Discovering Ethiopia

Drive to the Rift Valley lakes of Zway and continue to Lake Langano for beautiful views and many birds, also spotting colobus monkeys and hippos. Continue to the Rift Valley lake of Awasa. Lunch along the way; dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Awasa.

Early in the morning (at 06:00), visit to the fish market in Awasa. Then, after breakfast, drive to the Chencha mountain (3-4 hours of travel) to visit the Dorze people, with their unique culture, houses, and traditions. The Dorze are known for their elephant trunk-shaped houses, the cultivation of the false banana (from whose root they extract their traditional bread called Kotcho), weaving, sorghum farming, and more. Picnic lunch along the way; dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Arbaminch.

In the morning, we'll drive to Konso and explore a village of the Konso people, renowned for being the first in Africa to initiate terrace farming. We'll delve into their culture and lifestyle. It's a UNESCO heritage site! You'll also enjoy a spectacular view of the hills. In the afternoon, we'll proceed to Turmi, home to the vibrant Hamer people. We'll have lunch in Konso; dinner and overnight stay will be at the Emerald Lodge.

In the morning, we'll guide you on a visit to the Karo people. The Karo (or Kara), with a population of 1,000 to 2,000, are the smallest ethnic tribe in Ethiopia. They're renowned for their attention to appearance, with extraordinary body and face painting rituals. They use colored ochre, white chalk, yellow mineral rock, and other natural resources for their art. You'll also enjoy a spectacular view of the Omo River from the Kortcho village. In the afternoon, unwind and take walks to visit the Hamer people and their villages. Lunch and dinner will be at the Emerald Lodge in Turmi.

In the morning, a walk with the Hamer people to the colorful weekly market of Turmi. This is the Monday market for the Hamer, Dassanech, Karo, and Tsemay. Enjoy this lively market, meet different people, and see how they trade. In the afternoon, a visit to the Hamer villages to understand their way of life and culture. With a bit of luck, we'll try to participate in ceremonies such as the bull jumping and the Evangadi dances. The Hamer are known for their unique custom of "bull jumping," which marks a boy's transition to adulthood. First, the female relatives dance and invite whipping by men who have recently been initiated; this shows their support for the initiate, and their scars give them the right to ask for his help in times of need. The boy must leap back and forth twice over the backs of a row of bulls or castrated oxen, and is ridiculed if he fails. Lunch and dinner at the Emerald Lodge in Turmi.

In the morning, drive to visit the Dassanech people on the banks of the Omo River (you will cross the river in small boats). In the afternoon, return to Turmi. Packed lunch; dinner and overnight stay at the Emerald Lodge in Turmi.

Very early in the morning, drive towards the city of Jinka (about a 2-hour journey); then enter the Mago National Park, cross it to proceed to visit the Mursi people and their villages. Here, for beauty, women usually insert round plates into their lips and men have various scars all over their bodies. Their villages and their way of life are very unique. Packed lunch; dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Jinka.

Return flight to Addis Ababa. Take a short tour of the capital: visit the ethnographic museum and enjoy the view from Mount Entoto. Dinner at a traditional restaurant with folk dances. Then, transfer to the airport for departure.