Lost Tribes of Ethiopia

Itinerary

DETAILED PROGRAM

Day 01 – Arrival in Addis Ababa,

Arrive in Addis Ababa- the third highest capital in the world lies between 2300 – 2500 meters, met by our representative and gets transferred into your hotel. Overnight at Jupiter international hotel or similar (LDBB).

Day 02 – Drive to Arba Minch via Ziway, Langano, Shashamene and Sodo 505kms / 10/11hrs

Arba Minch (Forty Springs) derives its name from the innumerable little springs that bubbles up in the evergreen forest covering the flats below the town. It is the site of the only ground-water forest.

Overnight at Paradise Lodge or similar (LDBB).

Day 03 – Full day at Arba Minch.

Make a short detour to Chencha, the home of the Dorze people, known for their bamboo, bee-hive shaped houses and their fine quality cotton “shamma”. Late afternoon, enjoy the boat trip on Lake Chamo (part of the park), as one of the best features of the park. Attraction of the boat trip includes viewing of large number of hippos and crocodiles from a very close range. There is a good place to watch large number of crocodiles on the shore of Lake Chamo. The place known as “Azo-Gebeya” meaning Crocodile Market offers one of Africa’s most impressive displays of big crocks. Overnight at Paradise Lodge or similar (LDBB).

Day 04 – Drive to Jinka via Konso, about 280kms

Drive to Konso village known for its intricately terraced hillsides, fine woven materials and the carved totems with which they decorate their graves. Enjoy the terrace they make recognized and prized by UNESCO. Proceed to Weyto village attend the weekly Saturday market at Weito with its plentiful chances of taking photos of different tribes who attend the market. Then continue for Jinka. Visit the Ari village and Jinka Museum. Overnight at Eco Omo lodge or similar (LDBB).

Day 05 – Jinka – Mago National Park – Mursi – Jinka, about 150kms

Morning after breakfast drives to Mago National park; in the park you may see the following animals Bushbuck, Dik Dik, Baboons and Colobus Monkeys. Then drive to Mursi tribe is known by body scarification and (among the women) the wearing of lip plates. The plates are considered an important aesthetic asset. The Mursi men frequently participate in “donga” (also practiced by the Surma), a battle fought with sticks, which is an important rite that allows men to then court village women as their intended brides. Then return to Jinka.

Overnight at Eco Omo lodge or similar (LDBB).

Day 06 – Drive to Turmi, about 127kms via Key afer and Dimeka

The Hamer are a fine looking people, both men and women take great pride in their appearance, shaving and coloring their hair, oiling their bodies and decorating themselves with beads and bracelets worn around arms and legs. O/n:  Camping @ Keskie Camp site. NB. If you want us to cost out with a lodge in Turmi please do let us know.

Overnight at Buska lodge or similar (LDBB). 

Day 07 – Turmi –Murulle – Kolcho- it’s about 140kms

Early morning drive to Kolcho Village via Murulle which is 66km or 2 hrs drive from Turmi and on a very good view of River Omo to visit the Karo village. Among the people living along the Omo, the Karo excel in face and body painting.

Overnight Camping at Keskie Camp site or similar (LDBB). 

Day 08 – Turmi – Omorate – Turmi, about 150kms round trip

After breakfast drive to Omorate, it is about 75km, cross the Omo River by Canoe and visits the Dhasanech villages (Galeb tribe) and drive back to Turmi. In the Afternoon attend the most exciting market at Dimeka with its plentiful chances of taking photos of different tribes who attend the market. Overnight Camping at Keskie Camp site or similar (LDBB).

Day 09 – Drive to Konso, about 180kms.

En route visit Arbore and Weito village then proceed to Konso and visit the Konso villages and Newyork Gardulla.

Overnight at Kanta Lodge or similar (LDBB).                          

Day 10 – Konso – Yabello – Salt house (Eli Sod) – Yabello, it’s about 305kms

Drive to Yabello, it is about 105kms. After you check into your hotel visit the singing well of the creator Dumbluk. The well supports many thousands of cattle living for miles around. Water is retrieved from buckets from the well communally, by a row of up to 50 men who sing and chant as they pass buckets from one another. And then visit the Lake Chew Bet (Salt House) at El Sod, a major source of Salt bars. Overnight at Yabello Motel or similar (LDBB).

Day 11 – Yabello – Yirgalem- Awassa, it’s about 300kms

After breakfast drive to Yirgalem, pass through a number of coffee and various fruit cultivating towns with splendid greenery everywhere continue to Awassa. Lake Awassa is a peaceful Lake lies with the town of Awasa on its shore. A gentle chain of mountains and a low plateau surround the lake, opening to a wide, low bay in the south. Swampy bays are interspersed with volcanic rocks, sandy shores with bare rocky hills, and every formation of terrain imaginable can be found near Awasa. The lake – around 21 meters deep and 62kms in circumference – teems with a great variety of fish and, as elsewhere in the Rift Valley, many species of birds. Overnight at Haile Resort or similar (LDBB).

Day 12 – Drive to wendo – Langano

Visit “Amora Gedel”-the daily fishing market on the shore of Lake Awassa then drive to Wendo Genet to the mountain and spa resort of Wondo Genet. The area is well known by its hot spring water. The hot water comes gushing out of the rocks and one can stand underneath, getting a natural hydro massage.  There is also a naturally heated swimming pool.  The scenery around the lodge is hilly and Juniper forested then drive to Langano.

Overnight at Sabana resort or similar (LDBB).

Day 13 – Drive to Addis Ababa;

On your arrival, you will have shopping. In the evening you will have a traditional dinner in one of the traditional Restaurant in Addis with traditional Ethiopian’s food and cultural dances. Overnight at Jupiter international hotel or similar (LDBB).

Day 14 – Transfer out to the airport for your final departure