Day 1: Drive to Awassa / Wondogenet
Depart from Addis Ababa south to Awassa, through the Great Rift Valley. On the way you will stop at Lake Ziway to admire the vibrant birdlife on the shores of the lake. Proceed south to Wondo Genet, former Emperor Haile Selassie’s favorite weekend getaway spot. Here you can take a shower in the therapeutic hot spring waters, swim in the pool and a short hike in the forest. Overnight in Awassa or Wondo Genet (hotel).

Day 2: Awassa / Wondogent - Dorze / Arbaminch
In the morning after breakfast, visit the fish market on the shores of Lake Awassa and then proceed driving to Dorze, set in the highlands above Arba Minch. The Dorze people are known for their tall beehive-like houses and their fine cotton weaving. You will visit the village and learn about the daily lives of these industrious people. If today is market day (in Dorze village on Monday and Thursday and in nearby Chencha on Tuesday and Saturday), that will be visited. Overnight in Dorze in traditional Dorze hut (shared toilet facilities) or continue to Arba Minch for overnight (camping, hotel or lodge).

Day 3: Dorze / Arbaminch - Konso
Continue a short distance from Arba Minch to Konso. The Konso people are known for their wooden statues, known as wakas, which are erected in honor of dead heroes as well as their innovative agricultural terracing. Today you will have the opportunity to visit a local village and the cultural museum displaying many waka statues. Time permitting, you can also visit the “natural New York Village”, named after the tall sand formations resembling skyscrapers. Market day in Konso is Monday and Thursday. Overnight in Konso (hotel or lodge).

Day 4: Drive to Jinka, on the way visit tribes and depending on the date, their local
After breakfast drive to Weyto via the town of Key Afer. On the way visit the Konso village, where the people wear colorful costumes, and use their steep land through impressive terracing; through annual wooden grave marks they express their status. Their three-storey community house called Mora is impressive; all the young boys above 12 years old stay there every night inside till they marry. - Have lunch in Weyto and continue driving to the town of Jinka.

Day 5 : Konso - Arbaminch
Early in the morning, depart from Arba Minch for a full day’s drive back to Addis. On the way you may have time to visit one of the following archeological sites of interest:

Tiya - ancient stellae field and UNESCO World Heritage siteancient stellae field and UNESCO World Heritage site
Adadi Maryam – rock-hewn church similar to those in Lalibela
Melka Kunture – pre-historic tool-making site

END OF TOUR


The program can be customized upon request.