Arrival Day: Usually you’ll arrive in the evening, where you’ll be warmly welcomed at Addis Ababa Bole Airport and transferred to your hotel.

Evening: Enjoy a relaxed dinner at your accommodation. If you feel up to it, take a short evening stroll nearby to stretch your legs and get a first glimpse of the city’s atmosphere. Then, rest well to prepare for the exciting adventure ahead.

Travel Down South: After a relaxed breakfast, you’ll head to the airport for your 10am flight to Jinka, arriving in time for lunch.

Lunch & Journey to Turmi: Enjoy lunch in Jinka before driving approximately 3 hours to Turmi. The first half of the journey is on tarmac roads, followed by a scenic dirt road through the countryside.

Arrival & Dinner Briefing: Arrive in Turmi by evening and settle into your accommodation. Over a traditional dinner, you’ll receive an introduction to Ethiopia, the Hamar people, and our ethical travel approach in the South Omo Valley.

Evening – Honey Wine Welcome: Visit Geta’s mother’s home to taste Tej (Ethiopian honey wine) — said to be the best in town — as a warm welcome to the region.

Morning – Introduction to Hamar: Meet a local Hamar family you’ll get to know throughout the week. Enjoy your first Hamar buno (coffee) and learn about children’s roles and games in the community. Play traditional games and some fun icebreakers we bring along.

Lunch – Ethiopian Cooking Class: Join my mother at her home for a hands-on cooking class. Learn to make injera, the iconic Ethiopian sour pancake, and take home recipes and spice packets to recreate it yourself.

Evening – Sunset & Dinner: Head for a short hike to the best sunset viewpoint for magical views and enjoy dinner in town.

Optional – Digital Detox: Hand over your phone for 24 hours and fully immerse yourself in Hamar life, where time is told by the sun and social media doesn’t exist. We’ll take photos for you and provide our number to your key contacts..

Morning – Jewellery Making: Under the trees, learn how Hamar teens make and wear traditional jewellery. Make your own or have a local artisan create a design for you, while learning about its cultural meaning.

Afternoon – Cook & Share a Meal: Join a Hamar family to prepare and enjoy a local lunch. Help grind grain, pick moringa leaves, and make traditional coffee from husks. An alternative meal is available if needed.

Hamar Hairdressing: Spend time with Hamar teens as they show how they create their unique and symbolic hairstyles for different life stages.

Optional – Village Sleepover: Sleep in a tent with a foam mattress and basic facilities, or go fully traditional and sleep on a cowskin inside a Hamar house.

Morning – Hamar Coffee Time: Wake up to village sounds and share bhuno (Hamar coffee) with a local family – a key social ritual. Return to your lodge for a shower, breakfast, and your phone if you digital detoxed.

Market Day – Gaba Rorro: Visit the big weekly market and take on a fun Hamar language challenge before browsing local handicrafts.

Lunch – With Kuna in Turmi: Share a meal with Kuna, a Hamar woman living in town, and hear her inspiring life story.

Afternoon – Bull Jumping (if available): Witness a powerful coming-of-age ritual as a young boy leaps over bulls to become a man.

Evening – Dinner by the River: Enjoy dinner on the riverbed before returning to your accommodation to rest.

Evening – Evangadi Dancing (seasonal): Join the village for night dancing to celebrate the bull jumper’s transition.

Morning – Journey to Konso: We’ll set off early for a 4-hour drive to Konso, traveling on a mix of tarmac and dirt roads. Along the way, enjoy the changing landscapes as we approach this fascinating cultural region.

Konso Visit: Explore the Konso people’s remarkable stone terraces and fortified settlements, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy lunch while learning about their unique carved wooden statues and traditional games, gaining insight into their rich cultural heritage.

Afternoon – Travel to Arba Minch: After Konso, continue on a 2-hour tarmac drive to Arba Minch, known as the “City of 40 Springs.”

Late afternoon – Crocodile Safari: Take a small boat for a private crocodile safari, with a chance to spot hippos in their natural habitat.

Evening – Dinner & Overnight in Arba Minch: Savor a delicious locally caught fresh fish dinner and settle in for a restful night’s stay in this beautiful town.

Morning – Dorze Tribe: Visit the Dorze tribe for a hands-on weaving experience. Learn how they use the false banana tree for food and crafts, and sample traditional food and local liquor.

Travel: Drive on a mix of made and unmade roads to Chebera Chechura National park. (7 hour drive broken up by lunch and stops)

Evening - relax: Arrive deep in the national park at your safari lodge and have a delicious dinner.  ​

​If you love nature and want to get properly off the beaten track, Chebera-Churchura National Park is worth the adventure. It’s one of the last strongholds for wild elephants in Ethiopia. There aren’t proper roads, so you’ll head out on foot with an armed ranger. The elephants are shy, so even catching a glimpse is an achievement — but tracking these giants through the jungle is an unforgettable experience.​

Morning – Safari Adventure

Begin your day trekking through the stunning landscapes of Checheba Chechura National Park. This remote and little-visited park is home to incredible wildlife, including the majestic African elephant. 

Afternoon – Relax & Wildlife Spotting
After lunch, continue exploring the park or relax at your accommodation with beautiful views of the surrounding nature. 

Morning – Deeper into the Wild
Head out for another safari trek to discover more of the park’s hidden corners. With a bit of luck, today could bring sightings of elephants, antelope species, monkeys and unique birdlife in this off-the-beaten-path location.

Afternoon – Final Safari Moments
Enjoy your final hours in the park, soaking in the peaceful landscapes, exploring the hot springs and waterfalls before preparing for the next stage of your adventure.

If trekking for animals is not your thing, we can easily switch this section for a trip to a relaxing lakeside trip in Hawassa, Debre Zeyit or Langano or another location, details here, or more details and options by email or phone. 

Morning – Drive to Jimma
Set off early for the 5-hour scenic drive to Jimma, passing through lush highlands and rural countryside.

Afternoon – Flights to Dire Dawa via Addis Ababa
From Jimma, board your domestic flights to Dire Dawa, with a short connection in Addis Ababa.

Evening – Settle into Harar
Arrive in the ancient, walled city of Harar, famous for its colourful alleyways, rich history, and hyena legends. Settle into your guesthouse and enjoy the evening exploring or relaxing at your own pace.

Morning – Coffee Ceremony & Market Wander: Welcome to walled city which is a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site! Ease into Harar life with Ethiopia’s famous coffee, roasted and brewed the traditional way. Then, weave through the bustling spice market and alleyways, learning how this city became a hub for traders, mystics, and explorers.

Afternoon – Harari Home Experience: Step inside a beautifully decorated Harari home, where bold colours, basketry, and centuries-old traditions meet. Learn the meaning behind the intricate designs and daily rhythms of life in the old city.

Evening – Feed the Hyenas: As darkness falls, meet the legendary Hyena Men of Harar. Watch as they call wild hyenas from the shadows—and, if you’re brave enough, feed one yourself with a stick held in your mouth. A spine-tingling, once-in-a-lifetime moment.

Optional – Sunrise Rooftop Views: Start the day with sunrise views over Harar’s rooftops as the city slowly wakes and morning calls echo across the walls.

Morning – Sufi Shrines & Sacred Stories: Discover the spiritual side of Harar with a guided walk to hidden shrines and mosques. Hear tales of saints, mystics, and the city’s deep-rooted Islamic heritage.

Afternoon – Artisan Encounters: Visit local craft workshops tucked away in the maze of alleyways. Watch basket weavers, bookbinders, and coffee roasters at work, and try your hand at a craft of your choice.

Optional – Night Market & Street Food: Explore Harar’s evening market, sampling sambusas, fresh bread, and sweet treats as locals gather to shop and socialise.

Morning – Relax in Harar: A peaceful final morning to soak up the views or visit any sites you missed.

Midday – Flight to Addis Ababa: We’ll take a short flight back to Addis Ababa, arriving by early afternoon.

Afternoon - Explore Addis - Friendship Park & Unity Park & Science Museum: Explore Unity Park to discover Ethiopia’s imperial palace, beautifully restored gardens, the zoo, and regional cultural pavilions. Next, stroll through Friendship Park, an urban green space with gardens, fountains, and art installations. Finally, see the modern, interactive Ethiopian Science Museum. 

Dinner: Have dinner at one of Addis Ababa's best traditional spots. 

Morning – National Museum & Adwa Museum: We’ll start with the National Museum, home to Ethiopia’s most famous fossil, Lucy, along with ancient artefacts, royal treasures, and cultural displays. Next, we’ll visit the newly opened Adwa Museum, a striking architectural landmark celebrating Ethiopia’s victory at the Battle of Adwa and the country’s histpry of resistance. 

Afternoon - Market Exploration: Next, dive into the vibrant energy of Mercato, Africa’s largest open-air market. We’ll focus on a curated area known for its spices, baskets, coffee, and crafts — plenty to experience without the chaos. 

Dinner - Rooftop Pizza: Fresh wood-fired pizza on a rooftop terrace, where you can soak up panoramic city views while enjoying delicious food. 

Optional Evening – Explore Addis Nightlife: For those with energy, there’s the option to check out Addis Ababa’s buzzing nightlife scene. Choose from cosy jazz bars, lively cultural spots, or local favourites for live music and atmosphere. 

Morning – Shiro Meda & Entoto Maryam Church
We’ll start the day at Shiro Meda, Addis’s famous textile market, where you can browse traditional handwoven clothing and colourful fabrics. From there, we’ll head up the mountain to visit Entoto Maryam Church and enjoy panoramic views over the city.

Afternoon – Entoto Park: Choose Your Own Adventure:The rest of the day is yours to choose how to explore Entoto Park. You can choose to hike forest trails, try the zipline, go horse riding, unwind with a coffee and mountain views, or enjoy a massage. Lunch options are available in the park, and we’ll head back to the city whenever you’re ready.

Evening – Yod Abyssinia Cultural Show: We’ll wrap up the trip with dinner at Yod Abyssinia, famous for its lively dance performances. It’s the perfect finale to your Addis experience before we drop you to the airport for your late night flight.