This 8 days Ethiopia cultural tour will bring you up close with the Omo valley tribes with their diverse cultural norms and practices. It will give you a deep insight into the rich culture of these enigmatic societies, each with its unique way of life. Ethiopia is known as the cradle of man kind or the land of origins with a rich history of man’s existence and ancient civilizations.
8 Days Ethiopia Cultural Tour Detailed Itinerary
Day 1. Arrival in Addis Ababa and city tour
Upon arrival in Addis Ababa our driver guide will meet you at Bole international Airport and take you to visit Africa’s diplomatic capital with headquarters of the Africa union. Places to visit include; the Holy Trinity Cathedral (The church which was constructed in 1955 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Emperor Haile Selassie is richly adorned with remarkable biblical and other saints’ stories), National museum (home of Lucy hominid skeleton dating back to 3.2 million years), the Ethnological museum, which was the former palace of Haile Selassie and Mountain Entoto for panoramic view of Addis Ababa if time allows.
Accommodation: Nexus hotel or similar
Day 2. Addis Ababa to Arba Minch
After breakfast, take a flight to Arbaminch and proceed driving to Dorze, set in the highlands above Arba Minch. The Dorze people are known for their tall beehive-like houses made with unique bamboo craftsmanship and their fine hand-woven textiles. You will visit the village and learn about the daily lives of these industrious people. In case your visit falls on a market day (in Dorze village on Monday and Thursday and in nearby Chencha on Tuesday and Saturday), you will have a chance to visit the markets and learn more.
Accommodation: Paradise Lodge or similar
Meal: Breakfast
Day 3. Arba Minch- to Turmi
After breakfast, set off to Turmi. En route, visit the village of Weyto (market day Saturday); 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). You will proceed to Turmi; home to the Hamer tribe; a nomadic society known for their unique cultural rituals including the cattle-leaping ceremony that initiates young men into adulthood and the accompanying women whipping ritual. For the Harmer people, a young man is to be regarded as an adult and allowed to build his own herd and marry, he must under go a ritual of jumping/ leaping over a line of cows and on that same function, his female relatives gather to be whipped voluntarily to bear the scars for their male relatives which they use as a debt and an act to show their solidarity with their brothers. At night, you may witness the traditional night dance, known as evangadi.
Accommodation: Paradise Lodge or similar
Meal: Breakfast
Day 4. Turmi-Karo-Turmi
Early in the morning leave for the village of Kangatan. You will cross the Omo River and take a short walk through the local fields to visit a village of the Nyangatom tribe. The Nyangatom people are a Nilotic Agro-pastoralist tribe that traces their origin around northern Uganda and South Sudan about 150yrs ago. They are known as brave warriors and some neighboring tribes regard them as war mongers due to some tribal conflicts and raids on those neighbors. Men of this tribe are known for their custom of scarring/ marking their chests, each scar representing the enemy killed. Their women adorn themselves with heavy necklaces and put on long skirts made from goat skin.
They are probably the richest and most prosperous society of all the Omo valley tribes due to the large herds of livestock and arms trade with the neighboring South Sudan. After the visit, cross the river again and proceed to the Kolcho village of the Kara or Karo people, overlooking the Omo River. The Karo or Kara people (as they prefer to call themselves) are a Nilotic tribe regarded as the smallest tribe of the Omo valley in terms of population and are popular for their face and body paintings. The term ‘Kara’, means fish in this tribe’s local language and were named that due to their geographical location (along River Omo) where they live and fish regularly.
The Kara people just like the Harmer also perform the bull jumping ceremony for initiation of young men into adulthood and share many things in common except that the Kara use body and face paintings unlike the Harmer. You will later return to Turmi (Monday is a market day) for a visit to a local Hamer village. If there is jumping of the Bulls traditional Hamer coming-of-age ceremony that will be visited.
Accommodation: Paradise Lodge or similar
Meal: Breakfast
Day 5. Turmi-Jinka
Depart for Jinka, via Dimeka and Key Afar. 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.
Accommodation: Jinka Resort or similar
Meal: Breakfast
Day 6. Jinka-Mursi-Jinka
In the morning, drive through the Mago National Park to a local village of the Mursi tribe. The Mursi people are popular for their lower lip and earlobe plates and body modifications including scarification patterns that symbolize their beauty. Spend time with this tribe learning their unique cultural practices and norms. 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.
Accommodation: Jinka Resort or similar
Meal: Breakfast
Day 7. 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. You may 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.
Accommodation: Paradise Lodge or similar
Meal: Breakfast
Day 8. Arba Minch-Addis Ababa and departure
In the morning, take a boat trip on Lake Chamo to visit the “crocodile market”, and the local hippos. Then transfer to the airport for flight back to Addis and if time allows visit Mercato, one of Africa’s largest outdoor markets and enjoy shopping in the city. Evening transfer to the airport for your flight back home
Accommodation: Day use room at Nexus hotel or similar until 18:00 hrs.
Meal: Breakfast
End of tour
Included;
- Hotel accommodations sharing basis;
- All transfer in and out from Airport;
- Surface using Land Cruiser (4 Seater) for Onomo valley and Mini Bus for Addis Ababa including fuel and driver’s allowance;
- English speaking guide;
- Local guide’s service;
- Boat trip on lake Chamo
- All entrance fees; and
- All applicable government taxes.
Excluded;
- Travel insurance & Visa expenses;
- Early check in:
- Video or photographing fees or tips at different sites;
- Meals and any alcoholic drinks;
- Entrance to special ceremonies you might encounter by chance;
- International & Domestic flight;
- Tips, telephone calls, laundry services and other expenses of personal nature; and
- Any other personal item expenses not mentioned on package inclusions part.