Description

What awaits you with this awesome adventure in Ethiopia!

Day 1: Arrival Day
Arrive at Bole International Airport and transfer to hotel. O/N (overnight) Intercontinental Addis hotel.

Day 2: Our Journey to Arbaminch is about 505 km south of Addis Ababa so we can't make long stops, but our travel will take us along some of the Rift Valley Lakes and we will stop shortly at Lake Ziway, best known for its birdlife. We will also drive through the Wolayta farmlands, with views of the lush green hills and valleys.

*Arbaminch is set on an escarpment overlooking the Rift Valley Lakes, Lake Abaya to the north and Lake Chamo to the south. The town's name in Amharic literally means "forty springs" that are found around the town. Overnight in hotel.

Day 3: Early morning departure for Turmi. On the way, visit the Cushitic speaking Arbore people and their villages. The Abore people adorn themselves with beads and aluminum jewelry. We may also encounter the closely related Cushitic-speaking Tsemay people in the Weyto Valley, where we will have lunch.

Turmi is the central town of the Hamer people. It is a main trading point between many of the Rift Valley peoples so markets here are particularly interesting. Optional Evangadi "evening dance" is possible during any of the evenings while in Turmi. Your tour leader will recommend a night for experiencing this dance. Camping at Evangadi camp site.

Day 4: The exact days of the excursions from Turmi will vary depending on which day is market day in Turmi. If this day falls on Monday or Saturday you will have the chance to see the colourful market of the Hamer and Benna people. We may also have an excursion to Omorate to visit the Omo Geleb/Dasanech people at the bank of the Omo River. Camping in Turmi.

Day 5: Today we do an excursion trip to Murulle to visit the Karo people. The Karo adorn their bodies with different paintings, done for dance, feast, or celebration. Yellow mineral rock, black charcoal and pulverized red iron ore are traditionally used for the body painting. They use bic biros, nails, candy wrappers, and cartridges for body decoration. Camping in Turmi.

Day 6: Drive to Jinka via Dimeka. En route we pass by the Hamer and Benna cattle herders. Camping in Jinka.

*Hamer has remarkable hairstyles made from ochre, water, and binding resin. They rub the mixture into their hair then twist the strands repeatedly to create coppery-coloured locks. This is a sign of wealth and welfare. Hamers are considered to be masters of body decoration.

*The Ari Villages have neat compounds, fertile and scenic land with coffee plantations. Ari inhabit the northern border of Mago National Park. They have large livestock herds and produce large quantities of honey. The women wear skirts from the banana like tree, called Enset.

Day 7: Excursion to the Mursi people via Mago National Park. These people are curious and famous for the geometrical lip plates that the women wear in the slits of their lips. The men practice fierce stick fighting. Camping in Jinka.

Day 8: Drive early in the morning back to Konso descending from the highlands across Weito plain to visit Konso's chief compound. This includes the family graveyard and house of mummies. We may again encounter the Cushitic-speaking Tsemay people.

* The Konso are a rich agrarian culture. They construct ingenious terraces and walls that encircle their fields and villages for protection against livestock damage and flooding.

Day 9: Drive to the highland people of Dorze who live high in the mountains. They are famous for their beehive-shaped bamboo houses. They use ingenious terracing and have a unique traditional life style with their colourful weaving products.

In the afternoon we will take a relaxing boat ride on Lake Chamo where you will see crocodiles famous for their huge size, hippos and water birds. Beautiful sunsets are often seen on the return boat ride.

Day 10: Drive to Wondogenet to pass the afternoon in a paradise location where you can bathe in natural hot springs and take a late afternoon walk in the forest where the birds and monkeys are abundant. We are likely to encounter local visitors here as it is a popular spot for weekenders from Addis Ababa.

Day 11: Early morning drive back to Addis Ababa. Visit en route Abiatta and Shalla National Park named after the two rift valley lakes, Abiata and Shala, part of the wildlife park. We may visit the Ostrich farm and take in a panoramic view of the lake.

We should arrive back in Addis Ababa around 6pm, in time to do some last minute shopping and get prepared for the evening and/or departures.

In the evening we will have a dinner in a traditional restaurant in Addis Ababa with colorful traditional music and dance.

Travel Types

• BackPacking Abroad
• Birdwatching
• Camping
• Eco Tours
• Environmental Studies
• Heritage Tourism
• Horseback Riding
• Mountaineering
• Native Culture Studies
• Nature Tours
• Off Road / 4X4 Driving
• Overland Tours
• Photography
• Safari
• Student Tours
• Tours
• Trekking
• Vacation Packages

Cost in US$:

1,200 - 2,030

Program Fees Include:

Accommodation, Full board Meals, entrance fee, local guide allowance, Transportation within destination, boat and mule expenses.

Tour price excludes: International and domestic flights expense, Alcoholic and non-Alcoholic beverages and some personal expenses like photographing and video cameras.

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently

Application Process Involves

• Other

J.H. Simex Tour and Travel's Mission Statement

J.H. Simex Tour and Travel is an Ethiopian based tour and Travel company that provides all the Travel services including Tour Operation in Ethiopia, Hotel Booking and Vehicles for rent.

Year Founded

2008