Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival – Arba Minch
You will be met upon arrival we will meet you at the airport then we will be drive to the town of Arba Minch visiting en route the Doreze village who are experts in weaving called Shammas. The shape of their house looks Elephant, in order to remember the existence of these animals around the area many years ago. Enset “fake banana” is the staple food for these peoples.
Day 2: Drive Arba Minch – Konso – Jinka
After having your breakfast you will take a boat cruise on the Lake Chamo, the third biggest Lake in Ethiopia. On the Lake, you may have a chance to see the Nile crocodiles, hippos and different types of birds. Proceed to the Bana village. The Bana who are indigenous pastoral and semi-nomadic people living in the harsh environment of lower Omo Valley. The men often have their hair dressed up with a colorful clay cap that is decorated with feathers. Drive to the Ari people, the largest population in the lower Omo valley. The women wear skirts from the banana-like tree, called Enset are expert in pottery.
Day 3: Drive Jinka – Mago – Jinka
Take a day excursion to Mago National Park to visit the Mursi village. The Mursi are one of the exotic ethnic groups in Ethiopia. They live in very low huts made of straw leaves. The women like to wear terra cotta on their enormously stretched lower lips and ear lobes. Drive back to Jinka for lunch.
Day 4: Jinka – Turmi
This day based on the dates if we get the markets of Key Afer in Thursday we will join or if the dates are Tuesday we will join the Alduba markets then after the market we will be driving to Turmi then later you will have a chance of seeing the Hammer tribes villages and the hammer tribes.
Day 5: Excursion to Murulle and Nyangatom
This day you will drive to Murulle where you can find the Karo people. Karo People are very famous for their splendid body decoration, which they paint their bodies and faces with white chalk to prepare for a ceremony. The women scar their chest believing it makes them beautiful. The men’s scars represent an enemy or dangerous animal killed. Visit and proceed to Nyangatom people, 17 km away from the Murulle area. To adore their long and lean bodies, the Nyangatom women wear numerous necklaces and long skirts from goatskins that are richly decorated.
Day 6: Excursion to Omorate (75kms 2hrs drive)
After having your breakfast, you will have an excursion to Omorate to visit the Dassanech people ‘people of the Delta’, who lives on the northern shore of Lake Turkana. Visit and drive back to Turmi.
Day 7: Drive Turmi – Konso
This day you will be driven to Konso to Visit e Konso village, one of the UNESCO sites in Ethiopia know by their terracing. One of the best types of coffee for the country is also from this village.
Day 8: Arba Minch – Addis Ababa
This day you will be flying back to Addis Ababa then you will stay the night at your hotel in Addis.
Day 9: Addis Ababa – Awash National Park
After breakfast, We will be driving to you Awash National park with its southern boundary along the Awash River and the park covers 756 square kilometers of acacia woodland and grassland. In the south of the park, the Awash River gorge has amazing waterfalls. In the upper Kudu Valley at Filwoha are hot springs amid groves of palm trees. In the evening you will have a chance to do a short game drive to see the local wildlife, such as oryx, baboons, greater and lesser kudu, warthogs, gazelles, Columbus monkeys. Additionally, you’d be very lucky to see leopards, lions, and other cats. The landscapes in the park are beautiful, looking over the Awash Gorge. Today you can drive deep into the park, near the hot springs.
Day 10: Awash NP – Dire Dawa – Harar
Early in the morning drive to Dire Dawa where you will be met upon arrival and drive to Harar. Harar is a labyrinth of small streets surrounded by old city walls is the fourth holiest city for the Muslim people next to Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. Its architecture reflects a strong Islamic influence. The sightseeing of Harar will include the market, the French poet –Rimbaud house, the Harari museum and the tomb of Emir Nur who built the Harar walls known Jugol. Tonight we will attain the hyena-man show.
Day 11: Excursion to Babible (Dates Must Be Monday or Thursday) – Babile Valley Of Marvels
This day you will have an excursion to Babile to see the biggest camel market in Ethiopia. Visit and drive back to Harar. After having your lunch visit Dakhata Valley (better known as the Valley of Marvels), tall rocks have been sculpted into strange, often phallic shapes by the elements.you will continue the remaining sights in Harar; the Harari museum and the tomb of Emir Nur who built the Harar walls known Jugol.
Day 12: Drive Harar – Dire Dawa – Fly Addis – Departure
This day you will drive to Dire Dawa passing through Aweday chat market. Upon arrival in Dire Dawa, you will catch your flight back to Addis. Be met upon arrival and transfer to your hotel for day use. In the evening attend a folkloric dinner where you will have a chance to taste several national dishes and watch dances of the various ethnic groups of Ethiopia. The traditional coffee ceremony will also be served. Later you will be transferred to the airport for your departure.
