Day 1: Airport pick-up, Relaxing Day Tour in Addis Ababa
Welcome to Addis Ababa! Our representative will wait for you at Bole International Airport upon your arrival, then send you to the hotel. After a short break, the driver and the guide will take you to visit National Museum of Ethiopia. Then we will go to Holy Trinity Church, where many members of the royal family and famous patriots were buried. In the evening, we are going to travel around the largest open-air market in Africa, Merkcato. Accommodation: Radison Blue Hotel (5 stars)
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Day 2: Private Transfer to Arba Minch (8h-9h, 500km), Visit Tiya and Dorze Village en route
Today we will head to Arba Minch and our guide will accompany you. On the way we will stop and visit the famous archaeological site Tiya, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will also visit Dorze Village in the Guge Mountains and appreciate the authentic Dorze house. When arrive at Arba Minch at dusk, check in the hotel for a good rest. Meals: Breakfast, Picnic lunch
Accommodation: Paradise Lodge
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Day 3: Enjoy Boat Trip on Lake Chamo, Continue driving to Jinka (5h-6h 270km)
After breakfast we will enjoy a boat trip on Lake Chamo, during which you can see crocodiles, hippos and many kinds of water birds. You can also see a beautiful long bridge hanging between Lake Chamo and Lake Abaya in distance. In the afternoon we will drive to Jinka, and stop to visit Key Afer (Thursday only), a bazaar nestled among the tribes. We will check into the lodge after arriving at Jinka at dusk. Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Eco-Omo Lodge
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Day 4: Experience Mursi Tribes, Transfer to Turmi in the afternoon
In the morning we'll drive through Mago National Park to visit the Mursi Tribal Village, a highlight of this Ethiopia tour package. The local Moorish women have unique "lip plate" ("dhebi a tugoin") decoration in their lower lips. They regard the deformity of the lips as the beauty standard. Accompanied by the guide, you will visit the Mursi, experience primitive tribal life and know more about their unique customs. After the visit, we will return to Jinka. In the afternoon, we will drive to Turmi, which is about 140 km away and takes 4 hours on the way. Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Buska Lodge
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Day 5: Omorate Town Excursion to the Hammer and Karo
The Omo Valley has a variety of ethnic tribes and is a great place to learn about African minorities. In the morning we will visit the two main tribes in the Murulle Area, the Karo and the Hamer. Both ethnic groups own special elaborate hairstyles. Every Year from January to April, the Hamer people hold a male rite of coming of age, requiring the challengers to jump back and forth from the back of the cattle in their bare bodies, which is also called the Bull jumping ceremony. In the afternoon, we will go to Korcho village to visit the Karo people, the master of body painting. In the evening we will drive back to Turmi. Tips: In order to avoid unnecessary troubles, we do not recommend giving money or small gifts to tribal children. If you want to take photos of the local people, please prepare the change, and inform the tour guide in advance, so that the guide can communicate with the tribe leader for the fee. Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Buska Lodge
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Day 6: Departure from Turmi and Visit Konso Villages
On the sixth day, we plan to drive to Konso, which will take around 3-4 hours to finish the 200 km distance. In 2011, UNESCO considered Konso as a cultural phenomenon and included it in the World Heritage List. The layout of the Konso Villages is generally circular and radial, and is equipped with defenses like stone walls. Upon arrival, we will visit the Konso Museum, whose collection of Konso Waga wood carvings is very famous. Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Kanta Lodge
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Day 7: Transfer to Hawassa, Enjoy Leisurely Time around Lake Hawassa
After breakfast, we will drive for 6-7 hours to the lakeside city of Hawassa, which is about 310 km away from Konso. After checking in the hotel upon arrival, the rest time is for you. You can wander around Lake Hawassa or watch water birds and hippos under the beautiful sunset. Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Haile Resort Hotel (4 stars)
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Day 8: A Scenic Drive to Bale Mountains National Park
In the morning, we will go to visit the Daily Fish Market in Hawassa. Many fishermen would bring their goods to the market, where you can see many giant African bald storks. Then we will head to the Bale Mountains National Park by car. We will arrive at the Park Headquarter in about 6 hours to prepare for safari the next day. Afterwards, continue to drive to the lodge about 100km away to stay overnight. Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Bale Mountain Lodge
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Day 9: Enjoy full day safari in Bale Mountains National Park
Bale Mountains National Park is known for its high altitude, evergreen forests, bamboo woods, swamps and river valleys. There are numerous endemic rare species living in the park, including Ethiopian wolves, Bale Mountain Nyala, Bale monkey, giant forest hogs, and some Rift Valley's most threatened bird species. This morning we will drive to Hrenna forest to enjoy the game drive, and you will see plenty of endemic birds, mammals and other wildlife. Then we will go on to Sanetti plateau. After a picnic lunch, go trekking at the top of Sanetti Plateau, and look for Ethiopian wolves led by the local guide. Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch
Accommodation: Bale Mountain Lodge
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Day 10: Drive back to Addis Ababa (8h-9h, 420km), Airport see-off
On the last day, we will drive back to Addis Ababa. We will arrive there at around 5:00 pm. Per your request, we could leave you some time for shopping there. Later, we will send you to the airport to catch your flight. See you off! Meals: Breakfast
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