Itinerary

Day 01 Addis

Arrive in Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and start city tour of the capital founded by the wife of Emperor Menelik at the end of the 19th Century. Very attractive are the two famous museums the National museum which hosts Lucy, hominid fossil dating back to 3.5 million years ago which belongs to the Australopithecus Afarensis family. The market of Addis which is noted to be the largest open-air market in East Africa holds together different retail and wholesale sectors. Particularly interesting are the recycling sector and the spice market. Overnight in Addis

Day 02. Addis-Arbaminch 410Km

Departure in the morning for Arbaminch. There are different villages on the way of different ethnic groups. A stop in Tiya to visit one of the 9 UNESCO registered sites of Ethiopia. Afternoon dedicated to Dorze people famous of their characteristic traditional huts made of twisted bamboo. Arrive in Arbaminch and accommodation in Lodge

Day 03. Arbaminch

Visit in the morning Netch Sar National Park meaning “White Grass” in a local language, given to it because of its suggestive plain grassland where one can find numerous mammals among which Zebras, Gazzels, Antelopes and others. Afternoon excursion by boat on Lake Chamo to see crocodiles and hippos believed to be among of the largest ones in all Africa. Accommodation in Lodge

Day 04. Arbaminch-Jinka 240km

90km from Arbaminch down to south is the territory of Konso people. Konso people are very known to be hardworking and famous of terrace agriculture by which they exploit every metre of the mountainous terrain to grow coffee, bean, sorghum, cotton, maize etc. They are as well known for weaving. Continue to Jinka. Arrive in Jinka and accommodation in Jinka

Day 05. Jinka-Mursi-Jinka 150km.

Morning drive to the Mursi people, one of the most interesting, from an anthropological point of view, in Africa. They belong to The Nilo-Saharian language group and they speak a language similar to that of Surma and Me’en people. Among their vast and original cultures is found also the “Lip Plate” which they practice by cutting their lower lip to insert a disc-shaped clay. The men also make decorations on their body like scarifications on their shoulders and arms or use different natural colours to paint their body. Return to Jinka.Afternoon dedicated to Ari people in and around Jinka. Omotic people who practice painting their huts with very interesting designs. They are essentially farmers and grow coffee, sorghum, beans and other cereals as well as garden fruits and vegetables. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 06. Jinka - Turmi 200km

Drive to Turmi, the main small village-town of the Hamer people. On the way visit the Benna people’s village Very friendly people belonging to the Omotic group. Afternoon Visit the Hamar People, They are considered us the largest tribe in Omo valley. They are known for their body adornment, wearing a multitude of colourful beads. Women adorn their necks with heavy polished iron jewellery. Overnight in Lodge

Day 07. Turmi – Murulle – Turmi 120km
Drive to Murule and visit the Karo People. Drive through the Hamer village, which is a good opportunity to know the way of life of the Hamer people. The Karo Tribe is famous for body decoration, scarification and body painting. They reside by the side of the Omo River. Drive back to Turmi. And after lunch break visit Hamer Village. Overnight in Lodge

Day 08. Turmi –Omorate-Konso 280km
Drive to Omorate to visit the Gelab (Dassanech) tribe inhabiting the riverbanks of Omo River. Cross Omo River by a small boat and to visit their village. The Dassenech people are also known for their body painting as their neighbours and highly concentrated villages. In the afternoon drive back to Turmi and after lunch starts driving to Konso. Overnight in Lodge

Day 09. Konso-Yabelo 300km

Morning visits the UNESCO world heritage site villages of Konso. The Konso people are known for terracing the mountainous landscape, mixed agriculture, Their Villages and the totems referred to as ‘Waka’ by the local people erect on their tombs. Afternoon to Yabelo and on the way visit the subgroup Oromo ethnic group Called Borana people. They are famous for “Singing wells” the Borana people sing while pulling the water out from the wells that are as deep as up to 50m. It is like a human chain of young Boranas in line from the bottom of the wells up to the surface passing the jugs from one another to feed their cattle and villages. Overnight in Hotel

Day 10. Yabelo -Yirgalem 460km 

Morning drive to Yirgalem on the way visit the coffee farms and the Tuti Fela Stele field, in this archaeological site there are numerous steles or grave marks scattered in one compound. overnight in Lodge

Day 11. Yirgalem-Addis 320km

On the way Visit Sidama villages, Hawassa Fishmarket at the shore of Lake Hawassa and visit some more rift valley lakes on the way.

Arrive in Addis and farewell traditional dinner and transfer to Addis Ababa Bole International Airport for departure.