Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa, Airport pick up and City Tour
Welcome to Addis Ababa! Our representative will wait for at the Arrival Hall of Bole International Airport upon your arrival, then send you to the hotel. After a short break, we will go to National Museum of Ethiopia, where you can admire some archaeological relics, paintings, distinctive costumes of different ethnics, and fossils of Lucy, the ancestor of ape-man. Afterwards, we will visit the Ethnographic Museum. It is a small cultural museum displaying Ethiopian nationality, history and animal and plant resources, located in the University of Addis Ababa. In the afternoon, we are going to Holy Trinity Church and the largest open-air market in Africa, Merkcato. Accommodation: Radison Blue Hotel (5 stars)
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Day 2: Drive to Arba Minch (7-8H, 500KM), Explore archaeological Site of Tiya on the way
Bringing the box lunch, we will drive to Arba Minch. On the way about 80 kilometers from Addis Ababa, we would drop off to see the Stelae Field of Tiya, an archaeological site listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Arriving at Arba Minch at dusk, check in the lodge for a good rest. Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch
Accommodation: Paradise Lodge
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Day 3: Visit the Dorze Village, Relaxing Boat Trip on Lake Chamo in the afternoon
In the morning we will head to the breathtaking Dorze Village to appreciate the Wolayta Farmlands, lush green hills and valleys. The self-paid lunch is arranged at Arba Minch. In the afternoon we will paddle on Lake Chamo to watch the hippos and local waterbirds, and look for Africa's largest crocodile. Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Haile Resort Hotel (4 stars)
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Day 4: Transfer to Jinka (5h-6h, 270km), on the way visit the Konso
Today we will drive to Jinka, passing by Konso, where we will get off the car to visit Konso Museum, Konso village compound and family tombs. They together is listed a UNESCO Cultural Heritage site. In the afternoon, we will drive through various tribal areas in the Omo Valley. If it's a Thursday, the trade day, we'll visit Key Afer bazaar, where villagers from different tribes trade here. We will arrive at Jinka at dusk. Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Eco-Omo Lodge
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Day 5: Game drive in Mago National Park, Encounter Mursi Tribe and Head to Turmi (160 km)
In the morning we will drive about 2 hours to get to Mago National Park to look for the wild animals. Then drive to the Mursi Tribe to have a close look at the unique customs and lifestyle of the Mursi People. The women here, in their teenage years, penetrate the lower lip and put a plate inside. The larger the plate in their mouths, the greater the dowry when they get married. In the afternoon, we will drive to our hotel in Turmi, which will take about 3 hours. Turmi is the base for exploring the tribes in southern Omo Valley. The whole region of the southern Omo has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1980. Tips: When visiting the tribes, it is not suggested to give children money or gifts, which may cause chaos. If you want to take photos with tribesmen, you need to pay a fee and inform your tour guide in advance to arrange it for you. Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Emerald Resort
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Day 6: Full Day Excursion to Dimeka and nearby Hamer tribe
In the morning we will go to Dimeka, a town near Turmi to visit the local market opened on Saturdays only, where the Hamer, Ari and Benna tribesmen trade goods. In the afternoon we will visit a nearby Hamer Village to observe their daily life. If you are lucky, in the evening you can watch young Hamer men and women perform a Moonshine dance, Evangadi. Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Buska Lodge
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Day 7: Driving South to Omorate, Visit the Dassanech Ethnic Group, Transfer back to Arba Minch
During today's Ethiopia cultural tours, we will drive to Omorate, 70 km away from Turmi, to visit the Dassanech Ethnic Group. The nomads are known for their decorations and the scarification on their bodies. We will take a dugout canoe crossing the river so you can watch the spectacular scenery on both sides of the Omo River. After the tour, we will return to Turmi for lunch. In the afternoon we will drive back to Arba Minch and arrive at the hotel at dusk. Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Haile Resort Hotel (4 stars)
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Day 8: Free Morning in Arba Minch, Fly 1H back to Addis Ababa to end the tour
You can stroll around on your own in the morning. After having lunch, we will take the flight ET134 (13.35/14:30) back to Addis Ababa. Meals: Breakfast
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