Culture & Adventure

These tours are designed for the traveler to be immersed in the life of Ethiopia and Ethiopians. She/He will be eating & experiencing Ethiopia in traditional & natural ways (i.e.: camping, lodging, natural hot spring showers & eating fully organic foods)

The focus of the below types of tours is not luxury, but cultural sophistication. Our clients’ safety is the first priority & we are able to design original itineraries with clean accommodations and experienced staff accompaniment to all sites:

Accommodation types: (hotel, lodge, camping)

* Feature Touch Nature Tour (East Omo) / 8days/7nights

Day1. Drive south of Addis Abeba to Arbaminch (560km), via Wolayta Sodo. overnight hotel in Arbaminch

Day2. AM boat trip over lake Chamo, see the hippos and crocodiles. PM- drive to the mountains of Chencha and visit the Dorze people/villages, who are excellent weavers. Witness their livelihood cultivations (Sorgun or false banana) and elephant tusk shaped homes// overnight hotel in Arbaminch or mountain top Dorze villages

Day3. Drive to Jinka (half day), en route visit the colorful and indigenous Benna and Tsemay tribes. overnight camping or local hotel in the town of Jinka (*Thursday is market day in the village of Key Afer) *recommended enroute sight (this tour to start on a Tuesday to reach the Key Afer market)

Day4. Drive to Mago Park, visit the Mursi people inside their villages. This tribe is known for their women with lip plates, and the men use different scarification based on the number of enemies or wild animals killed in battle. + much more. overnight Mago park camping or in hotel at Jinka

Day5. Drive from Jinka to Arbaminch (en route/ visit the Konso market or Key Afer market **Thursdays//excellent textiles ++), overnight hotel in Arbaminch

Day6. Depart from Arbaminch, evening arrival in Addis Ababa

The cultures of Ethiopia are vast and diverse, here are a few highlights:

• Over 50 ethnic groups and over 80 languages are spoken in this one country

• In the 4th century, Christianity was founded as the state religion of Ethiopia by the Axumite empire

• Coffee plays a large role in the social life of Ethiopians, and has a historical significance to the world with it’s discovery in the Kaffa region of Ethiopia

• Today, the Omo Valley is home to over 50 ethnic tribal groups, continuing their indigenous heritages up to now-amazing

 

Ethiopian culture is multi-faceted, reflecting the ethnic diversity of the country The music of Ethiopia is extremely diverse, with each of Ethiopia's ethnic groups being associated with unique sounds. Ethiopia is a musically traditional country. Of course, popular music is played, recorded and listened to, but most musicians also sing traditional songs, and most audiences choose to listen to both popular and traditional styles Among many traditional customs, respect of one's elders is very important, through speech and action.