Ethiopia, an old country beyond all imaginations, has culture and traditions dating back over 3000 years. With over 80 different Ethnic groups with their own language, culture and traditions. The strong religious setting, celebrations and festivals play an important part in every ones daily life.
The natural beauty of Ethiopia amazes the first-time visitor. Ethiopia is a land of rugged mountains(25 of which are 12,000 feet high) broad savannah, lakes and rivers. The most famous volcano has been in a state of continuous eruption since 1967. Its small southerly crater is the only permanent lave lake on the planet.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Union church, an autonomous Christian Church headed by a patriarch and closely related to the Coptic Church of Egypt, was the state church of Ethiopia until 1974. About 40 percent of the people of Ethiopia are Christians, and Christianity is predominant in the north.
Ethiopia, an old country beyond all imaginations, has culture and traditions dating back over 3000 years. With over 80 different Ethnic groups with their own language, culture and traditions. The strong religious setting, celebrations and festivals play an important part in every ones daily life.
Early in the morning, Drive from Addis to Chencha via Hosaena. On the way you may have time to visit one of the following archeological sites of interest:
Tiya ancient stellae field a UNESCO World Heritage site
Adadi Maryam – rock-hewn church similar to those in Lalibela
Melka Kunture – pre-historic tool-making site
Lunch en route. Dinner and overnight in Arbaminch.
DAY 2 : Arbaminch - Jinka
Depart for Jinka, stopping at Key Afar on the way. Key Afar is home to the Benna tribe. Overnight in Jinka.
DAY 3 : Jinak - Mursi - Jinak
In the morning, drive to Mago national park to visit the Mursi tribe. The Mursis are known for their lower lip and earlobe plates. In the afternoon, after returning to Jinka, you can visit the South Omo Museum & Research Center to learn more about the local tribes. Alternatively, take a hike in the surrounding hills and visit a local Ari village. Then back to Jinka. Overnight in Jinka.
DAY 4 : Jinka - Turmi
Drive to Turmi via Key Afar and Dimeka. Tuesdays and Saturdays are market days in Dimeka. You can visit tribes such as Tsemai, Benna, Hamer, Karo and Ari. . Lunch en route. Dinner and overnight in Turmi.
DAY 5 : Turmi - Dorze
Depart from Turmi for Dorze, stopping at Konso (visit a local Konso village and the “natural New York” village, named after the tall sand formations resembling skyscrapers. Proceed to Dorze, high in the Gughe Mountains and visit Chancha. Lunch en route. Dinner and overnight in a natural lodge high in the mountains.
DAY 6 : Dorze - Langano
Drive to Langano. You may also stop in Wondo Genet for a swim in the hot springs. Wondo Genet was former Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie’s daughter favorite weekend getaway spot. Lunch en route. Dinner and overnight at Lake Langano.
DAY 7 : Langano - Addis
After a morning swim in the lake, you will visit lakes Abiatta and Shala. Lake Shala is a very deep crater lake (over 260 meters deep!) and Lake Abiatta is a soda ash lake, which attracts thousands of flamingos. After the visit, continue back to Addis. Dinner will be in traditional restaurant with cultural live music. Overnight in hotel or depart to your country.
