Southern Ethiopia Omo valley

Arrive at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. Upon arrival, you will be met by GishAbay Ethiopia Tours representative and transferred to your reserved hotel. After time to refresh, take a guided city tour of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital and the third-highest capital in the world. Head to the National Museum, home to one of the world's most important paleontological exhibits in the world; 'Lucy'. Then visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral Church. As the final resting place of much-loved Emperor Haile Selassie, Holy Trinity Cathedral is one of the country's most sacred places of worship. Then Mount Entoto, the highest peak in the city. Entoto Mountain was the site of a palace and the royal court to Emperor Menelik in the 1800s. Here you will visit the palace of the Mighty King Menelik II and the Natural Park of Entoto.
Today’s city tour will end with an exploration of the colorful Merkato, Africa’s largest open-air market.

Today catch a flight to Jinka Town. Arrive in Jinka and upon arrival, you will be met by GishAbay Ethiopia Tours representative. Then, drive through the Mago National Park to a local village of the Mursi tribe. Famous around the world for their instantly recognizable 'lip plates', the Mursi is one of Ethiopia's most famous tribal people. They are pastoralists who keep herds of cattle and goats and are most famed for the lip-piercing custom of their women who, at the coming of age, insert clay disks into incisions made in their lower lips. In addition, they are the warrior tribe of the Omo Valley.

On today's morning excursion from Turmi, you will visit the village of the Karo people. They are experts in skin scarification and body painting artistry, using white chalk, black charcoal, and red and ochre earth for their works of art. After exploring the Karo culture, you will travel to Omorate to visit the village of the Dassenech tribe. These semi-nomadic people live in the fertile Omo River delta near Kenya and Lake Turkana, where they hunt crocodiles. To reach their village, you will cross the Omo River on a local boat. After exploring the unique culture of the Dassenech people, you will return to Turmi.

On today's morning excursion from Turmi, you will visit the village of the Karo people. They are experts in skin scarification and body painting artistry, using white chalk, black charcoal, and red and ochre earth for their works of art. After exploring the Karo culture, you will travel to Omorate to visit the village of the Dassenech tribe. These semi-nomadic people live in the fertile Omo River delta near Kenya and Lake Turkana, where they hunt crocodiles. To reach their village, you will cross the Omo River on a local boat. After exploring the unique culture of the Dassenech people, you will return to Turmi.

Drive to Arbaminch this morning, a town situated grandly on the western side of the Great Rift Valley, with awe-inspiring views of the Abaya and Chamo lakes. On route, stop off at the Konso Tribe village. Famous for its beautiful terraced hills, exquisite woven goods and totem-adorned grave markers, the Konso village is a place of historic significance, demonstrating the tribes' aptitude for survival for many years. Recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Site, Konso is not to be missed. Then complete the journey to Arbaminch.

In the morning, take a 1h-2h boat safari on Lake Chamo to see Nile Crocodiles, Hippos & Birds at the “crocodile market”. In the afternoon, drive to an authentic Dorze village to learn about their weaving abilities & homes (tall beehive-like houses).

Travel from Arbaminch to Awassa via Yirgalem, home of the Sidama People and UNESCO-recognized calendar. Walk through cultural villages with Enset and Coffee plantations, and experience Hanafa cultural village, traditional coffee ceremony and Sidama food.

This morning visit Awassa (lake/fish market), drive through Ethiopian Rift Valley (part of Afro-Arabian Rift system with 8 lake chains) to Abijatta-Shalla Lakes Park (2 lakes, hot springs, flamingoes/plenty birds/mammals). Stop at Lake Ziway (Birdlife/Islands). In the afternoon, shopping for souvenirs, farewell dinner at Ethiopian Cultural Restaurant, transfer to Airport.