Tour code: ATT 003c Type of Tour: cultural Duration: 10 days, 9 nights Transportation: Surface, Air. Southern Ethiopia Cultural Tour: Highlight

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1 Tour code: ATT 003c Type of Tour: cultural Duration: 10 days, 9 nights Transportation: Surface, Air Southern Ethiopia Cultural Tour: Highlight Ethiopia is not only holding the account of 3,000 years of history but also the diversified and variety of cultural ethnicity. Ethiopia has more than 80 ethnic groups speaking 70 different languages with more than 200 dialects. The southern region, which is the focus of this trip, holds a lot of tribes and hosts 80% the wildlife sanctuary and national parks. Almost 85% of this region is green and enriched with a lot of natural attraction, human made attractions, and landscapes. Unlike the Northern part of the nation, the people in south are not that reach in terms of remnants of old constructions but a living culture that strikes the very existence of the self. Natural beauties are main reasons for many tourists to revisit Southern Ethiopia. Mursi, Karo, Hamar, Dasenach, Erbore, Nyangatom and many more tribes of the South will help you understand the old and unspoiled culture of our planet. Itinerary Day 1: ADDIS ABABA Arrival at Bole International Airport (Addis Ababa) where you will meet our representatives and accompanied to your hotel. 1st night will be an overnight stay in your hotel in Addis Ababa. Meal: D Overnight: Addis Ababa DAY 2: ADDIS ABABA This day will feature the city tour of Addis Ababa which includes Trinity church, the national museum (the site of paleontology and many artifacts, ethnography section, art section and emperor Haile Selassie I private rooms), and Merkato (the biggest open market in Africa). Finally drive to Entoto mountain the highest place in Addis (9842 ft) to see panoramic view of Addis Ababa. Overnight: Addis Ababa

2 Day 3: ADDIS ABABA- ABIJATTA SHASHEMENE (250 km south): Drive to Shashemene, on the way you will have a stop at astone tools an open air museum of Melka Kuntre. It is a Paleolithic site that was used to make stone tools. The next stop will be after forty km to see Tiya Stelae, one of the world heritage site which is registered by UNSCO.This pre-historic site houses more than 30 different carved stelae, and is probably an ancient burial ground. Then drive towards the Ethiopian main rift valley district. On the way admire a very interesting view and visit Gurage peoples villages and their culture. After lunch walk around lake Zeway and see may aquatic birds. Finally visit Rastafarian Temple in the town of Shashemene. Overnight: Shashemene

3 Day 4: Shahemene-Arba Minch (250kms) Drive to Arba-minch, on the way visit Alaba people village and Senkele sanctuary to see one of the endemic mammals of Ethiopia, Swayne's hartebeest. After lunch in Wolayta Sodo, drive directly to Chncha, to visit the Dorze people, their particular weaving works for which they are famous for, the unique structure of their houses, beautiful settlements, cultivation of sorghum, and the false banana tree (Ensete ventricosum). Overnight: Arba Minch- Paradise lodge Note: paradise lodge is situated in a unique and best location to enjoy the breathtaking view over the two rift valley lakes: Chamo and Abaya lake that is found in NacheSar national park and surrounded by a dense forest Day 5: Arba Minch-Chamo lake - konso (90 kms) In the morning drive to one of the rift valley lakes, Chamo. This is one of the few places that you can see the world's most spectacular and longest Crocodile (Nile Crocodile) taking a sun bath on the shores, as well as hippos and many species of water birds. Then drive to Konso. The Konso people live in picturesque hilltop settlements. They speak their own language and are culturally different to the people

4 from the surrounding low lands. They have turned their mountainous land into small terraced fields. These ancient hilltop plateau (terraced walled villages) arguably rank as the most beautiful traditional Africa settlements in sub sab-saharan Africa and are registered as a UNESCO world heritage site since 2011 After lunch, there will be a close up visit at one of the villages, the landscape, and at the king of the Konso people s compound. Overnight - Konso - kanta lodge Day 6: Konso to Jinka (142 km) Drive to Jinka, an administration town for South Omo People. On the way visit the Ari, and Tsemay people, and Key Afer market, the most exciting colorful market in the Omo valley. Finally visit the South Omo Museum and research center at Jinka to have a general picture of South Omo tribes. Overnight Jinka- Eco-Omo lodge

5 Note: Only Thursday is market day for Key Afer. Eco Omo Lodge is an eco-friendly lodge, located the heart of Omo valley just outside the town and bordering to Mago National Park. Day 7: Jinka-mursi-Turmi Drive to Mago National Park to see the Mursi tribe. The Muri are pastoral people and they live almost in complete isolation from the rest of the world. The Mursi are most famous for their tradition of inserting wooden and terracotta discs into the ear lobes and lower lip. This widespread custom is regarded as a sign of beauty. After lunch at Jinka continue driving to Turmi, Hammer people town. On the way visit the Hamer market and Hammer village. Overnight - Turmi- buska lodge Note: Only Saturday and Monday are market days for Dimeka and Turmi respectively. Buska lodge overlooks the plain of Buska mountain and has been constructed to blend with the natural surrounding

6 Day 8:Turmi- karo Early in the morning drive to one of the remote tribes of Omo Valley, the Nayangatom, and then to Karo tribe in Dus or Korecho village. The drives are along a beautiful view over the Omo River. Karo people are famous for their extravagant hairstyle in men and for the different ornaments and painting all over their body The Karo excel in face and torso paintings. Both the women and men scarify their chests to beautify themselves and to make themselves more appealing to the opposite sexes. Overnight - Turmi- Buska lodge Day 9:Turmi-Omorate (75km ) In the morning drive to Omorate to see the Dassenech tribe crossing the Omo river with the traditional wooden boat then drive back to Tourmi. Note: One of these two days in Turmi you may have a chance to see a very interesting Hammer marriage ceremony with unique celebrations, such as the bull jumping, whipping, night dance (Evangadi, and many other ritual ceremony of the Hammer people. Overnight - Turmi- Buska lodge Day 10:Arba Minch Drive back to Arba Minch through a very beautiful landscape of Gidole, home of Derashe people. On the way, visit the Erbore tribe. Lunch will be at Konso. Overnight Arba Minch- paradise lodge Day 11 Addis Ababa-Departure

7 Take a flight back to Addis Ababa. In the evening, there will be a welfare dinner party with national music and dancing. You will then be accompanied to Bole International Airport End of the service