OVERVIEW OF THE TRIP
The Omo Valley possess the highest concentration of strangely stunning tribes – Arbore, Bume, Galeb, Hamer, Karo, Konso, Mursi and Tsemay. All tribes still live the way they have for centuries, each one of them culturally unique and visually powerful. Additionally the region is rich in marvelous scenery, wild life, and bird lives. This itinerary is therefore outlined to discover those stunning tribes in their natural habits.
ITINERARY HIGHLIGHT
Day 1: Arrive Addis Ababa. Overnight Hotel
Day 2: Drive to Debre Zeit and continue to Lanagano on the way enjoy verity species of Birds
Day 3: You will further headed to Arbaminch on the way visit Dorze tribes and the Nechsar National Park
Day 4: Boat trip to the Magnificent Lake Chamo and vsist the Erbore and other Tribes
Day 5: Crossing the Omo River and Explore the Hamer Village and People
Day 6: Visiting the endangers Karo Tribes
Day 7: Drive to Mago National Park and Vsit the Mursi Tribes
Day 8: Visiting the Tsemai , Benna and Ari Tribes
Day 9: Drive to Yabelo and Awassa on the way visit the Sidama Village and the coffee plantation
Day 10: From Awassa on the way to Addsi Ababa in between visit the Tiya Steale
Day 11: Departure
ITINERARY MAP
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1 Arrival Addis Ababa
Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, you will be met and transferred to Bole Ambassador Hotel (or similar). Located in near to the international airport, the Hotel is an ideal base for exploring. Addis Ababa means “new flower” in Amharic, and it is Ethiopia’s largest city. Sitting at an elevation of about 8,200 feet (2,500 meters) above sea level, it enjoys an excellent climate all year, with an average temperature of 75˚F. Tonight you will have a welcome dinner at the Bole Ambassador, followed by your overnight.
Day 2 DebreZeit / Langano
In the morning After breakfast we head off to DebreZeit where we will spend the morning at the Kuriftu Resort. Time permitting; those who wish can visit Donkey Sanctuary, a non-profit organization that serves as an educational outreach program to ensure the continued health and welfare of country’s donkey population. Others may choose to go directly to the resort to enjoy its location along one of the rift valley lakes, on which they can kayak, paddle boat or bird watching
After lunch you will drive to Lake Langano in the Oromia region, the starting point of your Omo Valley exploration. Along the way, we will have several stops for some bird watching. Not far from Addis Ababa, this popular holiday resort area has a splendid beach dotted with acacia trees and pinkish volcanic water ideal for swimming. The lake is full of inhabitants; there are many birds, monkeys, baboons, and (occasionally) hippos along the lake side. Overnight at Sabanna Beach Resort (or similar). (Approx. 4-5 hours of driving today, not including visits) Lake Langano Elevation: 1,585 m / 5,200 ft
Day 3 Arba Minch Dorze Region
On the road to Arba Minch, you will cross fertile land planted with bananas, cereals, and tobacco. On your way, you will visit the Alaba tribes in their village and the Dorze people at Chencha. The Omo River Valley is very special, because nowhere else in the world are there so many ethnic groups inhabiting such a small area. During the next couple of days, you will continue to see many of these people, all of whom have their own languages and, for the most part, have few interactions across groups. The Dorze people are famous for their textiles and their bamboo “beehive” houses, each surrounded by a small garden. Participate in a coffee ceremony with the Dorze, observe “enset,” a false banana tree used by the Dorze practically in its entirety from roots to leaves, taste the local alcoholic drink, “areki.” Arba Minch is known for its delicious fish, fresh from Lake Chamo, and its spectacular wildlife found in the NechiSar National Park. Overnight stay and dinner at the the Paradise Lodge or Swayne’s Hotel (or similar) in Arba Minch. (Approx. 5-6 hours of driving today, not including visits) Arba Minch Elevation: 1,219 m / 3,999 ft
Day 4 Lake Chamo, Konso Village, Turmi
In the morning, you will take a boat trip on Lake Chamo, populated with the largest crocodiles in Africa (7 meters) and hippos. You’ll also spot many birds, including the African Fish Eagle. This afternoon you drive through the villages of the Konso and the Erbore tribes on your way to the small town of Turmi. The Konso boast a rich culture and a highly-specialized agricultural economy. Their beautifully-constructed buttressed stone terraces have allowed them to carve out a living from the dry and unyielding land around them. You may see totem poles erected on the tombs of their dead. The Erbore are a group of about 4,000 who subsist as ago-pastoralists, growing maize and sorghum and practicing animal husbandry. Living along the River Woyto, they have developed an elaborate irrigation system for their crops and, during the annual dry season, are able to supply neighbors with grain in exchange for livestock, coffee, tobacco, honey, and pots. To the southeast of the Konso village are the Borena, who are semi-nomadic shepherds. Their lives revolve around their cattle, and they take extraordinary steps to ensure a water supply for them during the dry season. (Note: the Borena Oromo Tribes cannot be visited on this day, as they live far from Konso, but will be seen on coming days.) Overnight stay and dinner at Buska Lodge (or similar). (Approx: 6-7 hours of driving today, not including visits) Lake Chamo Elevation: 1,235 m / 4,052 ft
Day 5 Omorate / Turmi Market
Today you will drive to Omorate, a town a few hours north of the Omo valley, crossing the Omo River on a wooden boat to visit the Dasanech people. Although they originally led an almost totally nomadic lifestyle, the abundant water frontage and fertile soil of their present territory has subsequently led them toward a more diverse agricultural economy. Despite these changes, their nomadic roots are still clearly visible in their traditional villages comprised of small, domed huts, reminiscent of the impermanent structures of other nomadic peoples. Drive back to Turmi for lunch and a visit to the weekly Hamer market. The Hamer, one of the largest groups in the valley, cultivates millet, vegetables, tobacco, and cotton, as well as raising cattle and goats. They are known for their fine pottery and remarkable hairstyling. Most dramatic of all are the clay hair buns with ostrich feathers that the men don after killing a fierce animal, something they then wear for 3-6 months at a time! The women wear beaded necklaces and iron coils around their arms, and their skin is decorated with cowry shells. These decorations indicate the wealth and prestige of a woman’s husband. Dinner and overnight at Buska Lodge. (Approx. 4 hours of driving round trip, not including visit to Dasenach)
Day 6 Karo Tribe
In the morning, drive to Korcho Village to visit the Karo people and then drive to Jinka. The Karo are one of the most endangered tribes of the region, with only about 1,000 people who inhabit the eastern bank of the Omo. Formerly herders, they have since turned to agriculture because many of their cattle have been wiped out by disease. These people are masters at body decorating during festival time, using chalk to imitate the spotted plumage of the guinea fowl and making unique jewelry from most everything they find. Dinner and overnight at Jinka Resort Hotel (or similar). (Approx. 5 hours of driving today, not including visits)
Day 7 Mursi Tribe
On this day you will drive through the Mago National Park to meet the Mursi tribes. The Mursi are perhaps the best known of the tribal peoples in the Omo Valley due to the many documentaries made about them. They are nomadic pastoralists that move with the season and live in very low huts made of straw leaves. The most famous Mursi traditions include the lip and ear plates worn by the women and the hairstyles and fierce stick fighting done by the men. In the afternoon, visit the Ari village to meet the locals, especially the blacksmiths and potters. You’ll also visit the museum at Jinka to learn more about the tribes of the Omo Valley. Dinner and overnight at the Jinka Resort or similar. (Approx. 4 hours of driving round-trip, not including visits)
Day 8 Jinka / Key Afer / Borena Tribe/ Yabelo
Today you will drive to Key Afer, where you’ll visit the colorful market to meet the Tsemai, Benna, and Ari trips. Hundreds of tradesmen from the Konso, Benna, and Tsemay tribes meet here to exchange their goods and to buy whatever their families or villages need. The market starts around 11:00 am and affords a great opportunity to meet these people and take some wonderful photographs. You will then drive to Yabelo, passing through the Borena Oromo villages, meeting people along the way. You’ll spot many birds along your drive as well. Overnight at the Yabelo Motel or similar.
Day 9 Around Yabelo and Awassa
Today you will drive around Yabelo to see the singing well where local people get water for their cattle and themselves. Then continue on to Awassa, passing through the coffee plantations and the Sidama villages, meeting locals along the way. Arrive in Awassa around 5:30 pm, where you will overnight at the Haile Resort Hotel. (Approx. 4 hours of driving today, not including visits)
Day 10 Awassa / Tiya Stele / Addis Ababa
Early in the morning, visit the Fish Market at Lake Awassa and then drive to Addis Ababa, passing through the Gurage villages. Here you’ll visit the Tiya Stele (World Heritage site) in the afternoon and then arrive in Addis Ababa around 5:00 pm. Transfer to your hotel and then have a farewell dinner at Yod Abyssinia, one of the best folkloric restaurants in Ethiopia, with traditional Ethiopian dishes, music, and dances from different regions of the country.
Day 11 Addis Ababa and departure
You have the morning free to explore and do some last-minute shop before Being transferred to the airport for your flight home.
AVAILABLE DATES:
February 11 -21, March 19 – 29
April 1 – 11, August 20 – 30
September 13 -23, October 5 – 15
Nov 11 – 21, December 3 -13
November 3 -10, November 21 – 28
January 1 – 11, January 16 – 26
For More information Please visit:
http://www.vacationethiopia.com/cultural-ethiopia-tour-with-price-fixed-departure
Premium Ethiopia Tour and Travel 