ETHIOPIA – LAND OF ORIGINS

Tour - Tribes of the Omo Valley 

Duration - 7 nights and 8 days.

Transportation - 4 WD Toyota Landcruiser and boat ride

Accommodation - Based on 5* hotel in Addis and 3* & 4* lodges and hotels outside Addis.

Trip Highlights:

The Omo Valley in southern of Ethiopia is home to a fascinating range of distinct tribal groups, isolated from the rest of the world for centuries and still very much following their own cultures and customs. On this trip we set off from Addis Ababa using 4WD transport to explore the eastern and Southern Omo Valley of Ethiopia, stopping at local markets and visiting villages, driving past the lakes of Africa’s Great Rift Valley and looking for the wealth of wildlife that this little-explored region contains.

DAY 1: DEPARTURE FROM YOUR COUNTRY.

DAY 2: ARRIVAL AND CITY TOUR OF ADDIS ABAB 

On arrival in Addis Ababa our representatives will meet you at Bole International Airport and transfers to your Hotel. An overview of the program and itineraries will be given. The rest of the day visit historical sites in Addis Ababa including the National Archaeological Museum, where we will view the 3.6 million year old remains of “Lucy”, whose skeleton was discovered in 1974. You will also visit the Ethnological Museum at Addis Ababa University, Holy TrinityCathedrals and Mount Entoto which rises up to an altitude of 3200 meters and offers the panoramic view of the metropolis.

Overnight Capital hotel and Spa (www.capitalhotelandspa.com) or similar   

DAY 3: DRIVE TO ARBAMINCH 

Breakfast and then head to Arbaminch via the Hosahina Road, stopping for a sightseeing tour of the Unesco World Heritage Site Tiya  – an archeological site of ancient Ethiopians. After lunch, the drive continues through the Wolayta farmlands, with views of the lush green hills and valleys. We will arrive late in the afternoon at Arbaminch - meaning 'Forty Springs' in Amharic. Arbaminch takes its name from the bubbling streams that cover the low-lying forest, occupying the flats of the town.

Overnight at Paradise Lodge (www.paradiselodgeethiopia.com) or Similar

DAY 4: VISIT DORZE VILLAGE AND BOAT TRIP ON LAKE CHAMO 

After breakfast we visit the Dorze tribe and their village, famed for its beehive-shaped houses. The Dorze people are expert weavers and weaving  is a primary profession for many Dorze. They are also farmers and use ingenious terracing of the mountainside to prevent soil erosion. Around their huts the Dorze plant gardens with vegetables, spices, tobacco and enset (false-banana or musa ensete).  Lunch then a refreshing boat trip on Lake Chamo, home to crocodiles, hippos and a variety of birdlife.

Overnight at paradise Lodge ( www.paradiselodgeethiopia.com) or Similar

DAY 5: ARBAMNICH – JINKA 

Next up: The Konso.  A pagan society, the Konso erect eerie wooden totems replete with phallic symbols over the graves of the dead and have numerous cults based around the breeding and veneration of serpents. The cornerstone of Konso culture, however, is a highly specialized and successful agricultural economy that, through terracing buttressed with stone, enable these people to extract a productive living from the none-too-fertile hills and valleys that surround them. An excellent day to meet the people, take photographs with them and learn of a culture that has had very little outside influence. Later afternoon arrive in Jinka, located at the foot of Mago National Park.

Overnight at Eco Omo Lodge (www.eco-omo.com) or Similar

 DAY 6: JINKA – MURSI – JINKA 

We leave Jinka and drive to a Mursi village. The tribe is renowned for the unusual custom followed by their women who, on reaching maturity, have their lower lips slit and circular clay discs inserted. Proceed to Mago National Park. After a picnic lunch in the late afternoon drive back to Jinka.

Overnight at Eco Omo Lodge (www.eco-omo.com) or Similar

 DAY 7: JINKA – TURMI 

After breakfast drive to Turmi through Dimeka to visit their Hamer people and their village. Hamers have remarkable hairstyles made from ochre, water, and binding resin. They rub the mixture into their hair then twist the strands repeatedly to create coppery-colored locks. This is a sign of wealth and welfare. Hamers are considered to be masters of body decoration.

Overnight at Buska Lodge (www.buskalodge.com) or Similar

DAY 8: DRIVE BACK TO ARBAMINCH 

Drive back to Arbaminch: on the way visit the Cushitic speaking Arbore people and their villages. The Arbore people adorn themselves with beads and aluminum jewelry. Overnight at paradise Lodge (www.paradiselodgeethiopia.com) or Similar 

DAY 9: ADDIS ABABA AND DEPARTURE

Drive back to Addis Ababa through the Great Rift Valley Lakes, via Awassa. En route we will stop at scenic viewpoints for the Rift Valley Lakes of Shala, Abyta and Langano. In the evening, a farewell dinner party at one of the traditional ethiopian restaurant, with music and dances from the different ethnic groups. Transfer to the airport for departure back home.

 What’s Included:

• Meet and greet at airport.
• All accommodation based on Twin room occupancy.
• Three meals a day, with soft drinks and bottled purified water.
• All entrance fees.  - All transfers and visits according to the itinerary.
• All ground transportation with a late model 4WD Toyota Landcruiser.,    including fuel and driver. 
• Local Guide at each site and scout fees in parks.
• English speaking guide throughout the trip.
• Boat trip on Lake Chamo and Omo River.
• Farewell dinner in Addis to enjoy traditional ethiopian food and music- Government taxes- Porter fees  

Extras you pay for:

• International and Domestic flights
• Any kind of Alcoholic Drinks.
• Videography fees at selected sites.
• Tips and items of personal nature like laundry, souvenirs, etc