South Ethiopia Omo Valley Tours

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Addis Ababa

Stop At: Addis Ababa Museum, Meskel Square, Addis Ababa Ethiopia
It’s the day of your arrival at Bole , Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Welcome to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia! Upon arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, you will be assisted by your tour guide and driver for the transfer to Hotel

The city of Addis Ababa, founded in 1886 by Menelik II, is situated at 2,500 meters (8000 ft.) above sea level. It is the highest capital city in the world, after La Paz and Quito in South America. The city enjoys an excellent climate all year round, with an average temperature of 25C (77F). Addis Ababa is a pleasant city with wide avenues of jacarandas, interesting museums, and one of the largest open-air markets in Africa, known as the "Mercato".

A half day city tour is included in the rate. You visit the National Museum (Lucy), one of the churches in Addis, the Merkato and enjoy the view from the Entoto Mountain.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Sapphire Addis, a 4 star Hotel

Day 2: Addis Ababa - Arbaminch -Tia Stele (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Stop At: Arbaminch, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
Early In the morning, we will start driving to south of Addis Ababa through though Butajira en While driving further south you will stop at Tiya, where you will see the southern-most example of a peculiar type of engraved, standing stele which stretch across parts of southern Ethiopia. These steles are believed to have been erected between the 12th and 14th centuries and are almost certainly grave markers. Recent excavations at Tiya have revealed the remains of young people of both sexes, aged between 18 - 30 and buried in fetal positions. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the stele field at Tiya today comprises more than 45 stones of up to 2m.

After lunch, we will continue driving to Arbaminch on the way visiting the different small villages Welyita at Sodo and Alaba at Tembaro.

Duration: 10 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Paradise Lodge

Day 3: Arbaminch - Jinka

Stop At: Konso Cultural Centre, On the road with Stawberry Fields Eco-Lodge, Konso Ethiopia
Early breakfast, we will drive to Jinka en-route visiting different cultural people and their villages which include the Konso, Tsemai, and Ari.

The Konso are famous for their old and unique terracing and unusual engraved wooden statues of Konso grave markers. Between Konso and Jinka, will also have brief stops to visit the different cultural people and their villages like: Tsemay around Weito River, the Benna at Keyafer and the Ari at Kako Village.

Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Eco OMO Lodge

Day 4: Jinka-Mago-Mursi-Turmi

Stop At: Dasenech Village, Omorate Dasenech, Turmi 1000 Ethiopia
We will have early breakfast, and then drive from Jinka to Mursi Village. The Mursi, undoubtedly the most celebrated residents of South Omo are distinctive group of pastoralists. The Mursi are best known for their unique item of decoration, lip plates. Women of Mursi wear circular clay plate on their lower lip and the bigger a woman can wear, the greater her value when she gets married.

After our visit to the Mursi Village, we will have our picnic lunch in the Mago National Park and drive to Turmi.
Duration: 8 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Buska Lodge

Day 5: Turmi-Omorate

Stop At: Omo National Park and River, Jinka 1000 Ethiopia
Early in morning, we will drive to Omorate to visit the Desanech (Geleb) tribal village after crossing the Omo River by boat. The Desanech are nomadic pastoralists found across the western bank of the Omo River south of Lake Turkana very close to the Kenyan boarder.

In the afternoon, we will drive to Hamer Village. The Hamer, display an elaborate and diverse selection of body decorations. They are also identifiable for their high cheekbones, elaborate custom of beads, cowries and leather, and thick copper necklaces. At the same village we might enjoy the seasonal cultural activities including the famous Evangadi (Hamer Dancing).
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Buska Lodge

Day 6: Turmi - Arbaminch

Stop At: Chamo Lake, Arba Minch Ethiopia
In the morning, we will start driving back to Arbaminch with brief stops to visit different villages including Erbore and Tsemay.

In the afternoon, we will have a boat cruise over Lake Chamo to see some of the biggest African crocodiles. Hippopotamus and many beautiful aquatic birds including the lovely Kingfisher and African Fish Eagle are also easily seen.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Paradise Lodge Hotel - Arbaminch

Day 7: Arbaminch –Addis Ababa-Departure

Stop At: Kuriftu Resort & Spa Debre Zeyit, kebeke 15, ቢሾፍቱ, Ethiopia
In the morning, drive back to Addis Ababa en-route visiting the different small towns like Shashemene where Rastafarian lives, Ziway and one of the Great Rift Valley Lakes Ziway.

In the evening, there will be farewell dinner party with traditional special buffet and local drinks. There will also be cultural dance show of the different ethnic groups living in the country. There will not be any better way of ending a trip.

At the end of the farewell dinner, transfer to Addis Ababa airport for the flight back home. End of tour!
Duration: 10 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.