It is a large city with more than 200,000 inhabitants living in the west of the country. It is an important trading centre in Ethiopia which holds little interest for tourists.

Africa

Welcome to Ethiopia, a land like nowhere else that you will never forget. Ethiopia isn’t a country that can be described; it has to be experienced. Every traveller has their own perception by discovering historical sites, and by following in the footsteps of the Queen of Sheba and the Emperor Haile Selassie. This land has a lot to offer in the diversity of its landscapes and animals from North to South and from East to West. The kindness and the openness of the Ethiopian people will make you feel at home and enrich your life.

Ethiopia

Jimma

Bebeka

Tulgit

Meaning "New Flower" in Amharic, the capital of Ethiopia bears witness to its name: an huge city undergoing constant change.

Addis Ababa

Irgalem is a town in the south of Ethiopia located in the Omo Valley, in Sidama country. It has almost 50,000 inhabitants and is at an altitude of 1700 metres.

Yergalem

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I really liked Irgalem because the town is in the middle of a forest south of<a href="/ethiopia/">Awassa</a>, surrounded by coffee plantations. The tropical setting is really pretty and the Sidama huts are very quaint.
I was lucky enough to go there for the Sidama New Year celebration, the Fiche Festival. Despite the fact that every year the date is selected depending on the moon's position and astrological predictions (the Ayantos), it's possible to book your ticket in advance as it lasts several weeks. Aside from this festival, you can simply visit the local tribes. 
It is worth booking a hotel because the region is cluttered by the Sidama people who return to the region (there are 2.5 million of them in Ethiopia, which is 10% of the population!). The festival starts with a large meal eaten between neighbours, during which the ground is blessed with fistfuls of wassa, a traditional dish made with butter and roots of enset leaves, a tree which grows there. 
The following day, nobody works, and the children are sent from house to house to celebrate the new year. During this time, young girls and boys organise traditional songs and dances throughout the markets. The atmosphere is very festive.

Irgalem is a town in the south of Ethiopia located in the <a href="/ethiopia/">Omo Valley</a>, in Sidama country. It has almost 50,000 inhabitants and is at an altitude of 1700 metres.

The best local travel agencies in Ethiopia for two week tours

Two week tour ideas in Ethiopia

The best two week tours to explore Ethiopia, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Design your perfect two week tour with a local expert in Ethiopia

Two weeks in Ethiopia

Two Week Tours

Two Weeks in Ethiopia | 14 Day Tailor-Made Tours

The best local travel agencies in Ethiopia for one week tours

One week tour ideas in Ethiopia

The best one week tours to explore Ethiopia, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Design your perfect one week tour with a local expert in Ethiopia

One week in Ethiopia

One Week Tours

One Week in Ethiopia | 7 Day Tailor-Made Tours

The best local travel agencies in Ethiopia for wildlife tours and safaris

Safari tour ideas in Ethiopia

The best safaris and wildlife tours in Ethiopia, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Design your perfect safari with a local expert in Ethiopia

Safaris in Ethiopia

Wildlife & Safaris

Safaris & Wildlife Tours in Ethiopia | Meet Ethiopia's Wildlife

The best local travel agencies in Ethiopia for Summer tours

Summer tour ideas in Ethiopia

The best tailor-made tours to visit Ethiopia in Summer, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Design your perfect summer holiday in Ethiopia with a local expert

Summer in Ethiopia

Summer Tours

Summer Holidays in Ethiopia | Tailor-Made Tours

The best local travel agencies in Ethiopia for history and heritage tours

Tour ideas for visiting Ethiopia's historical sites

The best tailor-made tours to see Ethiopia's historical sites, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Design your perfect history tour with a local expert in Ethiopia

Historical sites in Ethiopia

History & Heritage

History Tours in Ethiopia | Ethiopia's Best Historical Sites

The best local travel agencies in Ethiopia for Winter tours

Winter tour ideas in Ethiopia

The best tailor-made tours to visit Ethiopia in Winter, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Design your perfect winter holiday in Ethiopia with a local expert

Winter in Ethiopia

Winter Tours

Winter Holidays in Ethiopia | Tailor-Made Tours

Yergalem Holidays

Yergalem: How to get there?

Yergalem: See when to go?

Yergalem: For how long?

Yergalem: What to see nearby?