SOUTH ROUTE & HARAR
Duration: 14 days and 13 nights
Introdution
In the South, we will discover the Abyssinian Rift Vally surrounded by immense mountains and deep cracks and canyons produced by the slow volcanic rock erosion, which has greatly hampered access to the Omo River delta for decades. This physical difficulty to access this region has allowed the tribes that inhabit the Omo Valley to have been isolated not only from the rest of Ethiopia but from the rest of the world, thus offering a unique experience for the traveler.
We will also visit the Awash National Park where we can enjoy its lakes and waterfalls. The city of Harar, a World Heritage Site and fourth holy city of Islam, will surprise us with its colorful historical center and its markets.
Itinerary
Day 1.
Arrive in Addis Ababa. Meet your guide at the airport and transfer to the Hotel.
O/N Hotel.
Day 2.
Have a city tour of Addis That includes: Museums, Monuments, Churches, Market and Mount Entoto for the panoramic view of the city.
O/N the same hotel.
Day 3.
Drive Addis Abeba to Arbaminch. On the way visit the Tiya Stele and different tribal villages who are known for their cultivation of Enset of False Banana & visit the villages of the Dorze people who are famous for their huge huts and colorful hand woven cotton clothes. (460km).
O/N Lodge.
Day 4.
Have a boat ride on the Rift Valley Lake of Chamo to visit the ‘Crocodile Market’ where you can see big African Crocodiles, hippos, and low land water birds. (2-3hrs) After Picnic lunch drive to Konso & Visit “New York” village, the Konsos are famous by thier tótems & making teraz to protect thier lad.
O/N Lodge.
Day 5.
Drive to Key Afer and visit the people of Ari, Benna and Tsemai trbal villages. (Visiting the most colorful multicultural market in the Omo Valley at Key Afer if the day is thursday – which is attended by the tribal groups of Ari, Benna, and Tsemai,) Then drive to Jinka.
O/N –Lodge.
Day 6.
After breakfast, drive to Mursi village crossing Mago National Park. Visit the Mursi tribe in their village who are typically known for the clay lip plates of the women. Drive back to Jinka . After lunch drive to Turmi.
O/night Lodge.
Day 7.
Excursion to Omorate to visit the Dasenech people who are the southern most known people of the country and are known for their scarifications. Drive back to Turmi & after lunch visit the Hammer village.
O/N at the same lodge.
Day 8.
Drive Turmi to Yabelo . Visit the Borena tribal villages & the famous singing well.
O/N Motel.
Day 9.
Drive to Awassa, on our route we visiting the Sidama village and people.
O/N Hotel.
Day 10.
Early in the morning Visit Lake Awasa & it’s Fish Market and You will also visit the chains of Rift Valley Lakes on your way to Awash national park, Lake Ziway,Langano & lake Beseka.
O/N Lodge.
Day 11.
Sightseeing in the Awash national park that includes to visit the water sprigs and animals. O/N at the same Lodge near to the cascades of Awash river.
Day 12.
Early in the morning drive to Harar and on the route we will visit the people of Afar, Isa, Somal & Oromo. Arival at Harar and O/N Hotel.
Day 13.
Sightseeing of Harar medieval walled town; the most significant settlement in the Far East of the country is the walled city of Harar, which more or less took its present shape in the 15th century. Harar is regarded as the spiritual home of Ethiopia’s large and ancient Muslim community. Harar is a world heritage city by Unesco.
O/N Hotel.
Day 14.
Transfer to Dire Dawa and fly to Addis Abeba, Time for leisure and Shopping, Evening farewell dinner party and then departure.
