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.

Afternoon – River Walk & Wildlife: Stroll along the scenic dry riverbed and spot black-and-white colobus monkeys. Discover the river’s role in Hamar life and childhood.

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

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 for peace of mind.

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 — a rare chance to live as they do.

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 – Relax: Rest at your lodge or nap under the mango trees – especially if you stayed overnight in the village.

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

Optional – Anza Ininta Ceremony: If available, witness this moving rite of passage as a Hamar bride leaves her family home, with traditional songs and celebrations.

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Breakfast – Try Pull: Start your day with Pull, a traditional breakfast loved by locals in Turmi town.

Morning – Hamar Farming: Visit a Hamar farm, enjoy fresh coffee with a local family, and try traditional skills like slingshot stone-throwing or fire-making.

Lunch – Bull Jumping Briefing: Learn about the deep cultural meaning of bull jumping and the long preparations behind the ceremony.

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

Dinner – Sunset Hike & Meal: Hike a small mountain (30 mins) and enjoy dinner with stunning views.

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

Morning – Coffee Ceremony: Begin your day at Geta’s mother’s house with a traditional coffee roasting and ceremony. Experience this intimate cultural ritual and enjoy freshly brewed coffee with the family.

Tree Planting: Participate in planting a tree to contribute to a greener future for the community. This meaningful act symbolizes growth and sustainability.

Hamar Beliefs: Meet a respected elder fortune teller who will share insights into Hamar spirituality, life transitions, and beliefs about the afterlife, offering a deep understanding of their worldview.

Evening – Farewell Goat Roast: Join a Hamar family for a traditional goat roasting dinner. You’ll have the chance to watch the preparation process (with an option to observe the slaughter), enjoy the meal served with local bread and spicy chili sauce, and listen to stories about Hamar star beliefs. End the evening playing traditional games and reflecting on your journey into Hamar life.

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.”

Evening – Dinner & Overnight in Arba Minch: Arrive by sunset and savor a delicious locally caught fresh fish dinner overlooking the stunning lakes of Arba Minch. 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.

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

Lunch: Enjoy freshly caught local fish before heading to the airport.

Flight: Catch the 4:45pm flight back to Addis Ababa.

Evening – Dinner & Rest: After arrival, you’ll be picked up for dinner at a local restaurant. Return to your hotel for the night or explore Addis Ababa’s nightlife if you wish.

Morning – National Museum & Unity Park: Visit the National Museum to see Lucy, then explore Unity Park’s imperial palace, gardens, and cultural pavilions.

Late Morning – Mercato: Wander through a curated section of Africa’s largest open-air market, full of spices, crafts, and local life.

Lunch – Local Favourite Spot: Relax over a delicious lunch at one of Addis Ababa’s top restaurants, with options for all tastes.

Afternoon – Shiro Meda & Entoto Park: Browse traditional textiles at Shiro Meda before heading to Entoto Park. Choose to hike, zipline, ride horses, or unwind with a massage.

Sunset – City Views from the Mountains: Enjoy sunset from Entoto’s panoramic viewpoint with fresh air and incredible views.

Dinner – Yod Abyssinia Cultural Show: Wrap up your day with a buffet dinner and spectacular live dance show before your airport drop-off.

Flights out are usually around midnight and you will arrive back in your home in the morning.