After all your preparations and fundraising the journey finally begins! Upon arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, you will be met by your local Ethiopian guide and transferred to your hotel. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner at local restaurant. Jupiter Hotel Bole

Meals:  D

After breakfast, we begin the day with a special visit to Hamlin’s Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, located on the western side of the city. We’ll enjoy morning tea with key staff members and take a guided tour of the hospital grounds, gaining deeper insight into the life-changing work being done here. Lunch will be shared with members of the dedicated nursing and theatre teams, offering a meaningful opportunity to connect and hear their stories. In the afternoon, we’ll visit Sabahar, a social enterprise where traditional Ethiopian weavers and spinners create beautiful, hand-crafted textiles using age-old techniques. We’ll end the day with dinner at the Union Hotel, where sweeping views over Addis Ababa and Meskel Square provide the perfect backdrop for reflection and connection. Jupiter Hotel Bole

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning, we visit the renowned Hamlin College of Midwives, where we’ll meet key staff and tour the campus that trains the next generation of rural midwives. Lunch at Juniper Café, a warm and welcoming space run by former fistula patients who have rebuilt their lives through Hamlin’s support. In the afternoon, we travel to Desta Mender (Joy Village), a peaceful farm and training centre that provides long-term support for fistula patients. We’ll meet staff and residents and learn about the empowering programs focused on education, reintegration, and microfinance. Later, we head into a nearby mountain community to meet the women behind Hamlin’s "Bullets to Beads" initiative — a powerful project that transforms melted bullet casings, found on farmland, into beautiful handcrafted jewellery. Jupiter Hotel Bole

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Jinka, the gateway to the culturally rich Omo Valley. On arrival, we’ll visit an Ari village, home to the largest ethnic group in the region. The Ari people are known for their vibrant culture and craftsmanship — particularly the women, who create and sell beautiful pottery to support their families. Their villages are nestled in fertile, scenic landscapes dotted with coffee plantations. The Ari also maintain impressive herds of livestock and are renowned for their honey production, a key part of their local economy and tradition. Eco-Omo Lodge (Jinka)

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning, we drive into Mago National Park to visit the Mursi people, one of the most well-known tribes of the Omo Valley. The Mursi women are renowned for their distinctive cultural practice of wearing large clay or wooden lip plates, inserted into stretched lower lips and earlobes. While this tradition may seem unusual to outsiders, it is deeply rooted in the Mursi's expression of beauty, identity, and social status. In the afternoon, we continue to Turmi to visit a Hamer village. The Hamer are one of the largest and most culturally vibrant ethnic groups in the region. Skilled in agriculture, they cultivate millet, vegetables, tobacco, and cotton, and also raise cattle and goats. The Hamer are widely admired for their artistry — from finely crafted pottery to their unique and elaborate hairstyles. Among the most striking are the clay hair buns adorned with ostrich feathers, worn by men who have killed a wild animal — a symbol of bravery and status that remains in place for 3 to 6 months. Hamer women often wear layered beaded necklaces, iron arm coils, and decorate their skin with cowry shells, reflecting both beauty and tradition. Total drive 130kms - approx 3 hours on gravel road 4WD Emerald Lodge (Turmi)

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning, we drive to Koricho, a stunning settlement perched above the Omo River and home to the Karo people. With its sweeping river views and traditional dwellings, Koricho is often considered one of the most picturesque tribal villages in the region. The Karo are renowned for their intricate body painting, using natural pigments made from locally sourced minerals and vegetables. They create striking, symbolic designs on their faces, arms, chests, and legs — a vibrant expression of identity, artistry, and ritual. The Karo men, like those in neighbouring tribes, are also known for their distinctive and carefully styled hairstyles, which signify age, status, and personal achievements. Later, we visit the Arbore people, a small but culturally rich tribe in the southwestern Omo Valley. The Arbore share ancestral ties with the Borena and Konso, and are celebrated for their captivating ritual dances and songs, which are central to their community life and ceremonies. We continue to Konso for overnight. Drive 185kms - approx 3 hours on gravel road 4WD Kanta Lodge (Konso)

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast, we visit a Konso tribal village, home to one of Africa’s most remarkable and resilient cultures. The Konso people are known for their sophisticated terraced agriculture and water management systems, developed over centuries to thrive in a challenging environment. Their innovative farming practices have earned the Konso Cultural Landscape a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list. We’ll also have the unique opportunity to visit the Chief’s compound, and with luck, meet the Chief of Konso. This visit offers valuable insight into the tribe’s social structure, traditions, and way of life. We then continue to Arba Minch for overnight. Drive 112kms - approx 3 hours on asphalt road 4WD Paradise Lodge (Arba Minch)

Meals:  B,L,D

We continue our journey through the stunning landscapes of the Great Rift Valley, making our way to Yirgalem. On arrival, we’ll enjoy a relaxing lunch at the tranquil Aregash Lodge, nestled among lush coffee plantations and forest. In the afternoon, we visit a Hamlin-supported midwifery clinic, where we’ll gain insight into the vital work being done to improve maternal health in rural Ethiopia. Drive 196kms - approx 3 hours on asphalt road 4WD Aregash Lodge (Yirgalem)

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning, we visit Hamlin’s Yirgalem Fistula Hospital along with a Hamlin-supported midwifery clinic, gaining firsthand insight into the life-changing care and support being provided to women in the region. After lunch, we take a guided walk to a traditional Sidama village for a rich cultural experience, including an authentic Ethiopian coffee ceremony, a hallmark of Sidama hospitality. Later, we’ll head off on a scenic walk through the nearby forest, where you may encounter bushbuck, hyenas, baboons, and the striking colobus monkey—a perfect way to end the day immersed in the natural beauty and wildlife of southern Ethiopia. Aregash Lodge (Yirgalem)

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast, we head to a nearby fishing port for a boat trip on Lake Hawassa, where we’ll see marabou storks and possibly spot hippos in their natural habitat. We'll continue to the twin lakes of Abiata and Shalla, renowned for their dramatic landscapes and rich birdlife. Lake Abiata, a shallow brackish lake, is home to large colonies of flamingos and great white pelicans, while Lake Shalla, a deep volcanic crater lake plunging to around 250m, is framed by steaming sulphur springs and rugged escarpments. We’ll enjoy some guided walks shaded by podocarpus and wild fig trees, and alive with wildlife. Keep an eye out for Colobus monkeys and a wide variety of bird species, including seven endemics found only in Ethiopia. We then continue to Lake Langano for overnight. Drive 100kms - approx 2 hours on asphalt road 4WD Beach Resort (Langano)

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast, we’ll drive back to Addis Ababa. This afternoon is yours to explore the city at your leisure or simply relax at the hotel. In the evening, we’ll enjoy dinner at the renowned Louvre Restaurant, known for its exquisite cuisine and vibrant atmosphere. Drive 150kms - approx 3 hours on sealed road 4WD Jupiter Hotel Bole

Meals:  B,L,D

Our final day begins with a visit to the iconic Tomoca Café, where we’ll enjoy some of Ethiopia’s finest coffee before setting off to explore the vibrant city of Addis Ababa. We’ll start at the Merkato Market, the largest open-air market in Africa — a bustling hub of color, culture, and commerce. From there, we’ll ascend to Mount Entoto, which rises to 3,200 metres and offers sweeping panoramic views over the capital. If time permits, we’ll also explore the National Museum of Ethiopia, home to the famous 3.6-million-year-old hominid “Lucy,” whose discovery helped reshape our understanding of human origins. This evening, we’ll celebrate the end of our unforgettable journey with a special cultural experience at Yod Abyssinia — enjoying traditional Ethiopian cuisine, local wines, and a lively showcase of music and dance. Jupiter Hotel Bole

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning is free before we head to the Makush Art Gallery to check out local artists and do some last minute shopping, followed by an early lunch at the Art Gallery. At midday we check out of our hotel and transfer to Addis Ababa airport for your flight home.

Meals:  B