12 Days Omo Valley, Awash National Park and Harar Tours

Day 1: Arrival – Arba Minch

You will be met upon arrival at the airport, and we will drive to the town of Arba Minch. On the way, we will visit the Doreze village, renowned for their weaving skills, known as Shammas. Their houses are shaped like elephants, paying homage to the historical presence of these animals in the area. Enset, or ‘fake banana,’ serves as the staple food for these communities. This journey includes our Explore Omo Valley & Awash National Park Tours.

Day 2:  Drive Arba Minch – Konso – Jinka

After breakfast, enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Chamo, Ethiopia’s third-largest lake. You might catch glimpses of Nile crocodiles, hippos, and a variety of bird species. Following this, we will head to the Bana village. The Bana are indigenous pastoralists and semi-nomadic, surviving in the challenging conditions of the lower Omo Valley.

Today, drive to Murulle, home to the Karo people, known for their striking body art. They prepare for ceremonies by painting their bodies with white chalk. The women scar their chests, which they believe enhances their beauty, while the men’s scars reflect their bravery in hunting.

Take a day excursion to Mago National Park to visit the Mursi village. The Mursi are one of the exotic ethnic groups in Ethiopia. They live in very low huts made of straw leaves.

After breakfast, you will have an excursion to Omorate to visit the Dassanech people, referred to as the ‘people of the Delta,’ residing on the northern shore of Lake Turkana. After your visit, drive back to Turmi.

This day’s schedule is contingent upon market days. If it’s Thursday, we will visit the Key Afer markets. If it’s Tuesday, we will explore the Alduba markets. After that, we’ll drive to Turmi to visit the villages of the Hamer tribe.

Day 5: Excursion to Murulle and Nyangatom

After breakfast, we will drive to Awash National Park, which borders the Awash River. The park encompasses 756 square kilometers of acacia woodland and grassland. The southern section features stunning waterfalls along the Awash River gorge. In the upper Kudu Valley at Filwoha, you will encounter hot springs nestled among palm trees.

. The Karo people are famous for their splendid body decoration.

Early in the morning, travel to Dire Dawa, where you’ll be welcomed upon arrival and then head to Harar. Harar is an intricate network of narrow streets enclosed by ancient walls and is recognized as the fourth holiest city in Islam, after Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem.

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Day 6: Excursion to Omorate (75kms 2hrs drive)

On this day, you will explore Babile, home to the largest camel market in Ethiopia. After your visit, return to Harar. After lunch, visit Dakhata Valley, also known as the Valley of Marvels, where towering rocks have been naturally sculpted into unusual shapes by the elements.

.’ They live on the northern shore of Lake Turkana. Visit and drive back to Turmi.

This day, drive to Dire Dawa, passing through the Aweday chat market. Upon reaching Dire Dawa, you will board your flight back to Addis. You will be met upon arrival and transferred to your hotel for day use.

Today, you will head to Konso to explore the Konso village, a UNESCO World Heritage site noted for its terracing. This area is also famous for producing some of the finest coffee in Ethiopia.

Day 8: Arba Minch – Addis Ababa

This day you will be flying back to Addis Ababa then you will stay the night at your hotel in Addis.

Day 9: Addis Ababa – Awash National Park

After breakfast, we will drive to Awash National Park. The park’s southern boundary is along the Awash River, and it covers 756 square kilometers of acacia woodland and grassland.

Day 10: Awash NP – Dire Dawa – Harar

Early in the morning, drive to Dire Dawa, where you will be met upon arrival and then drive to Harar. Harar is a labyrinth of small streets surrounded by old city walls and is the fourth holiest city for Muslims, next to Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem.

 Day 11: Excursion to Babible (Dates Must Be Monday or Thursday) – Babile Valley Of Marvels

This day you will have an excursion to Babile to see the biggest camel market in Ethiopia. Visit and drive back to Harar. After having your lunch, visit Dakhata Valley, better known as the Valley of Marvels. Tall rocks have been sculpted into strange, often phallic shapes by the elements.

Day 12: Drive Harar – Dire Dawa – Fly Addis – Departure

This day you will drive to Dire Dawa, passing through the Aweday chat market. Upon arrival in Dire Dawa, you will catch your flight back to Addis. Be met upon arrival and transfer to your hotel for day use.