"Wilde life Safari and Cultural Exploration to Omo Valley"

Cultural Tour program to the South Omo Valley

Isolated for millennia from the rest of the world, the beautiful Omo Valley is home to an exciting mix of many small and distinctive tribal groups. Amongst others, we find the Karo, the Mursi and the Hamer-all of whom have retained their own unique customs and traditions. On this journey of discovery, we get truly off the beaten track, exploring little visited national parks, picturesque villages, and vibrant local markets. In this captivating region, we are privileged to witness age-old customs and rituals, learning of the symbolisms that remain an integral part of everyday life.
Tour detail
Omo Valley, “the unique wilderness”
Tour code-GHTE-005
Duration: 10 Days
Transport: Surface (4WD)
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Day 01: Tuesday, 25 November, 2008:Arrive Addis Ababa

Arrive at Bole (ADD), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Upon arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, you will be assisted by your tour guide and driver, transfer to Hilton Hotel.

Addis Ababa, founded in 1886 by Menelik II, is situated at 2,500 meters (8000 ft) above sea level. It is the highest capital city in the world, after La Paz and Quito in South America. The city enjoys an excellent climate all year round, with an average temperature of 25C (77F). Addis Ababa is a pleasant city with wide avenues of jacarandas, interesting museums, and one of the largest open-air markets in Africa, known as the "Mercato".

In the afternoon, visit The National Museum. The National Museum of Ethiopia: This is one of the best museums in quality and diversity of the exhibits. Archeological exhibits include the 3.5 million-year-old fossil of Lucy (or Dinkinesh – ‘thou art wonderful’- in the native language), a hominoid woman of the specious of Australopithecus Afarensis. The discovery of Lucy’s fossil in 1974 forced a complete rethink of human genealogy, providing that our ancestors were walking 2.5 million years earlier than had been supposed. The National Museum also contains many wonderful artifacts dating back to pre-Axumite civilization. Overnight, Hilton Hotel.


Day 02: 26 November: Addis Ababa/ Wendogent

After breakfast at the hotel, drive from Addis Ababa to Wendo Genet en-route enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Rift Valley Lakes of Ziway, Abiata and Shalla. The Rift Valley Lakes are rich in bird life and are also known for their local fish market. After having lunch at Langano, we will continue driving to Wendogenet. Mountain and spa resort of Wondo Genet-"place of heaven", in the local language. Emperor Haile Selassie had a lodge here, now part of the hotel, and the hot springs are reputed to have curative properties. 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. After check in to Wabishebele Hotel, some member of the group may prefer to relax around the spa, while other group members may take a relaxing trek in the hills enjoying with plenty of bird life. Overnight, Wabishebele Hotel.

Day 03: 27 November: Wendogenet/Chencha/Arbaminch
After breakfast, drive to Arbaminch en-route visiting different picturesque villages of the different tribes. When we approach Arbaminch town, we will make detour to the mountain village of Chencha, the home of the Dorze people. The Dorze people, renowned cotton weavers whose tall beehive shaped and bamboo woven dwellings are among the most distinctive structures to be seen any where in Africa. Overnight, Arbaminch, Swaynes Hotel.

Day 04: 28 November:Neschsar/Lake Chamo/ Arba MinchAfter an early breakfast, we will drive through the Nechsar National Park. This national park, with thrilling landscapes of mountains and lakes is one of the most attractive parks in the country. We will have the chance to see different mammals, which inhabit the park including, the endemic antelope, Swaynees Hartbeast, Gerenuk, Grants Gazelle, and Burchele Zebra….

After lunch, we will make a boat trip over Lake Chamo to see some of the biggest African crocodiles. Hippopotamus, beautiful aquatic birds including the lovely Kingfisher and African Fish Eagle can be spotted here. Overnight, Arbaminch, Swaynes Hotel.

Day 05: 29 November: Arbaminch/Keyafer/Jinka
After an early breakfast, we will drive to Jinka en-route visiting different cultural people and their villages, which include the Konso and the undulating landscape of Konso area.

The Konso are famous for their old and unique terracing and unusual engraved wooden statues of the Konso grave markers. Between Konso and Jinka, will have a brief stops to visit the different cultural people and their villages like Tsemay around Weito River, the Benna at Keyafer and the Ari at Kako Village. At Keyefer will visit the colorful weekly Keyafer Market. The town of Keyafer hosts multi-cultural market that is as colorful as any other in the region is. Here every Thursday, the Hamer, the Bena and the Ari people come walking for miles for this special market. After our visit to the market, we will head towards Jinka. Overnight, Jinka Resort Hotel.


Day 06: 30 November:Jinka/Mursi/Murulle
After having early breakfast, we will drive from Jinka to Murulle through the Mago National Park en-route visiting the Mursi Village. The Mursi, undoubtedly the most celebrated residents of South Omo are distinctive group of pastoralists. The Mursi are best known for their unique item of decoration, lip plates. Women of Mursi wear circular clay plate on their lower lip and the bigger a women can wear, the greater her value when she get married.

After our visit to the Mursi Village, we will have our picnic lunch in the Mago National Park and continue driving to Murulle where we will be spending the night camping at ERVS Lodge. Overnight, camping at ERVS.

Day 07: 1 December, 2008: Murulle/Demeka/Turmi
After breakfast, we will drive to Dimeka where we will be visiting the colorful and multi ethnic and multi-cultural weekly market. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, fair number of the Hamer and the Bena people walk to the market from miles around. Here we will have the chance to see the tribes of the surrounding area in their traditional marketing activities and displaying their local handicrafts. We will also have an opportunity to bargain for varieties of handicrafts.

After visiting the Dimeka Market, we will drive to Turmi where we will be camping for two nights. Overnight, camping at Turmi.

Day 08: 2 December: Turmi/Omorate
After breakfast, drive to Omorate to visit the Desanech (Geleb) tribal village after crossing the Omo river by boat. The Desanech are nomadic pastoralists found across the western bank of the Omo River south of Lake Turkana.

In the afternoon, drive to Hamer Village to visit the Hamer tribe. The Hamer, display an elaborate and diverse selection of body decorations. They are also identifiable for their high cheekbones, elaborate custom of beads, cowries and leather, and thick copper necklaces. At the same village we will enjoy the seasonal cultural activities including the famous Evangadi (Hamer Dancing). Overnight, camping at Turmi.

Day 09: 3 December: Turmi/Arbaminch
In the morning, we will visit morning Hamer Marke at Turmi and continue driving to Arbaminch on the way we will have a brief stop to visit the Erbore village. Overnight, Arbaminch, Swaynes Hotel.

Day 10: Thursday, 4 December: Arbaminch/Addis Ababa/Departure
After breakfast, drive back to Addis Ababa through the Great Rift Valley enroute visiting different sites and local villages.

After check in to hotel for little rest and shower transfer to Addis Ababa Bole International Airport for the flight back home.

Note: All tours starts and ends in Addis Ababa

To contact this tour operator please use the contact form next to the map on the right.

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Price/Person: 1434 DOL
Number of participants 20
Duration: 10 Days

Area: Ethiopia, Great Ethiopian Rift Valley & Omo Valley
Accomodation is included in this tour: Price include: -Accomodiations on the bases of double room sharing (for single room use there will be extra charge of USD (please see accomodiations details at the end of the page) -All meals on the tour -Ground transport (4WD with AC) -Tour guide -Boat cruise on Lake Chamo -All enternace fess -Escorting scout fees -Cook -Camping gear Accomodiations list: In Addis Abab: Hilton Hotel- 5* In the rest of the places to be visited, best available toursit standard hotels according to the tour program (please see the tour detail.

The Guide is able to understand this language also    
   german
   english
   french
   spanish

Special Hints: Activities: Adventure tours in Ethiopia, unique tribal culture of the unspoild Omo Valley, game animals at differnt national parks, exploration, breathtaking scenery, colorful tribal markets, beautiful birds, lakes and so much

edited at 14.08.07 | 9:46 PM
last update 28.08.08 | 10:25 PM

Guide details

Desale Mitiku

Web: To contact this tour operator please use the contact form above.
Phone Number: ---
Vita
Grand Holidays Ethiopia Tours is an exclusive private Ethiopian tour company with a team of well experienced professionals.
We have the widest choices of tour packages through out Ethiopia including cultural tours in Ethiopia, safari, historic route tours, religious festival tours, adventure tours, festival tours, trekking, bird watching and filming in Ethiopia.

edited at 14.08.07 | 11:25 AM
last update 24.06.10 | 08:20 AM

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