Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa & City Tour
Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, you will be welcomed at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II, Addis Ababa sits at an elevation of 2,438 meters, making it the third-highest capital city in the world. Enjoy its mild year-round climate and beautiful scenery.
Begin your city tour with a visit to the National Museum, home to Ethiopia’s most valued historical artifacts, including the world-famous 3.2-million-year-old hominid fossil “Lucy.” Continue to the Ethnographic Museum, followed by a visit to Holy Trinity Cathedral, Ethiopia’s main cathedral and the final resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie. Overnight in Addis Ababa.
Day 2: Addis Ababa – Arba Minch
After breakfast, drive south to the scenic lakeside town of Arba Minch. En route, visit traditional Gurage villages to learn how Kocho a staple food made from the false banana is prepared. Pass through the fertile lands of the Wolayita people, once nomadic but now settled farmers.
Before reaching Arba Minch, enjoy panoramic views over Lake Abaya, known for its volcanic origin and distinctive pinkish hue. Overnight in Arba Minch.
Day 3: Dorze & Chencha Villages – Lake Chamo Boat Trip
This morning, drive to the Guge Mountains to visit the Dorze and Chencha communities. The Dorze, once warriors, are now renowned weavers recognized nationwide for producing some of Ethiopia’s finest cotton fabrics. Their distinctive beehive-shaped “elephant huts,” completely handmade from organic materials, are a cultural highlight.
Continue to Chencha, where men weave and women spin cotton. In the afternoon, take a relaxing boat trip on Lake Chamo, known for its large crocodiles, hippos, and abundant birdlife. Overnight in Arba Minch.
Day 4: Arba Minch – Konso – Key Afer Market – Jinka
After an early breakfast, drive to Konso, a UNESCO-recognized cultural landscape celebrated for its stone terracing, waga grave markers, and fortified settlements. Explore the traditions, language, and architecture of the Konso people.
Continue to the vibrant Key Afer Thursday Market, where you will encounter the Ari, Bena, Hamer, and Tsemay tribes adorned with distinctive beadwork, hairstyles, and traditional attire. After exploring the market, proceed to Jinka for your overnight stay.
Day 5: Mursi Tribe in Mago National Park – Ari Village
Early morning, drive through Mago National Park to visit the Mursi people, famous for the dramatic lip plates worn by women and elaborate scarification practiced by warriors. Your guide will explain their customs, and you will have opportunities for responsible photography.
Return to Jinka for lunch. In the afternoon, visit a nearby Ari village to observe their daily lifestyle, agricultural practices, traditional alcohol preparation, and local crafts. Overnight in Jinka.
Day 6: Jinka – Dimeka – Turmi (Hamer Tribe)
Drive through the Omo Valley to Turmi, stopping in Dimeka if it is a market day. The Hamer are one of the largest and most visually striking tribes in the Omo Valley. They are known for their impressive hairstyles, including the famous red-ochre braids of women and the clay hair buns with ostrich feathers worn by men to signify bravery or success.
Their intricate beadwork, iron bracelets, and cowry shell decorations reflect family status and wealth. Overnight in Turmi.
Day 7: Turmi – Murulle (Karo Tribe) – Turmi
Today, travel across the acacia-covered savannah toward the Murulle area to visit the Karo tribe, famous for their stunning body painting and elaborate hairstyles. Visit Korcho village, dramatically perched above the Omo River, offering spectacular views and rich cultural encounters. Enjoy a picnic lunch en route, then return to Turmi for your overnight stay.
Day 8: Turmi – Erbore – Konso – Arba Minch
Depart Turmi and drive north, stopping to visit the Erbore tribe, known for their harmonious nature and unique cultural traditions. Continue to a remarkable natural formation locally referred to as “New York,” where wind and rain have sculpted the landscape into dramatic sand pinnacles. After lunch in Konso, continue to Arba Minch for your overnight stay.
Day 9: Arba Minch – Addis Ababa – Departure
After breakfast, drive back to Addis Ababa. Enjoy sweeping views of the Rift Valley Lakes, including Abijata and Shala, with an optional stop at the Ostrich Farm in Abijata-Shala National Park.
Arrive in Addis Ababa in the late afternoon and check into a hotel for day-use. Enjoy last-minute souvenir shopping before heading to a cultural restaurant for a farewell dinner with live traditional music and dance.
Later, transfer to the airport for your international departure.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.