Discover the diverse cultures and landscapes of Ethiopia on this 8-day tour. Visit the Omo Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see the tribes that call this region home.
Day 1: Addis Ababa - Arba Minch
Start your journey to Arba Minch via Hosanna. En route, visit Adadi Mariam, a 12th-century rock-hewn church, and Tiya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its mysterious stelae, thought to be grave markers, dating from the 12th century. If time permits, visit a traditional textile workshop in Arba Minch.
Day 2: Arba Minch
Take a boat trip on Lake Chamo and view some of the largest crocodiles in the world sunning on the banks of the lake. Hippopotami and beautiful aquatic birds are also abundant. Following lunch, visit a Dorze village in the Guge Mountains. The Dorze are known for their tall, beehive-shaped bamboo houses.
Day 3: Arba Minch - Jinka
Drive to Jinka through areas inhabited by various peoples such as the Konso, Tseme, Benna, and Ari. Once in Jinka, visit the Omo Valley Museum and then continue to a nearby village of the Ari people.
Day 4: Jinka - Turmi
Early morning drive to the Mago National Park to visit the Mursi people. The Mursi women are known for the clay plates they insert into their lower lips. Continue to Turmi, home of the Hamer people, stopping to see the various tribes such as the Ari and the Benna.
Day 5: Excursion from Turmi
Drive to Murele, taking a detour en route to visit a village of the Nyangatom. Continue towards Murele and visit the Karo people, known for their elaborate body painting by both the men and women. In the afternoon, drive to a village of another Omo tribe, the Dassanech.
Day 6: Turmi - Konso
Drive to Konso, recently designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. A highland people, the Konso are known for the ancient and intricate terraces that encircle their well-planned villages.
Day 7: Konso - Hawassa
Drive to Hawassa and relax at a lakeside resort.
Day 8: Hawassa - Addis Ababa
Drive to Addis Ababa, stopping at Rift Valley Lakes that are renowned for their endemic birdlife. Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant featuring dancers and musicians representing some of the country's many ethnic groups. Transfer to the airport for a late-night departure or an additional hotel night booked upon request.
