Tribes Of The Omo Valley Tour (133543),Holiday Packages to Addis Ababa

Package Overview

This private tour explores the fascinating tribes of the remote Omo Valley in southern Ethiopia, travelling via Lake Langano to Arba Minch. Visit many tribes, including the Dorze, and see Nile crocodiles in Lake Chamo. Continue to Turmi, the home of the Hamer tribe, where young men "jump the bulls" to prove their manhood. English speaking guide & all transfers included.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Adis Adaba • Lake Langano • Omo Valley Tribes • Arba Minch
• Dorze Village • Lake Chamo • Turmi • Hamer Tribe
• Jinka • Cultural Dinner

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Day wise Itinerary

Day 1 : Arrival

You will be met at Addis Ababa Airport and transferred to your hotel in Ethiopia's capital city.

This beautiful high-altitude country was once ruled by the Queen of Sheba, with a fascinating and ancient history. With over 80 different languages, and many different religions, its strong tribal traditions and festivals are world famous.
Day 2 : Addis Ababa

This morning enjoy a private tour of the city of Addis Ababa, viewing landmark building such as Headquarters of the African Union and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, as well as Meskel Square - the main meeting place of the city.

Ethiopia is one of the world's oldest civilizations, so be sure to see the ancient artefacts on display at the National Archaelogical Museum. This includes the fossils remains of Lucy, one of the oldest known hominids ever discovered who lived in Ethiopia over 3.2 million years ago. Over 40% of her skeleton was found intact.

Also visit Trinity Cathedral, one of the oldest churches in the city, and drive through the Mercato, the largest open air market in Africa. Our tour ends with a drive up Mount Entoto, where you can enjoy panoramic views over the city.

As Ethiopia is the birth place of coffee, do try to experience a typical Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony at some stage during your stay.
Day 3 : Adadi Mariam

Today leave Addis Ababa with your guide and drive southwards for 3-hours, travelling through the beautiful Rift Valley with its chains of lakes - Lake Ziway, Lake Langano, Lake Abijatta and Lake Shala.

Along the way we stop to visit the rock-hewn church of Adadi Mariam that is believed to be the southernmost church founded by King Lalibela. We also stop at the pre-historic archeological site of Melka Kunture in the Awash River Valley, where many ancient stone tools and huge mammal fossils nearly 2-million years old have been discovered.

Our next stop is at the amazing Tiya Stelea - the remains of an ancient Ethiopian culture whose age has not yet been precisely determined. There are 36 monuments at this UNESCO World Heritage site, including 32 carved stone slabs covered with symbols that are difficult to decipher.

On arrival you can relax or swim in Lake Langano, with wonderful views of the countryside and prolific birdlife around the lakes, including pelicans and flamingos.
Day 4 : Arba Minch

Another full day on the road today as we leave Lake Langano and travel 5-hours through beautiful scenery to Arba Minch.

Along the way you will be introduced to the rural way of life, as we travel through the fertile land of the Wolayta and Alaba regions, The Alaba people are famous for their beautiful home painting style.

We also visit Senkelle Wildlife Sanctuary, dedicated to the protection of the endemic Swain’s hartebeest.

We continue driving through spectacular green hills to Arba Minch, whose name means 'Forty Springs'. This town is the gateway to the tribes of the Omo Valley.

Note: You will be expected to pay a small fee to photograph local tribal people.
Day 5 : Dorze Village

This morning we travel 2-hours Chencha to visit the Dorze Village, one of many small tribes of the great Omotic language group of southern Ethiopia. Once warriors, they have now turned to weaving and farming to earn a living. Admire their traditional homes, which are tall beehive shaped structures that resemble elephant faces, surrounded by enset (false banana) trees.

We drive back to Arba Minch for lunch. In the afternoon enjoy a boat ride on Lake Chamo, where you can see the "crocodile market" - the point at which the Kolfo River empties into the lake and a popular place for giant Nile crocodiles to sunbathe. Fishing for Nile Perch and many other species by locals on their traditional boat is by far the best in the country. You can also see many hippos and waterbirds such as the African fish eagle, great white pelican and egret.
Day 6 : Jinka

Today we leave Arba Minch and travel 6 to 7-hours (including stops) along a rough road to the market town of Jinka, located in the hills north of the Tama Plains.

We drive across the Weito Valley and visiting the Konso people who are noted for their rock terracing and colourful hand woven cotton clothes.

Check into your hotel in Jinka and absorb yourself in the culture of the region.
Day 7 : Mursi

Today we drive 2-hours to Mago National Park to visit the extraordinary people of Mursi, known for the clay lip plates the women insert in their lower lips when they reach maturity.

This practice is regarded as a sign of beauty among the Mursi – the bigger the plate, the more beautiful the wearer. You will have a light picnic lunch on the way today.

After returning to Jinka, we visit the small Omo Valley Cultural Museum which gives insight into the customs and traditions of the southern Ethiopian tribes.
Day 8 : Turmi

Today we travel 4 to 5-hours (including stops) from Jinka, travelling via Key Afer to the market town of Turmi. On market days tribesmen and women of all ages gathering under open blue skies to buy and sell goods and participate in traditional ‘evangadi’ dancing.

The Hamer women are noted for their colourful leather skirts and ‘gosca’ (red clay decorated hair). These remarkable hairstyles are created from ochre, water, and binding resin, which is rubbed into their hair then twisted repeatedly to create copper-coloured locks.

From August to December, on certain days the ‘Jumping of the Bulls’ ceremony occurs – when young Hamer men have to prove they are ready to come-of-age and carry the responsibility of marriage.

Note: On Saturdays and Tuesdays we will stop at the colorful weekly market of the Hamer and Benna people at Dimeka.
Day 9 : Omorate

Today we travel 7 to 8-hours (including stops) to visit the Omorate region, east of the Omo River.

We cross the river in a small boat and walk to the Gelab tribal village. Here we meet the Dassanech people, who are the southernmost people of the country and known for their body scarifications and paintings.

After a picnic lunch stop at Murulle, we continue to Korcho – the village of the Karo people, who are the smallest ethnic group in the Omo Valley and experts in tatooing, scarring and body painting. Using clay and vegetable pigments, they paint fantastic patterns on each other's faces, chests, arms and legs. The scars are cut with a knife or razor blade and ash is rubbed in to produce a raised effect. One of the most beautiful expressions is painting that combines white (chalk), black (charcoal), yellow, ochre and red earth, often immitating the spotted plumage of a guinea fowl.

Note: Mondays afternoons we return to Turmi instead, as this is market day. On Saturdays and Tuesdays we visit the market at Dimeka.
Day 10 : Konso

We drive 4-hours today from Turmi to Konso, travelling through the eastern lower Omo Valley. Here we visit an Arbore Tribal Village where the people wear rich beadwork and sleep on high platforms.

On arrival we visit the Konso people, who live in an isolated region of the basalt hills. Konso villages are located on hilltops and organised like wood fortesses, with an entrance gate and series of alleys you need to pass through to gain entry. This tribe is well known for its colourful hand woven cotton clothes and innovative rock terraced agriculture. They also sculpt wooden totem poles called "waka" to mark their graves.
Day 11 : Lake Awasa

Another full day on the road today, as we drive north towards Lake Awasa. Along the way we visit the nomadic people of Borena, as well as the Sidama people who cultivate enset ('false bananas').

On arrival enjoy relaxing on the shores of this beautiful Rift Valley lake, where you can see hippos and much birdlife.
Day 12 : Lake Awasa

This morning we visit the Fish Market on the shores of Lake Awasa, before driving 4-hours through the magnificent chain of Rift Valley lakes to Addis Ababa.

Along the way we visit the Tiya Stelea - the remains of an ancient Ethiopian culture whose age has not yet been precisely determined. There are 36 monuments at this UNESCO World Heritage site, including 32 carved stone slabs covered with symbols that are difficult to decipher.

We also stop at the pre-historic Melka Kunture archeological site in the Awash River Valley, where many ancient stone tools and huge mammal fossils nearly 2-million years old have been discovered and the rock-hewn church of Adadi Mariam that is believed to be the southernmost church founded by King Lalibela.

After arriving in Addis Ababa, enjoy an included dinner at a traditional restaurant, where you can enjoy Ethiopian music, folk dance and a variety of local food.
Day 13 : Departure

Transfer to Addis Ababa Airport for your flight home.

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Inclusions

Hotel
Sightseeing

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Price & Rates

No of pax	Age Limit	Price per pax (Rs)
Adult	Above 12 years	$ 4157 / Adult

* Mentioned prices may vary depending upon date of travel, hotel availability, surge pricing and seasonal rush.

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Package Start From

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Africa

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Terms & Conditions

Payment Terms & Methods :
* Some Advance Percentage of total booking amount
* Airfare/Transport fare to be paid full at one time in advance.

Cancellation & Refund Policy :
* Upon cancellation, refund will be made after deducting the Retention Amount.
* Retention Amount varies as per the number of days left before your package start date.

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