THE OMO VALLEY
A cultural tour of Ethiopia

Unique to Africa, the Omo Valley is a small place that is being inhabited by many different people and tribes – each unique with their own culture, rituals, dressing and way of life. This is a journey into culture where we meet the local folks, see their agro-pastoral way of life and appreciate their beliefs and traditions. This 15-day journey is for lovers of culture, people and history. In Ethiopia there is an abundance of all this and a lot more.

Day 01: Arrive Addis Ababa
Arrival to Addis Ababa, once clearing through Customs & Immigration, you will be met at the exit gate for a transfer to your hotel. We meet this evening for dinner and orientation. Addis Ababa, the name of the city, in Amharic, means "new flower". Founded in 1886 by Menelik II, it is located at 2,500 m (8202 ft) above sea level in one of the highest parts of the Entoto Mountain chain (3,000 m/9842 ft above sea level). Addis Ababa is a pleasant city with wide avenues of jacaranda trees, interesting museums and one of the largest open-air markets in Africa, known as the "Mercato". Check in time starts from 1400 hrs.
Overnight: Ghion Hotel, Addis Ababa (1 night) (D)

Day 02: Addis Ababa / Hosanna (Drive)
An early morning departure takes us south of Addis Ababa towards the Rift Valley. Our first stop is at Melka Kunture, one of the most important Paleolithic sites in Ethiopia. Along the Awash River where Melka Kunture is located, have been found the fossils of hippopotamus, rhinoceros, and elephants. Continue to the church of Adadi Mariam, the southern-most rock hewn church in Ethiopia. Contemporaneous with those of Lalibela (in fact local tradition says that it was built by King Lalibela in 1106), the church was carved below ground level and contains 24 windows surrounded by a wide, high tunnel. It is still being used today. Our next stop is at Tiya, classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, where we can see the northernmost example of a peculiar type of engraved, standing stone monoliths that stretch across parts of south Ethiopia. Then we drive down the beautiful landscape and picturesque Oromo and Gurage people rural village to reach our today’s destination, Hosanna.
Overnight: Heme Hotel, Hosanna (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 03: Hosanna / Arba Minch (Drive)
Drive from Hosanna to Arba Minch: Passing though the wonderful panoramic landscape of the Hadiya and Wolayita People. En route we will visit the Ajora falls and make a detour to the highland people of Dorze who live high in the mountains. They are famous for their beehive-shaped bamboo houses. They use ingenious terracing and have a unique traditional life style with their colorful weaving products. Afterwards we commence descending towards the lakes of the Rift Valley. The Rift Valley is a deep fission that extends for over 6,000 km from the Middle East to Mozambique – testimony to the (most recent) violent and massive shifting of the earth’s tectonic plates. The rift contains a marvelous series of lakes, which are teeming with fish and provide a habitat for hundreds of species of birds. We travel along the side of Lake Abaya and arrive at Arba Minch late afternoon.
Overnight: Paradis Lodge or Swayness Hotel, Arba Minch (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 04: Arba Minch
In the morning, we visit Nech Sar National Park. The broad grass plains of Nech Sar National Park lies 510 km south of Addis, near the town of Arba Minch between the lakes Abaya and Chiamo. A wide variety of plain game roams freely amongst 514m2 of Savannah, dry bush and groundwater forest, which are also the habitat of 188 recorded species of birds. In the far eastern part of the park, hot springs bubble to the surface. A backdrop of hills and mountains combine to make Nech Sar one of the most attractive national parks in Ethiopia. In the afternoon take a boat trip on Lake Chiamo, which is populated by crocodiles and hippos. (B, L, D)

Day 05: Arba Minch / Jinka (Drive)
Early morning drive to Jinka. On the way, visit the Cushitic speaking Tsemay people in the Weyto Valley (where we will have lunch) and the Bena and Ari people. There is a big Thursday market in Key Afer where you can see the Tsemay, Ari and Bena people.
Overnight: Resort Hotel, Jinka (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 06: Jinka – Mago National Park –Mursi village- Jinka
Today you will experience the most famous and extraordinary people of Mursi. The Mursi people are typically known for the clay lip plates the women insert in their lower lips. This practice is regarded as a sign of beauty among the Mursi – the bigger the plate, the more beautiful the wearer. You will have a light picnic lunch on the way. (B, L, D)

Day 07: Jinka – Turmi
Drive from Jinka to Turmi, the settlement of the Hamer people, via Key Afer. If this day is Thursday you will visit one of the most colorful multicultural weekly markets whereby the Tsemai, the Ari, and the Benna people meet. Around Turmi, visit the Hamer people whose women are famous for their typical skirts and hairdressings. The Hamer people are also noted for their ‘Bull Jumping’ Ceremony where boys jump lines of bulls to show the community that they are old and matured enough to carry the responsibility of marriage. 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: Buska Lodge, Turmi (3 nights) (B , L, D)

Day 08: Turmi - Murulle – Turmi
Make an excursion trip to Murulle to visit the Karo people who are the fewest ethnic groups in the Omo Valley numbering only about 1,500 individuals. The Karos are famous for tattooing, scaring and body painting. They reside by the side of the Omo River.
After your visit drive back to Turmi. The entire trip is about 116 km, and takes about 7 hours with the visit. Then, your guide will arrange you a typical Ethiopian coffee ceremony at Turmi. (B, L, D)

Day 09: Turmi – Omorate – Turmi
Today you will have an excursion trip to Omo Rate which is found east of the Omo River; the sole feeder of Lake Turkana or Lake Rudolf. We cross Omo River by a small boat and walk 20 minutes to the Gelab (Dassanech) tribal village. Dasenech people are also known for their body painting and body scarification. At Turmi attend a weekly market of the Hamer people if the day is Monday. (B, L, D)

Day 10: Turmi / Yebello (Drive)
This morning we depart the Lower Omo Valley. Our route today continues into the savannah, running alongside the mountains of Men, and then rises up into the Karkerte Mountains – providing splendid panoramic views – Visit the Erbore people before we reach the soft, terraced hills of Konso. The people of Konso are known for their terraced agriculture and wooden totems commemorating their ancestors. After lunch drive to Yabelo to see the Borena Oromo people and their singing wells. For 500 years the Borena, Ethiopia’s semi-nomadic pastoralists, have survived their harsh environment by ingeniously sourcing water from wells that are up to 30 meters deep. The dust kicks up as a long line of camels and cows wander down a path dug below ground level, leading to a deep well. Men stand on top of each other, forming a human chain down the well; they toss buckets between each other on a precarious ladder, gathering one of the world’s most precious resources – water. There is a loud chorus of singing, which keeps the rhythm going; the yellow buckets are lowered and raised at a mesmerizing pace and the troughs are gradually filled at the mouth of the well.
Overnight: Mobile Hotel, Yebello (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 11: Yebello / Awassa (Drive)
Driving from Yebello to Awassa, you will travel back crossing fertile land planted with bananas, cereal and tobacco, and inhabited first by the Oromo people and then by the Sidamo. Continue northward to reach the lodge at mid afternoon. Nestled between coffee fields and lush vegetation in Yirgalem town, the lodge is a peaceful haven for those who seek relaxation and is also a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Overnight: Aregash Lodge, Awassa (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 12: Awassa
The nearby forest is home to diverse prolific flora and harbors over 100 species of birds and some mammals. The coffee plantations and the nightly visits of jackals and hyenas are further attraction to be found in the surrounding area. Whatever your preference, there are a variety of activities to allow you to explore the surrounding countryside. These include guided treks in the nearby forest; horseback and mountain bike riding and visits to historical caves, sacred sites and natural hot and cold water springs. Moreover late afternoon, you have a special treat, participating in The Coffee Ceremony, a ceremony of hospitality in Ethiopia. (B, L, D)

Day 13: Awassa / Addis Ababa (Drive)
This morning departure takes us to Lake Awasa. Set in a volcanic crater, Awassa Lake is the smallest in the Ethiopian Rift Valley. Here, we may view hippos, grivet monkeys, and colobus monkeys with their wonderful white faces encircled by deep ebony crowns. Birdwatchers will especially enjoy such avian wonders as the silvery-cheeked hornbill, black-winged lovebird, and Abyssinian black-headed oriole. The city of Awassa with its diverse ethnic mix will be especially enjoyable as we walk through the daily market where colorful villagers negotiate for fish. Visit the Rift Valley Lakes of Abyata and Shala, part of a national park, to view the rich concentration of brightly colored flamingoes. Shala, the southern lake, fills a crater almost 1000 feet deep, while nearby Abyata is a shallow pond – each creating its own environmental niche.
Overnight: Ghion Hotel, Addis Ababa (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 14: Addis Ababa
We spend the day exploring Addis Ababa beginning with a visit to the National Museum, one of the most important sub- Saharan museums in all of Africa. The museum is home to the fossilized humanoid Lucy, as well as an amazing collection of artifacts, royal items and art. We then visit the Ethnological Museum, which was the former palace of Haile Selassie. After lunch, we take time in St. George Cathedral, built in 1896 by Emperor Menelik and then continue on to Holy Trinity Cathedral. Holy Trinity Cathedral is the largest Orthodox Church in Ethiopia and has survived through many historical periods, as its interesting architecture can attest to. The Cathedral contains the thrones and the tombs of the emperor and some of the royal family. Visit Mercato, the largest open air market in Africa. This evening we will enjoy a farewell dinner. (B, L, D)

Day 15: Depart Addis Ababa
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight out. Check out time is by 1100 hrs. (B)

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Departure Dates
2010 English Speaking Departures Jan 01 & 24, Mar 12, Apr 30, May 21, Jul 09 & 30, Aug 20, Oct 01, Nov 19, Dec 31
Inclusions
Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include • Accommodation as mentioned or similar category • Meals as indicated ( B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner) • All transfers and sightseeing with services of local English speaking drivers/guides. • Entrance fees to museums and sites • All ground transportation • Boat hire in Chamo • Any airfares • Airport/departure taxes • Visas & Insurance • Tips & Grautities
Tour Price
We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.
Departure Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement 2010 US $ 3095 US $ 480
Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour
Canada - West Coast N/A USA - West Coast US $ 2000 Canada - East Coast N/A USA - East Coast US $ 1400
Participants
This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 10 participants
Notes
Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.