Omo Valley Tour from Addis Ababa (8 Days)

Visit the Jinka museum and Aari Village located near Jinka Town. The Aari ethnic group boosts the largest population in the region. They are predominantly agriculturalists living on the highlands encircling Jinka. On Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays you will also visit a colorful market in Jinka or the nearby towns.

Accommodation: Eco Omo Lodge Jinka

Drive 60km northwest from Jinka to Mursi village to spend a good interactive moment with the Mursi tribe. Visit the famous Mursi ethnic group whose women wear a round clay lip plate on their bottom lip. The Mursi people are nomadic pastoralists with small-scale rain-fed agriculture. The Mursi men perform a fear stick fighting ceremony called “donga” during good harvest seasons of the year. After lunch in Jinka, continue to Turmi town where the Hamar tribe resides around. The Hamar people are famous for Cattle Leaping also called the bull jumping ceremony as well as the Evangadi dancing ceremony. On the way from Jinka to Turmi, you will have the opportunity to see a tribal market on a market day.

Accommodation: Buska Lodge Turmi Ethiopia

After breakfast in Turmi start driving south for 72km to Omo Rate town where the Dassanech tribe resides. It is the southern border with Kenya and they will check your visa at an immigration post. Vehicles will be parked by the famous Omo River which the region is named after. You will cross the Omo River by a local dugout canoe. There will be a 20-minute walk to get to the village where you will meet the Dassanech tribe and nicely interact with the people in the village as well as attend a short tribal dancing ceremony performed by both Boys and Girls of the Dassanech ethnic group. After lunch and relaxing time at your lodge you will visit a Hamar village near Turmi town in the late afternoon where you will be invited by a Hamar family for the traditional coffee ceremony “Shoforo” inside their traditional hut.

Accommodation: Buska Lodge In Turmi

After breakfast in Turmi town, drive 60km west to Korcho village to meet with the Kara/Karo tribe and have a good interaction with the people. The Kara/Karo ethnic group are known for its elaborate bodily and face painting that resembles the pattern of wild animals and birds around them such as; zebras, leopard, and guinea fowl. They are small in number and live in 3 large villages on the shore of the Omo River on which their livelihood mainly depends. After a memorable immersive experience with the Kara people, return to Turmi town for lunch and then continue experiencing a tribal market and/or a ceremonial event to be found that day.

Overnight: Buska Lodge Turmi Ethiopia

Visit the World Heritage village of Konso after driving 200km from Turmi via Dimeka, Alduba, Keyafer and Weyto, where you can visit Hamar, Banna and/or Tsemay tribal markets on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. The Konso people are known for their unique terracing skills. The ancient villages (over 1000 years old) and the terraced landscape are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Konso people erect wooden statues or totems called "waka" for heroes and chiefs. You will also have the opportunity to see a traditional palace for one of the 9 kings of Konso, Kala Gezahagne Woldedawit, and his ancestral graveyard in his sacred forest. Finally, you will visit the Konso Museum to learn more about the people and their culture.

Accommodation: Kanta Lodge in Konso

Drive 90km from Konso to the town of Arba Minch, the largest town on the tour after Addis Ababa, adorned by the two largest lakes in the Rift Valley, Lake Abaya and Lake Chamo. After lunch, continue to Dorze Village driving 30km over the Guge Mountains. Dorze Village is situated at an altitude of 2400m ASL. The Dorze people are famous for their unique elephant shaped bamboo houses, sophisticated weaving technique with exceptional artistic skills and the preparation of "Kocho" a type of bread made from the "Inset" false banana plant which is their main staple food.

Accommodation: Haile Resort Arba Minch (from lake view room)

On this day, you will explore the beautiful nature in Arba Minch and the surrounding. You will go on a boat trip to Lake Chamo to see crocodiles and hippos. You will also do trekking inside the beautiful forest of the Netchsar National Park for about 2-3 hours to see the flora and fauna found in the park.

Accommodation: Haile Resort Arba Minch

In the morning you will head to the Airport for your flight to Addis Ababa. Your driver and guide will drop you at Arba Minch airport and will drive 250 km back to Jinka the same day.