Omo Valley Highlights Tour

ARRIVAL TO ADDIS ABABA AND CITY TOUR
On arrival in Addis Ababa you will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. Addis was founded in 1886 by Menelik II, and situated at an elevation of around 2438m which makes third highest capital city in the world. Addis Ababa enjoys an excellent climate all year round, with an average temperature of 25°C. We will start our site-seeing by National museum which houses some of the country’s historic treasures. The collection of fossils and bones of early hominids discovered in Ethiopia include the 3.5 million year old remains of ‘Lucy’, the oldest hominid every found. Proceed visiting to the two major highlights of the city, the Ethnographic Museum and the church of the Holy Trinity, Ethiopia’s main cathedral and home to the remains of the last emperor, Haile Selassie.Overnight in Saro Maria Hotel (B, D)

FLY TO ARBA MINCH AND VISIT THE CHENCHA VILLAGE
In the morning have a sightseeing tour in Addis Ababa and then transfer to the Airport for our flight down to Arba Minch where our 4 WD car with driver will waiting us at Arba Minch Airport and then start driving 40kms northwest of Arba Minch to Guge Mountains to visit the Dorze and Chencha villages. Once warriors, the Dorze have now turned to farming and weaving to earn a living. They speak an Omotic tongue and the Dorze name is synonymous with the best woven cotton cloth. Also, the Dorze beehive-shaped houses are constructed entirely of organic material and has its own small garden surrounded by beds of spices, cabbage and tobacco. Some of Ethiopia’s best woven cottons come from Chencha, which is located 8 km northwest of Dorze Village. Men weave and women spin. In the late afternoon drive back to Arba Minch.Overnight in Haile Resort (B, D)

DRIVE TO JINKA VIA KONSO AND KAY AFER
Early morning drive to Konso where colorfully costumed dress, impressive terracing of the land and unusually engraved wooden statues used as grave markers can be seen. Differing from their neighbors, the Konso are pure agriculturists, famed for their use of the stone terraces that they utilize to such good effect in this dry and barren region of basalt hills. Originally from the east and speaking an east Cushitic language, the Konso live in settlements that are surrounded by stone walls. The age of each town is classified by a generation pole and each family lives in compounds that are accessible only through gateways that require the visitor to enter on all fours thereby rendering any potential attackers vulnerable. Keep driving to Key Afer for the colorful Thursday market where we should see and photographed the Ari, Bena, Hamer and Tsemay people. The Bena and Hamer women usually favor red clay braids in their hair, shiny with butter and perfumed with incense. The long beaded skirts of the Tsemay have a stick incorporated in the back to denote a married woman and the men have elaborately plaited hairstyles decorated with feathers and colorful beads. After visiting the market we drive on to Jinka, often called the gateway to the Omo Valley.Overnight in Eco Omo Lodge (B, D)

VISIT THE MURSI TRIBES IN MAGO PARK AND DRIVE TO TURMI
Early morning drive to Mago National Park, visit the Mursi highlands where the most illustrious of Ethiopia’s unique tribes lives. The Mursi are known all over the world, for their decorative lip plates that adorn the lower lips of the Mursi women. The plates stretch the lower lip beyond imagination and the women’s beauty, pride and desirability is determined in direct proportion to the size of the plate. The Mursi men and women may appear gracious but the Mursi warriors are not to be sneezed at. On their arms are deep crescent incisions that represent each enemy they have killed in battle. The men are also famous for their hairstyle. The various cultural aspects of the tribe will be explained and you will be able to take their photographs but not for free. Back to Jinka for your lunch.In the afternoon we will continue driving through the Omo Valley region to Turmi via Dimeka for visiting the Hamer tribes. The Hamer tribe is one of the largest groups in the Valley. The Hamer cultivate millet, vegetables, tobacco and cotton as well as raising cattle and goats. They are known for the fine pottery they produce as well as their remarkable hairstyling. Most dramatic of all are the clay hair buns with ostrich feathers that the men don when they have killed a fierce animal. The Hamer women are simply stunning. The women wear beaded necklaces and iron coils around their arms and decorate their skin with cowry shells. These decorations indicate the wealth and prestige of a woman’s husband.Overnight inBuska Lodge (B, D)

TURMI – MURULLE – TURMI AND DRIVE BACK TO ARBA MINCH
This day morning, we continue through the savannah along tracks that are barely visible, passing through a vast meadowland with shrubs and umbellifers (‘umbrella’ acacia trees) for an excursion to the Murulle area. We arrive at Korcho village with beautiful views over the Omo River to see the Karo ethnic group, experts in body painting, using clay and locally available vegetable pigments to paint fantastic patterns on each other’s faces, chests, arms and legs. These designs have no special symbolic significance, but are created purely for fun and aesthetic effect, each artist vying to out-do their fellow artists. Karo men also sculpt and shave their hair into extravagant shapes, with special ochre “caps” of hair usually containing several ostrich feathers. In early afternoon, we will start driving to Arba Minch through Konso.Overnight in Haile Resort (B, D)

BOAT TRIP ON LAKE CHAMO AND FLY BACK TO ADDIS ABABA AND DEPARTURE
This day in the morning, we will have a boat trip on clear blue waters of Lake Chamo to see the crocodiles, hippos & aquatic bird species. The northern shores of Lake Chamo are famous for its large crocodiles, which can be seen in great numbers lounging in the heat. The lake is about 32km long and provides a lush wetland habitat for many species of flora and fauna. Then in the mid-day, we transfer to the Arba Minch Airport and fly back to Addis Ababa. We will arrive in Addis Ababa in late afternoon and transfer to the Hotel and have a room as a day use for wash/change and get ready for the evening flight. You might be interested for the last minute souvenir shopping at the markets. In the evening, we will go out to one of the best cultural restaurant for the Farewell Dinner at traditional restaurant with live traditional dances program. Then, we will transfer to airport for flight home.

Additional Domestic flight costs:

• Ethiopian Airlines passenger Rate: USD 143 / Person (Subject to change)
• Non-Ethiopian Airlines passenger Rate: USD 283 / Person (Subject to change)

The Flight sectors as per the itinerary:

• Addis Ababa – Arbaminch
• Arbaminch – Addis

Price Inclusions:

• Meet and greetings at the Airport and assistance for Hotel transfer.
• Hotel Accommodations based on Double/ Twin Room sharing as per the selected hotel lists.
• Meals include Breakfasts and Dinner with one soft drink per meal per person.
• Two Bottled water per person per day in the car.
• Comprehensive touring program including entrance fees where applicable according to the itinerary.
• Local guides fees.
• Professional English Speaking National Guide with the group throughout the trip.
• Private Transfers and all ground transportations based on A/C 4WD car as per the itinerary with all fuel expenses.
• All necessary Government taxes.
• Porterage fees at the Airport and Hotels.
• Coffee ceremony.
• Traditional farewell Dinner in Addis Ababa.

Price Exclusions:

• Lunches
• International flights
• Incidental meals, snacks and drinks
• Travel Insurance
• Video filming and photography fees
• Personal nature expenses, alcoholic drinks, laundry expenses
• Tips for the guides and drivers
• Waiters and scout and other tour staffs tipping