Cultural South: Addis Ababa, Arba Minch, Turmi & More

On arrival you will be met by Goway's local representative and transferred to your hotel. Addis Ababa, which means "New Flower" is Ethiopia's capital city. The city, which is located at 2,700m above sea level, is a pleasant city with wide avenues, interesting museums and one of the largest open-air markets in Africa. It was founded by Emperor Menelik II in 1887 and he selected the site because its location within the Entoto hills has long been the center of Shoan politics.

It is Africa's diplomatic capital with headquarters for the Organization of African Union and the United Nation Economic Commissions for Africa. The capital is rich in impressive statues and monuments of different architecture.

After freshening up, drive to the Entoto Hills for stunning views of the city and surrounding areas. This is the highest peak in Addis Ababa reaching 3,200 meters above sea level. It was the first settlement in Addis Ababa where Emperor Menelik II resided and he built his palace here in 1887. The compound at the peak hosts the palace, the Entoto Mariam church and an Ethiopian artefact museum.

On the way up roadside stalls offers fresh Ethiopian coffee. If you have an interest in Ethiopian traditional clothes there is time to stop at Shero Meda Market where you'll find a wide variety of beautiful fabrics, shawls, scarves, dresses, tops and jewellery.

After lunch visit the Ethnographic and National museum which is an ideal place to start learning about Ethiopia's rich ethnic diversity. The museum has an impressive array of religious crosses, triptychs and murals, as well as Haile Selassie's bedroom and bathroom. It is famous for housing the 3.5 million-year-old bones of Lucy.

After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight to Arba Minch. Arba Minch (Forty Springs), is the largest town in Southern Ethiopia. The town lies at an elevation of around 1,300m in the foothills of the Rift valley wall, above a cliff overlooking the mountains that separate the lakes of Chamo and Abaya. Wherever you walk there are stunning views in all directions.

The rest of the day will be dedicated to visiting the home of the Dorze people at Chencha. The Dorze are renowned cotton weavers whose tall beehive-shaped dwellings are among the most distinctive traditional structures to be seen anywhere in Africa. The main occupations of the region are subsistence farming and weaving. The shama cloth produced around Chencha is regarded to be the finest in Ethiopia. Plain white Gabbi robes and brightly colored scarf-like netalas are sold along the roadside.

After breakfast, enjoy a boat trip on Lake Chamo. Attractions include viewing a large number of hippos and crocodiles from a close range. The place known as "Azo-Gebeya", meaning Crocodile Market, offers one of Africa's most impressive displays of big crocodiles.

Then Proceed to Jinka (260km, around 4 and a half hours drive) through Weito village. Visit South Omo Research Center (Museum) and find out about the tribes that live in Lower Omo. Drive to Yetnebersh village to visit the Ari tribe and see how they make local liquor from Sorghum, Garlic and maize. If you are here on a Thursday you will have the opportunity to attend the Thursday market, Key Afer, which is attended by many decorated tribes of the lower Omo valley.

Today after breakfast drive to Mursi Village (70kms). The Mursi have become a cultural symbol of the Lower Omo Valley. They are the most renowned of the Omotic speakers, famed for their practice of inserting large clay plates behind the lower lips of their women, and for their colourful dresses.

You then drive to Turmi (140km which takes about 2 hours). Turmi is the home of the Hammer who are known for their body decoration, moonlight dance (Evangedi Dance) and bull-jumping. Bull jumping marks the rite of passage from childhood to adulthood. Bull jumping is not done every day so it is not guaranteed that you will see this ceremony.

Today after a short drive, visit the nearby village of Kolcho which overlooks the Omo River. Home to the Karo people, this tribe excels in face and body painting. They often decorate their bodies with the spotted plumage of a guinea fowl. Feather plumes are inserted in their clay hair buns to complete the look. The clay hair bun can take up to three days to construct and is usually re-made every three to six months. Their painted facemasks are spectacular. Karo women scarify their chests to beautify themselves. Scars are cut with a knife and ash is rubbed to produce a raised welt.

If the date falls on a Monday or Saturday you will visit the vibrant market of the Hammer people at Turmi.

After breakfast drive to Arba Minch (270km, around 5hrs drive). Pass through the Konso village which is known for their intricately terraced hillsides, fine woven materials and the carved totems with which they decorate their graves. Rest of day is at leisure.

Today after breakfast drive to Langano (305km, around 5hrs drive). Langano is located in the Great Rift Valley at an elevation of 1,585 meters to the east of Lake Abijata. Lake Langano is 18 kilometres long and 16 km wide, with a surface area of 330 square kilometres and a maximum depth of 46 meters.

Drive back to Addis (270km, around 6hrs drive) via Butajira Road. En route you shall visit Tiya, classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Here you will see the northernmost example of a peculiar type of engraved, standing stellae which stretch across parts of southern Ethiopia. These stellae are believed to have been erected between the 12th and 14th centuries and are almost certainly grave markers. Recent excavations at Tiya have revealed the remains of young people of both sexes, aged between18 and 30, buried in frontal positions.
You will also have the chance to visit the rock hewn church of Adadi Mariam, contemporaneous with those of Lalibela. In fact local tradition ascribes it to King Lalibela who is said to have had it built on his visit to Mount Zuqwala in 1106. Damaged during the wars with Ahmed Gragn in the 16th century, it fell into disuse and was only reopened in the time of Menelik II. It is in regular use today. This evening you will have a chance to experience Ethiopian cultural dances and a traditional meal Tej, a type of wine made from Honey. You will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.