7 Days South Ethiopia Tour from Addis Ababa

Duration: 07 Days & 06 Nights
Mode of Transportation: Car & Flight

Day 01 – 20 September 2026

Arrival in Addis Ababa – Flight to Arba Minch – Dorze Village

Arrive in Addis Ababa at 6:55 AM, where you will be welcomed by your driver and guide and transferred to the domestic terminal for your flight to Arba Minch. Upon arrival, continue your drive to visit the Dorze people.

The Dorze people are renowned for their traditional weaving skills, especially the weaving of Shammas cloth, which is one of their primary professions. They are also famous for their unique bamboo huts, whose shape resembles an elephant, symbolizing the memory of elephants that once inhabited the area. Enset, also known as the “false banana,” is the staple food of the Dorze community.

Overnight: Haile Resort Arba Minch

Day 02 – 21 September 2026

Drive: Arba Minch – Konso – Turmi

After breakfast, drive to Konso Cultural Landscape, one of Ethiopia’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Konso people are known for their remarkable terracing system, created to protect the land from soil erosion caused by sporadic and heavy rainfall. Their villages are surrounded by one to six concentric stone walls made mainly of basalt boulders.

The age of each village is marked by generation poles, and family compounds are accessible only through small gateways that require visitors to enter on all fours, historically designed to make potential attackers vulnerable. The area is also known for producing some of Ethiopia’s finest coffee.

Later, continue to visit the Arbore people, who live near Lake Chew Bahir in the hot and flat lowlands. The Arbore are primarily cattle herders and speak the Arbore language, part of the Omotic language family. Traditionally, men may have multiple wives, with the first wife often chosen by the father. Arbore girls commonly wear black cloths draped over their heads as protection from the sun and as a cultural indication of unmarried status.

Overnight: Paradise Lodge

Day 03 – 22 September 2026

Alduba Market – Karo Village

In the morning, visit the vibrant Tuesday market in Alduba, where the Hamar people and Banna people gather, both known for their distinctive hairstyles and colorful traditional attire.

In the afternoon, visit a village of the Karo people, who live along the eastern bank of the Omo River. The Karo are famous for their intricate face and body painting traditions, often practiced before ceremonies and market days. Despite being one of the smallest ethnic groups in the Omo Valley, they are widely recognized for their artistic expression and elaborate hairstyles decorated with ochre and ostrich feathers.

Overnight: Paradise Lodge

Day 04 – 23 September 2026

Hamar Village Visit – Free Afternoon

In the morning, visit a village of the Hamar people. Hamar women are distinguished by their leather skirts decorated with shells, multiple copper bracelets, and heavy iron necklaces that symbolize social status. Their hair is coated with a mixture of ochre and animal fat, giving it a distinctive reddish appearance.

Hamar men who have demonstrated bravery by overcoming enemies or dangerous animals often style their hair with clay and decorate it with ostrich feathers. To preserve these hairstyles while sleeping, they use specially carved wooden headrests known as borkotos.

The Hamar are also well known for the traditional “bull jumping” ceremony, a rite of passage marking a boy’s transition into manhood, as well as their elaborate body adornment and colorful beadwork. In the afternoon, enjoy free time at leisure.

Overnight: Paradise Lodge

Day 05 – 24 September 2026

Key Afer Market – Mursi Village – Jinka

After breakfast, drive to the vibrant Thursday market at Key Afer Market, one of the most culturally rich markets in southern Ethiopia. The market is a gathering place for several ethnic groups, including the Banna people, Hamar people, and Tsemay people, all dressed in their distinctive traditional clothing.

In the afternoon, continue to visit the Mursi people village. Mursi women are internationally recognized for their large lip plates, worn as part of their cultural identity. Several theories exist regarding the origin of this practice, including protection from slavery in ancient times, spiritual beliefs, and as a symbol of social status and bride wealth.

The Mursi are also known for their scarification traditions, where scars symbolize social achievements and personal history. These scars are traditionally created using razor blades and camel thorns. Later, continue driving to Jinka.

Overnight: Eco Omo Lodge

Day 06 – 25 September 2026

Ari Village – Flight to Addis Ababa

After breakfast, visit the Ari people, the largest ethnic group in the Lower Omo Valley. The Ari mainly inhabit the fertile highlands around Jinka and are primarily settled farmers. Their economy is based on agriculture, cultivating crops such as maize, sorghum, coffee, fruits, and enset (false banana). Due to their productive farmland, they supply a significant amount of food to the surrounding Omo Valley communities.

In addition to farming, the Ari are known for livestock keeping and traditional craftsmanship, including pottery, weaving, blacksmithing, and the distillation of traditional local liquor. Their homes are often beautifully decorated using natural materials such as charcoal, clay, and ash. Later, transfer to Jinka Airport for your flight back to Addis Ababa.

Overnight: Aya Addis Hotel

Day 07 – 26 September 2026

Addis Ababa City Tour – Meskel Festival – Departure

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and begin a sightseeing tour of Addis Ababa from the comfort of your vehicle. During the tour, visit a local family home to experience a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, where you will taste three varieties of coffee: one served with sugar, one with salt, and one infused with traditional spices. In the afternoon, attend the vibrant Meskel Festival celebration at Meskel Square. After the sightseeing experience, transfer to Addis Ababa International Airport for your evening departure.

Price Includes

1. Hotel accommodation in one twin room and two single rooms with breakfast
2. Private vehicle with professional drivers
3. English-speaking professional guides
4. Entrance fees and scout fees
5. Daily unlimited bottled water

Price Excludes

1. Lunch and dinner
2. Alcoholic beverages
3. Video and photography fees
4. Gratitude/tips and personal expenses
5. Entrance fees for bull jumping ceremonies and any other cultural ceremonies