
afford to risk our excellent reputation.
Our service has been recognised by
the readers of well-known publications
including the Guardian & Observer, the
Daily Telegraph and Wanderlust
magazine, where we have consistently
featured in their ‘best tour operator’
awards for a number of years.
Personal service
We are committed to offering you a
very personal service, with all your
arrangements being handled by one
country specialist. They will remain
your one point of contact and will take
responsibility for the smooth operation
of your trip. They are supported by a
team of specialists for that region and a
professional administration and
management team.
From the moment you contact us, we
are here to answer your questions
accurately and honestly, be they about
specific arrangements or any more
general queries you may have. We are
experienced travellers with a thorough
and in-depth knowledge of our
specialist destinations, and the benefit
of this experience is yours throughout.
When we do not know the answer to
a question we will endeavour to find
out and get back to you as soon as
possible.
[
10 Why travel with us?
Quality service when you are
travelling
We take a good deal of care when
choosing our travel partners overseas,
taking into account their quality of
service, guides and vehicles. We have
built up many long-standing
relationships, ensuring that they deliver
the level of service demanded by
Audley clients. Our local guides and
drivers, where appropriate, are the
people you will meet. In many cases we
know them personally, in all cases we
ensure that they are of the highest
calibre. They are there to do much
more than show you specific sights and
provide factual information. They will
be able to tell you about local life,
culture, cuisines and customs; and,
where applicable, act as translator. In
certain parts of the world a specialist
guide is more appropriate, for example,
a wildlife expert.
First class guides
A smooth journey
We have procedures in place for
dealing quickly and efficiently with
mishaps from minor flight time
alterations to more fundamental
changes. If problems do occur we will
rapidly rearrange your itinerary to
make best use of your time given the
changed circumstances, not simply
cancel part of your trip or leave you
sitting in an airport waiting for hours
for a rescheduled flight. Importantly, in
these situations we will do everything
possible to minimise any extra costs
involved – in the vast majority of cases
no extra charges will be made. If a
problem does occur while you are
travelling you can contact us on our 24
hour number. We will do everything in
our power to rectify the problem
immediately rather than allow it to
spoil your trip.
Detailed travel documents
Approximately two to three weeks
before you travel we will send you all
your travel documents presented in a
convenient travel organiser. As well as
your full itinerary and travel
documents, there will also be
additional information such as
recommended restaurants and
practical tips. A few days before you
travel your specialist will call you to
have a final talk through your itinerary
and answer any last minute questions
you may have.
Responsible travel
We have a firm commitment to
minimising the environmental and
social impact of travel, and strive to
ensure that a visit from an Audley
client has a positive effect on the
destination. We have a
firm commitment to the principles of
‘responsible travel’ and have been
awarded AITO 5 star status (the
highest achievable) for our policies and
practises. We continue to work with
AITO, and a number of other bodies,
to improve our policies. For more
details please refer to our website
(www.audleytravel.com/rt) where you
will find details of our responsible
travel policy and also our Travellers’
Code. If you are particularly interested
in these issues, your country specialist
will be able to tell you more.
Legal liability
We are a UK company and hence must
fully comply with English law. When
booking with us you can rest assured
that your arrangements are carefully
planned as we have a reputation to
maintain and are legally liable for any
omissions or negligent acts. You may
not find you have this level of
reassurance if you make your own
travel arrangements independently.
Introduction to Ethiopia
Key facts:
Population: 78.25 million
Currency: Ethiopian Birr
Land area: 1.13 million square kilometres
Time difference: GMT+3 hours
Major languages spoken: Amharic, English, Oromo
Capital city: Addis Ababa
Introduction
Ethiopia has been seared into public perception as a dry, dusty land ravaged by famine, but this is a remarkably misleading and
outdated image. The central plateau where the vast majority of Ethiopians live is a verdant area with abundant vegetation which
has supported civilisations for thousands of years. This has left a rich historic heritage that forms the backbone of most visits to
Ethiopia, including the stelae at Axum, the rock-cut churches of Lalibela and the castles of Gondar. However, there is more to
the country than this. The Simien and Bale mountains provide excellent trekking opportunities for the more adventurous, with
superb mountain scenery and the vulnerable Ethiopian wolf. There are also national parks where indigenous wildlife can be
spotted, such as the bleeding heart baboon, kudu and a wide variety of bird species.
Tourism in Ethiopia is in its infancy which means that health and safety precautions like life jackets in boats or protective railings
at historical sites are rarely in place. Whilst Addis Ababa has one or two international five-star hotels, they cater mainly for jetset businessmen and charge accordingly. It also has some decent, affordable mid-range hotels. Outside of Addis, each town or
city tends to have one bearable hotel - they are basic, but comfortable and no more than this. Other than these hotels, the
alternatives tend to be very basic indeed and we try to steer clear of them. Many of the roads you will travel on are graded
track rather than tarmac, so the ride is not the most comfortable.
Ethiopia is a destination for those who are not hung-up on creature comforts. You will not have fluffy towels, a mini bar and
uniformed chauffeurs on your trip, but you will be rewarded with a remarkable country, wonderfully hospitable people and an
amazing range of experiences that as yet are uncorrupted by mass tourism.
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Introduction to the region 11
Introduction to Ethiopia
12 Introduction to the region
Top: Simien Mountains National Park
Left: Royal Enclosure, Gondar
Lower left: St. George's Cathedral, Addis Ababa
14 Photographs of the region
Top: Painted ceiling at Debra Berhan Selassie Church, Gondar
Left: Walia ibex, Simien Mountains National Park
Right: Naakuto Laab Priest, Lalibela
Photographs of the region 15
Itinerary in Detail
Thursday
18 February, 2016
London Heathrow to Addis Ababa
Friday
19 February, 2016
Addis Ababa introduction
Radisson Blu, Addis
Ababa
All meals are included
National Museum of Ethiopia, Addis
Ababa
Ethiopian Airlines - Flight No: ET 701 - Dep: 21:00 - Arr: 08:00 - (next day); Class:
Economy Class; Non-stop flight
Addis Ababa (known locally as Addis) is a new city, certainly by Ethiopia's venerable
standards, being just over a hundred years old. Although very large, it retains
something of a rustic air, thanks in part to the donkey and carts which trot merrily
amongst the characteristic blue and white taxi traffic, various livestock seen grazing
on the verges and in the gardens of the city, and the technicolour priests that are
so much a part of Ethiopian life. Addis is home to the African Union and the UN
Economic Commission for Africa and is considered by many to be the political
capital of Africa. The high influx of international politicians has increased standards
in the city's hotels and it certainly does have a different feel to much of the rest of
the country. The high rise buildings enclose international hotels, modern banks, jazz
clubs and nightclubs frequented by young Ethiopians gossiping on mobile phones.
Addis is also home to a number of notable museums including the Ethiopian
National Museum - home to a plaster replica of the famous early hominid
Australopithecine Lucy, the Ethiopian Natural History Museum and the Ethiopian
Ethnological Museum. Other landmarks include the St George's and Holy Trinity
Cathedrals, the National Palace and Menelik's Imperial Palace. Whilst Addis lacks
the sheer volume of amazing monuments and scenery that complements much of
the rest of the country, it is a pleasant enough place to begin and end your trip
with enough attractions to see to keep you occupied for a day or two.
Holy Trinity Cathedral, Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa airport to Radisson Blu hotel
seat in coach transfer accompanied by your guide
On arrival in Addis this morning you will meet the rest of your group and your
guide. You will be driven through the city for around 15 minutes to your hotel.
Addis Ababa city tour
small group excursion with guide
Whilst Addis isn't blessed with the sort of spectacular monuments that have made
other Ethiopian destinations famous, there is a good scattering of sights worth
seeing, and your tour of the city will include many of them.
Africa Hall, although built by Haile Selassie, is one of the classic examples of Italian
architecture in the city. It was built as the headquarters for the now defunct
Organisation of African Unity, and boasts one of the largest stained-glass windows
in the world, by Afewerk Tekle, considered one of Africa's greatest artists.
16 Itinerary in Detail
Itinerary in Detail
Addis has numerous important churches, and your tour includes two of them. St
George's Cathedral is the oldest church in the city, and was built by Emperor
Menelik (who founded the city) in 1896, to commemorate the defeat of the Italians
at Adwa. Subsequent emperors were all crowned here, and the artwork of
Afewerk Tekle again is prominent.
Holy Trinity Cathedral, also known as Kiddist Selassie, is a large church, with a
range of styles used in the construction. Certain aspects of the design give the
cathedral an Arabic feel to it, and the interior is covered in artwork of both
modern and traditional design. The graveyard has a couple of very notable graves that of Sylvia Pankhurst, daughter of Emmeline and an advocate of Ethiopian
independence from Italy, and that of the last emperor, Haile Selassie, who also laid
the foundation stone for the cathedral.
Mercato is the market district of Addis, and in some ways resembles a traditional
Arab souq: at first it may appear disorganised and chaotic, but in fact the stalls are
laid out according to trade. So all of the spice vendors are situated in one distinct
"quarter", and all the metal workers in another. It can be an overpowering place not just the noise and bustle, but also the smell!
Addis has a number of good museums, and your tour includes two of them, the
Archaeological Museum and the Ethnological Museum. You finish the day with a
short drive out to Mt Entoto. This range, just outside Addis, overlooks the city and
was the site of the previous capital. From here you have a magnificent panoramic
view over the current capital.
Stained glass window, Addis Ababa
Saturday
20 February, 2016
Sabean Hotel, Axum
Radisson Blu hotel to Addis Ababa airport
You will be collected from the hotel and driven to the airport.
Addis Ababa Terminal: 1 to Axum airport
Ethiopian Airlines - Flight No: ET114 - Dep: 07:55 - Arr: 09:25 - (same day); Class:
Axum introduction
From around 200BC to 700AD, Axum was the administrative seat of the huge
Aksumite Empire which extended over a million square miles across the Red Sea to
Arabia. The empire traded with India and China, had its own language, alphabet and
notational system, constructed great engineering works and was reckoned in the
4th century to be one of the four great powers of the ancient world. Once home
to the much disputed Queen of Sheba, it is one of the oldest continually inhabited
Itinerary in Detail 17
Itinerary in Detail
cities in Africa and its historical significance was recognised by UNESCO when it
was designated a World Heritage Site in 1980.
Axum these days is a compact city, known for its extraordinary 1,700 year old
towering rock stelae and for the oldest church in Ethiopia, the Mariam Tsion
Cathedral, said to house the original Ark of the Covenant.
Edge of the Ezana Stone, Axum
Old Cathedral of St. Mary of Zion, Axum
Axum airport to Sabean Hotel
On arrival at the airport you will be met and assisted to the mini-bus which will
drive you the short distance to your hotel. The transfer should take around 20
minutes. En route you will see the outskirts of Axum and amongst the traditional
buildings, you will notice a number of new buildings in various stages of
construction. Much of this construction was funded from the West but many of the
projects were either paused or abandoned altogether when the recession hit in
2008. On entering the town you will see lovely wide avenues flanked by flame
trees.
Tour of Axum
Today you will have a full tour of Axum. First you will visit the New Cathedral of
St. Mary of Tsion which was constructed to celebrate the liberation of Ethiopia
from the Italian fascist occupation in 1935. Inside, the cathedral is adorned with
colourful paintings, many of which are covered with heavy curtains out of respect.
The centrepiece of the domed room is a huge chandelier donated by Queen
Elizabeth II. The Old Cathedral of St. Mary of Zion was built in 1665 by Emperor
Fasilides but has been destroyed and rebuilt many times since. An internal tour of
the Old Cathedral is not included as access to women is prohibited.
In between the two buildings you will see one of the holiest places in Ethiopia - the
Chapel of the Tablet. It is a popular belief in Ethiopia that this chapel is used to
house the original Ark of the Covenant and the tablets containing the original
inscriptions of the Ten Commandments. Although access is restricted to the
hermit guardian priest who reportedly protects the Ark (with even the Emperor
unable to enter) you will be able to view the holy building from the outside.
Leaving the cathedral behind you will walk to view the nearby stelae of Axum.
Synonymous with Ethiopian heritage, these towering, hand-carved stone monoliths
are around 1,700 years old. The northern stelae park is home to the greatest
density of the highest monuments, said to mark the tombs of important rulers,
whilst the smaller and more subtle western park was constructed around 100 years
later. You will then continue to view the bath of the Queen of Sheba which is used
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as a modern-day reservoir.
Following your walking tour of the city you will also visit the Ezana Stone tablet.
Housed in an unassuming shack accessed via a couple of steep steps, the Ezana
Stone dates from around 340AD. It documents the journey of King Azana to
Christianity and his various battles as ruler of the empire. The stories are recorded
in three languages - Greek, Sabean and the ancient Ethiopian language of Ge'ez.
Ethiopian church painting
Sunday
21 February, 2016
Sabean Hotel to Axum airport
You will check out of the hotel and return to Axum airport by mini-bus with the
journey taking around 20 minutes.
Northern Stelae Field, Axum
Ethiopian Airlines domestic aircraft, Axum airport
Axum airport to Lalibela
Lalibela introduction
King Lalibela of the Zaghwe dynasty created the city of Lalibela, which was to
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become the capital of Ethiopia. The layout of the city was modelled on Jerusalem
and it earnt itself the nickname of New Jerusalem. Part of Lalibela's vision for the
city included 11 beautiful churches, hand carved from the bedrock and nestled
amongst the hillsides.
Today, Lalibela is acknowledged as arguably one of the most important sites in the
Christian world as well as one of the most dramatic and impressive building
enterprises in African history, yet the area is virtually untouched by the modern
world, with year-round roads and electricity only having arrived in the 1990s.
Lalibela is a pilgrimage site, as Ethiopians come here in vast numbers, particularly
during the festival of Timkat, to worship in the monolithic rock-hewn churches.
The churches are impressive in so many ways: still used for daily worship as was
intended, some eight or nine hundred years after construction. They are not just
carved out of rock, but are actually free-standing, as huge channels were dug all
round them to separate them from the bedrock. Each one is decorated with
elaborate motifs and designs.
There are reports of fleas being found in the carpets of the underground churches of
Lalibela so we recommend taking a pair of thick socks as a barrier, however, none of us
travelling around this area have encountered a problem with this and you may find a
simple insect repellent to be sufficient.
Stone carving, Lalibela
Lalibela airport to Tukul Village
On arrival in Lalibela you will collect your baggage and meet your mini-bus which
will drive you through Lalibela to your hotel. The transfer will take around 30
minutes.
Tour of the northern church cluster
After settling in to your accommodation and enjoying lunch you will set off to see
the first group of churches in Lalibela.
The churches that you will visit this afternoon are found to the north of the River
Jordan and are dominated by Bet Medhane Alem (Redeemer of the World). This is
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the largest single-block rock-hewn church in the world, and is supported by 72
columns, half inside and half outside, which give the church the look of a classical
temple. The vast internal space is very austere and you will see local people saying
their daily prayers. There are empty graves carved into the floor which have
puzzled some scholars with one interpretation that they have been symbolically
prepared for Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
A tunnel leads from Medhane Alem to a nearby courtyard which contains three
churches. Bet Maryam (House of Mary) is very small but exquisitely decorated with
frescoes and carvings, including a bas relief of St. George slaying the dragon. Even
smaller is the chapel of Bet Maskal (House of the Cross), also with some fine
carvings, and complete with hermits who inhabit some of the larger caves in the
chapel. Smallest of the churches in this courtyard is Bet Danaghel (House of the
Virgins, or Martyrs), constructed to honour 136 virgins martyred in Edessa by the
Roman Emperor Julian.
Another tunnel and a slight scramble up hewn steps leads to the third and final
courtyard in this northern cluster of churches. The two churches of Met Debra
Sina (House of Mt. Sinai, also called Bet Mikael) and Bet Golgotha are the holiest
places of Lalibela and have a heavy atmosphere of sanctity about them. Bet
Golgotha has some of the finest early Christian art in the country, and seven
fantastic life-size carvings of saints adorn the walls. Legend has it that King Lalibela,
traditionally believed to be the founder of all Lalibela's churches, is buried under a
slab in Bet Golgotha.
Please note that Bet Golgotha is the only church in the Lalibela cluster that
prohibits entry to women. The tour around this particular room is relatively brief
and women on the tour will be requested not to enter.
On entering the churches it is courteous to cover your shoulders either with sleeves or a
scarf, and remove your shoes. The paths between churches have been worn smooth over
hundreds of years so shoes with a grip are most practical. As you will be repeatedly
removing your shoes we have found that walking sandals with Velcro straps are most
useful.
Lalibela, Ethiopia
Monday
22 February, 2016
Exploring the Naakuto Laab cave monastery
Today you will set off after breakfast to visit a unique monastery just outside
Lalibela called Naakuto Laab. It is named after its constructor, the nephew and
successor of King Lalibela. This is a relatively simple church, built around a naturally
occurring rock face cave, in which several holy pools are fed by natural springs.
There is a short walk from the parking area down to the church itself and the
views of the highlands off to the right hand side are truly beautiful. The church itself
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has many treasures which will be shown to you by the priest. Some of them are
claimed to have belonged to Naakuto Laab himself.
After you have viewed the church you will walk back up the track to visit the small
museum on site. Treasures housed here include paintings, crosses and ancient
leather books.
Often when you leave the museum a few of the local women will have set up stalls
selling small hand crafted musical instruments, small silver crosses and handmade
decorations for a small price.
Monk, Lalibela
Naakuto Laab Cave Monastery, Lalibela
Tour of the eastern cluster of churches
The cluster of churches to the east of the Jordan river includes the supposed royal
chapel, Bet Emanuel (House of Emanuel). Perhaps because of the royal connection,
it is the most finely worked of any Lalibela church, with superb carvings in the
Aksumite style. Chambers in the walls are the graves of pilgrims who asked to be
buried here.
A tunnel connects the church to another, Bet Mercurios (House of Mercurios).
This is thought to have originally been a prison, or courthouse, as ankle shackles
have been found in a trench here. There are some interesting wall friezes, although
the interior of the church has partially collapsed.
Bet Abba Libanos (House of Father Libanos) is the only church in Lalibela, where
although the sides and back have been separated from the surrounding rock, the
roof remains attached, almost as if the church was under an overhang. Joined by a
tunnel is the small chapel of Bet Lehem (Bethlehem), which some consider to have
been the cell used by King Lalibela for private prayer.
Bet Gabriel-Rufa'el (House of the Archangels) is very unusual in layout and
alignment, comprising three halls and two courtyards, surrounded by a trench.
Scholars speculate that prior to being made a church it was actually the residence
of Lalibela and his family. The church itself is simply decorated and not especially
large, although pointed Aksumite windows do give it a strangely incongruous
Islamic appearance.
Bet Giorgis (House of St. George), although grouped in this eastern cluster, actually
sits in isolated splendour in towards the main town from both sets of churches.
The legend goes that as he was about to complete all the churches at Lalibela, King
Lalibela received a visitation from an irate St. George, piqued as none of the
churches built had been dedicated to him. Lalibela promised to rectify the mistake,
and to make St. George's church the finest of the lot. Most people would agree he
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succeeded. Shaped like a cruciform Greek cross it is some 15 metres high, and
excavated entirely below ground-level, surrounded by steep trenches (in the
trenches are holes, said to be the hoof prints of St. George's steed as he rushed to
view his new church). This is the most photographed church in Lalibela and the
perfect example of a rock-hewn church.
Priest, Lalibela
Traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony
Following your tour of the Church of St. George you will enjoy a traditional
Ethiopian coffee ceremony with a local family. Coffee is enjoyed on a daily basis by
most Ethiopians, with many dedicating whole rooms in their houses to hosting
family and friends during their ceremonies. These are usually decorated with
colourful artwork and handmade furniture. The pounding of the pestle and mortar
signals to the whole street that the coffee is being prepared and often the whole
community will gather together to discuss the day. There is no particular rota for
whose turn it is and the ceremony moves from house to house.
On arrival you will be seated around the room facing the coffee table and the family
will pass around snacks such as homemade popcorn or toasted nuts on traditional
wooden tables. One of the young female members of the family will begin roasting
the green coffee beans in the room, filling it with a delightful aroma. Once roasted,
the beans are taken outside and pounded in a large pestle and mortar. The final
preparation is to repeatedly boil and cool the coffee in a traditional jebena. It is
served in small handleless cups and is usually drunk without milk or sugar.
This visit offers a great glimpse into an ancient Ethiopian tradition. As the coffee is passed
around you may also be offered a home-made honey wine. This is incredibly sweet but
very tasty and surprisingly alcoholic. The availability of this will depend on the success of
the honey harvest. If you don't like coffee or prefer not to drink, the family will not be
offended if you decline, but they can be quite persuasive so it's best to let us know in
advance of your preference so we can arrange for tea or another alternative to be
available.
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Ethiopian coffee ceremony
Tuesday
23 February, 2016
Simien Lodge, Simien
Mountains National Park
Tukul Village to Lalibela airport
After breakfast you will be driven back through Lalibela town to the airport.
We would advise dressing in clothing suitable for walking today, as you will be taking a
short acclimatising walk on arrival in the Simien Mountains this afternoon before arriving
at your lodge and being able to change. You may find it useful to travel in a comfortable
pair of shoes with your walking shoes easily accessible in the top of your bag.
Lalibela to Gondar
Gondar introduction
Gondar, Ethiopia
Gondar is a remarkable town with an unusual atmosphere, thanks to its fantastically
preserved castles and churches. They bring to mind an age of chivalry, and a feeling
of medieval Europe and all its pageantry. Indeed, it seems probable that the
churches were built with the help of Portuguese craftsmen, so this should not be
entirely surprising. Most of Gondar's monuments date back to 1632, when it
became the imperial capital of the Ethiopian empire, under Emperor Fasiladas and
his dynasty which ruled for over two centuries. Located on the principal trade
route between the rich heart of the continent and the ports of the Red Sea, its
wealth became legendary.
In Gondar, there are a dozen castles (registered by UNESCO in 1979) built by
various emperors over the course of 236 years. Many picturesque ruins lie in the
royal enclosure like the fairytale castles which reflect the glory of Gondarine kings.
The other place of interest in Gondar are the baths belonging to Fasilidas, a huge
swimming pool slowly being claimed by wild fig trees. During the Timket
celebrations in January the pool is filled with diverted river water and thousands of
pilgrims flock to watch the water being blessed in a ceremony to celebrate the
baptism of Christ.
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Royal Enclosure, Gondar
Gondar to Debark and the Simien Mountains
You will be leave Gondar and be driven for around an hour and a half to Debark,
the small frontier town at the gateway to the Simien Mountains.
Simien Mountains National Park introduction
The Simien Mountains are an area of remarkable beauty, and are also home to
some of Ethiopia's more unusual, and often endemic, wildlife. The area was
designated a National Park in 1969 and UNESCO recognised the unique status of
the mountains and declared them a World Heritage Site in 1978.
Consisting of high plateaus and river valleys, some of which drop off in breathtaking
canyons, the Simien Mountains National Park also contains the fourth-highest peak
in Africa, Ras Dashen (also known as Ras Dajen), at 4,543m. Wildlife includes the
walia ibex (a type of mountain goat, distinguished by large curving horns), the
gelada baboon (known as the bleeding heart baboon because of a red patch on its
chest), and the very rare Ethiopian wolf of which there are estimated to be just 42
in the entire park. Birdlife is prolific, and perhaps the most iconic is the
lammergeyer or bearded vulture. With a 10 foot wingspan this bird resembles an
eagle and is often seen soaring on thermals through the canyons.
The park sits at around 2,000 with mountain peaks reaching as high as 4,500 metres
and the accommodation sits at 3,300 metres. This is high enough to feel the effects of the
altitude, so you should discuss any potential problems this may cause with your doctor
prior to booking your trip. At altitude you will find yourself moving slower than usual, but
this gives an excellent opportunity to admire the spectacular views. There is a risk of being
affected by Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), which is a common and usually harmless
condition caused by reduced air pressure and a lower concentration of oxygen. If you have
heart or lung conditions, anaemia, asthma, high blood pressure, or are taking the
contraceptive pill you must seek the advice of your GP and specifically mention the
maximum altitude the trip reaches before booking.
Whilst the itinerary has been specifically designed to allow your body to acclimatise
gradually, the speed of onset and severity - as well as the height at which AMS develops can vary greatly between individuals. Being physically fit affords no special protection.
Please ensure that your insurance policy covers you for walking at altitude.
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Simien Mountains National Park
Introductory walk in the Simien Mountains National Park
small group trek with your guide
On entering the park at Debark you will be driven for around half an hour until you
reach the starting point for your short trek this afternoon in search of the gelada
(or bleeding heart) baboons. You will enjoy some truly stunning views over the
landscape towards the highest peak of Ras Dashen at 4,543 metres.
Gelada baboon, Simien Mountains National Park
Wednesday
24 February, 2016
Simien Lodge, Simien
Mountains National Park
Chenek trek
You will take a hike through the Simien Mountains National Park. The hike will not
be a route march and there will be plenty of time to view the scenery and pause
for photographs as you go. Keep your eyes peeled for the elusive Ethiopian wolf
and lammergeyer vulture. After approximately two hours, you will end up opposite
the top of the Jinbar Waterfall - a narrow thread of water thundering over 1,600
feet to the Geech Abyss below. The flow of the water is very variable but
regardless of this, the sight is truly spectacular. After your walk you will meet your
vehicle which will take you to the Chenek viewpoint where you may be lucky
enough to spot walia ibex before returning to the lodge for lunch and a welldeserved rest this afternoon.
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Jinbar Waterfall, Simien Mountains
National Park
Gelada baboons grazing in Simien Mountains National Park
Thursday
25 February, 2016
Mayleko Lodge, Gondar
Debark to Gondar
You will depart the Simien Mountains today and return to Debark along the gravel
road. Here you will leave the park and continue along the tar road back to Gondar.
Gondar, Ethiopia
Friday
26 February, 2016
Kuriftu Resort and Spa,
Bahir Dar
Gondar, Ethiopia
Tour of the imperial castles of Gondar
At the heart of Gondar town is the Royal Enclosure (Fasil Ghebbi), a collection of
castles, tunnels, walkways and buildings surrounded by high stone walls, built by the
Emperor Fasiladas and his successors who ruled from Gondar at the height of its
power. His main castle, Fasiladas's Castle, is the most impressive of the six within
the enclosure, and displays Portuguese, Axumite and Indian influences. Recurrent
on the ground floor is a motif similar to the Star of David, used from the
Solomonic dynasty in the 13th century onwards as the royal emblem. On the first
floor, Fasiladas' prayer room has four windows, each facing a church. A platform on
the third floor offers views in all directions - from which you can see Lake Tana on
a clear day.
Emperor Iyasu is regarded as the greatest of those rulers based in Gondar, and his
castle was once a marvel, decorated with ivory, gold leaf, precious stones and
paintings, but earthquakes, and bombing by the British during the Second World
War have left just a shell. Next to the castle is an old sauna, the workings of which
can still be understood and appreciated.
Emperor Iyasu II ascended the throne too young to rule himself, and his mother,
Mentuab, ruled as his regent. She built the last of the great castles in the Royal
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Enclosure, one that is in such good shape today that it is still used as the public
library. Although she built in the Royal Enclosure, Mentuab actually ruled from a
complex constructed for her just outside the city at Kusquam. A pleasant contrast
to the enclosure, it is set on a forested hillside overlooking Gondar, and the
remains of her palace are clearly discernible, with many lower walls and even a
staircase intact. The church of Kusquam Maryam, damaged by war, was extensively
rebuilt and redecorated in the late 20th century, so the building itself is not of any
great historic interest, but it does house the bones of Mentuab and Iyasu II in a
glass coffin.
Also outside the city centre are the baths of Fasiladas, a vast sunken bathing pool
supposed to have been built by the emperor. It is surrounded by a turreted wall
and almost certainly served a ceremonial purpose, as it does today when it is the
focal point of local Timkat festivities.
Finally, this afternoon you will visit the Debre Birhan Trinity Church, characterised
by its ceiling of painted angels before returning to your lodge for dinner.
Gondar, Ethiopia
Gondar to Bahir Dar
After exploring the imperial compound today you will travel to Bahir Dar by road.
The journey will take approximately three hours with a stop en route to view the
rock formation of Addis Zemen.
This is a beautifully scenic drive, but please note that there will be no toilet facilities en
route.
Addis Zemen rock formation, Gondar to Bahir Dar road
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Bahir Dar introduction
Bahir Dar is one of the most important cities in northern Ethiopia. It has a laid-back
feel, with wide tree-lined avenues and colourful borders. There is still plenty of
traffic, more bikes than anywhere else in the country, and there is a bustling weekly
market. The main trade in the area is in flower production, in particular roses, and
these are exported worldwide. Although the city does not feature the great
monuments that distinguish other towns, it is a good base for exploring the
surrounding area, notably Lake Tana, the Blue Nile and the Tissisat Falls. Its
location on the shores of Lake Tana makes it an attractive and friendly town, so
much so that Haile Selassie considered moving his capital here.
The town is one of the most geared up for visitors as it is within striking distance
of Addis and is used by diplomats based in the capital who are seeking a break.
Tissisat (or Blue Nile) Falls, Bahir Dar
Walk to the Tissisat (Blue Nile) Falls
This afternoon you will leave Bahir Dar and you will be driven around 1.5 hours to
the falls. The road is quite potholed so the going is slow but the scenery along the
route is pretty, with farmers working the fields, cattle egrets along the side of the
road and local people going about their daily lives.
On arrival you will set off on foot for around an hour to reach the falls. The hike is
over rocky, uneven and sometimes steep ground but the walk is taken slowly with
many stops to enjoy the views and take photographs. You will cross over a
beautiful ancient stone bridge, take a steep walk uphill before dropping down to
view the falls themselves.
The Tissisat Falls (also known as the Tisabay or Blue Nile Falls) were once
considered one of the great natural sights of Africa. They fall over a lip some 400
metres wide, and plunge 45 metres to the new river bed, creating a thunderous
sound, and spray that falls up to a kilometre away (tissisat translates as 'smoking
water').
Unfortunately, with the construction of a hydro-electric plant upstream of the falls,
they do not always foam with their full power. However, the walk to the main
viewpoint still offers a spectacular view as you pass through the lush forest
supported by the spray, past succulent aloes, framed by rainbows hanging in the
mist. You may also be lucky enough to see some silversmiths and weavers at work
near the falls.
Passing the falls, the walk will continue across a metal suspension bridge and
through a plantation, before dropping down to the river. Here a boat will be
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waiting to take you on a short cruise back to the other bank. Keep your eyes
peeled for crocodiles, crested eagles, kingfishers and the beautiful carmine beeeaters that are often spotted here. Once reunited with the vehicle you will return
to Bahir Dar.
Although the falls are not as impressive these days, the walk really is lovely, giving you the
chance to meet local people and see a variety of scenery.
You will definitely need to wear comfortable walking shoes today, as well as suncream and
a hat, as in places along the walk there is little shade. A small amount of change will also
be useful as there will be opportunities to take photographs of people as well as the
scenery and it is appropriate to offer a small tip in this instance. You may also see women
selling musical instruments and handmade scarves near to the falls which you may like to
purchase.
Please be extremely careful when boarding the boat for the transfer back to your mini-bus
as the level of the boat to the jetty depends on the variable water levels and if the water is
low there can be a big step down into the boat. Your guide and the boat driver will assist
you.
Tissisat (or Blue Nile) Falls, Bahir Dar
Saturday
27 February, 2016
Kuriftu Resort and Spa,
Bahir Dar
Exploring the island monastaries of Lake Tana
Today will be devoted to fully exploring the Island Monasteries of Lake Tana. There
are 37 islands in the lake of which 30 have churches and monasteries of
considerable interest, some of which have restricted access to women. The two
best known are Narga Selassie and Ura Kidanemihiret which house an important
collection of religious icons from the 16th to 18th centuries. A visit here is
followed by one of the lesser known monasteries, Azoa Mariam, which has
wonderful paintings depicting scenes from both the Old and the New Testaments.
Depending on how long you spend in each monastery you may have some free
time this afternoon or early evening. If you do have some time spare then you may
visit the market where you can find the typical hand-woven capes and scarves made
of local cotton and possibly also visit Weyto village, which is 2km west of town.
Here the people are known for their production of tankwa (papyrus) boats.
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Ethiopian Priest, Bahir Dar
Chillies drying in the sun, Bahir Dar
Sunday
28 February, 2016
Radisson Blu, Addis
Ababa
Breakfast and dinner are
included
Kuriftu Resort and Spa to Bahir Dar airport
Your mini-bus will take you to Bahir Dar airport.
Bahir Dar to Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa airport to Radisson Blu hotel for final night
On arrival in Addis Ababa you will be met and driven through the city to your
hotel. This afternoon you will have time to use the hotel facilities before your
evening meal.
Lake Tana, Bahir Dar
Monday
29 February, 2016
Radisson Blu hotel to Addis Ababa airport
Addis Ababa to London Heathrow
Important Notes
•
•
•
Flight times and the daily order of sightseeing are subject to change.
Transfer times are approximate and subject to local conditions at the time of travel.
All flight times are local.
Accommodation
OUR ACCOMMODATION GRADING SYSTEM
Your accommodation is described on the following pages. Please do not
hesitate to call us if you require any further information about any of the
properties. We classify accommodation into the following categories. These
are for your guidance only, they are based on the opinions of our staff and are
therefore quite subjective.
Basic: Very primitive accommodation where we are not aware of anything
better in the region.
Simple: Clean and simple but limited facilities.
Medium: A good standard of accommodation, reasonable range of facilities.
First Class: A high standard of accommodation with a wide range of facilities.
Deluxe: Superb accommodation with facilities and service to match.
Opulent: The world’s most unashamedly luxurious hotels, resorts and lodges.
32 Accommodation
Accommodation
RADISSON BLU, ADDIS ABABA
Medium
The Radisson Blu hotel is located on a
bustling street within striking distance
of the airport. One side of the hotel
has views over the established city
whilst the other looks over the
developing side. The rooms are
comfortable with big windows,
television, table and chair. The
wardrobes house a safe and there is a
minibar plus tea and coffee facilities in
each room. The en suites have a bath
and a separate shower cubicle. The
Club rooms are on the 8th and 9th
floors and offer access to the Club
Lounge on the 9th floor. Pastries, hot
and cold snacks and cool drinks are
available here on a complimentary basis
throughout the day. Meals are served
in the restaurant on the ground floor
and breakfast is a huge affair with
various hot and cold options. There is
also an outside lounge area and,
although there is no pool at the hotel,
there is a lovely spa on the 1st floor
offering massage treatments.
Our opinion: There is limited parking at
the front of the hotel so you may stop at
the side of the road and be required to
walk a few metres along the roadside to
access the entrance - please be careful
when doing this.
SABEAN HOTEL, AXUM
Medium
Axum is an area that cannot be missed
on a tour of Ethiopia but the
accommodation options here are very
limited. The Sabean Hotel is centrally
located and modern when compared
to all other options in the town. All the
rooms have twin or double beds, ensuite shower rooms, satellite
televisions, safe, wall mounted fan and
wireless internet access. The
mattresses are on the hard side but
this is a common theme through
Ethiopia.
The hotel's restaurant serves both
Ethiopian and international cuisine and
breakfast is served as a buffet. The
quality of the food will not be the best
that you will experience on your tour.
down by the hard mattresses and the
quality of the food, but please bear in
mind that this hotel is still the best in the
area and allows you to access the
incredible sites that Axum offers.
Our opinion: Whilst this hotel has a lot
going for it with its friendly and welcoming
staff who are very eager to please, it is let
Accommodation 33
Accommodation
TUKUL VILLAGE, LALIBELA
Medium
Tukul Village is the newest hotel in
Lalibela and has been styled after a
traditional village with 12 double storey
thatched roofed rondavels or 'tukuls'
nestled in pretty gardens. Each tukul is
double storey and the first floor rooms
each have a private balcony with views
reaching towards St. George’s Church
and the local market. The main dining
area feels slightly dark and forlorn
compared to the bright bedrooms, but
is decorated with some very interesting
black and white photography of the
area.
Each tukul is simple, well-kept and
spacious. Each has a little entrance
hall/changing area with a wardrobe
containing a safe and the bedrooms
have comfortable beds, bedside tables
and floor-to-ceiling windows on one
side. There are UK-style sockets in
each room suitable for charging camera
batteries and each room has a modern
34 Accommodation
tiled en suite shower room.
Our opinion: Tukul Village is by far the
most characterful accommodation in
Lalibela and has a great location just a 1015 minute walk downhill from most of the
major rock-hewn churches. We have
found the staff to be friendly and
welcoming even if the food wasn't a
particular highlight!
Accommodation
SIMIEN LODGE, SIMIEN
MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Medium
At 3,300m Simien Lodge is the highest
lodge in Africa and the only permanent
accommodation available inside the
Simien Mountains National Park. The
twenty standard tukuls are built in the
traditional Ethiopian style with
thatched roofs and round stone walls.
Both the bar and restaurant are
centred around log fires, which are lit
in the evenings creating a great
atmosphere.
Our opinion: The lodge has magnificent
views of the Simien escarpment and the
charismatic gelada baboons are frequent
visitors to the lodge. Nights on the
mountain can be cold, so ensure you bring
along suitable nightware (including socks).
The staff have a plentiful supply of spare
blankets for guests use, but often forget to
offer them, so if you do feel the cold, just
ask your guide who will assist you.
MAYLEKO LODGE, GONDAR
Medium
Located outside the town of Gondar,
Myleko Lodge is one of the newer
additions to the area. The 20 individual
stone and thatch chalets are connected
by a little winding path which leads up a
small hill, past the swimming pool. At
the top of the hill there is an outside
seating area and an indoor restaurant
and toilets. The rooms are large and
decorated with hand carved wooden
furniture, each with twin or double
beds and a large en suite shower room.
Each has a little decking area accessed
through large french doors.
Our opinion: The rooms are rather
sparsely decorated and located quite close
together so don't offer much privacy but
the views from the main lodge over the
farmland is lovely, particularly during
sunset. We have found the mattresses in
this hotel to be particularly rather hard.
Accommodation 35
Accommodation
KURIFTU RESORT AND SPA,
BAHIR DAR
Medium
Nestled on the edge of Lake Tana, the
source of the Blue Nile, the Kuriftu
Resort and Spa is a welcoming and
relaxing lodge. The centre of the resort
is the pool which is a good size for
swimming, complete with sun loungers
and traditionally made thatch parasols.
The resort has 28 stone suites which
are built in double storey buildings
around the gardens with some offering
a glimpse of the lake. Each suite has a
private veranda with a day-bed and
glass doors leading through to the main
bedroom. The suites are characterised
by traditional exposed stone walls
which make the rooms feel a little dark
but very atmospheric. Each has an en
suite shower room and separate toilet.
The restaurant and bar area is large
and lake-facing, offering a mixture of
traditional Ethiopian fare along with
international dishes. Service can be a
36 Accommodation
little slow but the food is tasty and we
thought it was worth the wait. Kuriftu
Spa which is located on site offers a
range of massage and beauty
treatments, from foot massages to
scrubs and pedicures. Treatments are
included in your stay and come highly
recommended!
Our opinion: The floor of the shower
room is polished concrete so it can
become very slippery when wet so please
do be careful. Wi-Fi internet is available
although you will need to ask for the
password and the signal does not reach
beyond reception.
Charity support
Audley has been supporting carbon reduction projects through Friends of Conservation since 2005 and in addition to this each
individual department also supports a charity of their choice with a yearly financial donation. This charity is one that is close to
their hearts and the team often chooses to fundraise to add to this amount. Please ask your specialist if you would like to find
out more as in most instances they will have visited the charity themselves, or one of their colleagues will have.
Children, Mara Rianda Charitable Trust © Richard Long
The Mara Rianda Charitable Trust
Our friend and former colleague Ariana Grammaticas left Audley in 2007 to return to her home country of Kenya. In early
2008 she wrote to us about The Mara Rianda Charitable Trust. Set up by Richard Long, who visited Kenya in 2004, it supports
the school and community in the wider Mara area. All the money Richard raises is used to provide this support, and he covers
administration costs himself. The Trust has installed a borehole to supply fresh water, built five new classrooms provided
bursaries for exceptional students to go to secondary school and paid the salary for one teacher. Most recently in 2013 the
Trust also opened the Mara Rianda medical centre, complete with three wards, consulting rooms and a dispensary. Though
much has been achieved, there is always much more that can be done!
The old Enkeriri school building
©Richard Long
Head teacher in front of the new Enkeriri school building
©Richard Long
Audley and The Mara Rianda Charitable Trust
We initially became involved with The Mara Rianda Charitable Trust to help with its aim to bring clean drinking water to the
children of Aitong Primary School, who were previously drinking from a muddy spring. Complications arose when it was
discovered that the spring that the trust had hoped to tap for clean water dried up for three months of each year. After several
meetings with the Maasai elders, it has now been agreed that the water can be taken from the main spring at Aitong village and
be pumped over 1 kilometre to the school. This project is now completed, aided by donations from Audley and other
organisations.
Charity support 37
Charity support
More recent achievements at the charity have included a new kitchen and dining room at the primary school – which is now
fully waterproof and the parents who help cook the meals there are delighted. The trust has also funded the building of a new
maternity unit at Mara Rianda, as women who had complications previously had to travel for three hours on a bus to the
nearest hospital. In addition to this they are working with a new school, Olipikdong’oe, which needed help to install electricity
so that the children who board could study after dark. In addition two new primary schools have been built – that allow light in
(unlike the original mud buildings made out of dung) and to provide a classroom for another school that was being taught under
a tree. As the maternity unit at Mara Rianda grows Audley is helping to support the installation of solar power to allow
continuous lighting throughout the night. In addition to this, the Trust is aiming to support a further twelve children through
secondary school.
If you would like further information please speak to your Africa specialist. Alternatively, if you are going to
Kenya and staying at any of the Governor’s Camps in the Masai Mara, do ask the staff to take you to visit!
38 Charity support
General Information
Travel insurance
It is advisable to take out your travel
insurance at the time of booking your
trip as cover will commence for predeparture cancellation from the policy
issue date. This will, therefore, provide
cover should you have to cancel your trip
for an insured reason such as illness or
serious accident.
We strongly recommend that you and all
members of your party are adequately
insured, providing financial protection
against unforeseen circumstances. Cover
should include medical expenses and
repatriation in the event of accident or
illness. In addition, we strongly
recommend that you have cover for
personal belongings, delay at your
outward or homeward point of
departure, personal liability, overseas
legal expenses and cancellation. If you are
undertaking any sports or adventurous
activities, including trekking, on your trip
you should also make sure that your
policy covers these. Please also ensure
you read the policy conditions and
exclusions.
The type of trips we create and the
requirements of Audley clients vary
greatly. We have therefore listed below a
number of companies who offer policies
which may suit these varying
requirements. You can find links to the
companies' websites, at
www.audleytravel.com/insurance.
Other companies and policies are also
available. We are unable to provide you
with more detailed information and you
should contact the company concerned
directly for this. Please note this is
general information only. We are not
providing any specific advice on travel
insurance or recommending any
particular policy or insurer.
Trips of up to £5,000 pp
A large number of companies offer
insurance policies which include cover for
cancellation charges of up to the full
holiday cost.
Trips over £5,000 pp
It can be more challenging to get
insurance which includes cover for
cancellation charges of up to the full
holiday cost for higher value trips. A
number of companies do, however, offer
such policies. Thomson (in partnership
with AXA) (0845 366 2212) offer
cancellation cover up to £20,000 per
person, American Express (0800 232
277) offer cancellation cover up to
£12,500 per person and Insure and Go
(0844 888 2787) offer cancellation cover
up to £7,500 per person.
This information can also be found on our
website www.audleytravel.com/insurance
with links to the insurers’ websites.
Clients over 65 years of age
Many companies now offer cover to people
over 65 years of age. However, if you are
finding it difficult to get cover you could try
Age UK (0845 600 3348) or Saga (0800
015 0757) both of whom currently have no
upper age limit on their policies. See also
the companies referred to under preexisting medical conditions below. This
information can also be found on our
website www.audleytravel.com/insurance
Pre-existing medical conditions
If you have a pre-existing medical
condition, there are a number of
companies that may be able to help you. P J
Hayman / Free Spirit (0845 230 5000) will
consider most pre-existing medical
conditions and they have no upper age limit
on single trip policies. Age UK (0845 600
3348) and Insure and Go (0844 888 2787)
will also consider a number of pre-existing
conditions and may be able to help. Cancer
Travel Insurance Services (0845 880 0163)
specialise in travel insurance for people
with non-terminal cancer and have no
upper age limit on their policies. This
information can also be found at
www.audleytravel.com/insurance
Non-UK residents
If you are not a UK resident you will
usually need to get insurance in your
country of residence. Some insurance
companies, such as Columbus Direct (0845
888 8893), will consider policies for nonUK residents. This information can also be
found on our website
www.audleytravel.com/insurance
Once you have a travel insurance policy in
place, please let your specialist know who
your insurance company is and your policy
number.
The above information is provided in good
faith and is correct to the best of our
knowledge. No liability is, however,
accepted for any errors and all information
must be checked directly with the
insurance company.
Financial security
We hold an Air Travel
Organiser's Licence (ATOL)
issued by the Civil Aviation
Authority (ATOL number
4817). All the flight-inclusive holidays* that
we provide are financially protected by the
ATOL scheme. When you pay, you will be
supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please
check to ensure that everything you
booked is listed on it. Please see our
booking conditions for further information
about financial protection and
www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate
for further information on the ATOL
Certificate.
*The flight inclusive holidays we arrange
are ATOL protected providing they are
made available in the UK. For further
information, visit the ATOL website at
www.atol.org.uk
Not all holiday or travel
services offered and sold by
us will be protected by the
ATOL scheme. Those
package arrangements which
are not protected by our
ATOL are covered by ABTOT, the
Association of Bonded Travel Organisers
Trust. This insurance means your money
will be refunded or you will be returned to
the starting point of your contracted
arrangements if already abroad in the
unlikely event of our being unable to
provide your holiday due to our insolvency.
(For more details please see Section 12 of
the Terms and Conditions.) In these
instances you will not receive an ATOL
certificate with your invoice.
Health
It is essential that you see your GP or a
travel clinic before booking your trip and
before travelling to make sure that you
have taken all the necessary health
precautions. Some vaccinations require
more than one visit with a period of weeks
between injections. You should visit your
GP at least six weeks before departure. For
up to date medical advice you may wish to
use the Medical Advisory Service for
Travellers Abroad (MASTA).
MASTA Traveller’s Health Brief
Before travelling abroad, you can visit
www.masta-travel-health.com to obtain a
‘Health Brief’ specifically tailored to your
journey. Your brief will give information
about immunisations and malaria as well as
any Foreign Office advice and the latest
health news.
General Information 39
General Information
Other health information services are
available, including www.nathnac.org and
www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
The majority of international airlines now
issue advice on how to lessen the risk of
DVT, however, if you have any concerns,
we recommend that you consult your
doctor.
Pre-existing medical
conditions/Disabled passengers
It is essential that you advise us before
booking if you have any disability or preexisting medical condition which may
affect your holiday, or any special
requirements as a result of any disability
or medical condition (including any which
affect the booking process) so that we
can assist you in considering the
suitability of the arrangements and/or
making the booking. It will also enable us
to make sure you receive the relevant
level of assistance when you fly.
Full details must be confirmed in writing
at the time of booking and whenever any
change in the condition or disability
occurs. You must also promptly advise us
if any medical condition or disability
which may affect your holiday develops
after your booking has been confirmed.
The nature of many of the destinations
we travel to means that in the majority of
cases they are unsuitable for those who
are wheelchair-bound or have a lack of
mobility. We will be delighted to discuss
the feasibility of creating a tailor-made
itinerary for you that takes into
consideration your level of mobility.
On our escorted group tours the Tour
Leader is, unfortunately, unable to offer
additional assistance to passengers with
limited mobility and all such assistance
will need to be provided by whoever the
passenger is travelling with. We may
request that you provide a letter from
your doctor confirming your fitness to
travel.
High altitude
Your itinerary may include sections
where the altitude exceeds 10,000 feet
(3,048 metres). If you suffer from
circulation, heart or respiratory problems
we advise that you consult with your
doctor before confirming your booking.
40 General Information
Smoking
Airlines do not permit smoking on the
aircraft. At the request of the majority of
our clients we do not allow smoking on any
form of transport used for our escorted
group tours. Stops are regularly made
where you will be able to smoke. For
smokers travelling on a tailor-made tour
we request that you check with your driver
or guide whether smoking is permitted in
the vehicle.
Health and safety standards
Each country has its own regulations and
enforcement levels relating to health and
safety standards. These do not always
match the very high standards we are used
to in the UK. We therefore recommend
that you follow a few precautionary safety
procedures. Always check where the
nearest fire exit is and how to raise the fire
alarm. Do not enter a swimming pool
before checking the water depth first. For
more suggestions please see the Important
Information section in your Travel
Organiser.
Passport and visa information for
British Citizens
Passengers must hold a passport which is
valid for at least six months following the
return date of your holiday. British
passport holders (full British Citizens)
currently require visas, in advance of travel,
for the following destinations featured in
our brochures and on our website:
Australia, Bhutan, Burma, China, Cuba,
India, Kenya, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea
(also available on arrival), Russia, Tanzania,
Tibet, Uganda, the USA*, Uzbekistan and
Vietnam**.
Visas may be required for other countries
but can be arranged on arrival.
* British Citizens travelling to the USA
require an ESTA – please speak to your
specialist for more information
** Visitors to Vietnam can obtain a visa on
arrival but require a letter of authorisation
from ourselves – please speak to your
specialist
We are normally able to obtain visas on
your behalf, please ask for details at the
time of booking. Non-British passport
holders should check with the relevant
embassies as visa requirements may be
different to those of British passport
holders. It is your responsibility to ensure
you have the correct documentation and
visa stamp(s) for all sectors of your
journey. Failure or inability to obtain all
required visas for whatever reason does
not entitle you to cancel without paying the
applicable cancellation charges.
Travel advice
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Travel Advice Unit monitors all overseas
destinations and offers advice to British
travellers. In order to be fully informed of
safety issues, crime rates, political stability
and local customs you can view the advice
at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
Flights and airlines
The difference between a direct flight and a
non-stop flight can cause confusion. To
clarify, on a direct flight no change of
aircraft is scheduled but touchdowns will
be made en route either to refuel or to
board or disembark passengers. On nonstop flights no change of aircraft is required
and no stops are made en route. Exact
details of your route will be given in your
itinerary.
Premium Economy, Business and
First Class
If you require business or first class flights
these can be arranged on most airlines at
very competitive rates. Premium economy
can be arranged on certain airlines, please
call us for details.
Specific seat requests
We will do all we can to try to reserve a
specific seat for you, if you have a
preference. However, whilst airlines may
allow us to request seats, they will not
guarantee any specific seat reservation. If
this is important to you, it is always best to
arrive for your flight early, regardless of
having made this request in advance. Please
make it clear on your booking form if you
have a specific request.
Flight amendments
We generally use special ‘inclusive tour’
fares when we purchase your air tickets
from the airlines. While these fares are
very good value they are inflexible in terms
of changes and offer no refunds once the
tickets are issued. Once your flight is
confirmed the airlines will charge an
amendment fee or insist on the purchase of
a completely new ticket if you make
changes.
Internal flights
Smaller local airlines are often more likely
to change their schedule at short notice.
We will endeavour to inform you of any
changes in advance of travelling but this
may not always be possible.
General Information
Frequent Flyer Clubs
If you collect points through any of the
airline frequent flyer clubs please provide
your membership details on the booking
form and we will ensure that these are
recorded against your flight reservation.
Please note that on some of our specially
negotiated ‘inclusive tour’ fares points are
not always awarded.
Carbon offsetting
Please let your specialist know if you
would like to carbon offset your flights.
We work with Friends of Conservation
(FOC) and all offsetting payments are
donated through them. For more details
visit www.audleytravel.com/offset. The
suggested contributions are based on the
approximate levels of CO2 expended on
an average flight, with the cost per tonne
of carbon taken from industry averages.
Flight information previously provided by
TICOS, now part of Beyond Carbon.
UK airport hotels, car parking and
lounges
We are able to arrange airport hotel
accommodation, car parking, meet and
greet services and airport lounge access
in the UK, subject to availability. To
arrange any of these services please call
us on 01993 838 051.
Hotel information
There is often confusion over the
terminology used for bed arrangements
in hotel rooms. A ‘double’ is recognised
as meaning a room with a double bed,
this may be two single beds pushed
together. A ‘twin’ is a room with two
single beds. Please note that all rooms
are allocated at the discretion of the
hotel and cannot be guaranteed.
Single rooms
Single rooms tend to be smaller than
double or twin rooms, however, many
hotels do not have single rooms, in which
case you will be allocated a twin or
double room.
Special dietary requirements
Special diets should be requested on the
booking form; however, it is unrealistic
to expect special diets to be catered for
in some of the destinations we feature.
We will advise the hotels and airlines of
your request but we cannot guarantee
their availability. If you have an airborne
nut allergy you must make us aware at
the time of booking as most airlines
require this information in advance of
travel.
Accuracy of information
We thoroughly check all the information
that is included within our brochures,
website and individual tour itineraries,
however, changes do occur and errors are
occasionally made. Airlines may change
their schedules, roads may close and
government regulations may alter. Should
there be any changes to the travel
arrangements you have booked we will do
our best to keep you informed of the
situation prior to departure.
Travel in the developing world
Many of our destinations are in the
developing world where attitudes,
infrastructure, priorities, lifestyles and
cultures are very different from our own.
This is often the very reason to visit the
destination but certain aspects may be
frustrating. We always advise that the first
thing you should pack is your sense of
humour. This can prove invaluable when
travelling over rougher roads, waiting for a
delayed aircraft and communicating with
hotel staff whose first language is not
English.
Data Protection Act
We will hold your name, address and any
other details you supply us with on our
database. This information will be used to
make your travel arrangements and to send
you information about Audley Travel. In
order to make your travel arrangements
we will need to pass your details to
companies and individuals outside the EU
where less stringent data protection
controls may be in place. We will not pass
on your details to third parties for any
other purposes.
AITO Quality Charter:
The Association of Independent Tour
Operators
AITO is the Association for independent
and specialist holiday companies. Our
member companies, usually ownermanaged, strive to create overseas holidays
with high levels of professionalism and a
shared concern for quality and personal
service. The Association encourages the
highest standards in all aspects of tour
operating.
Exclusive membership
AITO sets criteria regarding ownership,
finance and quality which must be satisfied
before new companies are admitted to
membership. All members are required to
adhere to a Code of Business Practice
which encourages high operational
standards and conduct.
Financial security
An AITO member is required to arrange
financial protection for all holidays and
other arrangements (including
accommodation only) booked by
customers with the member under the
AITO logo. This financial protection
applies to customers who are resident in
the UK at the time of booking and to most
overseas customers who have booked
directly with the member. In doing so, the
member must comply with UK government
regulations. Members are required to
submit details of their financial protection
arrangements to AITO on a regular basis
Accurate brochures and web sites
All members do their utmost to ensure
that all their brochures and other
publications, print or electronic, clearly and
accurately describe the holidays and
services offered.
Professional service and continual improvement
All members are committed to high
standards of service and believe in regular
and thorough training of employees.
Members continually seek to review and
improve their holidays. They listen to their
customers and always welcome suggestions
for improving standards.
Monitoring standards
AITO endeavours to monitor quality
standards regularly. All customers should
receive a post-holiday questionnaire the
results of which are scrutinised by the
Association.
Sustainable tourism
All Members acknowledge the importance
of AITO’s Sustainable Tourism ethos,
which recognises the social, economic and
environmental responsibilities of tour
operating.
Customer relations
All members endeavour to deal swiftly and
fairly with any issues their customers may
raise. In the unlikely event that a dispute
between an AITO member and a customer
cannot be settled amicably, AITO’s lowcost Independent Dispute Settlement
Service may be called upon by either side
to bring the matter to a speedy and
acceptable conclusion.
Audley Travel is a member of the
Association of Independent Tour
Operators. To contact the Association,
visit www.aito.com or call 020 8744 9280.
General Information 41
Terms and conditions
Please read the following conditions carefully. All holidays
are sold by us subject to these conditions and the other
general information in this booklet, our brochures and
quotations.
Audley Travel Group Ltd (whose administrative offices are
at New Mill, New Mill Lane, Witney, Oxon OX29 9SX)
are members of the Association of Independent Tour
Operators. Audley Travel Group Ltd (hereafter referred
to as ‘we’, ‘us’, ‘our’) offers a number of products and the
trading names we use are ‘Audley’, and ‘Audley Travel’. In
these Terms & Conditions, ‘you’ and ‘your’ means all
persons named on the booking, or any of them as
applicable (including anyone who is added or substituted at
a later date).
Your contract with us and all matters arising out of it are
governed by English law. We both agree that any dispute,
claim or other matter which arises out of or in connection
with this contract or your holiday, will be dealt with by the
AITO Arbitration Scheme - see clause 9 or the Courts of
England and Wales only unless, in the case of Court
proceedings, you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland. In
this case, proceedings may be brought in the Courts of
your home country. If proceedings are brought in Scotland
or Northern Ireland, you may choose to have your
contract governed by the law of Scotland/Northern Ireland
as applicable. If you do not so choose, English law will apply.
1. Paying for your holiday
(i) The procedure for making a booking is shown in your
itinerary quotation and on our website. All bookings are
subject to these terms and conditions and by asking us to
confirm your booking, and by paying a deposit, the person
who makes the booking is taken to have accepted these
booking conditions on behalf of all persons named on the
booking. Once we have received the applicable payment(s)
due at the time of booking (see below), we will, subject to
availability of the requested arrangements, send you your
invoice. It is at the point when we issue this to you that a
valid contract will come into existence between us. Please
check your confirmation/invoice and all tickets/documents
carefully as soon as you receive them and contact us
immediately if you think any details are incorrect. We
regret we cannot accept any liability if we are not notified
of any inaccuracies (for which we are responsible) in any
document within ten days of our sending it out (five days
for tickets).We will do our best to rectify any mistake
notified to us outside these time limits but you must meet
any costs involved in doing so.
(ii) The deposit is part payment of the holiday. The deposit
required will be shown on the quotation page of your
itinerary. In addition to the deposit, full or part payment of
certain elements of your holiday (such as flights) may be
required at the time booking or at some point between
booking and balance due date. Also see clause I (iv). The
deposit and all such additional payments are non-refundable
except as set out in clause 4. The balance must be paid not
later than the date specified on the invoice. This is normally
no less than 8 weeks before the departure date. However,
there are a few destinations or trip components that
require payment no less than 90 days before the departure
date which will be specified on your invoice and quotation.
Please note if we do not receive all payments due (including
any surcharge where applicable) in full and on time, we are
entitled to assume that you wish to cancel your booking. In
this case, we will be entitled to keep all amounts paid or
due at that date. If we do not cancel straight away because
you have promised to make payment, you must pay the
cancellation charges shown in clause 3 depending on the
date we reasonably treat your booking as cancelled.
(iii) Full payment is required at the time of booking for all
bookings made after balance due date as above.
we have contracted to provide will be held by them on our
behalf. If you book your holiday through a travel agent who
is not a member of ABTA, all payments must be made to
us directly and not your travel agent.
2. If you change your holiday
If, after the contract between us has come into existence,
you want to change your holiday we will do our best to
pass your request to the relevant supplier, however we
cannot guarantee that such changes can be made. Where a
change can be made, we will charge for any additional costs
incurred including any costs imposed or incurred by any of
our suppliers, and including for example cancellation
charges that may be incurred for sectors cancelled. You
should note, for example, that a change of name on or
other alteration to an airline ticket will usually incur a 100%
cancellation charge and full rebooking fee.
3. If you cancel your holiday
If you have to cancel part of the booking or cancel the
entire booking once it has been confirmed by us, written
notification must be sent to us by recorded delivery post or
by email. As proof of receipt by email of your notification to
cancel you must receive and retain written
acknowledgement from Audley Travel. Charges will be
applied from the date the letter is received, or the email is
acknowledged by Audley Travel, according to the scale
below. The charges are applied as a percentage of the total
holiday cost excluding any amendment charges and any
amounts paid in addition to the deposit at the time of
booking or before balance due date (see clauses 1(ii) and
I(iv)) which are non-refundable in the event of cancellation.
The following cancellation charges apply if your final balance
due date is 8 weeks prior to departure. Please note,
different cancellation charges apply in relation to certain
products – please see your quote for details.
Period before departure
date within which written
notification is received at
our offices
Cancellation
Charge
Per Person
Up to balance due date
Balance due date-43 days
42-29 days
28-3 days
Within 2 days
Deposit only
30%
60%
90%
100%
Alterations or cancellations by you after
commencement of travel and unused services
We will do our best to implement any changes to your
arrangements you request once they have commenced, but
we cannot guarantee this will be possible. In the event of
such amendments being made you will be liable for any
cancellation charges that may be levied for the services
originally booked, and for the cost of booking the revised
arrangements and the arrangements themselves. As a basic
principle, no refunds will be paid to clients who do not
complete a tour. However where we ourselves are able to
obtain a refund from hotels or principals for services not
used, we will pass this on to you, less any reasonable
administration charges.
THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAVEL INSURANCE
If you have taken out holiday insurance you may, depending
on the detail of your policy, be able to recover the
cancellation charges, check your policy for details. Never
travel without insurance, the unexpected can always
happen. It is your responsibility to ensure you are
adequately covered by insurance for all elements of your
trip. Please read your policy and take it on holiday with you.
can reasonably expect to have a major effect on your
holiday. Significant changes are likely to include the
following changes when made before departure; a change
of accommodation to that of a lower official classification
or standard for the whole or a major part of the time you
are away*, a change of accommodation area for the whole
or a major part of the time you are away, a change of UK
outward departure time or overall length of time you are
away of twelve or more hours, or a change of UK
departure airport to one which is more inconvenient for
you (except as between Gatwick and Heathrow).
*Please note: A change affecting a stay in a hotel during a
tour where the hotel itself is not the focus of the tour, does
not constitute a significant change.
If we have to make a significant change or cancel, we will
tell you as soon as possible. If there is time to do so before
departure, we will offer you the choice of the following
options:(a) (for significant changes) accepting the changed
arrangements or
(b) purchasing an alternative holiday from us, of a similar
standard to that originally booked if available. Please note:
Due to the original and individual nature of our holidays it
frequently may not be possible to offer you a comparable
holiday to that originally booked.
(c) cancelling or accepting the cancellation in which case
you will receive a full and quick refund of all monies you
have paid to us.
You must advise us of your decision within 7 days of the
date on which we notified you of the significant change or
cancellation. Please note, the above options are not
available where any change made is a minor one. A minor
change is any change which, taking account of the
information you have given us at the time of booking or
which we can reasonably be expected to know as a tour
operator, we could not reasonably expect to have a
significant effect on your confirmed holiday.
If we have to make a significant change or cancellation we
will pay you the compensation set out below subject to the
following exceptions. Compensation will not be payable
and no liability beyond offering the above mentioned
choices can be accepted where (1) we are forced to make
a change or cancel as a result of unusual and unforeseeable
circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of
which we could not have avoided even with all due care or
(2) we have to cancel because the minimum number of
bookings necessary for us to operate your holiday has not
been reached - in this case we will notify you no less than
60 days before departure. Please note: all escorted group
trips are based on group arrangements involving a given
minimum number of passengers. No compensation will be
payable and the above options will not be available if we
cancel as a result of your failure to comply with any
requirement of these booking conditions entitling us to
cancel (such as paying on time).
Period of notification of
change before scheduled
departure date
Compensation
per person
More than 60 days
60-43 days
42-29 days
28-15 days
14-0 days
Nil
£10
£20
£30
£40
(iv) On occasions, we may be asked by suppliers to make
payment to them earlier than normal. Such requests may,
for example, be made in order to secure accommodation
and other services during periods of peak demand. Whilst
suppliers may have no contractual right to make such
requests, failure to comply with them may result in the loss
of confirmed arrangements. Where this situation arises, we
reserve the right to ask you to make payment of the
requested sum within a stipulated period and prior to
balance due date. We will of course endeavour to avoid
doing so if we can. Any such early payment will be non
refundable except as set out in clause 4.
4. If we change your holiday
We start planning the holidays we offer many months in
advance. Occasionally, we have to make changes to and
correct errors in itineraries and other details both before
and after bookings have been confirmed and cancel
confirmed bookings. Whilst we always endeavour to avoid
changes and cancellations, we must reserve the right to do
so. However, we promise we will only cancel your
confirmed booking after balance due date where you have
failed to comply with any requirement of these booking
conditions entitling us to cancel (such as paying on time) or
where we are forced to do so as a result of ‘force majeure’
as defined in clause 5 below. We will not cancel after this
date for any other reason.
In the unlikely event that we become unable to provide a
significant proportion of the services you have booked after
you depart, we will make alternative arrangements for you
at no extra charge, or, if this is impossible, or you do not
accept these alternative arrangements for a good reason,
we will provide you with transport back to the point where
your holiday arrangements with us commenced. If we are
forced by ‘force majeure’ (see clause 5) to change or
terminate your holiday after departure but before the
scheduled end of your time away, we regret we will be
unable to make any refunds (unless we obtain any refunds
from our suppliers), pay you any compensation or meet any
costs or expenses you incur as a result except as set out
above.
(v) If you are booking your holiday through one of our
authorised travel agents the balance must be paid to the
agent two weeks prior to the applicable balance due date as
specified on the invoice and quotation. All payments made
to one of our authorised travel agents for the arrangements
Most changes are minor. Occasionally, we have to make a
‘significant change’. A significant change is a change made
before departure which, taking account of the information
you give us at the time of booking and which we can
reasonably be expected to know as a tour operator, we
5. Force majeure
Except as set out in these terms and conditions, we cannot
accept liability or pay any compensation where the
performance or prompt performance of our contractual
obligations is prevented or affected, or you otherwise
42 Terms and conditions
suffer any loss or damage (as more fully described in clause
7 (i) below) as a result of circumstances amounting to
‘force majeure’. In these terms and conditions ‘force
majeure’ means any event or circumstances which we or
the supplier of the services in question could not foresee
or avoid even with all due care. Such events and
circumstances may include, whether actual or threatened,
war, insurrection, riots, strikes, civil action, decisions by
governments or governing authority, technical or
maintenance problems with transport, changes of schedules
or operational decisions of air carriers, terrorist activity,
industrial action, natural or nuclear activity,
epidemics/pandemics, adverse weather conditions, fire and
all similar events outside our control.
6. Surcharges
Once the price of your chosen holiday has been confirmed
at the time of booking, we will only increase or decrease it
in the following circumstances. Price increases or decreases
after booking will be passed on by way of a surcharge or
refund. A surcharge or refund (as applicable) will be
payable, subject to the conditions set out in this clause, if
transportation costs (e.g. fuel, scheduled airfares and any
other airline surcharges which are part of the contract
between airlines (and their agents) and the tour operator)
or dues, taxes or fees payable for services such as landing
taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports or
airports change.
Even in the above cases, only if the amount of the increase
in our costs exceeds 2% of the total cost of your holiday
(excluding any amendment charges), will we levy a
surcharge. If any surcharge is greater than 10% of the cost
of your holiday (excluding any amendment charges), you
will be entitled to cancel your booking and receive a full
refund of all monies you have paid to us (except for any
amendment charges) or alternatively purchase another
holiday from us as referred to in clause 4 ‘If we change your
holiday’. Please note that travel arrangements are not
always purchased in local currency and some apparent
changes have no impact on the price of your travel due to
contractual and other protection in place.
A refund will only be payable if the decrease in our costs
exceeds 2% as set out above. Where a refund is due, we
will pay you the full amount of the decrease in our costs.
You have 14 days from the issue date printed on the
surcharge invoice to tell us if you want to cancel or
purchase another holiday where applicable. If you do not
tell us that you wish to do so within this period of time, we
are entitled to assume that you will pay the surcharge. Any
surcharge must be paid with the balance of the cost of the
holiday or within 14 days of the issue date printed on the
surcharge invoice, whichever is the later.
We reserve the right to make changes to and correct
errors in quoted prices at any time before your holiday is
confirmed. We will advise you of any error of which we are
aware and of the then applicable price at the time of
booking.
7. Our responsibility
(i) We promise to make sure that all parts of the holiday
we have agreed to arrange, perform or provide as part of
our contract with you are arranged, performed or
provided with reasonable skill and care. This means that,
subject to these booking conditions, we will accept
responsibility if, for example, you suffer death or personal
injury or your contracted holiday arrangements are not
provided as promised or prove deficient as a result of the
failure of ourselves, our employees, agents or suppliers to
use reasonable skill and care in making, performing or
providing, as applicable, your contracted holiday
arrangements. Please note, it is your responsibility to show
that reasonable skill and care has not been used if you wish
to make a claim against us. In addition, we will only be
responsible for what our employees, agents and suppliers
do or do not do if they were at the time acting within the
course of their employment (for employees) or carrying
out work we had asked them to do (for agents and
suppliers). We will not be responsible for any injury, illness,
death, loss (including loss of enjoyment), damage, expense,
cost or other sum or claim of any description whatsoever
which results from any of the following:(a) the fault of the person(s) affected or any member(s) of
their party or
(b) the fault of a third party not connected with the
provision of your holiday which we could not have
predicted or avoided or
(c) an event or circumstance which we or the supplier of
the service(s) in question could not have predicted or
avoided even after taking all reasonable care (see clause 5)
(d) the fault of anyone who is not carrying out work for us
(generally or in particular) at the time.
In addition, we will not be responsible where you do not
enjoy your holiday or suffer any problems because of a
reason you did not tell us about when you booked your
holiday or where any problems you suffer did not result
from any breach of our contract or other fault of ourselves
or, where we were responsible for them, our suppliers or
agents or where any losses, expenses, costs or other sum
you have suffered relate to any business.
Please note: we cannot accept responsibility for any
services which do not form part of our contract. This
includes, for example, any additional services or facilities
which your hotel or any other supplier agrees to provide
for you where the services or facilities are not advertised in
our brochure and we have not agreed to arrange them as
part of our contract and any excursion you purchase during
your holiday.
(ii) The promises we make to you about the services we
have agreed to provide or arrange as part of our contract and the laws and regulations of the country in which your
claim or complaint occurred - will be used as the basis for
deciding whether the services in question had been
properly provided. If the particular services which gave rise
to the claim or complaint complied with local laws and
regulations applicable to those services at the time, the
services will be treated as having been properly provided.
This will be the case even if the services did not comply
with the laws and regulations of the UK which would have
applied had those services been provided in the UK. The
exception to this is where the claim or complaint concerns
the absence of a safety feature which might lead a
reasonable holiday maker to refuse to take the holiday in
question.
(iii) We limit the maximum amount we may have to pay
you for any and all claims or parts of claims which do not
involve personal injury, illness or death. Except where loss
of and/or damage to luggage or personal possessions is
concerned or a lower limitation of liability applies to your
claim, the maximum amount we will have to pay you for
such non personal injury claims if we are found liable to you
on any basis is twice the price (excluding any amendment
charges) paid by or on behalf of the person(s) affected in
total. This maximum amount will only be payable where
everything has gone wrong and you have not received any
benefit at all from your holiday.
Where we are found liable for loss of and/or damage to any
luggage or personal possessions (including money), the
maximum amount we will have to pay you is £150 per
person affected as you are assumed to have taken out
adequate insurance at the time of booking. Please also see
clause 7(iv) below.
(iv) Where any claim or part of a claim concerns or is
based on any travel arrangements (including the process of
getting on and/or off the transport concerned) provided by
any air, sea, rail or road carrier or any stay in a hotel, the
maximum amount of compensation we will have to pay
you will be limited. The most we will have to pay you for
that claim or that part of a claim if we are found liable to
you on any basis is the most the carrier or hotel keeper
concerned would have to pay under the international
convention or regulation which applies to the travel
arrangements or hotel stay in question (for example, the
Warsaw Convention as amended for international travel by
air and/or for airlines with an operating licence granted by
an EU country, the EU Regulation on Air Carrier Liability
for national and international travel by air, the Athens
Convention for international travel by sea and COTIF, the
Convention on International Travel by Rail). Please note:
Where a carrier or hotel would not be obliged to make
any payment to you under the applicable International
Convention or Regulation in respect of a claim or part of a
claim, we similarly are not obliged to make a payment to
you for that claim or part of the claim. When making any
payment, we are entitled to deduct any money which you
have received or are entitled to receive from the transport
provider or hotelier for the complaint or claim in question.
(v) You must provide ourselves and our insurers with all
assistance we may reasonably require. You must also tell us
and the supplier concerned about your claim or complaint
as set out in clause 9 below.
8. Flights and your responsibility
The flight details shown in your itinerary quotation are for
guidance only and are subject to change. Final details will be
confirmed on your travel documentation, sent
approximately 14 days prior to departure. The times
shown on all tickets are local times and check in for both
outward and return flights is at least 3 hours prior to the
departure times on the travel documents. It is possible that
flight times may be changed even after tickets have been
dispatched - we will contact you as soon as possible if this
occurs.
In accordance with EU Directive (EC) No 2111/2005
Article 9, we are required to bring to your attention the
existence of a “Community list” which contains details of
air carriers who are subject to an operating ban within the
EU. The Community list is available for inspection at
http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/air/safety/
flywell_en.htm. In accordance with EU Regulations we are
required to advise you of the actual carrier(s) (or, if the
actual carrier(s) is not known, the likely carrier(s)) that will
operate your flight(s) at the time of booking. Where we are
only able to inform you of the likely carrier(s) at the time of
booking, we shall inform you of the identity of the actual
carrier(s) as soon as we become aware of this. Any change
to the operating carrier(s) after your booking has been
confirmed will be notified to you as soon as possible. If the
carrier with whom you have a confirmed reservation
becomes subject to an operating ban as above as a result of
which we/ the carrier are unable to offer you a suitable
alternative the provisions of clause 4 will apply. Any change
in the identity of the carrier, flight timings, and/or aircraft
type (if advised) will not entitle you to cancel or change to
other arrangements without paying our normal charges
except where specified in these conditions.
We can accept no responsibility if you arrive late for the
check in and miss your flight as a result nor can we accept
responsibility for any loss by you of your holiday/flight travel
tickets, vouchers or coupons.
Air travel is subject to operational decisions of carriers and
airports which may result in delays and diversions. Please
note that minor carriers sometimes change the departure
time of short-haul or domestic flights at short notice, and in
some instances, schedules shown in the computers of
intercontinental carriers differ from those actually flown by
smaller local carriers. We advise you that it is your
responsibility to be meticulous in locally reconfirming
directly with the carrier operating the flight. We accept no
liability for the consequences of flights missed owing to the
passenger’s failure to reconfirm.
Clients flying in economy class to long-haul destinations
should be aware that flights are often full and you may not
be able to get seats together. We also recommend that
you check in early for a long flight, and in any case not less
than 3 hours before the scheduled departure time.
If your flight is cancelled or delayed, your flight ticket is
downgraded or boarding is denied by your airline in
circumstances which would entitle you to claim
compensation or any other payment from the airline under
EC Regulation No 261/2004 - the Denied Boarding
Regulations 2004, you must pursue the airline for the
compensation or other payment due to you. All sums you
receive or are entitled to receive from the airline
concerned by virtue of these Regulations represent the full
amount of your entitlement to compensation or any other
payment arising from such cancellation, delay, downgrading
or denied boarding. This includes any disappointment,
distress, inconvenience or effect on any other
arrangements. The fact a delay may entitle you to cancel
your flight does not automatically entitle you to cancel any
other arrangements even where those arrangements have
been made in conjunction with your flight. We have no
liability to make any payment to you in relation to the
Denied Boarding Regulations or in respect of any flight
cancellation or delay, downgrading of any flight ticket or
denial of any boarding as the full amount of your
entitlement to any compensation or other payment (as
dealt with above) is covered by the airline's obligations
under the Denied Boarding Regulations. If your airline does
not comply with these rules, you should complain to the
Air Transport Users’ Council on 020 7240 6061
www.auc.org.uk
We cannot accept liability for any delay unless it has a
material effect on your holiday arrangements. See clause 4.
Terms and conditions 43
You undertake to behave with propriety and in such a
manner as in no way causes or is likely to cause distress,
danger or annoyance to other clients and/or any third party
or damage to property. If, in the view of ourselves, our
employees, agents or suppliers, you are in breach of this
clause, we reserve the right to terminate your contract and
neither we nor the providers of any of the services in
question will have any further contractual obligations to you
either in respect of covering any expenses, paying any
compensation or refunds, or arranging for your return
home.
on a particular itinerary or programme, this information
should be regarded as a term of the contract.
When you book with us, you accept responsibility for any
damage or loss caused by you. Full payment for any such
damage or loss (reasonably estimated if not precisely
known) must be paid direct at the time to the
accommodation owner or manager or other supplier. If the
actual cost of the loss or damage exceeds the amount paid
where estimated, you must pay the difference once known.
If the actual cost is less than the amount paid, the difference
will be refunded. If you fail to do so, you will be responsible
for meeting any claims subsequently made against us
(together with our own and the other party’s full legal
costs) as a result of your actions.
11. Special requests
If you have any special request, you must advise us in
writing at the time of booking. Although we will endeavour
to pass any reasonable requests on to the relevant supplier,
we regret we cannot guarantee any request will be met.
For your own protection, you should obtain confirmation
in writing from us that your request will be complied with
(where it is possible for us to give this) if your request is
important to you. Confirmation that a special request has
been noted or passed on to the supplier or the inclusion of
the special request on your confirmation invoice or any
other documentation is not a guarantee that the request
will be met by the relevant supplier. All special requests are
subject to availability.
You must ensure that all your travel documents, full
passports, visas, vaccination certificates, currency and
travellers cheques are in order and valid for travel. All costs
incurred in obtaining such documentation must be paid by
you. We regret we cannot accept any liability if you are
refused entry onto any transport or into any country due
to failure on your part to carry correct documentation. We
are able to give general advice on these matters for British
citizens holding a British passport. However, non-British
citizens and non-British passport holders should check with
their embassy or consulate vis-a-vis current requirements.
See also our General Information section.
If failure to have any necessary travel or other documents
results in fines, surcharges or other financial penalty being
imposed on us, you will be responsible for reimbursing us
accordingly.
The name on your airline tickets must be the name that
appears on your full passport.
Please note that if you believe that we have stated orally
that a particular facility or service should be available, but is
not in the brochure or in writing from us, please make
reference to it on the booking form so that we may
confirm it to you when accepting your booking.
9. Complaints
Should you have any complaints about any aspect of your
holiday arrangements, you must inform our local
representative or tour leader immediately and the supplier
of the arrangements concerned. Problems can most easily
be dealt with on the spot. Please note, if you do not report
a problem or complaint which, if it had been reported at
the time it occurred could have been resolved there and
then we cannot accept any liability in respect of that
problem or complaint. It is sensible to expect a client
travelling in the developing world to be reasonably
resourceful if things go wrong. If you experience any
difficulties, contact us in the UK on our 24 hour emergency
telephone service. The number will be found on your predeparture information and with your tickets. In the unlikely
event that an acceptable solution cannot be found, you
should then write to us within 28 days of your return with
full details of your complaint. If you fail to follow this
complaints procedure, your right to claim the
compensation you may otherwise have been entitled to
may be affected or even lost as a result.
If we cannot reach an amicable solution to any dispute you
do have the right to refer the dispute to the Association of
Independent Tour Operators which operates an
Independent Dispute Service (details on request) for
resolution of the dispute by a mediator provided the claim
does not involve personal accident, injury or illness.
10. The brochure and quotation
We have taken every care in ensuring that the information
in the brochure and given in quotations/itineraries is
correct at the time of publication. However we are sure
you will appreciate that subsequently minor alterations may
arise. We reserve the right to change any of the prices,
services or other particulars contained in this brochure or
any quotation at any time before we enter into a contract
with you. If there is any change we will notify you before
we enter into such contract. Where we state that
additional information, a fact sheet or a dossier is available
44 Terms and conditions
The hotel classifications given on our website, in our
brochures, quotations and dossiers and fact sheets are for
guidance only. They are not based on any national or
international classification system, they are the opinions of
our staff or agents and are quite subjective. The
photographs that appear in the accommodation section of
your quotation are indicative only and may not be of the
exact room you have been quoted for.
We regret we cannot accept any conditional bookings, i.e.
any booking which is specified to be conditional on the
fulfilment of a particular request. All such bookings will be
treated as ‘standard’ bookings subject to the above
provisions on special requests.
If you have any medical problem or disability which may
affect your holiday, please tell us before you confirm your
booking so that we can advise as to the suitability of the
chosen arrangements. In any event, you must give us full
details in writing at the time of booking. You must also
promptly advise us if any medical condition or disability
which may affect your holiday develops after your booking
has been confirmed. If we reasonably feel unable to
properly accommodate the particular needs of the person
concerned, we must reserve the right to decline their
reservation or, if full details are not given at the time of
booking, cancel when we become aware of these details.
12. Your financial protection
We hold an Air Travel Organiser's Licence issued by the
Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL number 4817). When you
buy an ATOL protected flight-inclusive holiday* from us,
you will receive an ATOL Certificate. This lists the flight,
accommodation, car hire and/or other services that are
financially protected, where you can get information on
what this means for you, and who to contact if things go
wrong. We, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL
Certificate, will provide you with the services listed on the
ATOL Certificate (or a suitable alternative). In some cases,
where neither we nor the supplier are able to do so for
reasons of insolvency, an alternative ATOL holder may
provide you with services you have bought or a suitable
alternative (at no extra cost to you). You agree to accept
that in those circumstances the alternative ATOL holder
will perform those obligations and you agree to pay any
money outstanding to be paid by you under your contract
to that alternative ATOL holder. However, you also agree
that in some cases it will not be possible to appoint an
alternative ATOL holder, in which case you will be entitled
to make a claim under the ATOL scheme (or your credit
card issuer where applicable). If we, or the suppliers
identified on your ATOL certificate, are unable to provide
the services listed (or a suitable alternative, through an
alternative ATOL holder or otherwise) for reasons of
insolvency, the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust may make
a payment to (or confer a benefit on) you under the ATOL
scheme. You agree that in return for such a payment or
benefit you assign absolutely to those Trustees any claims
which you have or may have arising out of or relating to the
non-provision of the services, including any claim against us,
the travel agent (or your credit card issuer where
applicable).You also agree that any such claims may be reassigned to another body, if that other body has paid sums
you have claimed under the ATOL scheme.
*The air inclusive holidays and flights we arrange are ATOL
protected providing they are made available in the UK. For
further information, visit the ATOL website at
www.atol.org.uk
Not all holiday or travel services offered and sold by us will
be protected by the ATOL scheme.
The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust
Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under the
Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours
Regulations 1992 for Audley Travel (ABTOT Membership
number 5297) and in the event of their insolvency,
protection is provided for the following:
1.
non-flight packages commencing in and returning to
the UK;
2.
non-flight packages commencing and returning to a
country other than the UK; and
3.
flight inclusive packages that commence outside of
the UK, which are sold to customers outside of the
UK.
1, 2 and 3 provides for a refund in the event you have not
yet travelled. 1 and 3 provides for repatriation. Please note
that bookings made outside the UK are only protected by
ABTOT when purchased directly with Audley Travel.
13. Excursions
Please note that we do not provide or arrange excursions
other than those listed in your itinerary and forming part of
the arrangements booked and paid for in the UK. Our local
representatives or guides may put you in touch with local
organisers of excursions if you request but we can have no
liability for such excursions, as your contract for such
excursions will be with a local company providing the
services and not with us.
14. Prices and Brochure Accuracy
Please note, the information and prices shown on our
website, in our brochures and/or quotations may have
changed by the time you come to book your holiday.
Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the
website, brochures, quotations and prices at the time of
printing or when they are given to you, regrettably errors
do occasionally occur. You must therefore ensure you
check all details of your chosen holiday (including the price)
with us at the time of booking.
15. Honeymoon Gift Service
All honeymoon bookings and use of Audley's Honeymoon
Gift Service are subject to our Terms & Conditions. It is
important to note that in the unfortunate event of the
cancellation of your booking you will be responsible for all
cancellation charges as detailed in our Terms & Conditions.
Audley also reserve the right to charge a £150
administration fee to cover refunding all monies to your
guests. These refunds will only be made once all
cancellation charges have been paid. As the client, you will
take on the responsibility for the full payment of the
booking as the amount of your guest contributions cannot
be guaranteed.
Audley Travel Group Limited. Registered Address: New
Mill, New Mill Lane, Witney, Oxfordshire OX29 9SX.
Registered in England with Company Reg. No. 3190720.
VAT Reg. No.125454721. September 2014.

Monasteries and Landscapes of Ethiopia

Transcription

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