13-Days Lower Omo Valley & Bale Mountains
We have a tour that is tailored to you to experience Southern Ethiopia and Northern Ethiopia
Overview
Group Size : Two
Destination : Lower Omo Valley & Bale Mountains
Duration : 13 Days /26th Oct – 7th Nov 2015/
Day One
Mon 26th October : Addis Ababa – Butajira – Arbaminch
Proceed to Arbaminch in the morning, en route visiting the UNESCO-registered Tiya Monuments and the scenic Hosaina route. Arriving Arbaminch late afternoon, overnight at Paradise Lodge / Tourist Hotel / Rift Valley Guest House.
Day Two
Arbaminch – Dorze Haizo – Konso
In the morning, you will be visiting a local Dorze village, their cone-shaped bamboo huts, ‘kocho’ preparation – their traditional food staple, cotton-weaving skills attained as a result of the 2,700meters asl altitude they live in. Mid-morning, you will be proceeding to Konso. Arriving Konso at lunch, you will be visiting a Konso village, their terraced farm fields, wooden totems and nine-clan community structure. End of the day, you will be spending overnight at Green Hotel / Edget Hotel.
Day Three
Wed : Konso – Jinka
In the morning, you will be proceeding to Jinka, en route visiting the scenic Weito lowlands and Tsemai tribal villages around Weito. Arriving Jinka early afternoon, you will be visiting a local Ari village. The Ari tribe are the inhabitants of Jinka and its immediate surroundings. End of the day, you will spend overnight at Jinka Resort Hotel / Eyob Guest House / Goh Hotel / Orit Hotel.
Day Four
Thu : Jinka – Mago NP – Key Afer
Early morning, you will be heading into Mago National Park. Home to the Mursi tribe, Mago NP also provides much scenic view of the lowland areas. Here, you will be visiting a local Mursi village. Returning back to Jinka early afternoon, you will be proceeding to Key Afer where upon arrival, you will be able to visit the weekly Bena market. This market attracts the surrounding tribes – Ari from Jinka area, Tsemai from Weito, Hamer from Alduba surroundings and the local Bena tribe as well. End of the day, you will be spending overnight at Nasa Hotel.
Day Five
Fri : Key Afer – Turmi
In the morning, you will be proceeding to Turmi. On arrival, you will be able to visit Hamer villages in the surroundings of Turmi. End of the day, you will be camping overnight at Evangadi Campsite.
Day Six
Turmi – Omorate – Dimeka – Turmi
Early morning, you will be proceeding to Omorate, home to the Dassanach tribe. The Dassanach are said to be descendants of the Turkana tribe in North Kenya. Crossing the Omo River with a wooden canoe boat, you will be visiting a Dassanach village. At noon you will be returning back to Turmi and proceeding to Dimeka, 28kms West of Turmi. Arriving Dimeka, you will be visiting the weekly Hamer market that will give you a good insight in the traditional clothing, hair patterns and general ornamentation used by the Hamer people. Late afternoon, you will be returning back to Turmi where you will be camping overnight at Evangadi Campsite.
Day Seven
Sun : Turmi – Arbore – Arbaminch
In the morning, you will be heading back to Arbaminch, en route visiting the Arbore tribe settled in the lowlands parallel to Lake Stephanie. Arriving Arbaminch late afternoon, you will be spending overnight at Paradise Lodge / Tourist Hotel / Rift Valley Guest House.
Day Eight
Mon : Arbaminch – Awassa
In the morning, you will be heading to Awassa via Wolaita Sodo and Shashamane. En route, you will be visiting colourfully decorated houses of the Oromos around Alaba Kulito and further ahead at Shashamane, you will also be able to visit the Rastafarian Community House. Arriving Awassa late afternoon, you will be spending overnight at Gebre Kristos Hotel / Pina Hotel / Lake Side Hotel.
Konso – Yabello
After breakfast drive to Yabello en route visit Konso tribes village. Konso tribe is known for their unique social life structure and practicing the agriculture terracing. The king village is very interesting.
Day Nine
Tue : Awassa – Goba
After visiting the daily fish market at Amora Gedel in the morning, you will be proceeding to Goba via Dodola and Dinsho. The surrounding landscape of the Bale Mountains is to be well admired after Dodola. Arriving Goba in the afternoon, you will be spending overnight at Goba Ethiopia Hotel.
Day Ten
Wed : Goba – Senette Plateau – Goba
In the morning, you will be heading to Senette Plateau where on arrival, you will be able to have short treks in the area as well as see the endemic Ethiopian Wolf. Late afternoon, you will be returning back to Goba and spending overnight at Goba Ethiopia Hotel.
Day Eleven
Thu : Robe – Sof Omar Caves – Robe
Early morning, you will be heading to Sof Omar caves. Through the day, you will be exploring Sof Omar Caves. Mid-afternoon, you will be returning back to Robe where you will be spending overnight at a hotel.
Day Twelve
Bale Park – Hawassa
Morning after breakfast drive to Awassa. Awassa is a bustling Ethiopian town in the heart of the Great Rift Valley.
Day Thirteen
Sat 7th Nov : Awassa/Ziway – Addis Ababa
In the morning, you will be proceeding to Addis Ababa, arriving mid-day and spending the afternoon visiting Mercato. Complementary farewell dinner from SORA Tours at Yod Abyssinia, you will be transferred to a hotel of your choice for overnight stay, thereby ending your 13 days tour.