TIME/CALENDAR
Ethiopians are seven years younger than the rest of the world. It’s using the Julian calendar whereas the rest follows the Gregorian calendar which counts 7/2 years ahead. A year constitutes thirteen months and each month has 30 days. The 13th months have 5 or 6 days depending on leap year. The Ethiopia millennium 2000 just got in because Ethiopia has her own calendar. Ethiopia is found on the 3 GMT.
Days & nights have equal length as in every other equatorial country. One day have 12 hours. The day starts to count at 1:00pm at night and ends at 12am in the morning. While you are in Ethiopia, to tell the exact local time, just add 6 hours on your time reading. Exception!
FESTIVALS/HOLIDAYS
Ethiopian is a country where numbers of colorful festivals are celebrated and cultural practices are conducted. Amongst, most colorfully observed ones are.
***Enqutatash; Ethiopian New Year will fall at the 11th of September.
***Gena; Christmas will fall on the 7th January.
***“Maskal” finding of the true cross will fall on the 27th of September. The Bonfire ceremony is the most impressive part of the festive.
***Timkat; Ethiopian Epiphany falls on the 18th of Jan. depending of lip year.
***There also are other hot religious festivals in connection to days of glorifying angels and saints. Most celebrated are,
*Saint Gabriel’s day at kulubi 28 Dec.
* Saint Mary’s day will fall on the 29th of November
* Muslim holidays
Others:
Marriage, birth, rituals, body adornments, housing’s styles, and other practices are expressions of Ethiopia’s being a melting pot of tribal and cultural diversity
Fasika, Ethiopian Easter
TIME DIFFERENCE
Two hours ahead of European Standard Time. Where in Europe is in daylight saving time, this difference is reduced to one hour.
OPENING HOURS
Banks- Monday / Friday 08:00/17:00 – 08:00/17:00 Saturday
Shops - Monday / Saturday – 08:00/13:00 – 14:00/20:00
Office - Monday / Thursday – 08:30/17:30 - Friday – 08:30/11:30 – 13:30/17:30
COMMUNIACATION
It is at the era of Emperor Minilk II since Ethiopia use telephone service and currently all 4G internet, postal service including DHL, Telex and fax services are easily available at every destination of the country in addition to Viber, Telegram, Facebook, whatsup and Instagram. The dialling code is +251. Major towns and cities are connected with properly maintained highways of asphalt and gravel. The road system covers about 100,000 Km.
Ethiopian Airlines which is the Star Alliance member is one of the most reliable airlines in the world and flies to 106 international and 20 domestic flight destinations. Major domestic destinations are Bahirdar, Gondar, Axum, Lalibela and Dire dawa, as well as south to Arbaminch, Jinka, Kombolcha, Mekelle,Hawassa,Jimma, Semera and Bale Goba….etc.
CLIMATE
Ethiopia has primarily a tropical climate milder and fresh on the plateau, the wet season starts in April / May and ending with August / September. The night temperatures can be very low, especially during the dry season, with snow on the highest ridges. The average temperatures in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital are almost constant between 9 / 10 and 24/25 degrees minimum to maximum.
SPECIAL NOTE:
***Dress politely during the churches visiting, No shorts, and no sleeveless shirts. Hat, cap and umbrella may helpful. Camera and video is allowed any tourist destination, wear any comfort walking shoes. (Easy to put on and off). certain buildings may closed on holiday and during public ceremonies.
***the itinerary can be run in opposite direction without any change for the visits and for the Excursions.
***The accommodation in hotels is subject to availability. If the hotel is busy will be offered an alternative. The classification and category of hotels is based on each country's official accreditation.
*** The reservation is received with the route changes or alterations.
*** External circumstances so require.
HEALTH
Ethiopia is scoring a radical shift in the medical sector specially in maternal death and transmitive diseases which got a recognition from WHO and other NGO’s. there is a medical center at every corner of the country. we further provide first -aid kit with health officers at every trip.
MEDICINES
we are number one in providing a broad-spectrum antibiotic, an antibiotic specific for pulmonary, eye drops antibiotic, an antihistamine ointment, an ointment for the treatment of distortions, one of penicillin, an analgesic and an antipyretic, a drug for the treatment of infections and bowel problems, a disinfectant, plasters, gauze and bandages. Do not forget to bring a cream for skin and lips Kits with high protective value and an insect repellent.
TIPS SANITARY
We remember some simple rules of sanitation necessary to prevent those problems determined by climate change, environment, eating habits, that every traveller expert has embraced:
Do not consume food purchased from street vendors;
Do not drink water or drinks that are not contained in sealed bottles and avoid the use of ice;
Avoid milk and dairy products, unless they have been pre-pasteurized;
Avoid eating vegetables, raw fish and meat, if you always choose the fruit to be peeled.
SANITARY PROVISIONS
No mandatory vaccination. Recommended as a precaution, vaccination against tetanus and hepatitis A. The risk of malaria, mainly in the benign form, exists all year throughout the country below 2,000 meters. It signals a remarkable resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to chloroquine. For each vaccination or prophylaxis must always be accompanied during the voyage, conducted a proper sanitation. For every kind of medical is always advisable to consult with the Office of Hygiene of their city.
PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL
It is advised to bring an adequate supply of photographic material, which can be difficult to find locally. Raise replacement batteries, the films required for the entire trip and you need to clean the machine and objectives. It is important to protect your equipment from sun, dust and moisture. Some moments of everyday life and certain places of worship (the place for prayers, funerals, etc..) Are sacred and must be respected. It is also forbidden, for reasons of military security, and photographing bridges, airports and railway stations.
Particular attention must be paid in photographing people. It is a good idea to ask permission first, respecting the possible negative decision of interpellation. Do not give money in exchange for photographs and, more generally, do not distribute candies, medicines, pens and other useless objects that Western, if temporarily save our guilt, transforms the social environment encouraging begging and undermining the health people.
VOLTAGE
220 volts at 50 cycles per second. The plugs are of a pole, so we recommend you carry a universal adapter in case you want to use their phones.
TELEPHONE
Dialing code for Addis Ababa (with 011) + number
Country code for Ethiopia 00 251 + city code + number
RECOMMENDED PRACTICES
some of the recommendations that we believe are useful ecological. If during the day you waste or litter, do not throw them out the window, but accumulate in cars, in the evening to the field or at the hotel we will remove them. Toilet: Needless to say, personal needs during the nights in the field will be carried out under the stars (when the toilets are not available). Bury or burn them toilet paper, but do not abandon.
Important: during the trip is not recommended to wear necklaces and valuables.
Please note: Outside of Addis Ababa hotels are generally very low. Please note that due to the limited receptivity of the structures of some localities of Ethiopia are not always find the hotels listed that can be changed with others of the same level, also not all have private facilities.
STAFF TOILET
Ordinary objects to their personal toiletries
Towels, tissues, toilet paper, wipes and disinfectants
Soap and possibly a disinfectant soap sulphur
MISCELLANEOUS
Sleeping bag and pillow (in programs that include overnight stays in tents)
Sunglasses, preferably with side shields
Cash and briefcase type pouch
Thermal flask, which is useful when hiking
MATERIALS PROVIDED
Each participant will receive the following material:
1,Dbl tent mt. 2 x 2 (for every two people)
1foam mattress with pillow mt.0.90
1plastic bowl
There will also be available to chairs and tables for camping.
AIRPORT TAXES
For domestic flights you pay a sum of around 0 Birr
For all international flights will pay the sum of about $ 0 U.S.
AIRPORT SERVICE
CUSTOMS PROVISIONS
It allowed the importation of:
100 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 225 grams of tobacco;
2 litter of alcoholic beverages
500 ml. perfume
Gifts up to a value of 1000 Birr.
The goods purchased in Ethiopia is exempt from payment of export taxes should not exceed the value of 2000 Birr.
LUGGAGE
For your convenience pockets or bags are recommended for horizontal opening with a lock. The weight must not exceed 20 kg per person, of course, if you use Ethiopian airlines 46 kg. Each package must be marked with labels showing name, address and telephone number of the owner for easy and immediate identification. A shoulder bag or small backpack to shoulder will be useful during the day trips to transport the items to keep on hand.
We always recommend paying attention to your luggage and not carry valuables. It is therefore good practice to retain documents and money in a special type belt pouch or purse. We also recommend you carry photocopies of your documents; these can be very useful in case of loss or theft of the originals.
CARRY-ON BAGGAGE DURING AIR TRAVEL
It is allowed to board the plane only one item of cabin baggage, including handles, side pockets and wheels, does not exceed the following dimensions:
Weight: 8 kg.
Length: 55 cm.
Height: 25 cm.
Depth: 35 cm
Personal items like laptops or briefcases are considered carry-on baggage in the cabin that you can take in addition to the limits. Even crutches and stroller are considered carry-on baggage: they are recorded, labelled and stowed only in the absence of space on board.
CARRY-ON BAGGAGE DURING AIR TRAVEL
NEW SECURITY RULES AT AIRPORTS
(This document was developed jointly by the European Commission, the Association of European airlines and from the 'European association of airport operators.
Disclaimer: This document summarizes the salient points passenger information to the European regulations, is not the actual text of the standard)
A QUICK GUIDE TO HELP THE PASSENGER
To protect against the new threat of liquid explosives, the European Union has adopted new security rules that restrict the amount of liquids that can be brought into restricted areas. These rules apply to all passengers departing from airports in the EU whatever their destination. This means that, at security checkpoints, passengers and their hand luggage must be checked for the presence of liquids. However, the new rules do not limit the amount of liquids that can be bought in shops located beyond the checkpoint of the ticket or on board an aircraft company belonging to the European Union.
The new rules apply from Monday, November 6, 2006, all airports in the European Union, Norway, Iceland and Switzerland, except for possible changes.
WHAT'S 'NEW?
During the preparation of hand luggage
And 'only allowed to take small amounts of liquids in hand luggage. These liquids must be placed in individual containers with a maximum capacity of 100 ml each. These containers must be sealed in a plastic bag, reseal able capacity not exceeding 1 litter per passenger
AT THE AIRPORT
To facilitate security operators must:
Present all liquids carried to the operators to control
Take off your jacket and / or coats. Must be controlled separately by the passenger
Remove laptop computers and other electrical items / large electronic hand luggage. Must be controlled separately from hand luggage
LIST
Liquids include:
Water and other drinks, soups, syrups
Creams, lotions and oils
Perfumes, Spray
Gels, including hair and shampoo
Pressurized containers, including shaving foam, foams and deodorants alter
Pastes, including toothpaste
Substances mixed liquid / solid, Mascara
Other items with similar characteristics.
WHAT DOES NOT CHANGE?
It’s always possible:
Place the liquids in checked baggage in the hold - the new rules only affect hand luggage.
Carry in your hand luggage medicines and foods for special dietary requirements, including baby food, for use during the trip. The passenger may be asked for proof of actual need for such transportation.
Buy liquids such as drinks and perfumes either in a business where the European Union website and the control point of the ticket or on board an aircraft company belonging to the European Union.
When sold in a special sealed bag does not open it until they have been carried out safety checks - otherwise the contents may be confiscated at the checkpoint. (If the passenger is in transit to a port of the European Union, do not open the envelope before the surveillance was carried out at the transit airport, or at the last airport in the case of several successive transits).
The amount of these liquids is additional to those mentioned above and placed in resalable plastic bags.
For any questions, please ask your airline or travel agent before you travel.
Passengers are asked to be patient and cooperate with the security and the airlines.
DANGEROUS ARTICLES IN BAGGAGE
It is forbidden to bring items considered dangerous, given in IATA Resolution 745 and listed on the ticket. There are also some prohibited items of common use that may be dangerous in the air:
Matches lighters and refills - fuel and camping gas - fireworks, paint thinners, lacquers and solvents.
Scissors, knives, or Swiss box cutters tools, including agricultural, scientific, sporting, industrial and the like, as well as realistic replicas of firearms.