Tour description
Cultural Treasures
Duration: 14 days/ 13 nights
Tour Code: AT009
Transportation: By car
Tour Highlight
The following itinerary feature will get an opportunity to visit the Melka Kunture Archeological site, the 12th century Tiya Stelae, the southern most remarkable rock church of Adadi Mariam, Ethiopian Great Rift Valley Region and its chains of Lakes for birding and scenery, Nechsar, Mago and Abijata - Shalla National Parks for wildlife, the Omo valley for the untouched tribal groups (such as: The Mursi- known for their lip plate, Hamer, Dassenech, Tsemay, Benna, A’ari, Gamo, Dorze, Wolayita, Borena and Sidamo).
Day 1: Arrive in Addis Ababa and Sightseeing
Day 2: Drive to Butajira
Day 3: Drive to Arba Minch
Day 4: Drive to Neche-sar National Park
Day 5: Drive to Jinka (248 km)
Day 6: Drive to Mursi Village
Day 7: Drive to Turmi (147km)
Day 8: Day trip to Omorate (140km)
Day 9: Day trip to Murulle (130km)
Day 10: Drive to Konso (200km)
Day 11: Drive to Yabello (200km)
Day 12: Drive to Yirga Alem (280km)
Day 13: Drive to Lake Langano
Day 14: Drive back to Addis Ababa (230km)
Tour Detail
Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa and Sightseeing
Arrive in Addis Ababa Bole international airport; meet your guide and transfer to hotel; after check-in city tour in Addis Ababa (New Flower), which includes National Museum, Ethnological Museum, situated in the former palace of Haile Selassie, St. George Cathedral and Holy Trinity Cathedral. Drive to the Entoto Mountains to see the panoramic view of the city and Merkato. Overnight Caravan hotel/similar
Day 2: Drive to Hosanna
After breakfast drive to Hosanna on the way, visit Melka Kunture Archaeological site (50 km south west of A.A.) this Archaeological site dating back to over 1.5 million years old, believed to be the home of Neolithic man., Adadi Mariam church (90 km south of A.A.) this cave church, dating back to the Lalibela era., Tiya stelae an Archaeological site contains 36 monuments, including 32 carved Stelae on which symbols are en graved, registered in the world Heritage list of the UNESCO. Then precede your drive through a beautiful landscape to reach the small town of Hosanna. Overnight Lemma International Hotel
Day 3: Drive to Arba Minch
Morning drive to Arba Minch; pass through the wonderful panoramic landscape of the Hadiya and Wolayita People. En-route take a short detour to the Chincha Mountain to visit the highland people of Dorze. Enjoy their colorful market. Overnight Paradise lodge/similar
Day 4: Drive to Nechisar National Park
Morning game drive to Nechisar National Park (64km). After having lunch make boat trip on Lake Chamo to spot crocodiles and hippos. Overnight Paradise lodge/similar
Day 5: Drive to Jinka (248 km)
Start driving after having breakfast, On the way visit the Cushitic speaking Tsemay people in the Weyto Valley. Passing through a small town called Key Afer (“red ground”). If the day is Thursday there is a colorful market where you can meet the Tsemay, Ari, Bena and Hamer people all at once. Dinner and overnight Jinka resort/Nasa Pension
Day 6: Drive to Mursi Village
In the morning drive through Mago National Park to visit the Mursi tribe, 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. Dinner and overnight Jinka resort/Nasa Pension
Day 7: Drive to Turmi (147km)
Drive 147km to Turmi passing through the small towns of Key Afar and Dimeka, if the day is Thursday or Saturday you will visit the colorful market of Key Afar or Dimeka. Then continue driving to Turmi. It is the biggest town in the area of the Hamer people, one of the biggest and most beautiful tribes of the south. On Mondays a big colorful market takes place, where people from the whole region gather. Overnight in Turmi Lodge
Day 8: Day trip to Omorate (140km)
This village lies at the banks of Omo River, just near to the Kenyan border. Cross over the river by traditional boat to visit some villages of the Dassenech people. After coming back to Turmi explore the area in a small hike. If you are lucky, you can go to see the “bull jumping” a traditional initiation ritual. In addition, you will have the chance to see the traditional Hamer’s dance, called “Evangadi” in the evening. Overnight in Turmi Lodge
Day 9: Day trip to Murulle (130km)
Drive to Murulle, Here lives the Karo tribe and it is possible to meet them along the river. Visit one of their villages, located on a hill just on top of the Omo River. Karo people are master of body painting and Ornaments. Overnight in Turmi Lodge
Day 10: Drive to Konso (200km)
The road passes alongside the mountains, providing splendid panoramic views. After having lunch you will visit the Konso people with their maze like villages and terraced hills. Dinner and overnight in Kanta Lodge
Day 11: Drive to Yabello (200km)
Drive to Yabello and meet the Borena-Oromo people and their singing wells and El Sod Crater Lake. Dinner and overnight in Yabello Motel / similar
Day 12: Drive to Yirga Alem (280km)
After having your breakfast then get back on the paved main road across fertile land, you can find many types of fruit sold along the roadside. Also this is one of the main regions for coffee plantations; visit a coffee farm. You will reach Yirga Alem in the afternoon. Dinner and Overnight in Aregash Lodge
Day 13: Drive to Lake Langano
In the morning visit the fish market in the Shore of Lake Hawassa and proceed to Langano en-route make a detour to the mountainous forests of Wendo Genet, to watch birds and enjoy hot springs. Dinner and overnight in Sabana Beach Resort
Day 14: Drive back to Addis Ababa (230km)
Visit the national park of the lakes Abijata-Shalla, two lakes which, despite of being just a short distance away from each other, are very different in their natural habitats. In the afternoon, you will arrive in Addis Ababa. Enjoy a traditional farewell dinner with Ethiopian cultural music and dancing presentations. In the evening transfer to the airport and flight of return
