Addis Ababa

Arrive in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s vibrant capital, founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II. As the third-highest capital in the world, Addis Ababa is located at an altitude of 2,500 meters, nestled at the foot of the Entoto Mountain range (3,200 meters). The city enjoys a temperate climate year-round, with an average temperature of 16°C. After your arrival, embark on a scenic drive towards Lake Awassa, located in the heart of the Rift Valley. Along the way, we’ll make stops at several stunning Rift Valley lakes, including Lake Langano and Lake Ziway. At Lake Ziway, keep an eye out for a variety of bird species, such as the Squacco Heron, Purple Heron, Eurasian Marsh Harrier, Collared Pratincole, and Lesser Black-backed Gulls. These lakes offer a fantastic opportunity to appreciate Ethiopia’s rich birdlife. Arrive at Lake Awassa in the evening and check in at Haile Awassa Hotel (or similar).

After breakfast, visit the local fish market, and then drive to Arbaminch. On the way, stop at Dorze Village, famous for its unique beehive-shaped huts and cotton weaving traditions. The Dorze people, once known as warriors, now focus on agriculture, with women handling most domestic tasks while men work on the farm or craft woven goods. Learn about their farming techniques, which include terracing to prevent erosion, and explore the vibrant, colorful culture of the Dorze tribe.

Turmi

In the morning, enjoy a boat ride on Lake Chamo, one of the best in Ethiopia, where you’ll have the chance to spot hippos and the world’s largest concentration of giant crocodiles (known locally as “Crocodile Market”). The lake is also home to diverse water birds, including the African Fish Eagle and Great White Pelicans, offering stunning scenery. After the boat ride, continue your drive to Turmi, with a visit to Konso village along the way. The Konso people live in a rugged, isolated region of the basalt hills, where their villages are fortified with stone walls for protection. The Konso are skilled farmers, cultivating sorghum, grains, and coffee, and using animal dung to fertilize the land. Their tradition of erecting generation poles every 18 years and carving wooden statues to mark graves adds to the fascinating culture of this tribe.

Jinka

Today, we will visit the Karo village and Aldube Market. The Karo people, one of the smallest tribes in the Omo Valley, are famous for their intricate body paintings, which are a vital part of their culture, particularly before ceremonies. These body and face decorations range from detailed designs to striking paintings done with palms or fingers. The paintings often imitate the spotted plumage of a guinea fowl and use white (chalk), black (charcoal), yellow, ochre, and red earth. Women of the Karo tribe also scarify their chests as a form of beautification, while a man’s chest scars signify he has killed an enemy or dangerous animal. We will also visit Dus, a typical Karo settlement featuring open meeting grounds and a place for dancing. In this village, the locals relax during the hottest parts of the day, often playing a traditional board game called Warre.

Dasenech Village

Today, we will visit the Hamar (Hammer) village and the Dassenech tribe. The Hamar people are one of the most well-known tribes in Southern Ethiopia, primarily living in the territories east of the Omo River. They are cattle herders and practice agriculture, adorned in colorful bracelets and beads worn in their hair, waist, and arms. Body modification, such as cutting the skin and packing it with ash and charcoal, is common. Women wear circular wedge necklaces to indicate marriage, while men paint themselves with white chalk for ceremonies. The Dassenech tribe, located east of the Omo River, is known for their unique cultural practices. After crossing the river in a small boat, we will reach the Geleb (Dassenech) village. This tribe, also known as the Merille by their neighbors, the Turkana of Kenya, is famous for their body painting, scarification, and traditional customs, such as female circumcision, which they believe is essential for a woman to marry or wear clothes.

Jinka

Today, we will depart from Turmi and drive to Jinka. On the way, we will stop at the Key Afer Market, the largest market in the Omo Valley, where you can experience the lively trade and vibrant culture of the region. In the afternoon, we will visit the Tsemay village. The Tsemay people are known for their unique customs, including arranged marriages. The woman’s parents select her husband, with or without her consent, and the groom must provide payment in cattle, honey, grain, or coffee beans. Unmarried women wear short leather skirts with a V-shaped apron, while married women wear long leather dresses with front and back aprons. The Tsemay tribe, like the Hamar, also has a bull-jumping ceremony for boys to prove their maturity. If a boy successfully jumps over a series of bulls, he is considered a man and wears a band with feathers as a symbol that he is now eligible to find a wife.

Mursi Village

In the morning, we will visit either the Ari or Mursi village. Afterward, you will have the opportunity to explore either the Ari village or Mursi tribe in more detail. The Ari people live in the northern part of Mago National Park and have the largest territory of any tribe in the area. They are known for their fertile lands, which allow them to grow a variety of crops, including grains, coffee, fruits, and honey, and they often keep large herds of livestock. Ari women are known for their pottery, and they wear skirts made from banana trees called “Enset.” The tribe members also wear various types of jewelry, with many piercings in their ears, and often decorate their arms and waist with beads and bracelets. The Ari people are also known for their body painting and scarification practices, which are important cultural traditions. In the afternoon, return to Addis Ababa.

Ethnological Museum

In the morning, enjoy some leisure time to relax at your hotel. In the afternoon, embark on a city tour of Addis Ababa, which includes a visit to the Ethnological Museum. The museum provides insight into Ethiopia’s diverse cultures, traditions, and history, making it a great way to wrap up your journey. After the tour, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure.