Sample journey · ደቡብ
The Deep South
- Length
- 13 days, 12 nights
- Highest point
- 2,700 m
- Season
- June to February (avoid the long rains)
- Group
- Private · 2 to 4 guests
- Price
- On request, per person
01 · The journey
Dorze weavers, the stone-walled towns of Konso and the markets of the Lower Omo, visited with local guides and on community terms.
This is a starting shape, not a fixed tour: every trip is private and we change the order, the pace and the stays to suit you. Two flights, daily drives.
02 · Day by day
13 days, 2 flights
- Day 12,355 m
Addis Ababa
Arrive and rest. The National Museum in the afternoon if you have the energy.
- Day 21,285 m
Fly to Arba Minch
Fly south to the town of forty springs, between Lakes Abaya and Chamo.
- Day 32,700 m
The Gamo highlands
Up to Dorze and Chencha: beehive-shaped bamboo houses, cotton weaving and an enset kitchen.
- Day 41,285 m
Lake Chamo
By boat on Lake Chamo to the crocodile market, and a walk in Nechisar's groundwater forest.
- Day 51,650 m
To Konso
Drive to Konso. Walk a walled town with a Konso guide: terraces, mora meeting houses and carved waka grave markers.
- Day 61,650 m
Konso
A second day in the terraces, at walking pace.
- Day 71,000 m
Key Afer market
On market day, the Thursday market at Key Afer, with a guide from the area.
- Day 8900 m
To Turmi
Into the Lower Omo. Afternoon with your local guide to agree the plan for the next days.
- Day 9900 m
Turmi and Dimeka
Markets on their own days, and only the visits our local partners have agreed with the communities.
- Day 101,490 m
To Jinka
North to Jinka and its South Omo Research Centre and museum.
- Day 111,490 m
Mago
Mago National Park with a ranger, if the tracks are open.
- Day 121,490 m
Jinka
A spare day for roads, weather and market days.
- Day 132,355 m
Fly to Addis, depart
Flight from Jinka to Addis for evening departures.
03 · The route
On the map
Dotted lines are flights; solid lines are drives. Every stop is outside the zones where the UK Foreign Office advises against travel, and the site's build refuses any journey that isn't.
04 · Dates
Choose your own dates, or plan around a feast
Best season: June to February (avoid the long rains). These are the next feasts and fasts in the Ethiopian calendar.
| Feast | Gregorian | Ethiopian | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genna (Christmas) ገና | 7 January 2027 | Tahsas 29, 2019 | Ethiopian Christmas, 7 January. An all-night liturgy, then the fast is broken. |
| Timkat (Epiphany) ጥምቀት | 19 January 2027 | Tir 11, 2019 | Tir 11. The tabots are carried to water on the eve (Ketera); blessings and processions the next morning. |
| Abiy Tsom (Lent) ዐቢይ ጾም | 8 March 2027 – 1 May 2027 | Yekatit 29, 2019 | The 55-day Lenten fast before Fasika. Most Orthodox Ethiopians eat vegan food until afternoon; menus follow. |
| Eid al-Fitr ዒድ አል ፈጥር | 9 March 2027 (approx.) | Yekatit 30, 2019 | The end of Ramadan, a major day in Harar and Dire Dawa. Tabular date shown: the real day follows the moon. |
| Fasika (Easter) ፋሲካ | 2 May 2027 | Miyazya 24, 2019 | Orthodox Easter ends the 55-day Lenten fast. Expect closures on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. |
| Enkutatash (New Year) እንቁጣጣሽ | 12 September 2027 | Meskerem 1, 2020 | New Year, Meskerem 1. Families gather, girls sing door to door with adey daisies. |
| Meskel መስቀል | 28 September 2027 | Meskerem 17, 2020 | The Finding of the True Cross, Meskerem 17. The demera bonfire is lit in Meskel Square, Addis, on the eve. |
Before you write
Before you book
Can we change the route?
Yes. Add nights, drop a stop, or join two journeys. We only add places that are outside the advised-against zones on the day we quote.
What happens if the advice changes before we go?
We re-check the FCDO and US advice before we confirm and again before you travel. If a place on your route moves into an advised-against zone, we change the route or postpone, and our booking terms say how deposits are handled. Ask for them before you book.
Where do we stay?
In the best rooms each place offers, which outside Addis is often simple. Our stays page explains the standard honestly.
Next journey
The Calendar Weekend