Southern Cultural Tour – This package will enable you experience the rich and diversified culture of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and peoples Culture.
Day1
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
Day2
Addis Ababa to Bale Mountain National Park – Addis to the Bale Mountains National Park. Arrive at the park in the afternoon, in and possibly spotting two endemic mammals like 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 camping near park entrance. Overnight Camping
Day3
Trekking Moraro to Wassama – Trek to Wasama through a beautiful landscape with stunning views. Pass through Mararo Valleywhere the Lammergeyer and Verraux Eagles keep nests. There will also be a chance a seeing the Ethiopian Wolf Overnight Camping
Day4
Trek to GerbaGurcha for 4 hours- Start the day by hiking up Mt. Wasama (4200m) and then continue down into the Worgona Valley.Falcons, raptors, and possibly the Ethiopian Wolf will be visible. End the day at Lake Gebre Gurracha, meaning “black lake” in the Oromic language. Trekking will take 6-7 hours. Overnight Camping
Day5
Trek to Senate Plateau –Take a short trek from Gebre Gurracha up to the Sennati Plateau to meet vehicles. Explore the Senatti Plateau by car. This is the best place in Ethiopia to view the Ethiopian wolf. Overnight Hotel – Bale Mountains National Park/Goba
Day6
Bale Mountains National Park – Arba Minch – Drive to Arba Minch, one of the main towns in Southern Ethiopia and visit on the way a 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
Day7
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
Day8
Mago National Park Excursion – 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
Day9
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
Day10
Murele Excursion – 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
Day11
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
Day12
Konso – 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
Day13
Hawassa – Addis Ababa – Drive to Addis Ababa and have farewell party with cultural dinner and local drinks to experience Ethiopia’s cultural meals and drinks.Upon request the above tour program can be modified, differently rearranged, combined with other itineraries and shorten or extended to suit your interest, time, and budget. Please contact us for further detail