Omo Vally Tours ; Ethiopia's tribes and cultures 11 Days

Overview

Day by day itinerary

1. 1Addis abeba⌄

   Addis Ababa You'll be met on arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International airport for transfer to the 4* Jupiter International Hotel in two superb locations in Addis Ababa’s Cazanchise area, within walking distance of the UNECA centre. Rooms are spacious and comfortable, have free broadband internet and multichannel satellite television. Good facilities including a spa, steam room, fitness centre, massage and sauna - a great start to your trip.

   Overnight: 3* International Hotel or similar

2. 2Lake Langano⌄

   Drive south to the Rift Valley Lake of Langano. Visit the rock-hewn church of Adadi Mariam (believed to be the southern most church founded by King Lalibela). Explore the pre-historic archeological site of Melka Kunture, the stelae field of Tiya (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Swim and do a little bird watching at Lake Langano. You'll stay at the Sabana Beach Resort at Oromia on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: Beach Resort or similar

3. 3Arba Minch⌄

   Drive from Langano to Arba Minch through the fertile land of Wolayta and Alaba regions. The Alaba people are very famous for their beautiful home painting style. Visit Sinkile Wild life Sanctuary en-route to see the endemic Swain’s hartebeest and other mammals. Spend the next 2 nights at the Paradise Lodge Arba Minch, including dinner, bed and breakfast.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: Paradise Lodge or similar

4. 4Arba Minch⌄

   Arba Minch After breakfast drive to Chencha and visit the Dorze village. The Dorze people are well known for traditional weaving and their attractive elephant shaped traditional hut made from bamboo and false banana tree leaves. Watch the daily activities of the Dorze people. Drive back to Arba Minch for lunch, during the afternoon you've a scheduled boat trip on lake Chamo, one of the rift valley lakes. Here you can visit the Crocodile Market with large numbers of crocodile and different aquatic birds and hippos. This is your second night at the Paradise Lodge.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: Paradise Lodge or similar

5. 5Jinka⌄

   Drive 275 km south to Jinka to visit the villages of the Konso people, renowned for their colourful hand-woven cotton clothes and beautiful rock terraces. Stay at the Eco-Omo Safari Lodge at Jinka for 2 nights, dinner bed and breakfast.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: Lodge or similar

6. 6Jinka⌄

   An excursion to the Mago National Park, visit the people of Mursi whose women are typically known for their clay lip plates. Drive back to Jinka to visit the Cultural Museum of the People of the Lower Omo Valley. Your second night at Eco-Omo Safari Lodge.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: Lodge or similar

7. 7Turmi⌄

   Drive to Turmi – the village of the Hamer people whose women are noted for their typical hairdressing and leather skirts. (If you visit on a Tuesday or Saturday you must stop at the colorful weekly market of the Hamer and the Benna people at Dimeka.) Stay at Buska Lodge at Turmi for 2 nights dinner, bed and breakfast.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: Lodge or similar

8. 8Turmi⌄

   An excursion to Omo Rate to visit the Dasenech (the country's southernmost) people, known for their scarifications. Stop for a picnic lunch at Murulle, head to Korcho – the village of the Karo people. (OR if you're here on a Tuesday or Saturday take an excursion in the afternoon to visit the colorful weekly market of the Hamer at Dimeka, or (if it's a Monday) at Turmi. Your second night at Buska Lodge.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: Buska Lodge or similar

9. 9Yabelo⌄

   Drive to Yabello, stop at the villages of the nomadic people of Erbore. Stay at Yabello Motel, dinner, bed and breakfast.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: Yabello Motel or similar

10. 10Hawassa⌄

    Head north to visit the nomadic people of Borena and the people of Sidama, renowned for their cultivation of Enset or False Banana. O/N – Tadesse Enjori or other Similar Hotel

    Meals: Breakfast

    Overnight: Tadesse Enjori or other Similar Hotel

11. 11Drive back to Addis⌄

    Visit the ‘Fish Market’ on the shore of Lake Awassa. Drive back to Addis visiting the chains of the Rift Valley Lakes of Langano, Abiyatta, Shalla, and Ziway. Spend a leisurely afternoon in Addis. During the evening you'll have a farewell dinner party at one of the best traditional restaurants serving up the best of the country's traditional dishes. You'll also be treated to folkloric dances of the Ethiopian people before being transferred to the airport for your departure.

    Meals: Breakfast

    Overnight: No accomedation