 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 (SAT): 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".
Overnight: Ghion Hotel, Addis Ababa (2 nights)
(D)
Day 02 (SUN): Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa sightseeing; 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. (B,
L, D)
 Day
03 (MON): 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 04 (TUE): 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: Swayness Hotel, Arba Minch (2 nights) (B, L, D)
Day 05 (WED): 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
06 (THU): 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 (1 night) (B, L, D)
Day 07 (FRI): Jinka / Mago (Drive)
Mago National Park of is located on the east bank of the river Omo and ranges
in altitude from 450 to 2,528 meters above sea level. After about 2 hours of
rough road drive, we arrive at the camp where we spend the night in tents.
The campsite is in a beautiful clearing among towering trees, which provide
shade, and is near the river Neri. We visit the Mursi village. Here the insertion
of wooden and terracotta discs into the ear lobes is a widespread custom and
Mursi women also progressively split and stretch their lower lips to make room
for similar discs there, too. These are people who farm the land and breed
livestock; they live in almost complete isolation from the rest of the world.
We return to the camp; there are not many animals visible during the day in
the park, but by night we are surrounded by thousands of sounds, among which
is the trumpeting of elephants.
Overnight: Camping (B, L, D)
Day 08 (SAT): Jinka / Murulle (Drive)
Drive from Mago to Murulle; from here on, there is no real track any more.
Instead, we travel through the savannah in a typically African landscape. We
arrive at Murile Lodge, which consist of bungalows and a campsite right on
the river Omo, surrounded by huge trees. This is the land of the Caro tribe
and it is possible to meet them along the river.
Overnight: Camping (B, L, D)
Day 09 (SUN): Murulle / Turmi (Drive)
We continue through the savannah along tracks that are barely visible, passing
through a vast meadowland with shrubs and umbellifers (‘umbrella’ acacia
trees), frequently meeting herds of hartebeest and gazelle. We cross over the
Omo River. We encounter the Dasenech people in the street; in the river people
bathe and wash their clothes. Afterwards, continue on to Turmi where every
Monday there is a spectacular Hamer market. The Hamer (also called Hammere)
are one of the most beautiful and dignified tribal people of the Omo basin.
The women colour their hair with red earth and butter, and wear elegant leather
skirts festooned with tiny pearls. If this day falls on Monday you will spend
the afternoon at the market before heading to our campsite for the evening.
Overnight: Camping (B, L, D)
 Day
10 (MON): Turmi
Today we will be visiting the colourful market of the Hamer people plus a village
visit. If we are lucky we will be able to witness the most important event
in Hamer society: The Bull/Cow Jumping - an initiation rite of passage for
men coming of age. Up to 15 bulls/cows are lined up in a row. The initiate
with naked body has to leap on the back of the first bull, then from one bull
to the next, until he reaches the end of the row. He must repeat in the opposite
direction, a total of four times, altogether.
Overnight: Camping (B, L, D)
Day 11 (TUE): 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. Back at ground level, other groups of animals are
gathering, waiting for their turn to come down and drink.
Overnight: Mobile Hotel, Yebello (1 night) (B, L, D)
Day 12 (WED): 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. We can find many types of fruit sold along the
roadside. 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
13 (THU): 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 14 (FRI): 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. This evening we will
enjoy a farewell dinner and a traditional show.
Overnight: Ghion Hotel, Addis Ababa (1 night) (B, L, D)
Day 15 (SAT): Depart Addis Ababa
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight
out. (B)
 Departure Dates | 2008
English Speaking Departures
Jan 19, Feb 09, Mar 29, Apr 12 & May 17
| 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
|
•
International 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 |
| 2008 |
US
$ 2460 • CA $ 2460 |
US
$ 440 • CA $ 440 |
| Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour | | Canada - West Coast | CA $ 1400 | USA - West Coast | US $ 1800 | | Canada - East Coast | CA $ 1600 | USA - East Coast | US $ 1200 | | Participants | | This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 15 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. |
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