Tour Summary: Road tour to the far southern part of the Omo valley and Bale Mountain with its immense cultural attractions of  Ethiopia.

Day 1, Addis Ababa-Langano

Arrive at Addis Ababa airport and drive to Langano Sabana lodge via the Buta Jira road to visit Tiya (standing engraved stele believed to have been erected between the 12^th and the 14^th centuries, Adadi Mariam (a rock-hewn church which is said to have been built by King Lalibela) and the Melka Kunture archeological site. Overnight at lodge.

 

Day 2, Langano-Arba Minch

Drive to Arba Minch in Amharic meaning 40 springs , admire very interesting views and visit the Alaba, Wolayta and Gamo people on the way. Then visit the Dorze people, their villages, culture, the cultivation of the false banana tree ( from which roots they extract their traditional bread, the kotcho and their beehive-shaped houses at Chencha before arriving in Arba Minch. Overnight hotel.

 

Day 3,  Arba Minch

Early morning breakfast and drive to lake Chamo for early morning boat excursion to see the Crocodile Market and the Hippos. (Here crocodiles are some of the longest in Africa , With length of 8 and also above meters.). Afternoon free.   Overnight hotel.

 

Day 4,  Arba Minch-Turmi

Drive to Turmi and on the way visit the Konso, Tsemay and Ari tribes. Cross the weito Dessert which is the home of the tsemay tribes,  visit the Erbore village and their way of life just near to the main road that takes you to Turmi. Overnight at lodge.

Day 5, Turmi-Murule-Turmi

Drive to Murulle to visit the Karo people with their body decorations and skin scarification. Admire the view of the Omo river from Kortcho village. Then back to Turmi for the colourful market (if today is Monday). Visit the Hamer, Bena and Dassanech tribes. Witness Hamer dances (evangadi) and seasonal marriage ceremonies with bull-jumping if we are lucky. Overnight at lodge.

 

Day 6, Turmi-Jinka

Morning visit to the Hamer villages then drive to Jinka. If today is Tuesday or Saturday we can attend the beautiful Dimeka market.  Or if today is Thirsday, you will visit the colorful market of key Afer.  This time you will have the chance to see the Ari, Benna and Hamer tribes when they exchange goods in the market. Further drive to Jinka and on the way visit the Ari and Bena tribes Village. Overnight  Jinka Resort.

 

Day 7, Jinka-Mursi-Konso

Enter Mago National Park to visit the Mursi people and their villages. Here for beauty women insert round clay plates in their lips. The men practice scarification based on the number of enemies or wild animals they have killed in battle. Back to Jinka for lunch then to Konso. Overnight Konso Kanta lodge.

 

Day 8, Konso-Awassa

Morning visit to the Konso villages  and then drive to Awasa via Yabello. On the way visit  the Borena people with their herds of cattle, one of the best known coffee-growing areas of Dilla and Yirgalem. Overnight hotel.

 

Day 9, Awassa-Bale Mountain National Park

After breakfast,  visit the Fish market of Awassa with some aquatic birds, further drive to the Bale Mountains. In the afternoon, trek near Dinsho, the headquarters of the park to see endemic animals such as the Mountain Nyala, Menelik’s bushbuck, warthog and many species of birds. Drive to Goba. Overnight hotel.

 

Day 10, Senetie

After breakfast, drive to the Senetie plateau, one of the best moorland in African plateau,  the habitat of the Simien wolf and  drive to Tulu Dimtu Mountain (4377 metres), the second highest mountain in Ethiopia next to Ras Dashen. We’ll also visit Harenna forest for birding and organic coffee. Overnight Goba hotel.

 

Day 11 , Goba-Awash National Park

Morning drive  to Awash National Park via Asela and Bekoji, the birthplace of many of the Ethiopian athletes. Visit  the Oromo people’s way of life and the Arsi-Bale rugged mountains. Overnight Fuafuate Lodge inside the park.

 

Day 12, Awash National Park-Addis

Visit Awash  National Park in the morning. We’ll see oryx, baboons, Soemmerring’s gazelle, greater and lesser kudus, warthogs etc. In the afternoon it’s an easy drive back to Addis Ababa. And in the evening, enjoy a meal at one of the best traditional restaurants of Addis Ababa to taste the variety of Ethiopian cuisines and watch traditional dancing.

The total price will be USD 2,970 /person on a twin bed bases. Minimum 2 pax.

Cost includes

• 11 nights  Hotel accommodation

• Meal on half board bases ( breakfast and dinner) with hot and soft drinks.

• All ground transport 4WD land cruiser cobra 2002 Model including fuel with Experienced driver.

• All entrance fee as per the program.

• Two hours boat excursion on Lake Chamo.

• English speaking local guides in every destination

Excludes

• Lunch

• Alcoholic drinks.

• Camera and video shootings. (If you use camera, please expect USD 5/6 in some places).

• Other expense of personal nature like telephone call, Laundry etc

• All what is not included in the inclusive part above.