Southern Cultural Tour 10 days

• Cultural Tours

Southern Cultural Route Tour Package – This 10 day tour includes all the major cultural  and natural sites of the south including  Arab Minch, Jinka, turmi etc.

Day1

Arrival to Addis Ababa – Arrival at Bole International Airpor and Transfer to hotel for check-in. City tour of Addis Ababa including the Merkato, said to be Africa’s largest market , and the National Museum of Ethiopia and the ethnographic museum. Overnight Addis Ababa Overnight Hotel – Addis Ababa

Day2

Addis Ababa – Arba Minch – Drive to Arbaminch visit on the way visit lake ziwayi and Dorze Village in the Guge Mountains. The Dorze are known for their tall, beehive-shaped bamboo houses. If the base becomes infested with termites, the entire house can be lifted and moved to another location. Overnight Hotel – Arba Minch

Day3

Arba Minch – Jinka – In the morning, take a boat trip on Lake Chamo to visit the crocodile market, hippo pods and birdlife are also abundant. After the visit, continue driving to Jinka via Weyto (market day Sunday) and Key Afar (market day Thursday). Overnight Lodge – Jinka

Day4

Mago National Park Excurtion – Drive to Mago National Park to visit the Mursi tribe, who are known for their lower lip and earlobe plates. Afterwards, return to Jinka to visit the South Omo Museum & Research Center for more information about the tribes. Additionally, Tuesdays and Saturdays are market days in Jinka, which will be visited. Overnight Lodge – Jinka

Day5

Jinka – Turmi  – Drive to Turmi to visit the Hamer people who are well known for the scarring of their bodies, using clay to shape their hairstyles, and the unique practice of “bull-jumping” which every young man must accomplish prior to marriage. En route to Turmi, visit the Benna and Ari people.On the way, stop in Dimeka for the local market, which is on Tuesdays and Saturday. This is one of the most colorful markets in the South Omo and is visited by neighborhood Hamer, Benna, Karo,Tsemai and Ari tribes. Overnight in Turmi. At night, see the traditional night dancing of the Hamer people, known as Evangadi. Overnight Lodge – Turmi

Day6

Murele Excursions –  Drive to Murele and visit the Karo people, known for their elaborate body-painting. Also visit a village of the Dassanech people. Return to Turmi for the evening. Overnight Lodge – Turmi

Day7

Turmi – Konso –  Drive to Konso, recently designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. A highland people, the Konso are known for the ancient and intricate terraces that encircle their well-planned villages. Overnight Lodge – Konso

Day8

Konsso – Hawassa – Drive to the lakeside town of Hawassa. Relax and recover from your journey at one of Hawassa’s fine resorts. The natural attractions around Hawassa city are rich in vegetation, wildlife, hills and mountains and Water bodies. There are a number of endemic birds, fish and plants around the lake and nearby areas. There are also hot springs, reserved parks and water bodies you can visit and enjoy in and around Hawassa. You can have bird watching scene, fishing, mountain climbing, and sport on lake side beach areas, camp fire or lodging. Overnight Resort – Hawassa

Day9

Hawassa – Bale Mountains National Park- Drive to the Bale Mountains National Park and meet with park guide. Arrive at the park in the afternoon. Bale Mountains National Park is 2,400 square kilometres (1,488 square miles) in area,covering a wide range of habitats and ranging in altitude from 1,500 to 4,377 metres (4,920 to 14,357 feet), southern Ethiopia’s highest point.The Possibly spotting two endemic mammals that frequent the area: Menelik’s Bushbuck and the Mountain Nyala. Birds in this area include the Blue-Winged Goose, the Spot-Breasted Lapwing, the Abyssinian Long Claw, the Wattled Ibis, the Black-Headed Siskin, Rouget’s Rail, and numerous other species.  Overnight Hotel – Goba/ camping

Day10

Bale Mountains National Park back to Addis Ababa – Drive to Addis Ababa and have farewell party with cultural dinner and local drinks to experience

Ethiopia’s cultural meals and drinks.