DAY 1: Arrival at Addis Ababa

On your arrival at Addis Ababa Bole international airport you will be welcomed by your tour guide from Landmark Ethiopia Tours. Then you will be transferred to your hotel. After a rest and refresh at the hotel, in the afternoon your guide will take you around the highlights of Addis. Founded in 1887 by Emperor Menelik II and Queen Taitu, Addis Ababa is the third highest capital of the world at an altitude of 2300-2500 m. with a pleasant climate. The tour starts with a visit to the National Museum to view a replica of the famous, 3.2 million-year-old fossilized hominid remains known to the rest of the world as “Lucy”. The visit also includes Ethnological Museum at Addis Ababa University, the Holy trinity cathedral and you will enjoy a panoramic view of the capital with fresh air on top of Mount Entoto and end the tour with the bustling Merkato, Africa’s largest open-air market. Overnight- Hotel in Addis Ababa.

 

DAY 2: Addis Ababa → Arbaminch

Depart south from Addis via Butajira to Arbaminch, a town that owes its existence and vitality to the twin lake Abaya and Chamo. Arba Minch which in Amharic means “Forty Springs”, a peaceful and warm town that offers a magnificent view overlooking two lakes in the Rift valley. On the way you stop first at Melka-Kunture archeological site where thousands of Stone Age tools are found and they are displayed in a small but interesting museum, Adadi Mariam rock church which is believed to be built by king Lalibela around 12th century, then stop at Tiya UNESCO registered the 600 – 800 years old stelae field . Continue driving to Arba Minch via Sodo. Overnight- Hotel or Lodge in Arbaminch.

 

DAY 3: Arbaminch

Today you will have full day excursion in Arbaminch. In morning make a boat trip on Lake Chamo, a lake that supports a large population of crocodiles and hippos, fishes such as Nile Perch, tilapia, catfish. Cross the lake, head to the eastern bank and climb the plateau to the Nechsar National Park to see wild Zebras and Gazelles. Return to boat, and observe the Nile crocodiles (some specimens’ reach 5-6 meters long), Co-habiting peacefully with hippos, pelicans and fish eagles. In the afternoon you will visit Dorze village to see their daily life. Once formidable warriors, members of this ethnic group have turned to weaving and farming Enset (false banana) to earn a living. On a hilly and wooded, beautiful hiking through plantations and surprising traditional huts made of bamboo and false banana of bullet-shaped, high of about ten meters. Overnight- Hotel or Lodge in Arbaminch.

 

DAY 4: Arbaminch→ Konso → Jinka

In the morning drive to Jinka. On the way visit the Konso people. The Konso people are known for their wooden statues, known as wakas, which are erected in honor of dead heroes as well as their innovative agricultural terracing. If it is Thursday; you will visit the spectacular Key Afer market where different Omo valley ethnic group meet in harmony. Overnight- Lodge or Hotel in Jinka.

 

DAY 5: Jinka → Mursi →Jinka

In the morning, drive through the Mago National Park to a local village of the Mursi tribe. The Mursi are known for their lower lip and earlobe plates. In the afternoon, after returning to Jinka, you visit the South Omo Museum & Research Center to learn more about the local tribes and Ari tribe village. Overnight- Lodge or Hotel in Jinka.

 

DAY 6: Jinka → Turmi

Drive from Jinka to Turmi, home of the Hamer people. On the way, stop in Dimeka for the local market if it is Saturday , this is one of the most colorful markets in south Omo and is visited by neighborhood Hamer, Benna, Karo, Tsemai and Ari tribes. In the evening visit the Hammer tribe and their village. Overnight – Lodge or Camping at Turmi.

 

DAY 7: Turmi

In the morning, take a day trip to Omorate to visit the Dassench tribe who are living on the other side of the Omo River. Here you will cross the Omo River with a local boat and enter a Dassench village. Afterwards, return to Turmi for a visit to a local Hamer village. If there is jumping of the Bulls traditional Hamer coming-of-age ceremony that will be visited. Overnight – Lodge or Camping at Turmi.

 

DAY 8: Turmi →Karo → Konso

After breakfast depart from Turmi to Karo village of Korcho, with a stunning location looking over the Omo River. The Karo people, while the smallest tribes of the Omo valley in number are also known for their beautiful body decoration. Then proceed to Konso via Key Afar. If the day is Thursday you will visit the market in Key Afar, where you will see the Benna and Tsemai tribes trading goods. This is another very popular market in the region. Overnight- Lodge or Hotel in Konso.

 

DAY 9: Konso → Yabello

In the morning drive towards Yabello to discover the Borena people. Cross the road passing through several herds of camels and enjoy beautiful mountain landscapes dotted with acacias and giant termite mounds. Then head to the isolated village of El Soda, overlooking a beautiful deep crater 800M. Walk along on the crater rim, towards the lake that hosts a saline lake for the extraction of large quantities of salt. The salt diggers must delve into the dark waters of the lake saturated with iodine to resurface the precious commodity. The salt is mostly feed to animals, but the refined one is intended for human consumption. Today will also visit the Yabello sanctuary. Overnight- Hotel in Yabello.

 

DAY 10: Yabello → Yirgalem

After a brief stop to visit one of the traditional villages of Borena and typical huts, continuing through more mountainous and lush scenery to Yirgalem. We enter the Sidamo territory, reputed for being one of the main coffee growing regions. From Ethiopia, the Arabica coffee plant was introduced into the world. In the afternoon, a stop to see the interior designs of the beautiful Sidamo huts, lined with euphorbia candelabra. Beyond the coffee, the fertile land is suitable for many cultures: false banana, pineapple, papaya, mango, chat. Overnight- Lodge in Yirgalem.

 

DAY 11: Yirgalem → Addis Ababa & Departure

Drive back to Addis Ababa via the rift valley region and Shashemene, a town where dreadlocked Rasta settlers, many born in the Caribbean, have now made their home. The Rastas declare the last king of Ethiopia to be the Messiah, or “Jah”. Selassie pre-coronation name, Ras Tafari Makonnen, was adopted to name their movement. Stop at Lake Awassa to visit the fish market. Continue to the shores of Lake Ziway to observe the abundance of birds. Arrive in Addis Ababa late in the afternoon and in the evening you will have fare well dinner in one of the Ethiopian cultural restaurant with tasty Ethiopian national food and cultural dances from the different ethnic groups. Then transfer to the airport for flight back home. The tour ends here.

On your arrival at Addis Ababa Bole international airport you will be welcomed by your tour guide from Landmark Ethiopia Tours. Then you will be transferred to your hotel. After a rest and refresh at the hotel, in the afternoon your guide will take you around the highlights of Addis. Founded in 1887 by Emperor Menelik II and Queen Taitu, Addis Ababa is the third highest capital of the world at an altitude of 2300-2500 m. with a pleasant climate. The tour starts with a visit to the National Museum to view a replica of the famous, 3.2 million-year-old fossilized hominid remains known to the rest of the world as “Lucy”. The visit also includes Ethnological Museum at Addis Ababa University, the Holy trinity cathedral and you will enjoy a panoramic view of the capital with fresh air on top of Mount Entoto and end the tour with the bustling Merkato, Africa’s largest open-air market. Overnight- Hotel in Addis Ababa.

Depart south from Addis via Butajira to Arbaminch, a town that owes its existence and vitality to the twin lake Abaya and Chamo. Arba Minch which in Amharic means “Forty Springs”, a peaceful and warm town that offers a magnificent view overlooking two lakes in the Rift valley. On the way you stop first at Melka-Kunture archeological site where thousands of Stone Age tools are found and they are displayed in a small but interesting museum, Adadi Mariam rock church which is believed to be built by king Lalibela around 12th century, then stop at Tiya UNESCO registered the 600 – 800 years old stelae field . Continue driving to Arba Minch via Sodo. Overnight- Hotel or Lodge in Arbaminch.

Today you will have full day excursion in Arbaminch. In morning make a boat trip on Lake Chamo, a lake that supports a large population of crocodiles and hippos, fishes such as Nile Perch, tilapia, catfish. Cross the lake, head to the eastern bank and climb the plateau to the Nechsar National Park to see wild Zebras and Gazelles. Return to boat, and observe the Nile crocodiles (some specimens’ reach 5-6 meters long), Co-habiting peacefully with hippos, pelicans and fish eagles. In the afternoon you will visit Dorze village to see their daily life. Once formidable warriors, members of this ethnic group have turned to weaving and farming Enset (false banana) to earn a living. On a hilly and wooded, beautiful hiking through plantations and surprising traditional huts made of bamboo and false banana of bullet-shaped, high of about ten meters. Overnight- Hotel or Lodge in Arbaminch.

In the morning drive to Jinka. On the way visit the Konso people. The Konso people are known for their wooden statues, known as wakas, which are erected in honor of dead heroes as well as their innovative agricultural terracing. If it is Thursday; you will visit the spectacular Key Afer market where different Omo valley ethnic group meet in harmony. Overnight- Lodge or Hotel in Jinka.

In the morning, drive through the Mago National Park to a local village of the Mursi tribe. The Mursi are known for their lower lip and earlobe plates. In the afternoon, after returning to Jinka, you visit the South Omo Museum & Research Center to learn more about the local tribes and Ari tribe village. Overnight- Lodge or Hotel in Jinka.

Drive from Jinka to Turmi, home of the Hamer people. On the way, stop in Dimeka for the local market if it is Saturday , this is one of the most colorful markets in south Omo and is visited by neighborhood Hamer, Benna, Karo, Tsemai and Ari tribes. In the evening visit the Hammer tribe and their village. Overnight – Lodge or Camping at Turmi.

In the morning, take a day trip to Omorate to visit the Dassench tribe who are living on the other side of the Omo River. Here you will cross the Omo River with a local boat and enter a Dassench village. Afterwards, return to Turmi for a visit to a local Hamer village. If there is jumping of the Bulls traditional Hamer coming-of-age ceremony that will be visited. Overnight – Lodge or Camping at Turmi.

After breakfast depart from Turmi to Karo village of Korcho, with a stunning location looking over the Omo River. The Karo people, while the smallest tribes of the Omo valley in number are also known for their beautiful body decoration. Then proceed to Konso via Key Afar. If the day is Thursday you will visit the market in Key Afar, where you will see the Benna and Tsemai tribes trading goods. This is another very popular market in the region. Overnight- Lodge or Hotel in Konso.

In the morning drive towards Yabello to discover the Borena people. Cross the road passing through several herds of camels and enjoy beautiful mountain landscapes dotted with acacias and giant termite mounds. Then head to the isolated village of El Soda, overlooking a beautiful deep crater 800M. Walk along on the crater rim, towards the lake that hosts a saline lake for the extraction of large quantities of salt. The salt diggers must delve into the dark waters of the lake saturated with iodine to resurface the precious commodity. The salt is mostly feed to animals, but the refined one is intended for human consumption. Today will also visit the Yabello sanctuary. Overnight- Hotel in Yabello.

After a brief stop to visit one of the traditional villages of Borena and typical huts, continuing through more mountainous and lush scenery to Yirgalem. We enter the Sidamo territory, reputed for being one of the main coffee growing regions. From Ethiopia, the Arabica coffee plant was introduced into the world. In the afternoon, a stop to see the interior designs of the beautiful Sidamo huts, lined with euphorbia candelabra. Beyond the coffee, the fertile land is suitable for many cultures: false banana, pineapple, papaya, mango, chat. Overnight- Lodge in Yirgalem.

Drive back to Addis Ababa via the rift valley region and Shashemene, a town where dreadlocked Rasta settlers, many born in the Caribbean, have now made their home. The Rastas declare the last king of Ethiopia to be the Messiah, or “Jah”. Selassie pre-coronation name, Ras Tafari Makonnen, was adopted to name their movement. Stop at Lake Awassa to visit the fish market. Continue to the shores of Lake Ziway to observe the abundance of birds. Arrive in Addis Ababa late in the afternoon and in the evening you will have fare well dinner in one of the Ethiopian cultural restaurant with tasty Ethiopian national food and cultural dances from the different ethnic groups. Then transfer to the airport for flight back home. The tour ends here.