$1,595 to $1,705 pp (USD)
2 travelers on Start dateArrival and Addis Ababa City Tour
Upon your arrival in Addis Ababa, you'll be greeted and taken to your hotel to refresh. Start your sightseeing with a drive to Mount Entoto, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city. Descend to the National Museum, home to the famous fossil of Lucy, one of the oldest hominids. Next, visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral, a significant site built during World War II. Explore the Ethnographic Museum, which was once the palace of Emperor Haile Selassie until 1960. Finally, experience Merkato, the largest market in East Africa, established by Italians in 1937.
- Main Destination:
- Addis Ababa (City)
- Accommodation:
- Hotel Golden Tulip Addis Ababa
- Meals & Drinks:
Drive from Addis Ababa to Hawassa
After breakfast, set off for Hawassa. Along the way, stop at Abijatta-Shalla National Park, which spans 887 square kilometers and features the alkaline lakes of Abijatta and Shalla. The park is home to diverse habitats, including grasslands and acacia-dominated areas, where you may spot Grant’s gazelles, common warthogs, and over 300 bird species, including various ostriches. Arrive in Hawassa for your overnight stay at the Hawassa Haile Resort or a similar accommodation.
- Main Destination:
- Awasa (City)
- Accommodation:
- Haile Resort Hawassa
- Meals & Drinks:
Drive from Hawassa to Arba Minch
After breakfast, visit the local fish market and enjoy birdwatching at Amora Gedele. Following lunch, drive to Dorze village, known for its skilled weavers who create stunning textiles. The distinctive elephant-shaped huts, made from bamboo, reflect the region's heritage. The Dorze people primarily rely on Enset, a local staple known as "false banana." Overnight at Haile Resort Arba Minch or a similar venue.
- Main Destination:
- Arba Minch (City)
- Accommodation:
- Haile Resort Arba Minch
- Meals & Drinks:
Drive from Arba Minch to Konso and Turmi
Start your day with a boat cruise on Lake Chamo, Ethiopia's third-largest lake. Keep an eye out for Nile crocodiles, hippos, and various bird species. Continue south to Konso village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its terraced agriculture that prevents soil erosion. The village is encircled by stone walls made of basalt boulders. Konso is also famous for producing some of the country's finest coffee. Later, head to Turmi and spend the night at emerland or a similar property.
- Main Destination:
- Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)
- Accommodation:
- Emerald Lodge Turmi
- Meals & Drinks:
Drive from Turmi to Karo and back
Today, visit the Karo people in Murulle, known for their elaborate body decorations, including white chalk paint for ceremonies. Karo women scar their chests, a practice believed to enhance beauty, while men’s scars signify achievements in battle. Next, proceed to the Nyangatom people, who are known for their stunning jewelry and traditional goat-skin skirts. Return to Turmi for lunch before exploring the Hamer people, famous for their bull-jumping ceremony, which marks the transition to manhood. Experience their unique body adornment and colorful hairstyles. Overnight at emerland Lodge in Turmi or a similar venue.
- Main Destination:
- Lower Omo Valley (Cultural Village)
- Accommodation:
- Emerald Lodge Turmi
- Meals & Drinks:
Drive from Turmi to Jinka
After breakfast, head to Omorate to meet the Dassanech tribe, located 72 km from Turmi. Enjoy a boat excursion on the Omo River to interact with the Dassanech people, who reside along the shores of Lake Turkana. Return to Turmi for lunch, then drive to visit the Ari people, the largest ethnic group in the lower Omo Valley. Known for their intricately woven skirts made from the Enset plant, Ari women excel in pottery and traditional liquor production. Overnight in Jinka Resort or a similar accommodation.
Drive from Jinka to Mago and to Addis Ababa
After breakfast, take a day trip to Mago National Park to visit the Mursi village, located 70 km away. Spend the morning learning about Mursi culture, particularly the women known for their large lip plates, which serve various social and cultural purposes. Mursi people are also skilled in scarification, with body scars denoting social status. After your visit, return to Jinka for your flight back to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival, enjoy a traditional Ethiopian dinner with live music before transferring to Bole International Airport for your flight home.
- Main Destination:
- Mago National Park
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks: