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Omo Valley and/or Historical Route

The Omo area is home to a remarkable mix of small contrasting ethnic groups. Their lifestyles are as different as the tribes themselves.

  • Lake Langano
  • Blue Nile
  • The Omo River
  • Konso, Derase, Tsemay & Hammer tribes
  • Lalibela - Rock Hewn Churches

Overview

The Omo area is home to a remarkable mix of small contrasting ethnic groups. Their lifestyles are as different as the tribes themselves. Visit a village of the Karo people. They are known for the very interesting decorations and scarification all over their body. These designs have no special significance but are created purely for fun and visual effect.

The views of the Omo River from the Kortcho village are spectacular. The Omo River is about a 1000 kms long, but it never reaches the sea. On the eastern bank of the river is the Mago National Park, with its endless, distant horizons. You will be entering a lost world, where few have ever traveled. Visit the Mursi trip. The women are well-known for the lip plates.

Itinerary

Day 1:   Depart for Addis 

Own arrangements to arrive at O R Tambo by 11:00.
12:00   Check-in for Ethiopian Airlines flight, ET808 to Addis Ababa
14:10   Depart for Addis Ababa
20:45   Arrive in Addis Ababa and transfer to hotel.

Day 2:   Lake Langano


Breakfast check out and depart for the Rift Valley lakes.   The first of the lakes we drive past is Lake Ziway.   Five islands dot the surface of Lake Ziway.   It is the largest in the northern cluster of five Rift Valley lakes.   From there we proceed to Lake Langano a watersport paradise.   Lake Langano is one of two lakes in Ethiopia that is considered safe for swimming – bilharzia free.   Upon arrival check-in at your accommodation, Wenney Lodge.   The lodge is situated on the shore of Lake Langano and near the Munessa Forest
Optional activities to enjoy are:   horse riding, a boat cruise and cycling.
Enjoy the fantastic sunset with a drink in your hand.
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Day 3:   Arba Minch  

Breakfast and check out.
Our cultural exploration of the different tribal groups in Ethiopia starts today.   In the next couple of days you will interact with some of the 80 different tribal groups in Ethiopia.   The villages of the Wolayta people dot the rolling green hills.   Our destination is Arba Minch … meaning “forty springs” … taking its name from bubbling streams in the area.
In the afternoon we visit Chencha.   This village will give you a glance of ancient Ethiopia.   It is also the home of the Dorze people with their unique culture, homes and traditions. The Dorze name is also synonymous with the best-woven cotton cloth. 
Check-in at your hotel.
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Day 4:  Turmi  

Breakfast and checkout.
The cultural experience continues as we drive to Turmi to learn more about the Konso, Derase, Tsemay and Hammer people.   The Konso is a pagan society and they erect wooden totems over their graves.   The Hammer women wear gleaming aluminium head-dresses and the Tsemay are very photogenic people.   If we strike it lucky we will see a cultural dance, the Evangadi.
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Day 5:   Turmi

Today we will visit the villages and get to know the Hammer, Karo and Dassanech people.   If in any way possible we will participate in a wedding ceremony and a “jumping of the bull” ceremony.
Late afternoon return to the hotel.
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Day 7:   Jinka

The Omo area is home to a remarkable mix of small contrasting ethnic groups.   Their lifestyles are as different as the tribes themselves.   Today we visit the Mursi villages.   The Mursi women split and stretch their lower lip to make room for lip plates.   The women regards this as a sign of beauty … the larger the plate the more desirable the wearer.
Return to Jinka.   This modern little town is the administrative center of the South Omo Region.
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Day 8:   Arba Minch / Depart for Addis

Omo Valley Group:
Breakfast and check-out.   We proceed back to Arba Minch the main center for the Gofa region.   Enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Chamo in the afternoon and be on the look out for Africa’s biggest crocodiles.
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Day 9:   Return to Addis   / Debre Libanos Monastery

Omo Valley Group:
Today we leave the Omo Valley and drive back to Addis Ababa.   This is a full day drive.   Arrive late afternoon in Addis.
Proceed to your hotel and check-in.
Meet the group members that will join the tour for the Historical Route section of the trip.
Historical Group:
Depart for the Debre Libanos monastery.   Admire the wonderful views of the monastery as well as the Jemma gorge and the Old Portuguese bridge. Be on the look-out for the endemic gelada baboons. 
Late afternoon return to Addis.
Meet the group members arriving in Addis after the tour to the Omo Valley
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Day 6:   Jinka

After breakfast we check out to visit a village of the Karo people.   They are known for the very interesting decorations and scarification all over their body.   These designs have no special significance but are created purely for fun and visual effect.
The views of the Omo River from the Kortcho village are just spectacular.   The Omo River is about a 1000 kms long, but it never reaches the sea.   On the eastern bank of the river is the Mago National Park, with its endless, distant horizons.   You will be entering a lost world, which few vehicles have ever traveled.   Enjoy the incredible spectacles of oryx, giraffe, zebra as well as lion, buffalo and elephant in the park.
Drive to Jinka for overnight.
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Day 13:   Axum

Breakfast, check-out and transfer to the airport
08:50   Depart on ET122 for Axum
10:40   Arrive in Axum.   Met at the airport and transfer to hotel.
Axum is said to be the last resting place of the Ark of the Covenant.   It is also believed that it was the capital city of the Queen of Sheba in the 10th century BC.   Visit the monolithic stelae for which Axum is well-known for.   
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Day 10:   Blue Nile and Lake Tana  

Omo Valley:
If you only did the Omo Valley section of the tour you will be transferred to the airport to check-in for your return flight
Early check-out and transfer to the airport.
07:10   Depart on ET122 for Bahirdar
08:00   Arrive in Bahirdar and transfer to the hotel for check in and breakfast.
Depart for a visit to the Blue Nile Falls.   In Ethiopia they call these falls " Tisissat" , which means " water that smokes" . The falls drop over a sheer chasm more than 150 feet to the valley below. 
Return to Bahardar for lunch.
Enjoy an afternoon boat trip on Lake Tana.   Admire the beautiful monastery of is Ura Kidane Mehret on one of the islands
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Day 12:   Gondar

Breakfast and then proceed to visit the Castle Compound.   Step back in time and imagine the days of grandeur when strolling through the palaces, ballrooms, spa etc.
Afternoon to explore the markets and town.
Dinner at the hotel.
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Day 16:   Lalibela

Breakfast at the hotel.
Spent the morning visiting the first group of rock-hewn churches.
Lunch at the hotel.
Spent the afternoon visiting the second group of rock-hewn churches.   Today you will take of and put on your shoes at least 11 times.
Dinner at the hotel.
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Day 11:   Gondar

Breakfast and proceed to Gondar the Camelot of Africa.   Still-standing castles and palaces in Gondar hint at the grandeur of days gone by.   During the afternoon visit the Debre Birhan Sellasie church (Light of Trinity).   It has spellbinding ceiling murals.   Also visit the King Fasiladas bath, the focus point of Timkat festivities during January.
Dinner at the hotel.
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Day 14:  Axum

Breakfast and rest of the day to explore Axum.
Visit the Palace of the Queen of Sheba and Church of Saint Mary of Zion.   According to tradition the latter was built when Christianity became the state religion in the 4th century.   Rest of the day to explore the other treasures in Axum.
Dinner at the hotel.
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Day 15:   Lalibela

Breakfast, check-out and transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Lalibela.
10:40   Depart on ET123 for Lalibela
11:00   Arrive in Lalibela
Lalibela is known as the eighth wonder of the world.   Depending on time of arrival visit the Nakutolab Cave church pre or post checking in at the hotel.   The airport is about 30 km from the town that nestles in the high mountains.   
Dinner at the hotel.
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Day 17:   Addis Ababa

Breakfast, check-out and transfer to the airport for your flight to Addis.
12:00   Depart on ET123 for Addis
14:00   Arrive in Addis. Met at the airport and transfer to hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure.
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Day 19:   Return

Breakfast and early transfer to the airport to check-in for return flight.
08:50   Depart on ET809 for Johannesburg
13:15   Arrive in Johannesburg
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Day 18:   Addis Ababa

Breakfast and proceed on a full day city sightseeing tour.   Visit the Entoto Mountains to admire the view of the capital city from there.   Also visit the National Museum, St George church and the Merkato – biggest open-air market in Africa.
Enjoy a traditional dinner with folkloristic dances.
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Rates

Rates available on request.

Included

  • Vehicles: Toyota Land Cruisers 4WD for Omo Valley visit, capacity up to 5 people including driver. Minibus or bus for Historical Route and Addis Ababa 
  • 3 star hotel in Addis Ababa on BB (bed and breakfast) 
  • 2 star hotels out of Addis Ababa in FB (full board) in double room occupancy 
  • 3 meals daily, including non-alcoholic drinks, out of Addis Ababa 
  • One traditional dinner in Addis Ababa with folkloristic dances 
  • Entrance fees in parks, churches, museum, monasteries 
  • English speaking guide for duration of tour 
  • Cook where necessary 
  • Boat on Lake Tana for half day and Lake Chamo for 1-2 hrs 
  • Domestic flights including embarkation fees and taxes 
  • Government taxes 

Excluded

  • Drinks and meals in Addis Ababa 
  • Alcoholic drinks, incidental meals, snack and drinks 
  • Visa and airport taxes 
  • Gratuities, tips and porter fees 
  • Things of a personal nature 
  • Fees for dances, ceremonies 
  • Photo and video filming fees 
  • Laundry services 
  • Excess baggage charges 
  • Medical, baggage and travel insurance 

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