12 Days Combined Tour South Omo Valley & Bale Mountains Park

Day 1: Arrive in Addis Abeba Ethiopia & City Tour

Welcome to Ethiopia! Arrive at Addis Abeba bole international airport. Here you will be greeted by your tour guide or driver from Memento Ethiopia Tours. Then you will be transferred to hotel. If your arrival is early morning, after a leisurely morning rest and relax you will spend the afternoon on a site seeing of Addis Abeba. Established by Emperor Menelik II 1887 Addis Abeba or ‘New flower’ in Amharic, is relatively young city full of contrasts. This city tour includes, The National Museum which houses the country’s historic treasures & the famous ‘Lucy”, The Holy Trinity Orthodox Church Ethiopian main cathedral and home to the remains of the last emperor: Drive up to Mount Entoto to have a panoramic view of the city and end the tour with Merkato, one of the largest open air markets in Africa.

Overnight: Addis Abeba.
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 2: Drive South through the Ethiopian Rift Valley Lakes

Leaving Addis this Morning and travel to the south. Southern region is noted for its enormous variety of peoples &culture. Drive through Southern Ethiopia rift valley. It comprises numerous hot springs, beautiful lakes and wildlife. You will drive though Addis-Butajira road. Your first stop will be at Tiya stelae filed which is registered by UNESCO for its 600-800 years old large stone pillars. There are around 36 standing stones 32 of which are engraved and decorated with enigmatic symbols marking a large prehistoric royal burial place. Then visit Lake Ziway which is one of the rift valley lakes with 5 volcanic islands. The lake is reach in fish, hippos and bird life. Proceed to Abijatta-Shalla National Park. The park contains the rift valley lakes of Abijatta and Shalla which are separated by 3 kms of hilly land. You will enjoy the view at a lookout point over the two lakes, whose shores will be pink from the thousands of both Lesser and Greater flamingos in the water. Hot Springs, Ostriches, birds, Gazelles and other mammals are the main attractions in the park. End the day with the visit of Lake Langano which is Bilharzia free and safe for swimming and has fantastic birdlife. Enjoy the rest of the day at the shores of the lake.

Overnight: Langano
Accommodation: Resort or Lodge

Day 3: Drive to Arbaminch via the Dorze Village

Depart Langano and drive towards Arbaminch through Shashemene the town where the Ras Teferians (followers of the last Ethiopian emperor) lives. On the way first stop at Alaba People’s village and visit their unique hut. Before arriving at Arbaminch visit the Dorze Tribe who lives on the Guge Mountain. The Dorze are renowned for their cotton-weaving techniques and beehive shaped houses constructed entirely from organic materials. Here in their village you can see the unique beehive huts, observe their exceptional cotton weaving skills and learn about their life and traditions. Arrive at Arbaminch late in the afternoon and transfer to your accommodation.

Overnight: Arbaminch
Accommodation: Lodge or Hotel

Day 4: Drive to Jinka through Konso

In the morning Embark on a boat trip on Lake Chamo, a lake that supports a large population of crocodiles, hippos and fish. Visit the famous Crocodile Market which is not a market but a place to see large concentration of giant Nile Crocodiles and many hippos. Travel further south to Jinka, the biggest town in south Omo region. On the way stop at Konso and visit their village. The Konso tribe is famous for their agricultural terracing method and for their wooden totems that honor the dead. The Konso villages are a world heritage listed site for its cultural significance. After lunch continue towards Jinka. Before arriving to Jinka visit the village of The Ari People. The people of Ari live in the lush surroundings of the Jinka and grow coffee and fruits for trading and self-consumption. Their villages are green and surrounded by banana, mango and avocado and it is the most beautiful in the country. If today is Thursday you will get the chance to visit the Keyafer colorful local market.

Overnight: Jinka
Accommodation: Lodge, Hotel or Camping.

Day 5: Discover the Mursi Tribe & Travel to Turmi

This morning you will drive through the Mago national park to visit one of the villages of the Mursi Tribe. The Mursi, possibly the most well-known tribe in the area, is famous for both for their women who practice extending their lower lips with clay discs and their men who engage in stick fighting rituals called Donga. The Mursi are probably the last tribes in Africa amongst whom it is still the norm for women to wear those large pottery or wooden discs or plates. Afterwards, return to Jinka and after lunch break, drive through the acacia forest to Turmi, a small town and center to visit the Omo valley tribes. If today is Tuesday or Saturday you will visit the Alduba or Dimeka colorful markets. Arrive at Turmi late in the afternoon and transfer to your accommodation.

Overnight: Turmi
Accommodation: Lodge, Basic Hotel or Camping

Day 6: Visit the Hamer and Dassenech Tribes

This morning begin an excursion to the Dassenech tribe. Drive towards Omorate on a 75 kms paved road. Omorate lies on the bank of the Omo River close to the border of Kenya. You will cross the Omo River with a local boat and walk to one of the village of the Dassenech. The Dassenech are semi-nomadic tribe living on the shores of Omo River. Their clans stretch across Sudan, Kenya and southern Ethiopia. They are known for their very unique and ornate hair buns. They grow crops and fish. Return to Turmi and after lunch and short break, late in the afternoon at the sun set visit the village of the famous Hammer tribe located close to Turmi. They are known for the fine pottery they produce as well as their remarkable hair style. The women are striking wearing beautiful colorful beaded goat skins, ornate necklaces and metal bangles around their wrist and ankles. These decorations indicate the wealth and prestige of a woman’s husband.

Overnight: Turmi.
Accommodation: Lodge, Basic Hotel or Camping.

Day 7: Drive from Turmi to Yabello via Konso

After morning breakfast drive through Konso towards Yabello the home of the Borena People who are well known in cattle rearing. In the afternoon you will visit their village.

Overnight: Yabello
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 8: Travel to Yirgalem through the Coffee Plantations

Early in the morning excursion to Elsod (place of salt), the creator salt lake to see the Borena people extracting mud salt. This is an important regional center of salt extraction. Also stop at Dubluk to visit the Singing Well from which they cater water to their thousands of cattle by singing. Continue scenic drive towards Yirgalem though the beautiful Sidama Mountains and coffee plantation. On the way you will stop at the Tutu Fella Stelae filed at Wenago to visit the unusual collection of carved stones.The stelae of Tutu Fella range in height from under one meter, to about 2.5 meters. Most are still standing, although a few have fallen over. Many have carvings on them which have withstood centuries of weathering. Others seem almost worn smooth. Although little is known it is believed that their age is many thousands of years. Currently, it is actively preserved as an archeological site.

Overnight: Yirgalem
Accommodation: Lodge or Hotel

Day 9: Visit Awassa and Drive towards the Bale Mountains National Park

In the morning short drive from Yirgalem to the lake side city of Awassa. Here you will visit the Fish market on Lake Awassa where you will see firsthand how locals trade and prepare their fish. Then drive towards the Bale Mountains National Park. Ethiopia’s second-highest mountain range contains one of the richest habitats in the country's alpine heights. It is the best place for viewing a broad cross-section of Ethiopia's unique wildlife, including Ethiopian Wolf, Mountain Nyala, Giant forest Hog, Cape Hyrax, Colobus and Vervet monkeys, and 16 endemic bird species. Arrive at Dinsho, Park head quarter, in the afternoon, in time for a walk around to see endemic mammals, Menelik's Bushbuck and Mountain Nyala. And birds Blue-winged goose, Spot-breasted lapwing, Abyssinian long claw, Wattled ibis, Black-headed siskin, Rouget’s rail.

Overnight: Bale Goba.
Accommodation: Hotel or Lodge.

Day 10: Excursion to Senate Plateau & Harenna Forest

Today’s excursion lets you explore the wild wonders of the Senate Plateau and Harenna Forest. This vast highland region is the world’s largest expanse of Afro-alpine moorland, a montane habitat with an average elevation above 13,000 feet. The plateau is renowned for supporting the largest remaining population of Ethiopian Wolf. The plateau is crawling with Rodents, the largest being the Giant Mole rat found only in Bale Mountains. Here you walk or drive with the car (4x4) to Tullu Dimitu meaning “Red Mountain” just 4kms from the main road. This is the second highest point in Ethiopia at 4,377meters above sea level. The Harenna Forest is one of the most extensive natural forests remaining in Ethiopia. This forest, far denser and more varied than the juniper woodland around Dinsho, has a similar appearance and composition to the forests found in other East African mountain landscapes. Lions live in this densely wooded region though it is rare to see. Here in the forest you have chance to see primate species such as endemic Bale Monkey, Colobus Monkey and other. Late in the afternoon drive back to your accommodation.

Overnight: Bale Goba.
Accommodation: Hotel or Lodge.

Day 11: Drive via Ethiopian Rift Valley to Debre Zeit

Today you will drive via Nazareth (Adama) towards Debre Zeit. Also known as Bishoftu, Debre Zeit issituated 22 minutes away from the capital city and known for its creator lakes. The luxurious popular weekend getaway offers breathtaking beaches and mountains generating unforgettable experiences. The walk around the lake offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside and the forest on the crater rim provides access to a great variety of birds.You will be transfer to Kuriftu Lake Resort and relax.

Overnight: Debre Zeit.
Accommodation: Kuriftu Resort or Similar.

Day 12: Drive back to Addis Abeba & Departure

In the morning more time to relax at the resort and visit some creator lakes. Then drive back to Addis Ababa in the afternoon. You can do last minute shopping.Then transfer to hotel to rest and get settled before your night flight. In the evening enjoy final farewell dinner at a well-known local Ethiopian restaurant with cultural dances. Later this evening you will be transferred to Addis Abeba Bole International Airport for your return flight back home. Your vacation ends here.