Tour Itinerary:
Day 1, Sunday: Addis Ababa.
Arrival Addis Ababa; and transfer hotel. If time allows you in Afternoon tour of the capital. Visit Entoto Mountains; with very nice view over the capital, the National museum and the Trinity church or you will visit Addis Ababa on the last day of the trip. Overnight Addis Ababa.
Day 2, Moday: Melka Konture, Adadi Mariam and Tiya- Sodo.
Early in the morning we then head southwest on the Jimma road, before turning due south on to the Butajira Road. Melka Konture lies near the Awash River Gorge and is one of the most important Neolithic sites in Ethiopia. Hand axes and various other implements have been found here. About 5 km further on the Butajira Road, is the rock hewn church of Adadi Mariam, contemporaneous with those of Lalibela. In fact local tradition ascribes it to King Lalibela who is said to have had it built on his visit to Mount Zuqwala in 1106. Damaged during the wars with Ahmed Gragn in the 16th century, it fell into disuse and was only reopened in the time of Menelik II. It is today in regular use.
Tiya, where we can see the northernmost example of a peculiar type of engraved, standing stelae which stretch across parts of southern Ethiopia. These stelae are believed to have been erected between the 12th and 14th centuries and are almost certainly grave markers. Recent excavations at Tiya have revealed the remains of young people of both sexes, aged between 18 - 30 and buried in fetal positions. Tiya is classified as a World Heritage Site. Continue driving to Welayta Sodo for overnight Stay.
Day 3, Tuesday: Arbaminch.
Early in the morning after breakfast drive to Arbaminch- meaning "city of forty springs", largest in southern Ethiopia; it is situated between the Rift Valley, Lake Abaya and Lake Chamo,on the way sightseeing for superb landscape of south Ethiopia. On this day on the way drive to “Chencha” Village, for the Dorze people, with their unique culture, houses, and traditions. Overnight Arbaminch.
Day 4, Wednesday: Arbaminch.
Morning drive to visit Netchsar National park, which protects varieties of Savannah habitats, ranging from the knotted acacia scrub on the bridge of God to the wide-open grasslands of the Netchsar plain. It is notable for its wide scenery. Once across the bridge, there are sweeping views over the plains to the majestic volcanic hills on the eastern boundary. It is the best area for game viewing. After lunch drive for boat rid on Lake Chamo where a lot of crocodiles and hippos live. Enjoy the most spectacular scenery of the lake and to see the largest crocodile species which riches until 6-meter length of the African continent as well as bird species. Overnight Arbamich.
Day 5, Thursday: Arbaminch to Jinka.
Early morning drive to Jinka which is 230 km via Weyto (Braille) with shortstop to visit people of Gewada, Kolme and Tsemay tribes. Which are nice and different for their hairstyles and way of dressing. Also you can visit one of the villages of Tsemay people for their remarkable way of dressing and way of life. After some drive admiring the scenery of the woyto valley where you will take a lunch stop, you will reach Key afer town resided by Bena tribes dominantly. In here, if the day is Thursday, you will attend the big Keyafer market where the Benna, Tsemay and some Ari tribes will participate. Enjoying the complexity of the market you will proceed to Jinka for overnight stay. Overnight Jinka.
Day 6, Friday: Jinka –Mursi Village – Jinka.
Morning drive to Mursi village (Mursi people are very colorful with a lot of body decoration, ornaments and most remarkable characteristic is the lip disk for which they are famous over the world). Mursi Village where you can see their interesting culture like women when age reaches about 20, silt is cut between lower lip and mouth. Over the next year, the gap is progressively stretched until it is large enough for small circular clay plate, so the plate is replaced with the larger one, the process that is repeated until eventually the gap is large enough to hold the clay plate. The larger the lip plate woman can wear, the greater her value when she is married. Then drive back to Jinka for overnight stay. Overnight Jinka.
Day 7, Saturday: Jinka – Dimeka - Turmi
If the day is Saturday, you will visit the biggest market of the hammer people at in Dimeka which is 105 kms on the way to Turmi. So full day visit at Dimeka and after the market, visit some villages around Turmi. Turmi market is famous for its collection of many tribes from different directions. Late afternoon arrive Turmi. Visit some nearby Hammer tribes villages. If you are interested to cover the expense, the hammers traditional dance will be arranged by your guide and if it happened by chance you will see the hammer peoples marriage ceremony where you can see the boy jumping over the bulls and women will be slashing by the Maza (boys jumped before him and not yet married) to express their love to the boy. Overnight Camping at Turmi.
Day 8, Sunday: Turmi – Murulle – Omorate – Turmi.
Morning drive to Murulle a settlement where the Karo tribes lives and 65kms far from Turmi. Here the Karo people are the best known for the elaborate body painting they indulge in before important ceremonies. They dab their torsos with white chalk paint, reputedly in imitation of the plumage of the guinea fowl. Colorful facemasks are painstakingly prepared with a combination of pastes made by mixing water with chalk, charcoal, powdered yellow rock and iron ore. Visiting these people in Korcho village sprawling over the bank of Omo River will give you both natural and cultural attraction inputs. Drive back to Turmi arrive early evening. Overnight Camping at Turmi.
Day 9, Monday: Turmi - Omorate - Turmi Market.
Early in the morning drive to Omorate 70 Km from Turmi to visit the Geleb or as they address their name (Dasenech) tribes and Back to Turmi in the afternoon the day is Monday there is a spectacular Hammer market in Turmi and overnight Camping at Turmi.
Day 10, Tuesday: Turmi - Konso - Arbaminch.
Morning drive to Arbaminch which is 335 Km from Turmi. On the way visit the Konso people the Konso people are resourceful, efficient, charming, careful, and hard-working people, and proceed to Arbaminch for overnight stay. Overnight Arbaminch.
Day 11, Wednesday: Arbamich to Jimma.
Early in the morning start drive from Arbamich to Jimma, Jimma was the capital city of the last Oromo kingdom. And also visit the palace of the last Oromo king called Abba Gifar at the palace; you will visit different beautiful wooden materials of the king. On the way to jimma you will pass the “gurage” villages, which are famous by their “Enset” plantation (false banana) and by their local bread called “kocho” made from false banana. You can have your lunch at local hotel or picnic and Overnight Jimma.
Day 12, Thursday: Jimma - Mizan Teferi - Bebeka.
After breakfast start driving to Bebeka via mizan teferi. After admiring the scenery and very fertile land of the area you reach a place called Bebeka .The giant state coffee plantation. Coffee founded at this area. The name coffee came from the name of the province called Kefa.on the way visit the keficho village around, Bonga and shekicho near by mizan teferi. You can have your lunch at local hotel or picnic and Overnight guest house. Dinner will be prepared by experienced Cook.
Day 13, Friday: Bebeka-Tum.
After having a breakfast at the guest house drive from Bebeka to Tum by passing the town called Dima. This area is very rich by Gold mining. On the way you will have your lunch (local hotel or picnic) on the way to your camping place Tum you will pass the villages of the ethnic group called Shero and Minet. You will arrive after you cross-river accobo and drive the savanna grassland. Overnight camping at Tum.
Day 14, Saturday: Tum-Tulgit.
After early breakfast at your camping place you walk through the village of Dizi people. They are cattle holders but also they do some agriculture. If it is Saturday you may enjoy by seeing the Dizi market, and continue driving to Tulgit. Overnight camping Tulgit.
Day 15, Sunday: Tulgit-Kibish.
This day you are at the Surma territory, try to get information if there is a donga game. Donga game is a traditional stick fighting between young surma boys, which are very interesting to see. If there is a donga game it's better to stay the night at Tulgit to see more of the surma tribe. This tribe has three clans. Which are chai, Tirma and zelamo (these clan live very far from tulgit) The women of this tribe are also well known by putting clay or a wooden plate on their lips to decorate themselves. You can make a few hours walk to the surma village actually it is a walking distance from your camp. You can also make 3 -4 hours trekking to a place called Kormu to visit more Surma village and also the village " Dollote " means the respective person at surma tribe (like local king). Overnight camping at Kibish.
Day 16, Monday: Kibish - Bebeka or Mizan Tefre.
Drive from Kibish to Bebeka coffee plantation site where you will take your overnight in a quite pleasant guest house. Or overnight in the town.
Day 17, Tuesday: Mizan Tefre-Jimma.
Drive from Mizan Tefre to Jimma. Overnight Jimma.
Day 18, Wednesday: Jimma – Addis Ababa.
Drive back to Addis Ababa. Farewell dinner party in one of the best traditional restaurant in Addis Ababa.
Member discount:
10% discount for InfoHub customer. Request a free gift certificate.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Experienced English speaking driver throughout the Tour.
- All Entrance fees as per the program.
- Hotel Accommodation with single room, in Addis Ababa bed and Breakfast but out of Addis Ababa with all meals.
- Land Transfers up on arrival and departure in Addis Ababa.
- Non-Alcoholic Beverages with meals as per the program.
- Surface Transport expense with four wheel drive Land cruiser including fuel expense and driver allowance.
- Cooking and camping equipment except the sleeping bag.
- Scout service for the National parks as per the program.
- Experienced cook for camping places as per the program.
- Boat trip on Lake chamo as per the program.
- Fare well dinner party on the last day probably in Bahir Dar or Addis Ababa depending on your interest. 12. Government Taxes-VAT.
Price Excludes:
- All items which are not listed under the price includes list.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Ethiopia
Cultural Journey
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