4-Day Culture and Nature of Southern Ethiopia
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Overview
This is a four-day guided culture and nature tour of southern Ethiopia. You'll start the trip by visiting some of the most significant archaeological finds in Ethiopia, the rock-hewn church of Adadi Mariam and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Steles of Tiya.
Throughout your short but insightful 4-day trip in Ethiopia, you'll experience the local way of life by visiting and meeting the local people of Oromo, Alaba, and Dorze.
Get in touch with nature with a boat trip on the Rift Valley Lake of Chamo to see hippos, crocs, and a number of water birds, and finally, tour seven of the Rift Valley Lakes of Ethiopia and immerse yourself in the great outdoors.
Throughout your short but insightful 4-day trip in Ethiopia, you'll experience the local way of life by visiting and meeting the local people of Oromo, Alaba, and Dorze.
Get in touch with nature with a boat trip on the Rift Valley Lake of Chamo to see hippos, crocs, and a number of water birds, and finally, tour seven of the Rift Valley Lakes of Ethiopia and immerse yourself in the great outdoors.
Itinerary
Day 1
Welcome to Southern Ethiopia!
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Our driver will pick you up from the airport and take you to Arba Minch in southern Ethiopia. You will stop at historical and cultural sites along the way and have lunch in Butajira. Visit the unique church of Adadi Mariam which was carved out of one piece of rock in the 13th century and the 14th-century archaeological grave site of Steles of Tiya.
Accommodation
Paradise Lodge★3 star
Activities
Adadi Mariam
Adadi MarketOptional Activity
Tiya Archeological Site
Lake Abaya
Restaurants
Paradise Lodge
Transportations
Private Driver from Addis Ababa Airport to Adadi Mariyam
Private Driver from Adadi to Arba Minch
Meals
Lunch and dinner
Destinations
Oromia
Tiya
Arba Minch
Day 2
Chencha and Boat Ride on Lake Chamo
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During this morning excursion to Chencha, you'll visit the tribal people of Dorze who are noted for their cultivation of Enset, a type of false banana tree, and their weaving techniques. At the Dorze village, you will learn how to prepare Kotcho, the bread prepared from the roots of the false banana tree and try it for yourself. In the afternoon, take a boat ride on the Rift Valley Lake of Chamo to visit hippos, crocodiles, and a number of water birds.
Accommodation
Paradise Lodge★3 star
Activities
Dorze Villages and Workshops
Boat Ride on Chamo Lake
Restaurants
Lemlem Restaurant
Paradise Lodge
Transportations
Private Driver from Arba Minch to Chencha
Private Driver from Chencha to Arba Minch
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Arba Minch
Chencha
Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region
Day 3
Visit the Rastafarian Community and Lake Awassa
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Enjoy the sunrise and have breakfast at Paradise Lodge. And then, drive north to Awassa. On the way, stop at the villages of the Alaba People and to visit the Rastafarian community at Shashemene to learn about the beginnings of this religion. Late in the afternoon, you will enjoy the best sunset of the trip as it sets behind Lake Awassa which is locally known as Love Lake.
Accommodation
Haile Resort★4 star
Activities
Village of Alaba People
Rastafarian Community
Lake Awassa
Restaurants
Haile Resort Awassa
Transportations
Private Driver from Arba Minch to Shashamane
Private Driver from Shashamane to Awassa
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Arba Minch
Alaba Kulito
Shashamane
Awassa
Ethiopia
Day 4
Return to Addis Ababa via Bishoftu for Departure
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Head back to Addis Ababa via Ziway and Bishoftu (Debre Ziet). On the way visit the Abiyatta Shalla Lakes National Park and the other Rift Valley lake of Ziway, which has a big collection of water birds. The last stop today would be at the crater lake of Bishoftu which offers superb scenery surrounding the deepest of the crater lakes, the perfect way to say goodbye to southern Ethiopia.
Activities
Abidjatta-Shalla National Park
Birdwatching at Ziway Lake
Bishoftu Lake
Restaurants
Habesha 2000 Restaurant
Transportations
Private Driver from Awassa to Abidjatta-Shalla National Park
Private Driver from Langano Lake to Addis Ababa
Meals
Breakfast and dinner
Destinations
Awassa
Oromia
Bishoftu
Addis Ababa
Included in Price
- 3 nights accommodation
- 11 activities
- 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 4 dinners
- Airport transfer
- Entrance fees
- Ground transportation
- Licensed English speaking guides
Not Included in Price
- Alcohol beverages
- Domestic flights
- Entry visas / airport departure tax
- Gratuities
- International flights
- Laundry
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Trekking permits
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Low season price starting fromAU$3,474
per traveller sharing Terms and Conditions
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Flexible Payment
Book this trip today with a deposit and pay the rest 60 days before departure.
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Our dedicated Travel Concierge Team will work with you to manage any unforeseen changes, where possible.
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