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 → Awassa

After breakfast late in the morning you will drive through the Ethiopian rift valley region to Awassa. The Ethiopian Rift Valley which is part of the famous East African Rift Valley comprises numerous hot springs, beautiful lakes and a variety of wildlife. The valley is the result of two parallel faults in the earth's surface between which, in distant geological time, the crust was weakened, and the land subsided. Ethiopia is often referred to as the “water tower" of Eastern Africa because of the many rivers that pour off the high tableland. The Great Rift Valley's passage through Ethiopia is marked by a chain of seven lakes. Today you will make a stop on some of the rift valley lakes. First stop will be at Debre Zeit town known for its 7 volcanic lakes, Lake Ziway to visit aquatic birds, Abijatta shalla national park and Lake Langano. Overnight – Hotel in Awassa

 

DAY 3: Awassa → Dinsho → Bale Goba

In the morning visit the fish market on the shores of Lake Awassa which is famous for tilapia and cat fish and Amora Gedel Park to see monkeys and birds. Then proceed to Dinsho, a small town where the head quarter of the bale mountains park located. In the afternoon you will have 2-3 hours hike around the Gasay grass land to see some animals in the park including the endemic mountain Nyala. Finally drive to Goba. Overnight - Hotel in Goba.

 

DAY 4: Bale mountains Park

After an early breakfast you drive to the Sanetti Plateau through Harena forest, where you will see Tulu Dimtu, the second highest mountain in the country (4377m). You will explore the area, and if you are lucky you may spot the Ethiopian Wolf. Overnight - Hotel in Goba.

 

DAY 5: Bale Goba → Arbaminch

Today you will drive to Arbaminch via 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. You stop at Alaba people village to see their unique house style. Arrive in Arbaminch late in the afternoon. Overnight- Hotel or Lodge in Arbaminch.

 

DAY 6: 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 7: 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 today 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 8: 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 9: 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 10: 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 11: Turmi →Karo → Arbaminch

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 Arbaminch 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 Arbaminch.

 

DAY 12: Arbaminch → Addis Ababa & Departure

Early in the morning after breakfast drive to Addis Ababa from Arba Minch. On the way you visit UNESCO registered the 600 – 800 years old Tiya stelae field and the interesting Melka-Kunture archeological site where thousands of Stone Age tools are found and they are displayed in a small but interesting museum. 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 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.

After breakfast late in the morning you will drive through the Ethiopian rift valley region to Awassa. The Ethiopian Rift Valley which is part of the famous East African Rift Valley comprises numerous hot springs, beautiful lakes and a variety of wildlife. The valley is the result of two parallel faults in the earth's surface between which, in distant geological time, the crust was weakened, and the land subsided. Ethiopia is often referred to as the “water tower" of Eastern Africa because of the many rivers that pour off the high tableland. The Great Rift Valley's passage through Ethiopia is marked by a chain of seven lakes. Today you will make a stop on some of the rift valley lakes. First stop will be at Debre Zeit town known for its 7 volcanic lakes, Lake Ziway to visit aquatic birds, Abijatta shalla national park and Lake Langano. Overnight – Hotel in Awassa

In the morning visit the fish market on the shores of Lake Awassa which is famous for tilapia and cat fish and Amora Gedel Park to see monkeys and birds. Then proceed to Dinsho, a small town where the head quarter of the bale mountains park located. In the afternoon you will have 2-3 hours hike around the Gasay grass land to see some animals in the park including the endemic mountain Nyala. Finally drive to Goba. Overnight - Hotel in Goba.

After an early breakfast you drive to the Sanetti Plateau through Harena forest, where you will see Tulu Dimtu, the second highest mountain in the country (4377m). You will explore the area, and if you are lucky you may spot the Ethiopian Wolf. Overnight - Hotel in Goba.

Today you will drive to Arbaminch via 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. You stop at Alaba people village to see their unique house style. Arrive in Arbaminch late in the afternoon. 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 today 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 Arbaminch 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 Arbaminch.

Early in the morning after breakfast drive to Addis Ababa from Arba Minch. On the way you visit UNESCO registered the 600 – 800 years old Tiya stelae field and the interesting Melka-Kunture archeological site where thousands of Stone Age tools are found and they are displayed in a small but interesting museum. 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 food and cultural dances from the different ethnic groups. Then transfer to the airport for flight back home. The tour ends here.