Cultural Itineraries
Day 6: Addis – : Arba Minch sightseeing on the way, stopping over at Debre Zeit and Ziway. night Arba-Minch
Day 7 Arba Minch
This Day in the morning drive from Arba Minch to Nech Sar National park to have a game view of various kinds of wild animals such as zebras, Swain’s hartebeests, Greater kudu, gazelle, Secretary bird, etc. From the top of the Arba Minch National Parks plain you will have a closer view of both lakes. (Lake Chamo and Lake Abaya) Afternoon after lunch break we drive about 8 km to Lake Chamo to make a boat trip in order to visit giant crocodiles on the shore of the lake, moreover hippos in large numbers are accessible on the same lake, and you may have a closer look at them. Overnight: Arba Minch.
Day 8: Arba Minch-Jinka
We proceed to Jinka via Konso and Woyto. Visiting semi-nomadic tribes: Konso and Tsemay. Konso is one of the world’s heritage site recorded by UNESCO due to its wonderful stone terracing to protect soil washing by erosion. The Konso tribal people are the most hardworking people in the region. Woyto is a territory of Tsemay people; we will stop over there to rest but not for visiting as we will do on the way back. Overnight hotel in Jinka.
Day 9: Jinka –Mago National Park-Jinka
In the morning, we will be heading into Mago National Park, home to the Mursi tribe. Settled in the lowland plains of the Park, we will visit a local village of the Mursis. Returning back to Jinka for lunch, and late in the afternoon we will visit the Ari village, the Aris are known for their pottery and are very good black smith,then back to Jinka for overnight.
Day 10: Jinka-Keyafer- Demeka-Turmi
Starting off from Jinka in the morning, we will be heading to Turmi via Key Afer. If today is thursday, we will be able to join in the local weekly Bena market, same a very colorful market that attracts neighboring tribes in the region – the Aris from Jinka, the Tsemais from Weito and the Hamers from Dimeka area. Attending to this market will allow us to compare the dressing patterns, ornamentation techniques etc. of the various tribes in the area. Mid-afternoon, we will be proceeding to Turmi via Demeka, arriving late afternoon and spending overnight in Turmi.
Day 11: Turmi-Karo-Turmi
Morning drive to the village of the Karo people. The Karo people are the most fascinating tribe due to clay painting on their faces and body. They live on the top plain and in the vicinity of the Omo river. Overnight back to Turmi.
Day 12: Turmi-Arba Minch
Driving to Konso via Arebore, we will have a stopover at Arebore to visit the tribal people who are semi-nomadic pastoralists. They are known for their different dressing style. On this same Day, we visit a geological formation near a Konso village which really looks like a set of beautiful skyscrapers and is named New York but whose real local name is Gesergio. Additionaly we will have a chance to visit one of the villages which is called Generation Stone and see a standing carved wood sculpture (Waga) on the tomb side. Late in the afternoon proceed to Arba Minch. Overnight at Arba Minch Hotel.
Day 11:Arbaminch-Addis Ababa
Departing from Arbaminch early morning, you will be heading back to Addis Ababa via Hosaina and Butajira. In addition to the beautiful landscape, you will be able to visit Adadi Mariam Church a 12 century church made by King Lalibela as well. Late afternoon, you will arrive Addis Ababa
Day 1
Arrival at Bole international Hotel. Transfer to the Hotel.
Day 2
Drive to Arba Minch, sightseeing on the way, stopping over at DebreZeit and Ziway. Overnight: Arba Minch.
Day 3
This Day in the morning drive to Arba Minch NechSar National park to have a game view of various kinds of wild animals such as zebras, Swain’s hartebeests, Greater kudu, gazelle, Secretary bird, etc. From the top of the Arba Minch National Parks plain you will have a closer view of both lakes. (Lake Chamo and Lake Abaya) Afternoon after lunch break we drive about 8 km to Lake Chamo to make a boat trip in order to visit giant crocodiles on the shore of the lake, moreover hippos in large numbers are accessible on the same lake, and you may have a closer look at them. Overnight: Arba Minch.
Day 4
We proceed to Jinka via Konso and Woyto. Visiting semi-nomadic tribes: Konso and Tsemay.Konso is one of the world’s heritage site recorded by UNESCO due to its wonderful stone terracing to protect soil washing by erosion. The Konso tribal people are the most hardworking people in the region. Woyto is a territory of Tsemay people; we will stop over there to rest. Overnight: hotel in Jinka.
Day 5
Early morning drive to visit the Mursi tribe, a minority people living in the Lower Omo Valley. The Mursi tribe is well known for their clay lip-plates. Mostly, after harvesting season (Nov, Dec, Jan) you may see “Donga” stick fighting. A drive from Jinka to Mago then to Mursi village and back is amongst some of the most beautiful scenery due to high hills, mountains, and white grass plains. Overnight Hotel in Jinka.
Day 6
If today is Thursday, we will have a bigger chance to visit the market of Key Afer where we will see Bena, Ari and Karos gathering together to buy and sell their merchandise such as honey, jewellery, farming tools, goat, cows etc. You may also have a chance – mostly in the afternoon – to visit locals having a pure honey wine. Afternoon, driving to Turmi. Overnight: Hotel in Turmi.
Day 7
Morning drive to the village of the Karo people. The Karo people are the most fascinating tribe due to clay painting on their faces and body. They live on the top plain and in the vicinity of the Omoriver. Overnight: Turmi.
Day 8
Morning drive to Omorate, visiting the Dasenech\Galeb tribes across the Omoriver. The Dasenech tribe lives in small huts on a flat plain above the river and is one of the most interesting tribes of the Omo valley. If today is SatuarDay, we will have a chance to visit the Dimeka Market where the Hamer and Karo Tribal people attend. In the afternoon a visit to a Hamer village is one of the fantastic experiences, and eventually you may experience a wonderful ceremony of “Bull Jumping” which usually takes half a Day starting from a ritual ceremony of flogging the girls’ backs with sticks by boys of the same family. Overnight at the camping site at Turmi.
Day 9
Driving to Konso via Arebore, we will have a stopover at Arebore to visit the tribal people who are semi-nomadic pastoralists. They are known for their different dressing style. On this same Day, we visit a geological formation near a Konso village which really looks like a set of beautiful skyscrapers and is named New York but whose real local name is Gesergio. Additionaly we will have a chance to visit one of the villages with the so-called Generation Stone and see a standing carved wood sculpture (Waga) on the tomb side. Late in the afternoon proceed to Arba Minch. Overnight at Arba Minch Hotel.
Day 10,
In the morning a visit to a village of the Dorze people who are well known with their craft of weaving as well as their 12-meter high huts made up of bamboo and false banana leaves. 42 km away from Arba Minch is a hilly mountain about 2700 m above sea level. You will have a nice scenery from the top of the Dorze and you will have a 360 degree view of Arba Minch including both lakes of Chamo and Abaya. We drive further to Bale. Overnight at hotel in Dinsho.
Day 11,
Trekking in the Bale Mountains, on the Senate Plateau to have a scenic view of the Bale Mountains. A close look at the Red fox (The Red Jackal), an endemic species of Ethiopia, and other wild animals.Overnight Camping at the park site
Day 12,
Half Day trekking and mule riding.Driving back to Dinsho.Overnight Dinsho.
Day 13,
Drive to Addis Ababa via Rift Valley lakes, Shalla, Abyata and Ziway. An abundant number of flamingos and other water birds on the lake. A stopover at Langano which is the only recommended lake to swim in. Late afternoon arrival to Addis Ababa, shopping, farewell dinner at a traditional restaurant.Departure, End of Tour.