Orthodox Christianity and Islam, the two main religions in Ethiopia, have coexisted since Mohammed time. The first believers in Islam were converted while the prophet Mohammed was alive and the first mosque was built in the eighth century. However, culturally the Orthodox Church has dominated the political, social, and cultural life in the highlands, as it has been official religion of the imperial court and hence also of the feudal establishment until Haile Selassie was deposed in 1974, since the religion and state have been separated. In general festivals/ celebrations in Ethiopia are great and colorful events, mostly religious, and frequently take place over several days. During the festivals days People dress in traditional costume and celebrate festivals across the country.

• International air/flight tickets,
• Alcohol beverages,
• Tourist Insurance,
• Video filming and photography fees,
• Tips and items of personal nature like laundry, souvenirs, etc
• All expense that are not mentioned in the included part

DAY 1- ADDIS ABABA CITY TOUR & MESKAL FESTIVAL FINDING THE TRUE CROSS, SEPTEMBER 26^TH

Morning meet with SET guide at preferred departure point and time, then start the city tour drive up to Mt. Entoto, once used as a capital of the country -the highest point of the capital (3,000 masl), where you will have a panoramic view over the city of Addis Ababa; a visit to the adjacent church of St. Mary with museum and palace of Minillek II then drive down to the National Museum (archaeological and historical), which has the best collection of Ethiopian antiquities and archeological discoveries, including the famous oldest hominid (fossil) of Lucy dated back to 3.2 million, After lunch break a drive through Piazza the old downtown with various historical monuments down to the biggest open air market in East Africa called Merkato for a quick drive through the market then head to Meskel square to attend the Meskel festival

MESKAL - (Finding the True Cross, September 26^th & 27^th)

Meskal is second in importance only to Timket and has been celebrated for over 1,600 years. The word actually means "cross" and the feast commemorates when the cross of Christ was discovered to Empress Helena, mother of Constantine the Great.

In Addis Ababa, celebrations start in the early afternoon when a procession bearing flaming torches approaches Meskal Square from various directions. Participants include Priests in brightly colored vestments, students, brass bands, contingents of the armed forces and floats carrying huge lit crosses. They circle the "demera" and fling torches upon it while singing a special Meskal song. Thousands gather at the Square to bid farewell to the rains and welcome in "Tseday" the spring season with its profuse "Meskal" daisies and golden sunshine. As evening darkens, the flames glow brighter. It is not until dawn that the burning pyramid consumes itself entirely and the big tree at the center finally falls. During the celebrations, houses are stocked with "tella" the local beer, and strangers are made welcome, overnight hotel

Day 2- drive ADDIS aBABA - AWASSA ON THE WAY TIYA UNESCO SITE

Morning after breakfast meet with SET staffs (driver and guide) at your preferred departure point and time, then start drive down to south, drive to southward to the rift valley regions passing creator lakes and rift valley lakes on the way visit the Tiya steal field a UNSCO registered site in Ethiopia, arrival at Awassa and walk on the lake shore of Lake Awassa, overnight hotel.

Day 3- DRIVE Awassa - arbaminch- ON THE VISIT THE DORZE TRIBE

Mornings after breakfast walk on the lake shore to see the fish market and a very good opportunity to see the aquatic birds, then drive will take you along the scenic farmlands of Gurage People. We will also drive through the Wolayta farmlands, with views of the lush green hills and valleys, on the way visit the Dorze tribe and their village, famed for their bee hive shaped houses and their weaving skills. Weaving is a primary profession for many Dorze. They are also farmers, who prevent soil erosion by ingenious terracing of the mountainsides. Around their huts they have their own little garden with vegetables, spices; tobacco and Enset (false-banana or musa Ensete). You arrive late in the afternoon at Arbaminch - meaning 'Forty Springs' in Amharic. Arbminch takes its name from the bubbling streams that cover the groundwater forest occupying the flats of the town, Overnight hotel

Day 4- DRIVE ARBAMINCH- TURMI ON THE WAY BOAT TRIP & KONSO TRIBE

Early in the morning drive to the Lake shore to have a boat trip on Lake Chamo, Boat trip on Lake Chamo is along the best anywhere in Ethiopia. One can spot many Hippos and the world's most spectacular concentrations of Giant Nile Crocodiles which measure about 6 meter with the water birds are great the scenery is truly unforgettable, continue drive on the way stop at KONSO to visit the Konso tribe with their king- UNSCO registered site for their extensive terracing and practice of making a wooden grave mark for their hero and kings, continue driving and late afternoon arrival to Turmi, overnight Lodge.

Remark: - if there is any ceremonial activity like traditional dance, Bull jumping ceremony you will be informed by your guide so based on that you will pay the extra payment for the ceremony

DAY 5- TURMI- EXCURSION KARO TRIBE AT MURULLE- ON THE WAY DIMEKA MARKET (SATURDAY/ TUESDAY) - AFTERNOONS HAMER VILLAGE

Early in the morning after breakfast excursion to Murulle to see the Karo tribe, famous for their body panting (they prepare the ink for the painting from locally available material like flower, soil and animal blood) we will also admire the scenery view of the Omo river from the edge of the village, then drive to Dimeka Market to attend the weekly colorful market of the HAMER tribe then drive back to Turmi after afternoon break in the lodge late afternoon walk from the lodge to the village to visit the HAMER tribe with their own way of life interaction with their way of life, overnight Lodge.

Remark: - if there is any ceremonial activity like traditional dance, Bull jumping ceremony you will be informed by your guide so based on that you will pay the extra payment for the ceremony

Day 6- DRIVE TURMI- JINKA ON THE WAY excursion TO OMORATE-DASENCH TRIBE

These day early in the morning after breakfast drive 73 km west to visit the Dassench/Geleb people; who inhabited in the bank of Omo River and we cross the Omo River by locally made boat to see the village these tribes are semi nomadic with very little agriculture on the bank of the Omo River, then drive to Jinka on the way enjoy the interaction of different tribes with their way of life, overnight Lodge.

DAY 7- DRIVE JINKA- ARBAMINCH AM EXCURSION TO MURSI TRIBE ON THE WAY KEY AFER MARKET (THURSDAY)

After breakfast early in the morning leave Jinka and drive to Mursi village to visit and appreciate the very attractive culture of Mursi tribe. They are renowned for the strange custom followed by their women who, on reaching maturity, have their lower lips slit and circular clay discs inserted, then drive to KEY AFER- Tribal Market one of the best market in the OMO VALLEY since at list four different tribes are coming to attend these weekly market arrival to the small town and escort a local guide walking around the market and explore different section of the market including animal, vegetable, cereals and much more. Then continue drive back to Arbaminch, overnight hotel/ lodges

Day 8- morning GAME DRIVE AT NECHSAR NATIONAL PARK PM FLY ARBAMINCH- ADDIS ABABA

Early in the morning after breakfast drive to Nechisar is named after the white grass that covers the undulating Nechisar plains and contrasts with the black basalt rocks of the Amaro Mountains to the east, and the black soils of the plains. Around 15% of the park comprises portions of Lakes Abaya to the north and Chamo to the south. The water of Lake Abaya is always brown or red-brown due to iron-ferric, in contrast with Lake Chamo which has strikingly blue water and white sandy beaches. The park also covers the neck of land between the lakes which supports groundwater forest. At the foot of Mt Tabala in the south-east there are hot springs. During game drive you will have a chance to observe different wild life include Zebra, lesser and greater Kudu, gazelle, baboons and various bird lives then start drive to Arbaminch after lunch break transfer to the airport arrival at Addis, shopping and coffee break and finally in the evening traditional farewell dinner in cultural restaurant with live tribal music.

END OF THE TOUR