Omo Valley Explorer

Visit the remote tribes of Ethiopia’s deep south, with distinct cultures and fascinating traditions that have long since died out elsewhere.

Price:	$ 2,999 per person
Type:	Tour
Duration:	11 days
Country:	Ethiopia
Persons:	minimum (2)  maximum (12)
Accommodation:	Mixed
Game Parks:	Mago NP (Ethiopia)
Activities:	Cultural Tours, 4x4 Driving, Lake Cruise

 Itinerary

Ethiopia’s Omo Valley is one of the most culturally diverse regions in all of Africa, a land where tribal traditions still take precedent over anything else and where modernity is still kept largely at bay. On this trip we head into the villages of the various tribes that make up this kaleidoscope of ethnicity, including the Mursi, Karo, Hamer and Konso, learning about their complex customs and experiencing a way of life very far removed from the rest of Ethiopia. Where possible we try to visit local markets, one of the best ways to experience life in the Omo Valley. This is a cultural discovery that can rarely be equalled, visiting some of the most remote people in the world, and to spend time among them is an amazing privilege.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive Addis Ababa
Arrive in Addis Ababa and transfer to hotel. This afternoon visit some of the capital’s key sights including the Entoto Mountains, with great views over the city, the National Museum, St George’s Cathedral and the Merkato, reputedly the biggest open air market in Africa. Overnight Ghion Hotel or similar.

Day 2 – Drive to Rift Valley Lakes
Drive to the Rift Valley lakes of Shala, Abyata and Langano, admiring wonderful views and many birds, including pelicans, flamingoes and more. Then relax at the Sabanna Beach Resort, secluded in a natural paradise on the shore of Lake Langano and near to Munessa Forest. Possibility of trekking, bird-watching, horse-riding, boat excursions, cycling and more. Overnight Sabanna Beach Resort or similar. (BLD)

Day 3 – Villages of the Rift Valley
Continue our journey south meeting the Wolayta people as we go, passing through little visited villages and admiring spectacular green hills, to Arba Minch. Overnight Paradise Lodge or similar. (BLD)

Day 4 – Visit Chencha
Morning drive to Chencha, to see the Dorze people, with their unique culture, houses and traditions. In the afternoon we take a boat trip to view the crocodiles on Lake Chamo. Overnight Paradise Lodge or similar. (BLD)

Day 5 – Tsemay Market and Jinka]
Continue to Jinka, admiring the Derase, Tsemay, Ari and Benna people. Stop at the village market of Tsemay and meet the Arbore people. Overnight Jinka Resort or similar. (BLD)

Day 6 – Mago National Park]
Travel to Mago National park and visit the Mursi people, renowned for their practice of extending their lips with plates. Overnight Jinka Resort or similar. (BLD)

Day 7 – Jinka to Turmi]
Drive to Turmi, through the lands of the very colourful Hamer, Karo and Dassanech people, with a stop at Dimeka village, where there is an interesting market. Overnight Evangadi Lodge (Bungalows or camping depending upon availability). (BLD)

Day 8 – Karo People]
Continue on our journey and visit the Karo people, known for their body decoration and scarification. We then visit the villages of the Hamer people. Overnight Evangadi Lodge (Bungalows or camping depending upon availability). (BLD)

Day 9 – Turmi to Arba Minch]
Drive to Arba Minch, visiting the villages of the Erbore and Konso people. Overnight Paradise Lodge or similar. (BLD)

Day 10 – Arba Minch to Addis Ababa]
Morning drive back to Addis Ababa. There is free time for any last minute souvenir shopping, before the evening meal with traditional dancers. Overnight Ghion Hotel or similar. (BLD)

Day 11 – Addis Ababa]
This morning you will be transferred to the airport, for your flight home. (B)

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Price Includes
All accommodation based on twin/double share
All transport (4WD vehicles throughout) and transfers
Meals as listed above
Park entrance fees
An English speaking guide

Price does not include
International flights
Travel insurance
Drinks
Visa
Single Supplement

Departure Dates
20 March 2010, 16 October 2010, 30 April 2011, 15 October 2011  

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Omo Valley Bahir Dar Gonadr Axum & Christmas

Travel to the North Great Historic Route Ethiopia and South Rift/ Omo Valley with a visit of the religious celebration of Ethiopian Christmas in Lalibela.

Price:	USD $3,500 per person
Type:	Tour
Duration:	14 days
Customise:	This Tour can be customised
Country:	Ethiopia
Supplement:	Plus USD $380 for a single person booking
Persons:	minimum (2)  maximum (7)
Accommodation:	Hotel
Activities:	Cultural Tours, Historical Tours

 Itinerary

TRIP DATE: 29th December 2012 - 11 January 2013

Guaranteed Departure with 2 participants minimum

Overview
This trip begins with a rendezvous at the airport in Addis Ababa on Day 1. Please arrange your flight schedule so you will arrive on the correct day. But on your special request we can arrange other transfer for those arriving earlier.

The Omo Valley in Southern Ethiopia is a little visited area of Ethiopia containing some of the most colorful tribes and ethnic groups. The fascinating costumes, colorful ceremonies and celebrations, arts, crafts, music and dance of the Benna, the Hamer, the Mursi and Arbore people are very special.
In the Omo Valley region many of the tribal groups have changed little over hundreds of years and they offer the visitor extraordinary insight into a variety of traditional cultures. On this trip, you get truly off the beaten track, exploring little visited villages and vibrant tribal markets of the southern Ethiopia. The trip also includes a visit to the historically important towns of Lalibela, Axum, Gondar, and Bahir Dar. In Lalibela, you will also attend the colorful religious celebration of Ethiopian Christmas Festival.

Day 1: 29 December : Arrive in Addis Ababa, city tour of Addis Ababa
On arrival in Addis Ababa our representatives will meet you at Bole International Airport and transfers to Ambassador Hotel. An overview of the program and itineraries will be given. The rest of the day visit historical sites in Addis Ababa including the National Archaeological Museum, where we will view the 3.6 million year old remains of “Lucy”, whose skeletal remains when discovered in 1974. You will also visit the Ethnological Museum at Addis Ababa University, Holy Trinity Cathedrals and Mount Entoto which rises up to an altitude of 3200 meters and offers the panoramic view of the metropolis. Overnight Ambassador Hotel

Day 2: 30 December: Drive Arba Minch
Drive south of Addis Ababa, to Arba Minch via Hosahena. This drive is through the Gurage farmlands, with views of the lush green hills and valleys. You arrive late in the afternoon at Arba Minch - meaning 'Forty Springs' in Amharic. Arba Minch takes its name from the bubbling streams that cover the groundwater forest occupying the flats of the town. Overnight Bekele Molla hotel that is situated on the hilltop having panoramic view over Lake Chamo, Abaya and Nech Sar National Park situated in between the two rift valley lakes

Day 3: 31 December: Drive Jinka
If the day is Thursday, Key Afer Market can be visited en route. After break fast drive to Konso where colorfully costumed dress, impressive terracing of the Land and unusually engraved wooden statues used as grave markers can be seen. Further along the route visit the Woito people live in the area around Woito River and Tsemay village. Continue driving to Jinka for overnight in Jinka Resort Hotel.

Day 4: 1 January: Drive Jinka- Mursi- Jinka
After breakfast leave Jinka and drive to Mursi village to visit and appreciate the very attractive culture of Mursi tribe. They are renowned for the strange custom followed by their women who, on reaching maturity, have their lower lips slit and circular clay discs inserted. Proceed to Mago National Park. After a picnic lunch in the late afternoon drive back to Jinka. Overnight Jinka Resort Hotel

Day 5: 2 January: Drive Jinka – Turmi
After breakfast drive to Turmi through Dimeka for the visit of Hamer people and their village. Turmi is a small town, which is the base to visit the Hamer village. Hamers have remarkable hairstyles made from ochre, water, and binding resin. They rub the mixture into their hair then twist the strands repeatedly to create coppery-coloured locks. This is a sign of wealth and welfare. Hamers are considered to be masters of body decoration. Overnight camping at Turmi campsite.

Day 6: 3 January: Drive to Arba Minch
Drive back to Arba Minch: on the way visit the Cushitic speaking Arbore people and their villages. The Abore people adorn themselves with beads and aluminum jewelry. Overnight Bekele Molla hotel

Day 7: 4 January: Drive to Lake Langano
we drive to Lake Langano and to Bekele Molla Hotel. The soft brown waters of Langano are set against the blue backdrop of the Arsi Mountains which soar to 4000m. Over 150 species of birds have been recorded here. Overnight at Lake Langano at Bekele Molla Hotel.

Day 8: 5 January: Drive to Addis Ababa:
Early morning drive back to Addis Ababa. Visit en route the Ethiopian Rift-valley Lakes with their various colorful water birds. Then after proceed to Addis Ababa Overnight Ambassador Hotel.

Day 9: 6 January: Fly Lalibela
Morning: Be transferred to the airport for flight to Lalibela. Up on arrival in Lalibela, transfer to the Hotel Mountain View. Lalibela is the second Jerusalem created by King Lalibela in the 12th century.
Afternoon: we visit the first group of six churches lie in rock cradles one behind the other: Bet Golgotha, Bet Mika'el, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel and Bet Medhane Alem. Bet Medhane Alem, the largest one, is built like a Greek Temple and its stone floor is so polished by the countless numbers of visitors that it reflects shafts of light from apertures in the walls high above. In a corner are three empty graves symbolically dug for biblical patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Overnight Mount View Hotel.

Day 10: 7 January: In Lalibela Whole day attend Ethiopian Christmas Festival in Lalibela
Attend Ethiopian Christmas Festival and visit of rock churches in Lalibela. The procession starts early morning around dawn. In the afternoon, visit of the remaining churches in Lalibela. Overnight Mount View Hotel.

Day 11: 8 January: Fly Axum:
After breakfast fly to Axum. The ancient city of Aksum is found close to Ethiopia's northern border. It marks the location of the heart of ancient Ethiopia, when the Kingdom of Aksum was the most powerful state between the Eastern Roman Empire and Persia.After check in to Remehay hotel, sightseeing tour of Axum that includes: St. Mary church where the original Arc of the covenant housed in, Archeological Museum, Stelaes, tombs, and palace. Overnight Remehay Hotel

Day 12: 9 January: Fly Gondar Tour of Gondar
Morning: After breakfast, we will be transferred to the airport for flight to Gondar. Gondar is a town founded in 1636 by the great Emperor Fassiladas, set in a landscape of incomparable beauty. It was the Royal Capital of Ethiopia. Visit the Castles and Churches built by Emperor Fassiladas and his descendants. Later proceed to the fascinating Debre Birhan Selassie Church (termed by United Nation’s Education Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as one of the World’s heritage sights), its walls and ceilings decorated with scenes of Biblical lore and medieval history. The next stop will be at the Falasha Village where we visit the remaining Ethiopian Jews, those who choose not to be airlifted to Israel in the operation Moses. Overnight Goha Hotel

Day 13: 10 January: Drive to Bahir Dar afternoon Boat trip
After breakfast drive from Gondar to Bahir Dar. We experience typically in an Ethiopian landscape as we drive from Gondar to Bahir Dar - 180 kms over wide grazing land, hilly mountains with numerous farmlands. We check in to Tana Hotel where we are going to stay for two overnights. Bahir Dar is a small town on the southern shore of Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile and the largest lake in Ethiopia. On the Lake are thirty-seven Islands; thirty of them have Churches and Monasteries of considerable historical and cultural interest. Overnight Tana Hotel

Day 14: 11 January: Morning Visit Blue Nile Afternoon Fly to Addis Ababa
Morning: After breakfast visit the impressive Blue Nile Falls, locally known as Tis Isat or 'Smoke of Fire’. Drive to the small town of Tiss Abay here you take-off the vehicle and walk the uphill for about 20-30 minutes to reach the best view point of the falls. NB. Since recently the water is diverted for hydroelectric power the fall is not as magnificent as the pictures you saw.
Afternoon: you will check in to the Airport for your flight to Addis Ababa. In the Evening a fare well diner party in one of the Traditional Ethiopian restaurant with dances from the different ethnic Groups. Then after transfer out to the airport for departure back to home.

PRICE
Price per person = US $ 3,500
The Single room supplement is US $ 380

The above price doesn’t include the cost of the domestic flight for the Sector
- Addis Ababa - Lalibela
- Lalibela - Axum
- Axum - Gondar
- Bahir Dar - Addis Ababa

The current cost for this domestic flight is US $ 350 per person. (Subject to change)

Price Includes:
• Meet and greet at airport
• All accommodation based on Twin room occupancy
• Meals in Addis, on bed & breakfast basis
• Meals out of Addis, on full board basis
• All entrance fees at sites, churches and villages.
• All transfers and visits according to the itinerary.
• All Ground transportation including insurance, fuel and all costs of the driver.
• Guide Service
• Local Guide and scout fees
• Boat trip on Lake Tana to visit a monastery
• Farewell dinner in Addis to enjoy traditional Ethiopian food & Music; transfer & guide
• A traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony at a convenient time in the program
• Government taxes

Price Does Not Include
• International flights
• Domestic Flights
• Lunch and Dinner in Addis Ababa
• Any drinks both local non-alcoholic beverage or Alcoholic drinks
• Video filming and photography fees
• Incidental meals, snacks and drinks
• Tips and items of personal nature like laundry, souvenirs, etc
• All what is not included in the list above  

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Popular Destinations

• Lalibela

• Axum

• Omo

• Simien Mountains

• Bale Mountains

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Omo National Park

Located in the south-west on the west bank of Omo River, 870km south-west of Addis Ababa, covering an area of approx 4,068 sq km
 
Wildlife found in this park include, buffalo, elephant, giraffe, cheetah, lion, leopard, zebra, kudu, hartebeest, oryx, Anubis baboon and many other animals. Over 306 species of birds can be seen.
This is also a wonderful area for visiting local peoples and experiencing their cultures.
 
The park is not easily accessible. The park HQ is 75km from Kibish settlement. However, a new airstrip is available close to the HQ and to a pleasant campsite on the Mui River.

 

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Mago National Park

It lies on the eastern sides of a small branch of the eastern Rift Valley (Omo depression), in the South Omo Zone and located about 530 and 800 km southwest of Hawassa and Addis Ababa, respectively.

The Park is fortunate in possessing numerous rivers and streams, which are by far reasons for the rich wildlife resources of the area. Mago River rises from the northeast highlands of the area and cross the park (north to south) and feeds the Omo River (there are also different perennial rivers like Neri River and other streams, which are tributaries for Mago River in the park. Omo, Mago, and Neri rivers are typical features for the Mago National Park.

the Park supports a typical bush savanna fauna with 81 larger mammals & 237 species of bird. Among mammals: African elephant, buffalo, lesser-kudu, greater-kudu, duiker, warthog, tiang, lewel’s hartebeests, Oryx, grant’s gazelle, gerenuk, giraffe, cheetah, wild dog, lions, leopards, gureza, common baboon and verevt monkey are common & conspicuous.

Access

The Park is 800km and 500 km from to the south of Addis Ababa and Hawassa, respectively. The road from Jinka town to the park covers a distance of 34km all weather gravel road. The park has about 200km internal roads, which lead to the different attractions sites of the park.

Scenic Value
many national & foreign tourists in the Mago National Park commonly visit the following attractions. These includes the Hot Springs, Forest and savanna habitats, the topography (Murssi mountains and the different view points (Vantages over looking the park whole view) along the high way of Jinka-Murssi.

Surrounding Community

MNP area is also very well-known for its rich cultural diversity, where many elements of the earliest nomadic lifestyles are still continued. Hammer, Benna, Mursi, Ngagatom, Ari, Karo, Body, Kwegu are communities very well known for their traditional culture, lifestyles, colorful body decoration, ceremonies, festivals, rituals, and other living expressions.

Key Species
Buffalo,Elephant,lesser kudu

Address
Mago National Park
Mobile : +251-916-856-427 (Park Warden)
JInka

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