OMo Valley Tour
Omo Valley Tour – 13 Days
The Omo Valley and Southern Ethiopia have some of the oldest most intriguing tribes to be seen in Ethiopia and some of the most beautiful landscapes. With 8 days you will be able to see all of it.
Itinerary
Arrival at Addis Ababa
On your arrival at Addis Ababa bole international airport you will be welcomed by your tour guide from Treke Ethiopia Tours. Then you will be transferred to your hotel. After a rest and refresh at the hotel, in the afternoon your guide will take you around the highlights of Addis. Founded in 1887 by Emperor Menelik II and Queen Taitu, Addis Ababa is the third highest capital of the world at an altitude of 2300-2500 m. with a pleasant climate. The tour starts with a visit to the National Museum to view a replica of the famous, 3.2 million-year-old fossilized hominid remains known to the rest of the world as “Lucy”. The visit also includes Ethnological Museum at Addis Ababa University, the Holy trinity cathedral and you will enjoy a panoramic view of the capital with fresh air on top of Mount Entoto and end the tour with the bustling Merkato, Africa’s largest open-air market. Overnight- Hotel in Addis Ababa.
Addis Ababa → Awash Park
Drive to Awash National Park. Awash Park is the oldest and home to 392 species of birds and many mammals including Oryx, gazelles and antelopes. The River Awash runs through a spectacular gorge and it creates a beautiful fall. Visit the Awash Fall and Take an evening game drive in Awash National Park and visit an area frequented by hyenas. Overnight- Hotel or Lodge in Awash
Awash Park → Langano
Drive to Langano, one of the Rift Valley Lakes for relaxation at the shore of the lake. Lake Langano is Bilharzia free and safe for swimming and has fantastic birdlife. On the way you visit another rift valley lake, Ziway. vernight- Lodge around Lake Langano.
Langano → Bale Mountains Park
After breakfast visit Abijatta shalla park and drive to bale mountains via the town of shashemene, a town where dreadlocked Rasta settlers, many born in the Caribbean, have now made their home. The Rastas declare the last king of Ethiopia to be the Messiah, or “Jah”. Selassie pre-coronation name, Ras Tafari Makonnen, was adopted to name their movement. You will proceed driving and arrive at Dinsho, the head quarter of the bale mountains national park. you will have time to make a short hike along the woodland part of the national park where you will have a chance to spot endemic Mountain Nyala, Menelik Bushbuck, Bohor Reedbuck and bird species. Overnight – Hotel in Goba.
Goba → Sanetti Plateau → Harenna Forest→Goba
Today early in the morning head to the Sanetti plateau; as sun rises the most endangered canid in the world –the Ethiopian wolf begins hunting. The Sanetti plateau is the best place in Ethiopia too see this elegant animal and it the winding road in Africa. The plateau is crawling with rodents, the largest being the Giant Mole rat found only in Bale Mountains. Look on the sky for soaring birds of prey such as Golden Eagle, Tawny Eagle and Verreaux Eagle as well as the Bearded Vulture (Lammergeyer), Lanner falcon and Augur buzzard. With the car you will drive to Tullu Dimtu or” Red Mountain” just 4km from off the main road. This is the second highest point in Ethiopia at 4377metres above sea level. As you reach the end of the plateau, you enter Harenna escarpment plunging more than 2000metre towards a vast tropical rain forest in just 8km and drive in the forest to see primate species such as endemic Bale monkey, Colobus monkey and so much more. Late in the afternoon drive back to Goba. Overnight- Hotel in Goba.
Goba→ Awassa
After an early morning breakfast you will drive to Awassa. Awassa is the capital of Sothern Nation Nationalities and peoples region and located 276km from the capital. The city is famous for its beautiful lake. You can have a walk around the lake to see different birds like Heron, Storks, Cormorants, King fisher and Goose. Overnight- Hotel in Awassa.
Awassa → Arbaminch
In the morning visit the fish market on the shores of Lake Awassa which is famous for tilapia and cat fish, Amora Gedel Park to see monkeys and birds. And then proceed to Dorze, set in the highlands above Arba Minch. The Dorze people are known for their tall beehive-like houses and their fine cotton weaving. You will visit the village and learn about the daily lives of these industrious people. If today is market day (in Dorze village on Monday and Thursday and in nearby Chencha on Tuesday and Saturday), that will be visited. vernight- Hotel or Lodge in Arbaminch.
Arbaminch → Turmi
In the morning, depart for a boat trip on Lake Chamo to visit the “crocodile market”, and the local hippos. Afterwards, depart from Arbaminch to Turmi. Pass through the village of Weyto (market day is Saturday), which is home to the Tsemai tribe. Continue through the Weyto Valley to Erbore, where you will have a brief visit to a local Erbore village (market day is Saturday). Finally, proceed to Turmi, home of the Hamer tribe. vernight – Lodge or Camping at Turmi.
Turmi
In the morning, take a day trip to Omorate to visit the Dassench tribe who are living on the other side of the Omo River. Here you will cross the Omo River with a local boat and enter a Dassench village. Afterwards, return to Turmi for a visit to a local Hamer village. If there is jumping of the Bulls traditional Hamer coming-of-age ceremony that will be visited. Overnight – Lodge or Camping at Turmi.
Turmi → Jinka
Depart for Jinka, via Dimeka and Key Afar. If today is Tuesday or Saturday you visit the market in Dimeka, which is one of the most colorful markets in the area and is visited by many tribes, including Hamer, Benna and Karo. And also if today is Thursday you will have a chance to see another colorful market in Key Afer, where you will see the Benna and Tsemai tribes trading goods. Afterwards, continue to Jinka. Overnight- Lodge or Hotel in Jinka.
Jinka → Mursi →Jinka
In the morning, drive through the Mago National Park to a local village of the Mursi tribe. The Mursi are known for their lower lip and earlobe plates. In the afternoon, after returning to Jinka, you visit the South Omo Museum & Research Center to learn more about the local tribes and Ari tribe village. Overnight- Lodge or Hotel in Jinka.
Jinka → Konso→ Arbaminch
After breakfast depart from Jinka to Arba Minch. On the way you will stop to visit the Konso people. The Konso people are known for their wooden statues, known as wakas, which are erected in honor of dead heroes as well as their innovative agricultural terracing. If today is Thursday you see the Key Afar market, where you will see the Benna and Tsemai tribes trading goods. This is another very popular market in the region. After the visit, proceed driving to Arba Minch. Overnight- Hotel or Lodge in Arbaminch.
Arbaminch → Addis Ababa
Early in the morning after breakfast drive to Addis Ababa from Arba Minch. On the way you visit UNESCO registered the 600 – 800 years old Tiya stelae field and the interesting Melka-Kunture archeological site where thousands of Stone Age tools are found and they are displayed in a small but interesting museum.
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