South Omo Valey Tribes and Bale Mountain National Park

DAY 01 – ARRIVE ADDIS ABABA AND CITY TOUR

Upon your arrival at Bole International Airport and you will clear immigration and proceed to baggage claim, after collecting your checked bags, clear customs and pass through the arrivals hall where you will be meet by FINOT TOUR ETHIOPIA representative, who will assist you with your transfer to your hotel.

Depends on your arrival time, you will enjoy a half or full day guided tour of the Ethnological Museum, with its artifacts and displays of the cultures and handicrafts of Ethiopia’s many ethnic groups. At the famous National Museum, with its cultural and archaeological relics, you will visit the famous “Lucy,” a 3.2 million-year-old female hominid who was discovered in Ethiopia’s Awash Valley in 1974. If time permit, you may visit the biggest open-air market of Addis Ababa, the Mercato, is the largest on the continent, and you will take a drive through it. You may also visit Ba’ata Church, also known as Menelik’s Mausoleum, one of the oldest of the churches in Addis, built in 1911. It houses beautiful paintings and the royal tombs of past emperors, including Emperor Haile Selassie I.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Drinks: Bottled water

Transportation: Land Cruiser 4X4

Accommodation: Monarch Park View Hotel or similar

CONSULTANT NOTE

Start Time: Based on your arrival time

Ending Time: Afternoon 05:30 PM - 06:00 PM

Distance covered: 75 km

Road Condition: 75 km asphalted road

Time duration: 4-5 hours with visit, lunch and photo stops

Activity: Drive and visit

DAY 02 - DRIVE ADDIS ABABA TO ARBAMINCH

Morning after breakfast meet with FINOT TOUR ETHIOPIA staffs (driver and tour guide) at your hotel and 06:30 AM, then start drive down to south, drive to southward to the rift valley regions passing creator lakes and rift valley lakes. Then drive will take you along the scenic farmlands of Gurage People. We will also drive through the Wolayta farmlands, with views of the lush green hills and valleys. You arrive late in the afternoon at Arbaminch - meaning 'Forty Springs' in Amharic. Arbminch takes its name from the bubbling streams that cover the groundwater forest occupying the flats of the town. Before arrive to Arbaminch you will drive 17 km northwest of Arbaminch to Guge Mountains to visit the Dorze and Chencha villages. Once warriors, the Dorze have now turned to farming and weaving to earn a living. They speak an Omotic tongue and the Dorze name is synonymous with the best-woven cotton cloth. The “elephant huts” of the Dorze are unique and worth seeing. In addition, the Dorze beehive-shaped houses are constructed entirely of organic material has its own small garden surrounded by beds of spices, cabbage, and tobacco, which is located 8 km northwest of Dorze Village. Men weave and women spin. Drive to Arbaminch for overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Drinks: Bottled water

Transportation: Land Cruiser 4X4

Accommodation: Paradise Lodge or similar

CONSULTANT NOTE

Start Time: Morning 06:30 AM

Ending Time: Afternoon 05:30 PM - 06:00 PM

Distance covered: 464 km

Road Condition: 464 km asphalted road and 16 km rough road

Time duration: 8-10 hours with visit, lunch and photo stops

Activity: Drive and visit

DAY 03 - DRIVE TO JINKA VIA KONSO AND KAY AFER

After breakfast, you will have a boat trip on clear blue waters of Lake Chamo to see the crocodiles, hippos & aquatic bird species. The northern shores of Lake Chamo are famous for its large crocodiles, which we can see in great numbers lounging in the heat. The lake is about 32km long and provides a lush wetland habitat for many species of flora and fauna. We will drive paved road to Konso and have lunch break in Konso Town

Keep driving to Key-Afer for the colorful Thursday market where we should see and photographed the Ari, Bena, Hamer and Tsemay people. The Bena and Hamer women usually favor red clay braids in their hair, shiny with butter and perfumed with incense. The long beaded skirts of the Tsemay have a stick incorporated in the back to denote a married woman and the men have elaborately plaited hairstyles decorated with feathers and colorful beads. After visiting the market, we drive on to Jinka, often called the gateway to the Omo Valley.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Drinks: Bottled water

Transportation: Land Cruiser 4X4

Accommodation: Jinka Resort or Similar

CONSULTANT NOTE

Start Time: Morning 08:00 AM

Ending Time: Afternoon 05:30 PM - 06:00 PM

Distance covered: 265 km

Road Condition: 260 km asphalted road and 5 km rough road

Time duration: 6-7 hours with visit, lunch, pee and photo stops

Activity: Drive and visit

DAY 04 - VISIT THE MURSI - DRIVE TURMI

Early morning drive to Mago National Park, from here, visit the Mursi highlands where the most illustrious of Ethiopia’s unique tribes lives. The Mursi known all over the world, for their decorative lip plates that adorn the lower lips of the Mursi women. The plates stretch the lower lip beyond imagination and the women’s beauty, pride and desirability is determined in direct proportion to the size of the plate. The Mursi men and women may appear gracious but the Mursi warriors are not to be sneezed. On their arms are deep crescent incisions that represent each enemy they have killed in battle. The men are also famous for their hairstyle. The various cultural aspects of the tribe will be explain and you will be able to take their photographs but not free.

Back to Jinka for your lunch and afternoon go to the Ari Village near by the town of Jinka for experiencing and learning the culture of Ari tribe and explore how they make their traditional homemade alcoholic drinks. In the afternoon, we will continue driving through the Omo Valley region to Turmi via Dimeka.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Drinks: Bottled water

Transportation: Land Cruiser 4X4

Accommodation: Emerald Lodge or Similar

CONSULTANT NOTE

Start Time: Morning 07:30 AM

Ending Time: Afternoon 05:30 PM - 06:00 PM

Distance covered: 245 km

Road condition: 45 km asphalted road and 200 km rough road

Time duration: 9-10 hours

Activity: Drive and visit

REMARK –

Prepare enough cash /10 Ethiopian birr per one photo one person/ if you want to take photos of or with the tribe people. To avoid unnecessary chaos, it is better to ask the tour guide before you take pictures.

If there is any ceremonial activity like traditional dance, Bull jumping ceremony, your guide will inform you prior.

DAY 05 - VISIT DASENECH AND KARO TRIBES

This morning we start driving south to Omorate to visit another tribe, the Dasenech (formerly known as Geleb), and one of their villages. These people inhabit the areas bordering with Kenya, north of Lake Turkana, and they live on the east and west bank of the Omo River. The Geleb Covering a large territory, the Geleb live along the western banks of the Omo River and had been force out of the Turkana region by conflict in the 18th century. Originally nomadic pastoralists, the more fertile surroundings of the Omo River has caused them to put down more permanent roots based around fishing and agriculture. The Geleb live in small huts that befit their nomadic origins, as they could be easily and quickly dismantle. Women wear a pleated cow skin skirt with necklaces and bracelets. Men wear a checkered cloth around their waist only. We drive back Turmi and we have lunch in our lodge.

After lunch, we continue through the savannah along tracks that are barely visible, passing through a vast meadowland with shrubs and umbellifers (‘umbrella’ acacia trees) for an excursion to Morulle and Kangatan Village. The Nyangatom live south of Omo National park and occasionally migrate in to the lower regions of the park when water or grazing is scarce. Numbering around 6,000-7,000 in population, the Nyangatom are agro pastoralists, relying on cattle herding and floor- retreat agriculture (consisting mainly of sorghum harvesting on the Omo and Kibish Rivers). The Nyangatom tend to indulge in honey and frequently smoke out beehives in the park to get the honey inside the nests. The Nyangatom known to be great warriors and quite frequently, active warmongers, they are often at war with the neighboring tribes including the Hamer, the Karo and the Surma. Here you cross River Omo and take a short walk through the local fields to visit a village of the Nyangatom tribe. The elders of both sexes wear a lower lip plug, the men’s being made from ivory and women’s made from copper filigree. After the visit, return across the river and proceed to the Karo village of Korcho, with a stunning location look in over the Omo River. The Karo people, while the smallest tribe of the Omo Valley in number and known to be the most decorated. After the visit, return to Turmi for another opportunity to see Jumping of the Bulls

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Drinks: Bottled water

Transportation: Land Cruiser 4X4

Accommodation: Emerald Lodge or Similar

CONSULTANT NOTE

Start Time: Morning 07:30 AM

Ending Time: Afternoon 05:30 PM - 06:00 PM

Distance covered: 300 km

Road Condition: 274 km asphalted and 26 km bush road

Time duration: 7-9 hours with visit, lunch and photo stops

Activity: Drive and visit

REMARK –

Prepare enough cash /10 Ethiopian birr per one photo one person/ if you want to take photos of or with the tribe people. To avoid unnecessary chaos, it is better to ask the tour guide before you take pictures.

If there is any ceremonial activity like traditional dance, Bull jumping ceremony, your guide will inform you prior.

DAY 06 - DRIVE TO ARBAMNICH VIA ERBORE

In the morning, we drive back to Aribaminch via woita road on the way visiting the Erbore people /this drive could be depends on the road condition/. Arbore is far more rustic and unaffected than many similarly size towns in south Omo, in common with their linguistically and culturally affiliated Tsemai neighbors, the Arbore migrated to their present homeland from Konso perhaps two centuries ago. Because they have ancestral and cultural links to Konso and the pastoralists of the surrounding lowlands, the Arbore traditionally played an important role as intermediaries in trade between the Omo River and the Konso Highlands. The town of Arbore lies in an area where several tribal boundaries coverage. In addition, the Arbore people routinely intermarry with other ethnic groups. It is also inhabited a substantial number of Hamer and even Borena women – adding a cosmopolitan feel to the worthwhile Saturday market. Then you will drive to Konso where colorfully costumed dress, impressive terracing of the land and unusually engraved wooden statues used as grave markers can be seen. Differing from their neighbors, the Konso are pure agriculturists, famed for their use of the stone terraces that they utilize to such good effect in this dry and barren region of basalt hills. Originally, from the east and speaking an east Cushitic language, the Konso live in settlements that are surrounded by stonewall. A generation pole classifies the age of each town and each family lives in compounds that are accessible only through gateways that require the visitor to enter on all fours thereby rendering any potential attackers vulnerable. We can make 90 km drive to Arbaminch for overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Drinks: Bottled water

Transportation: Land Cruiser 4X4

Accommodation: Paradise Lodge or Similar

CONSULTANT NOTE

Start Time: Morning 08:00 AM

Ending Time: Afternoon 05:30 PM - 06:00 PM

Distance covered: 268 km

Road Condition: 235 km asphalted and 33 km all weather road

Time duration: 7-8 hours with visit, lunch and photo stops

Activity: Drive and visit

NB: You will have visit Erbore tribe depends on the road condition. Either we can drive through the normal road.

DAY 07 - DRIVE TO HAWASSA

After breakfast this morning, we will commence another long yet scenic drive to Hawassa via Wolatya Sodo, potentially visiting the interesting Alaba and Wolata villages en route. You will pass through the fertile land of Wolayta with their fascinating culture and the false Banana preparation and coffee plantations and Alaba regions. You will pass through land, which produces the best banana, papaya, apple and mango in Ethiopia for the world market. The Alaba people are very famous for their beautiful home painting style. After lunch, drive to privet farm spend the day surrounded by coffee plantations that produce Sidama coffee, one of the three coffee brands of the well-known Arabica coffee.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Drinks: Bottled water

Transportation: Land Cruiser 4X4

Accommodation: Heroin Hotel or Similar

CONSULTANT NOTE

Start Time: Morning 08:30 AM

Ending Time: Afternoon 05:30 PM - 06:00 PM

Distance covered: 242 km

Road Condition: 242 km asphalted road

Time duration: 6-7 hours with visit, lunch and photo stops

Activity: Drive and visit

DAY 08 - DRIVE TO BALE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

This morning, we will go to experience local's life at the daily fish market on the lakeshore. You will see different activity of the angler in different sections. It is also a great place to spot a great number of water birds, especially the African marabou storks and some mammals like vervet monkey and calubes monkey

Later, we will drive 6 hours to the head quarter of Bale Mountains National Park. When we arrive to the headquarters /Dinsho/ of the park, we can formalize all the necessary procedure for visiting the next day trip. Many wild animals around the head quarter like Mountain Nyala, Warthog and Minilik Bushbuck have been visited this day. Therefore, it is in some parts of the head quarter in the park where you could walk among animals. Next, we will go on driving to the lodge located 100 km (62 mi) away and check in before nightfall.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Drinks: Bottled water

Transportation: Land Cruiser 4X4

Accommodation: Tokuma Hotel Robe or Similar

CONSULTANT NOTE

Start Time: Morning 08:00 AM

Ending Time: Afternoon 05:30 PM - 06:00 PM

Distance covered: 290 km

Road Condition: 290 km asphalted

Time duration: 7-8 hours with visit, lunch, pee, photo stops …

Activity: Drive and visit

DAY 09 - VISIT BALE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK

Today we will tour around the Bale Mountains National Park! The national park covering an area of 2,200 square kilometers (1,370 square miles) comprises of grasslands, woodlands, meadows and swamps, and moorlands inhabited by a great variety of rare endemic animals like Ethiopia wolves, Bale monkey, giant forest hogs, and some of Rift Valley's most threatened bird species.

Early this morning, head to the Sanetti plateau. As the sun rises, the most endangered canid in the world – the Ethiopian wolf – begins to hunt. The Sanetti plateau is the best place in Ethiopia to see this elegant animal, and the winding road a top the plateau, one of the highest all-weather roads in Africa, is an ideal spot for viewings. The plateau is crawling with rodents, the largest being the giant mole rat, found only in the Bale Mountains. Explore the area on foot, marveling at the lichen-clad rocks, indicators of pure air. Look to the sky for soaring birds of prey: golden, tawny and Verreaux’s eagles as well as the bearded vulture (lammergeyer), lanner falcon, and augur buzzard. Continuing again by car, you will pass Tulu Dimtu or “the Red Mountain” just 4 km off the main road. This is the second highest mountain in Ethiopia at 4,377m. The summit is reachable by car or by foot in under an hour. As you reach the end of the plateau, you enter the Harenna escarpment, plunging more than 2,000m towards a vast tropical forest in just 8 km driving down switchback roads, you’ll be treated to magnificent views. After passing through a belt of giant heather the road takes you to the small village of Rira. Stop for lunch and enjoy the local dish of Bread ‘Ambesha’ and Cabbage ‘Gomen’ (flatbread and steamed kale) at one of the two restaurants. Found at the base of the Harenna escarpment, Rira is the center for a bamboo forest walk and short waterfall hike into the stunning Harenna forest. Additionally, at the right time of year, you can help the locals harvest honey. We return to Goba, Robe for the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch /Picnic/ and Dinner

Drinks: Bottled water

Transportation: Land Cruiser 4X4

Accommodation: Tokuma Hotel Robe or Similar

CONSULTANT NOTE

Start Time: Morning 08:00 AM

Ending Time: Afternoon 05:30 PM - 06:00 PM

Distance covered: 90 km

Road Condition: 12 km asphalted and 78 km all weather road

Time duration: 7-8 hours with visit, lunch, pee, photo stops …

Activity: Drive and visit

DAY 10 - DRIVE BACK TO ADDIS ABABA

After breakfast, we head to return to Addis Ababa. We will stop at Lake Langano in one of Resort, which is Sabana Beach Resort for lunch break. You will enjoy with lake depends on the time we have to drive back to Addis Ababa.

In the evening, farewell party dinner invitation by FINOT TOUR ETHIOPIA with cultural dinner and traditional special buffet and local drinks to experience Ethiopia’s cultural meals and drinks. Here you will enjoy and experience several tribal dances. After farewell dinner party, we transfer you to Bole International Airport for international departure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Drinks: Bottled water

Transportation: Land Cruiser 4X4

Accommodation: Day use in one hotel

CONSULTANT NOTE

Start Time: Morning 07:00 AM

Ending Time: Afternoon 05:30 PM - 06:00 PM

Distance covered: 400 km

Road Condition: 400 km asphalted

Time duration: 8 - 10 hours with visit, lunch, pee, photo stops …

Activity: Drive and visit

NOTE: The tour program can modify differently, rearranged, combined with other itinerary and shorten or extended to suit your interest, time and budget. Up on request FINOT TOUR ETHIOPIA can arrange various tour programs based on your interest.