Ethiopia Coffee route

International flight to Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa

A day dedicated to exploring Addis Ababa. Little known to most travelers, who often just pass by it, Addis Ababa is a fascinating world waiting to be discovered. The Ethiopian city, at an elevation of 2,400 meters, is one of the highest capitals in the world.With a growing population, and geographically located in the center of the country, Addis Ababa (“New Flower”, in Amharic, as its founders dubbed it), is a pleasant city full of many surprises. The day is dedicated to touring the city, whose most emblematic landmarks include the Piazza district and the ever-bustling Mesquel Square.Visit the Entoto Mountains, where Menelik II settled before founding the city. From them, at some points ascending up to 3,000 meters, we can appreciate the capital’s full dimensions. Next we will discover the secrets of Lucy, one of the most important paleontological discoveries of all time, at the National Museum; and, if we have enough time, we will visit an Orthodox Christian church.We will then return to our hotel to rest.Overnight stay at Azzeman Hotel. AB (Accommodations and Breakfast)

Addis Ababa – Arba Minch (Domestic flight) – Dorze – Arba Minch

We’ll take a domestic flight from Addis Ababa to Arba Minch. Next, we’ll head to the Dorze villages, where we will climb a trail up to enjoy incredible views over Nechisar National Park. We’ll visit the Dorze people, whose unique homes (made of bamboo reeds) feature domes up to six meters high, this being their signature construction. Inside they are quite spacious, and there is almost always a fire going, both to cook and to heat the dwelling. The Dorze are also known for their colorful tunics bearing geometric designs, which they make and export all over the country, so it is easy to see them working to produce these fabrics on traditional looms, or spinning cotton thread on their doorsteps.Resembling that of the Pygmies and Khoisans, they produce a polyphonic music called edho, usually sung during the Epiphany, or at initiation ceremonies.If we’re there on the right day, we can also enjoy  some of the quaint, traditional markets in the Dorze area.At the end of the day we will wind up this very complete day with the striking spectacle of typical Dorze dances around a fire.We’ll then head back to Arba Minch for the night.Accommodations at the Haile Resort Hotel. FB (Full Board)

Arba Minch – Nech Sar National Park – Jinka

First thing in the morning, we’ll board a boat and set out on Lake Chamo, in the heart of Nechisar National Park. On a peculiar safari, we will take in both the extensive fauna and the activity of the Gamo fishermen, who continue to employ ancestral methods. Here, we will see hippos, crocodiles (some of the largest in Africa) and a whole range of different waterfowl.Once this experience is over, we will continue on towards Jinka, entering the valley of the Omo River and crossing, firstly, the territory of the Banna, an ethnic group that has gradually settled in this area and that combine shepherding with the seasonal cultivation of sorghum and cotton.We will then arrive in Jinka, considered the administrative capital of the Omo Valley, where we will enjoy the opportunity to visit the Jinka Museum; in fact, a research center on the tribes of the South Omo, strategically located on a hill boasting great views of the city. The anthropological museum is a great way to learn more about the various ethnic groups inhabiting the area.Overnight stay at the Eco Omo Lodge. FB (Full Board)

Jinka – Hana Mursi – Mago National Park – Jinka

Jinka is our starting point to travel to the Mago National Park and the Hana Mursi (AKA Bodi) villages.In the villages of the Hana Mursi, we will visit this fascinating ethnic group, which each year holds a competition to determine who is the fattest Hana Mursi man.Next we’ll head for the villages of the well-known Mursi ethnic group, famous for their women’s lip dishes, a tradition still endures.Many women make an incision in their lower lip during adolescence that, little by little, they enlarge by placing a disc in it, as this is believed to enhance their beauty. These are a people mainly dedicated to herding, but they also cultivate sorghum and corn. Hunting is also an important activity for the Mursi, though it has been reduced somewhat by their territory having been declared a wildlife reserve.We’ll then return to Jinka, where we’ll spend the night.Overnight stay at the Eco Omo Lodge. FB (Full Board)

Jinka – Turmi

We will leave Jinka to have lunch in Key Afar, which will give us the perfect opportunity to experience one of the most colorful markets in the Omo Valley (provided it is Thursday). Next, we will continue to Turmi, capital of the Hamer ethnic group, a tribe of ancestral customs, with its own language, religion and beliefs. The Hamer are an extremely hospitable people, with unique rites including bull jumping (ukuli bula), fathers’ bestowal of boko sticks on their sons, and the Evangadi dance.Turmi is a small town that stands out as the capital of the Hamer people. The town not only serves as a base for visits to the different villages of this tribe, but is an excellent starting point to reach Omorate and discover ethnic groups like the Dassanach and the Karo.The Hamer are probably the most archetypal ethnic group in the Omo region. Especially striking are their women, who wear thick, ochre-colored braids forming thick bangs, fur skirts, and numerous bracelets worn tight on their arms and legs.The men, for their part, practice body scarification, as do the women, and wear simpler attire, except that which they don for ceremonies.

Turmi – Omorate – Turmi

We’ll get up early and head further south, towards Omorate, for an extensive visit to a Dassanach village on the banks of the Omo River.This  is a people dedicated to the cultivation of sorghum and corn. Also herders, they produce seasonal crops coinciding with the flooding of the Omo River and the swelling of its banks. This ethnic group features a patriarchal society, where authority rests with a group of male elders called Ara.One of the Dassanach’s most surprising characteristics are the males’ hairstyles, which denote their rising ages and places in their social system. They range from a complete shave, to “helmet”  styles for children, to sophisticated styles incorporating the use of soil, indicating adulthood and social recognition.On this day we will also visit different villages of the Hamer people. Accompanied by native guides, we will explore some of their most interesting villages.Overnight stay at Paradise Lodge. FB (Full Board)

Turmi – Kangate – Turmi

In the morning we’ll go to Kangate, where we’ll be able to visit the paleontological excavations of Shkora, a site featuring the remains of a range of different creatures, from elephants to Homo sapiens. On the same visit we can include the Nyangatom and Kuyogu ethnic groups. In the area we’ll be able to spot animals like buffalo and gazelles. The Nyangatom have a clan-based social structure and, in addition to their family lineages, tend to refer to people as a lion, ostrich or buffalo, depending on their age and stage of development. This ethnic group depends on livestock herding, its young people travelling long distances to care for their animals.We will return to Turmi in the afternoon, with the possibility of attending a traditional ceremony (activity not included).Overnight stay at Paradise Lodge. FB (Full Board)

Turmi – Arbore – Konso

We will leave behind Turmi and, along the route towards Konso, come across several seasonal rivers, which are normally dry. One of them will lead us to the great swampy area of Chew Bahir. In this great wetland grow the reeds with which the Arbore people build their houses. We will visit some of the villages of this ethnic group, and share some leisure time with their leaders in order to learn about their traditions and culture.We will continue on towards Konso, where we will visit one of the villages, labyrinthine constructions that are veritable citadels protecting them from their neighboring ethnic groups. Located atop basaltic hills, they constitute  spectacular overlooks perched above the terraced fields surrounding them below. The Konso continue to embrace animism, despite having been influenced by Christianity for decades.Overnight stay at Kanta Lodge. FB (Full Board)

Konso