ETHIOPIA: omo valleY & RIFT VALLEY
Ethiopia fascinates us, a heady mixture of ancient and modern cultures and sights. Many of the ancient sites have been continuously occupied since their construction lending a timelessness to the country. The Rift Valley with its beautiful lakes and the Omo Valley, home to tribal people who still live traditional lives are like a page out of National Geographic Magazine from a century ago. Our journey culminates with the visit the spectacular Lake Wenchi, in an volcanic crater. Long called on of the most beautiful and unique places in Ethiopia, a newly opened luxury resort makes the logistics of a visit much easier (and much more comfortable). There is so much in Ethiopia to make you say "wow." And while Ethiopia does not have the vast numbers of animals seen in some parts of Africa, it more than makes up for this with its varied and dramatic landscape, some of the most impressive and unusual seen anywhere in Africa. We travel in comfortable vehicles, take domestic flights and spend the nights in some of the best lodges and hotels Ethiopia has to offer.
DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1: THURSDAY, Oct 15
Arrival
Arrive Addis Ababa, where you will be met by guide and driver and taken to hotel for check in and the chance to rest. Depending upon arrival time, you can either have day to rest or sightseeing with guide. Overnight at Best Western Plus Hotel.
​
(Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 2: FRIDAY, Oct 16
Addis Ababa to Awassa
Morning departure to airport for the one hour flight to Awassa, a pretty town on the shore of Lake Awassa. Afternoon boat tide on the lake where we likely see hippopotami and many interesting water birds. Return to hotel for dinner.
Overnight at Haile Resort Awassa,
​
​​
(B,L,D)
​
DAY 3: SATURDAY, Oct 17
Awassa
This morning we visit the local fish market, where you can observe fishermen who catch a vast array of fish from the lake. The market is both interesting and colorful, making for great photo opportunities. Large marabou storks, prehistoric looking 4 foot birds patrol the market, looking for fish scraps to eat. Nearby is a forest reserve with many black and white colobus monkeys, an increasingly rare species of beautiful monkey easily observed here, making them great photography subjects. Lunch at local restaurant, then we explore the market in Awassa with local guide. Mid-afternoon return to hotel.
Overnight at Haile Resort-Awassa.
​
(B,L,D)
​
​
​
​
DAY 4: SUNDAY, Oct 18
Awassa to Arba Minch
Today's drives takes us into the Omo Valley. While we end up in the lively small city of Arba Minch, we are in what is considered one of the most remote (and beautiful) parts of Ethiopia. By late afternoon we arrive at our lakeside resort where you can admire the sunset over Lake Abaya and Lake Chamo from the hotel gardens.
Overnight at Haile Resort, Arba Minch.
(B,L,D)
​
​
DAY 5: MONDAY, Oct 19
Exploration of Arba Minch
A morning boat excursion to Lake Chamo provides the opportunity to see crocodiles, hippos, interesting bird life and spectacular scenery as both sides of the Rift Valley walls rise up above the glassy water of the lake. Return to hotel for lunch to relax, and late afternoon we visit the Dorze tribal village; the Dorze people are famed for their tall beehive shaped homes, built of bamboo and false banana leaves. Dorze men are excellent weavers and make beautiful items on the many looms seen in the village. Our visit to this village will be coordinated by local Dorze villagers who curate this unique welcome experience as they share food, tradition, entertainment and allow us to purchase some of their beautiful textiles.
Overnight at Haile Resort-Arba Minch.
​
(B,L,D)
​
​
DAY 6: TUESDAY, Oct 20
Arba Minch to Turmi
Today's drive to Turmi takes 7 hours, along the way we pass through interesting scenery, that varies from near desert to green forest. we will stop several times for photo opportunities and also for lunch at a restaurant that receives high praise for its food and attractive setting. Late afternoon stop to visit our first Omo tribe, the Arbore tribe. The Arbore are pastoralists or agro-pastoralists as they practice small scale farming. The women are known for their elaborate use of beaded jewelry, colorful necklaces and head pieces, and often paint or scarify their bodies as well. Arbore are animist with strong ritual practices connected to nature, livestock and ancestors. Our visit is usually curated by Gino, an Arbore member now studying agronomy at university so as to be of assistance to his community. Late afternoon arrival in the small town of Turmi with its delightful end of the road appeal. Possible walk in nearby dry river bed if time permits.
Overnight in Buska Lodge.
(B,L,D)
​
​
​
DAY 7: WEDNESDAY, Oct 21
Turmi and Hamer tribe visit
Many people like Turmi, it's the biggest settlement in this remote part of Ethiopia. The local ethnic group are the Hamer tribe and women walk the streets in traditional goatskin dresses, laden with beads and thick neck bracelets indicate married women. Most decorate their hair with a mixture or red clay and butter, producing thick braids. Men are especially stylish in their own way, with mud hair sculptures adorned with ostrich feathers. As so few outsiders come here, the welcome is friendly and warm, as we often sit in same cafe, us sipping soft drinks, locals passing around a gourd filled with alcohol, all without a common language but much hilarity and good cheer. This is largely due to the friends we have made in the Hamer tribe over the years. We will visit a Hamer village in the morning and if there is a bull jumping ceremony, a coming of age ritual commonly held at this time of year we will later attend this, otherwise take more hikes across the savanna with its interesting plants, many attractive bird and communities of monkeys.
Overnight at Buska Lodge
​
(B,L,D)
​
​
DAY 8: THURSDAY, Oct 22
Visit to Karo and Dassanech tribes
Early morning departure to drive one hour to a Karo tribe village. One of the one of the smallest tribes, and also one of the most striking. Men paint their bodies with a mixture of mud and ash (and you too can have your face painted), the artistry is very interesting and the patterns men come up with daily are akin to you deciding what to wear each morning. It's fashion and style that comes from their own creative thoughts. Women paint their faces, wear lots of beaded jewelry and sometimes decorate their hair with flowers and leaves. The village has an idyllic setting above a bend of the Omo River, which permits cultivation of crops from the year round water supply, although crocodiles lurk in the river (often visible to us) making bathing and fishing, 2 important endeavors risky.
Later we drive an hour south to a small settlement near the Kenya border to visit the Dassanech tribe. Very different from the Karo, they only recently became sedentary and their homes have the look of structures that can be easily dismantled and moved, in contrast the the homes of the Karo which are more permanent in appearance.
Dassanech usually provide a dance show for us, with women leaping high in their air as they sing and cry out with their mysterious sounding language.
Mid afternoon return to Turmi for late lunch and then time to relax, or take sunset walk in the nearby countryside.
Overnight at Buska Lodge
(B,L,D)
​
​
DAY 9: FRIDAY, Oct 23
Turmi to Jinka
Mid morning departure for the 2.5-hour drive to Jinka, another remote town in the Omo Valley. Jinka is home a small but well curated ethnographic museum which provides good information on the various groups that call the Omo Valley home. We'll enjoy meals at the restaurant, Besha Gojo with its great food and vibe and likely be joined by some of our local friends.
Overnight at Eco Omo Lodge
(B,L,D)
​
​​
​
​
DAY 10: SATURDAY, Oct 24
Jinka and surrounding areas
Nearby Jinka is the lushly forested Mago National Park, home to buffalo, giraffe, lion and elephant. We drive through the park (where if lucky we might see some of these animals) to visit a Mursi tribe village. The Mursi are the most distinctive of all the Omo tribes, as the women wear large clay or wood lip plates in their lower lips, a process that begins at puberty by cutting the lower lip and inserting a small disk, progressive cuts enlarge the lip so that it can eventually accommodate a plate with a diameter of 5 inches. Men and women often scarify their bodies, and men often forgo clothes and simply paint their entire bodies. You will feel welcomed as we have made many visits to these Mursi villages and our visits always have the feel of long time friends meeting.
Return to Jinka for lunch and then have walk through Aari village close to Jinka, the Aari are the dominate tribe in and around Jinka and this excursion will introduce you to many people and local customs.
Overnight at Eco-Omo Lodge
(B,L,D)
​
​
​
DAY 11: SUNDAY, Oct 25
Jinka to Addis Ababa
Late morning 1.5-hour flight to Addis Ababa. Check into hotel and then rest of day to relax.
Overnight at Best Western Plus Hotel.
​
​
(B,L,D)
​
​
DAY 12: MONDAY, Oct 26
Addis Ababa to Wenchi
A 3.5-hour drive west from Addis Ababa brings us to Wenchi Crater Lake, located inside the crater of an extinct volcano. The clear blue lake is surrounded by lush forests, waterfalls and stunning valleys. It has been named one of the significant tourist villages of the world, for its beauty and commitment to eco-tourism. A newly opened luxury hotel makes for a comfortable stay and we have great views from hotel and interesting hikes to make in the surrounding areas.
Overnight at Wanchi Ija Eco Lodge.
(B,L,D)
​
​
​
DAY 13: TUESDAY, Oct 27
Lake Wanchi Exploration
We have the full day to visit some local communities and also take advantage of the pleasant temperatures and beautiful scenery to enjoy gentle hikes in the region. A 13th century monastery sits on a small island and a visit by boat allows us to enjoy the serene spiritual atmosphere.
Overnight at Wanchi Ija Eco Lodge.
(B,L,D)
​
​
DAY 14: WEDNESDAY, Oct 28
Wanchi to Addis Ababa
Relaxed morning at hotel before we depart for the 3.5-hour drive back to Addis Ababa. Once arrived in Addis you can choose to relax or explore with guides.
Overnight at Best Western Plus Hotel.
​
(B,L, D)
​
​
​
DAY 15: THURSDAY, Oct 29
Addis Ababa Exploration
Your choice today, relax at hotel, or come with guides to see National Museum, some of the interesting churches and local artisans who make some interesting and beautiful handicrafts. Farewell dinner this evening. For those with late night flights, (many long haul flights depart at midnight or hour or 2 later) we'll take you to airport in time for flight. For those spending the night, we return to hotel.
Overnight at Best Western Plus Hotel,
​
(B,L,D)
​
DAY 16: FRIDAY, Oct 30
Departure
Time to relax until transfer to airport and onward flight. Day room available at additional cost for those with evening flights.
(B)
​
PRICES & REGISTRATION INFORMATION
(Inclusive of food, non-alcoholic beverages, accommodations, airport transfers, ground transportation, entrance fees, photographic fees, village fees, services of licensed Ethiopian guide and driver, services of USA based trip leader, and airport taxes.)
$6500 USD (Based on double occupancy)
$7700 USD (Based on single occupancy)
NOTE: International airfare, gratuities, alcoholic beverages, laundry, souvenirs, items of a personal nature, travel insurance and Ethiopian visa are NOT included.
GENERAL INFORMATION
INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE
Participants are responsible for their own air transportation to Addis Ababa airport where the journey begins. Many airlines serve this airport, from North America, Europe and Asia, including ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES, a highly regarded carrier with high marks for both safety and service. Ethiopian Airlines is a member of the Star Alliance. The 2 internal flights on this journey are also with Ethiopian Airlines and are included in the cost of the journey IF YOU TRAVEL to Ethiopia with Ethiopian Airlines (if not there is a surcharge of $260).
​
Ethiopian visa is easily obtainable online for cost of $82.
​
For participants arriving before start of trip, or staying after final day we can arrange rooms in Best Western Plus Hotel. Cost is $135 for double occupancy, tax and breakfast included, and $100 for single occupancy, tax and breakfast included.