Day 1(25-Sep-24): Arrival Addis Ababa and City Tour
On arrival Addis Ababa Kasina Tours representative will meet you at Bole international Airport and you will visit the diplomatic capital of Africa, headquarters of the Africa union starting from National museum (home of Lucy hominid skeleton dating back to 3.2 million years), afterwards continue to the campus of Addis Ababa University to the Ethnographical museum, with great displays of the many cultures of Ethiopia, housed in the former palace of Haile Selassie. In the afternoon proceed to Mountain Entoto for panoramic views of the city with fresh air from the eucalyptus forests .Here you will visit the Entoto Mariyam church and Museum. Overnight hotel
Day 2(26-Sep-24): Addis Ababa
Morning relax at your hotel and join the Meskel, in Addis Ababa, celebrations start in the early afternoon when a procession bearing flaming torches approaches Meskal Square from various directions. Participants include Priests in brightly colored vestments, students, brass bands, contingents of the armed forces and floats carrying huge lit crosses. They circle the “demera” and fling torches upon it while singing a special Meskal song. Overnight hotel
Day 3(27-Sep-24): Arba Minch (Dorze Village)
Mornings after breakfast takes flight to Arba Minch and proceed, driving to Dorze, set in the highlands above Arba Minch. The Dorze people are known for their tall beehive-like houses and their fine cotton weaving. You will visit the village and learn about the daily lives of these industrious people. If today is market day (in Dorze village on Monday and Thursday and in nearby Chencha on Tuesday and Saturday), that will be visited. Overnight hotel
Day 4 (28-Sep-24): Arba Minch-Turmi
After breakfast, depart from Arba Minch to Turmi. On the way you will pass through the village of Weyto (market day Saturday), which is home to the Tsemai tribe. Continue through the Weyto Valley to Erbore, where you will have a brief visit to a local Erbore village (market day is Saturday). Finally, proceed to Turmi, home of the Hamer tribe. At night, you can see the traditional night dancing of the Hamer tribe, known as evangadi. Overnight hotel
Day 5 (29-Sep-24): Turmi –Karo-Turmi
Early morning depart from Turmi to the village of Kangatan. Here you will cross the Omo River and take a short walk through the local fields to visit a village of the Nyangatom tribe. After the visit, return across the river and proceed to the Karo village of Korcho, with a stunning location looking over the Omo River. The Karo people, while the smallest tribes of the Omo valley in number are also known to be the most decorated. Afterwards, return to Turmi. If there is jumping of the Bulls traditional Hamer coming-of-age ceremony that will be visited. Overnight hotel
Day 6 (30-Sep-24): Monday Turmi
Today you will visit the Hamer people, their villages and Market(Monday is market day). The Hamar are known for their unique custom of “bull jumping,” which initiates a boy into manhood. First, female relatives dance and invite whipping from men who have recently been initiated; this shows their support of the initiate, and their scars give them a right to demand his help in time of need. The boy must run back and forth twice across the backs of a row of bulls or castrated steers, and is ridiculed if he fails. Overnight hotel
Day 7 (1-Oct-24): Tuesday Turmi-Jinka
Depart for Jinka, via Dimeka, Tuesdays and Saturdays are market days in Dimeka, which is one of the most colorful markets in the area and is visited by many tribes, including Hamer, Benna and Karo. Afterwards, continue to Jinka. Overnight hotel
Day 8 (2-Oct-24): Jinka-Mursi-Jinka
In the morning, drive through the Mago National Park to a local village of the Mursi tribe. The Mursi are known for their lower lip and earlobe plates. In the afternoon, after returning to Jinka, you can visit the South Omo Museum & Research Center to learn more about the local tribes. Alternatively, take a hike in the surrounding hills to visit a local Ari village. Overnight hotel
Day 9 (3-Oct-24): Jinka –Arba Minch
After breakfast depart from Jinka to Arba Minch via Key Afar and Konso. Thursday is market day in Key Afar, where you will see the Benna and Tsemai tribes trading goods. This is another very popular market in the region. After the visit, proceed to Konso (market days are Mondays and Thursdays). The Konso people are known for their wooden statues, known as wakas, which are erected in honor of dead heroes as well as their innovative agricultural terracing. Today you will have a brief opportunity to visit a local village and the cultural museum displaying many waka statues. After the visit, proceed driving to Arba Minch. Overnight hotel
Day 10(4-Oct-24): Arbaminch-Addis Ababa/Departure
Morning take a boat trip on Lake Chamo to visit the “crocodile market”, and the local hippos. Then transfer to the airport flight back to Addis and if time allows visit Mercato, one of Africa’s largest outdoor markets and enjoy shopping in the city. Evening there will be a special Ethiopian farewell dinner in one of the Ethiopian restaurants for a live cultural dances show from the different ethnic groups. The perfect ending of your trip, Then transfer to the airport for flight back home.
***END OF TOUR***