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Program: Ethnological Tour Tour Code: ATE1019 Transportation: Air and Land Duration: 15 nights (16 days) Tour starts: Addis Ababa Tour ends: Addis Ababa Season: January2010 Day1: Arrival/ Addis Ababa
Arrive in the evening transfer to your Hotel. Overnight – at 4* hotel – Addis (note that you can be provided from 3* up to luxury hotels in Addis Ababa)
Day2: City Tour
Addis Ababa is centered at the heart of the country. Addis Ababa in Amharic language means “New Flower”. It was founded by Emperor Menelik in 1886. An estimated population of 4 million people is dwelling in the city. Addis is graced as Africa’s diplomatic capital with the presence of the head quarter for the African Unity, a seat for numerous embassies and is the port of entry for most travelers.
After Breakfast, we drive to the Entoto Mountain (3300m) for a panoramic view of Addis, Entoto Museum with historical and royal exhibit, The Church of St. Mary, built in 1885 and the old palace of emperor MenelikII. Take some images at Mount Entoto and we drive back to Addis for Ethnological Museum that exhibits the culture and handicrafts of various Ethiopian ethnic groups, the National Museum in which you are visiting different archaeological findings (including Lucy’s replica Skeleton). After lunch, visit the Trinity Cathedral, Mausoleum of emperor MenelikII at Bààta Church and finally Merkato – the largest open market in Africa. Overnight – at 4* hotel – Addis (note that you can be provided from 3* up to luxury hotels in Addis Ababa) Day3: Addis Ababa-Arba Minch (505km)
Drive from Addis to Arba Minch. On the way; visit the hill top of Chencha for Dorze ethnics (roughly40km from the main road to Arba Minch). Dorze have their own skill of weaving cotton clothes & of their traditional bee-hive shaped houses. Overnight at best current hotel -Arba Minch Day4: Nechsar National Park & Lake Chamo.
Drive to Nechsar national Park for bird watching and game viewing. In the park, you will see different bird species, including the rare Greater Kestrel, Orange River Francolin, Yellow throated sand grouse, Desert Cistcolas and etc. Some nightjar species such as Slender tailed and star Spotted Nightjars, Donaldson Smith’s and Dusky Nightjars have been recorded. In addition to birds, Nechsar is the home of some mammals like the endemic Swayne’s Hartebeest (the park was primarily established to protect the endemic Swayne’s Hartebeest), Thomson’s gazelle, Berchule’s Zebra, Greater Kudu, Dik-Dik, and Baboons. Afternoon; boat trip on Lake Chamo. This Lake is known for its enormous population of Crocodiles and Hippopotamus. In the town of Arba Minch; visit the crocodile breeding site. Overnight at former Hotel – Arba Minch Day5: Konso - Key Afer (ethnic market) – Jinka/Mago National Park
Drive to Jinka- roughly 240km. At key Afer; there is a colourful every Thursday market where you can see the Tsemay, Ari and Bena people. Drive further to Jinka. Overnight – at best current hotel – Jinka Day6: Mursi tribes and Mago National Park.
Drive to Mago National Park. Visit the Mursi village, the insertion of wooden and terracotta discs into the ear lobes is a widespread custom and Mursi women also progressively split and stretch their lower lips to make room for similar discs(Muris tribes have the same culture with Surma tribes settled at upper Omo). In Mago Park; there are no many animals visible during the day, but during night time, thousands of sounds, among which is the trumpeting of elephants may be heard. Afternoon; visit the ethnological museum of Jinka. Overnight – at former hotel – Jinka Day7: Jinka – Dimeka market and Turmi (139 Km)
After breakfast; drive to Turmi (roughly 139km from Jinka). On the way; visit the colourful Dimeka Market (Every Saturday). Note that information will be gathered in advance if there is bull jumping ritual, or a Hamer wedding party in the neighbourhood during your stay in Turmi. Overnight – at best current hotel/lodge – Turmi Day8: Turmi - Karo Ethics
After breakfast; drive from Turmi to Karo ethnics (60 km rough road). You will have packed lunch with you for you will be there for full day. Visit some of Karo villages of Dus and Korocho. The Karo tribes are mainly known for their special hairstyle and body paintings. Take your time here, discover & experience their lifestyle. Late afternoon; drive back to Turmi. Overnight – at former hotel/lodge – Turmi Day9: Omorate – Dassench/Galeb –Turmi market.
The area around Turmi is where the Hamer & Bena people live, famous for their bull-jumping ceremonies and great body decoration. There is a popular Hamer and Bena market held in Turmi on every Monay, this is what you have to timed your visit for, but the market will not be full until mid-afternoon, so this morning, after early breakfast, first drive to Omorate (75km),nearby the Omo River and cross the river by local boat. This area is inhabited by the Dassenech (Galeb) people, known for their very interesting house design and body painting. You will stay with them for a couple of hours, then cross the river again and drive back to Turmi, for lunch and a short break from the heat & visit the Turmi Market. The Hamers dominate this market. The Hamers are a fine looking people, both men and women take great pride in their appearance, shaving and colouring their hair, oiling their bodies and decorating themselves with beads and bracelets worn around arms and legs. Late afternoon; approach to some Hamer villages to discover their lifestyle at home and attend the Evangadi Dance. Overnight – at former hotel/lodge – Turmi Day10: Turmi – Konso
Drive from Turmi to Yabello via Arbore. Visit the Arbore people at their town named Arbore and proceed to Konso. Visit town of Konso (UNESCO World Heritage Site) – The people of Konso are well known for their intricately terraced hillsides, fine woven materials, carved totems made of wood, decorated graves (mainly the king & his wife), impressive village and etc. Explore The Konso King, totems, Konso villages, and Gesergiyo (New York)-magnificent rock formation. Overnight – at best current hotel – Konso Day11: Konso – Yabello
After breakfast; drive to Yabello (105km). On the way; overlook landscapes and villages of Borana people. Overnight – at best current hotel – Yabello
Day12: Singing Wells & Chew Beth (El Sod)
After breakfast; drive to El Sod (Salt House), to Mega road. On the way, visit Dublock (Borena Village), and Singing Wells. The Borena ethnics move every time in groups across a large area in search of food and water for their herds of zebu cattle. The zebu cattle are poorly adapted to the torrid desert heat so they must be watered regularly at the desert wells – about 20-30 meters deep. While watering their cattle the Borena have special songs. For this reason, morning, you will visit them, singing at their wells. Proceed to Chew Beth (El Sod) and discover people extracting salt there and drive back to Yabello. Overnight – Overnight – at former hotel – Yabello Day13: Yabello –Yirgalem
After breakfast; drive to Yergalem. On the way at Wenago, visit the Tutu Fella stelae field – a unique collection of carved stones. Arrive to Yirgalem after crossing the fertile land, mainly cultivating with bananas, and coffee plantation by the Sidamo people. Visit the forest nearby the Aregash Lodge. Overnight – at Aregash Lodge / hotel – Yirgalem Day14: Yirgalem - Langano
Drive from Yirgalem to Langano (about100km). Check- in at your hotel/lodge and enjoy with swimming or other activities. Afternoon; Discover the rift valley lakes of Abiyata & Shalla, the Ostrich Farm, different species of Aquatic birds like the Pink Flamingos, Dukes, Gosse, and many others. Overnight – at Savannah Lodge/hotel – Langano
Lake Langano - is a fresh breath taking atmosphere. The lake with its beautiful white sand beach is bilharzias and crocodile free. Swimming, trekking and bird watching in the forest are possible activities. Day15: Langano – Addis
Drive to Addis Ababa via Butajira Road. On the way; visit Lake Ziway, Tiya Monuments, Addadi Maryam Semi Monolithic Church and Kelka Kunture archeological site. Overnight – at former hotel – Addis Ababa Day 16: Departure Action Tours – the right choice, a company of action to serve you better! Click here to request this tour Notice: This itinerary can be amended to any other sightseeing direction up on your request. |
