Surma Trekking: Visit the untouched culture — 9 days

Ethiopia is home for numerous ethnic groups and tribes, more specifically there are about 80 ethnic groups and more than 250 languages and dialects are spoken with in the country. Unlike other parts, the Southern Omo Valley is known for its ethniical diversities and it is uniquely isolated from modern Ethiopia. There are 16 nomadic and semi-nomadic people inhabiting the Omo Valley without any influence of the outside world. The lower omo valley is also one of Ethiopian world heritage site (some old hominid fossils were discovered around Lake Turkana near Ethio-Kenyan border)

SURMA (SURI) is one of the tribes in the Southwestern side of the Omo River living in the evergreen deserted mountains and hills. The Surma belongs to the Nilotic—speaking group and are gatherers of wild fruit and pastoral cattle herders numbering more than 21,000 people.

They are uniquely known for their donga, a ceremony which involves stick fighting among boys and considered to bring heroism, pride, and prestige. The stick fight enables the winner seek his bride against his rivals. The Surma men are often shave their hair as adornment with their earlobes and they are usually half necked and totally nicked during stick fighting. The Surma Women wear lip plates inserted in their lower lips and have different hair adornments made by using razor blade. In a typical Surma village live more than 1000 people leading the common life.

Day 1- Arrive Addis Ababa-City tour
Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, you will be accompanied by Zagwe Ethiopia tour employee and transferred to your hotel . ‘Addis Ababa’ translates as ‘new flower’ in Amharic – the beautiful local language you will hear sung throughout its chaotic streets. Chosen for its verdant setting and wonderful climate this was not always Ethiopia’s capital —the (rather romantic) story tells that it was a love gift, the choice of the consort of the Emperor Menelik II who preferred the location to the country’s original capital Entoto. –

The flower has most certainly bloomed and the second you step out of the airport you realise you are opening the door into an ancient, mystical and deeply religious world fighting strongly to keep its presence amongst high rises and shopping centres. A city of immense contrasts its chaotic streets are a hotchpotch of Menelik remains and dizzying investment. Before heading into the country’s rural splendour strike out into this colourful metropolis with your charming local guide. Visit the former palace of Emperor Haile Selassie, now a fabulous Ethnographical museum , St George’s Cathedral and a panoramic view of the capital from the Entoto Mountain.

Meal: breakfast /lunch /Dinner

Overnight at Hotel

Day 2: Drive to Jimma
Morning after breakfast drive 345km to Jimma. On the way we cross the magnificent and picturesque Gibe gorge and the Gibe River. Jimma was the capital of the former Keffa province. It is in this region that the coffee beans originated for the first time by a shepherd.

Meal: breakfast /lunch /Dinner

Overnight at Hotel

Day 3: Drive to Mizan Teferi
Today, we will be continuing our south-west routing as we make our way to Mizan Teferi. The 240km drive is made up of a mosaic of forest and cultivated land dominated by coffee, tea and various spices, and we will have ample opportunity to stop and take advantage of any photographic opportunities we may encounter.

Meal: breakfast /lunch /Dinner

Overnight at Hotel

Day 4: Drive to Bebeka
En-route we will visit coffee plantation, the Ethiopias largest old coffee plantation. On the way visit the Menit tribe. After crossing the Akobo River you experience the African Savanna grass land and on the way visit Orom, Kefecho and Bench tribe in their village.

Meal: breakfast /lunch /Dinner

Overnight Camping

Day 5: Drive Kibish
We will arrange you mules for your personal equipment’s and for your self also. And you will experience a walk through Savanna grassland.

if there is any Donga (Stick fighting of the Surma people) we will attend it otherwise we walk around the old kibish village (14kms round trip) for the visit of more of the Surma villages-to visit and appreciate the very attractive culture of Surma tribe, they are renowned for the strange custom followed by their women who, on reaching maturity, have their lower lips slit and circular or rectangular clay discs inserted The rest of the day you finalize the arrangement of the team for the next trek to the next site.

Meal: breakfast /lunch /Dinner

Overnight Camping

Day 6: Drive back to Tulgit
After breakfast we walk with in the Surma territory for about 4-5 hours. The walk will have gentle slope ascending and descending. Upon arrival at Tulgit we will walk for about 40 minute to visit the Surma Village.

Meal: breakfast /lunch /Dinner

Overnight Camping

Day 7: Drive Maji
Morning we walk through the beautiful country side for about 3 hours to visit the Dizi tribal village and the spectacular Maji Falls. We Walk back to Maji. The rest of the day we finalize the arrangement of the team for the next trip to Jimma.

Meal: breakfast /lunch /Dinner

Overnight Camping at Maji (altitude 2400 m).

Day 8: Drive back to Jimma
Drive to Jimma, with a stop to waterfalls on the way, for short walking too. Reach Jimma and visit the AbaJifar palace, old king house + the museum of all his artifacts and more, in town.

Meal: breakfast /lunch /Dinner

Overnight Hotel

Day 9 : Drive to Addis Ababa
Heading to Addis Ababa we will be driving 330 kms to Addis . we will stop at Walkite for lunch. En route we will be visiting the Gurage and Oromo people and their beautiful villages.

In the evening before departure, you will be invited a farewell dinner party at one of the best traditional restaurants in Addis where you taste variety of Ethiopian meals, and watch the folkloric dancers of the Ethiopian people.

End of Tour. Departure

This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirement.