9-Day Cultural Treasures of Ethiopia Omo Valley

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Arrival in Addis Ababa and City Tour

Upon arrival at Bole International Airport, you’ll be welcomed and transferred to your hotel. Addis Ababa, founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II, lies at 2,438 meters above sea level and enjoys a pleasant climate year-round. Your city tour begins with a visit to the National Museum, home to Ethiopia’s most famous fossil, “Lucy,” dating back 3.5 million years. Continue to the Ethnographic Museum, offering a deep insight into Ethiopia’s diverse cultures and traditions. Later, visit the magnificent Holy Trinity Cathedral, an important spiritual site and the final resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie. If time permits, explore local markets for crafts and souvenirs before returning to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

Caravan Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City)

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Drive from Addis Ababa to Arba Minch via Gurage Villages

After breakfast, depart Addis Ababa and drive south toward Arba Minch, a beautiful lakeside town known for its scenic landscapes and warm climate. En route, stop in the Gurage villages to experience their rich culture and taste Kocho, their traditional bread made from the false banana plant. Continue through the fertile lands of the Wolayita people, known for their intensive farming and vibrant local markets. As you approach Arba Minch, enjoy stunning panoramic views of Lake Abaya, whose volcanic origins give it a unique reddish-pink hue. Arrive in the late afternoon and check in to your lodge overlooking the twin lakes of Abaya and Chamo. Dinner and overnight stay at Haile Resort Arba Minch.

Main Destination:

Arba Minch (City)

Accommodation:

Haile Resort Arba Minch

• Mid-range hotel located in Arba Minch (City)

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Explore Dorze & Chencha Villages and Boat Trip on Lake Chamo

This morning, drive 40 km northwest of Arba Minch into the Guge Mountains to visit the Dorze and Chencha villages. Once renowned warriors, the Dorze are now skilled weavers and farmers. Their remarkable beehive-shaped “elephant huts” are built entirely from organic materials and surrounded by small gardens growing spices, cabbage, and tobacco. In nearby Chencha, observe men weaving vibrant cotton cloths and women spinning thread using traditional methods. Return to Arba Minch for lunch. In the afternoon, embark on a relaxing boat trip on Lake Chamo, famous for its large Nile crocodiles, hippos, and diverse aquatic birdlife. The lake’s tranquil waters and surrounding greenery create a stunning backdrop for wildlife photography. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay at Haile Resort Arba Minch.

Main Destination:

Arba Minch (City)

Accommodation:

Haile Resort Arba Minch

• Mid-range hotel located in Arba Minch (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Drive to Jinka via Konso Villages and Key Afer Marke

After an early breakfast, drive south to Konso, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its remarkable terraced hillsides and traditional walled villages. Visit the Konso people, who are expert farmers and artisans, and learn about their unique social structure and carved wooden grave markers called waka. Continue to Key Afer, where the colorful Thursday market attracts various tribes including the Ari, Bena, Hamer, and Tsemay. This lively market offers an excellent opportunity to observe and photograph local trade, traditional attire, and hairstyles decorated with beads, feathers, and clay. After enjoying the vibrant atmosphere, proceed to Jinka, a small town set amidst the green hills of the lower Omo Valley. Check in at your lodge and relax for the evening surrounded by the peaceful sounds of nature. Dinner and overnight stay at Eco Omo Lodge.

Main Destination:

Jinka (Lower Omo Valley)

Accommodation:

Eco Omo Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located in Jinka (Lower Omo Valley)

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Visit the Mursi and Ari Tribes in Mago National Park

Early in the morning, drive into Mago National Park, home to one of Ethiopia’s most iconic tribes — the Mursi. The Mursi women are famous for wearing large clay lip plates, symbols of beauty and social status, while the men are known for their distinctive body scarification and traditional hairstyles. Visitors can interact respectfully with community members and learn about their customs and way of life. Afterward, return to Jinka for lunch. In the afternoon, visit a nearby Ari village, where you’ll gain insight into their agricultural lifestyle and traditional craftsmanship. Watch how the Ari people prepare local beverages and craft pottery using ancient techniques. This immersive experience provides a deeper understanding of Omo Valley’s rich cultural mosaic. Dinner and overnight stay at Eco Omo Lodge.

Main Destination:

Jinka (Lower Omo Valley)

Accommodation:

Eco Omo Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located in Jinka (Lower Omo Valley)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Drive to Turmi and Visit the Hamer Tribes

After breakfast, continue your journey through the scenic Omo Valley to Turmi, the heartland of the Hamer people, one of Ethiopia’s most fascinating tribes. En route, stop at Dimeka, where you may encounter small local markets filled with colorfully dressed villagers. Upon arrival, visit a Hamer village to experience their distinctive culture and traditional lifestyle. The Hamer are well known for their elaborate hairstyles, ochre-colored braids, and body adornments made of beads, shells, and iron jewelry. The men often display impressive clay hair buns decorated with feathers to signify bravery or achievements. If your visit coincides with a traditional bull-jumping ceremony (seasonal and optional), you may witness one of the Omo Valley’s most symbolic rites of passage. Dinner and overnight stay at Paradise Lodge Turmi.

Main Destination:

Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

Accommodation:

Paradise Lodge Turmi

• Budget tented camp located near Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

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+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Excursion to Karo Villages in the Murulle Area

After an early breakfast, set out on an excursion to the Murulle area, along the banks of the Omo River, to visit the Karo people—renowned for their intricate body painting and artistic expression. Using white chalk, red ochre, and charcoal, Karo men and women decorate their bodies with striking geometric patterns purely for aesthetic pleasure and social display. Their village at Korcho, perched high above the river, offers breathtaking views of the Omo Valley below. You’ll also observe the tribe’s traditional houses, adorned with symbolic decorations reflecting their identity and heritage. Enjoy a picnic lunch amid the scenic landscape before returning to Turmi in the afternoon. The remainder of the day is free to relax at your lodge or interact with locals nearby. Dinner and overnight stay at Paradise Lodge Turmi.

Main Destination:

Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

Accommodation:

Paradise Lodge Turmi

• Budget tented camp located near Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Drive Back to Arba Minch via Konso and Erbore Villages

Today’s drive retraces your route north toward Arba Minch, with several cultural and scenic stops along the way. Begin by visiting the Erbore people, known for their colorful attire and peaceful pastoral lifestyle. Continue to Konso, where you’ll explore more of the region’s remarkable stone-walled terraces and traditional villages—an impressive example of sustainable land management recognized by UNESCO. En route, stop to admire the natural rock formations locally nicknamed “New York”, a surreal landscape shaped by wind and erosion. After lunch in Konso, continue through rolling hills and fertile valleys to reach Arba Minch by late afternoon. Enjoy a relaxing evening at your lakeside lodge, reflecting on your unforgettable experiences in the Omo Valley. Dinner and overnight stay at Haile Resort Arba Minch.

Main Destination:

Arba Minch (City)

Accommodation:

Haile Resort Arba Minch

• Mid-range hotel located in Arba Minch (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Drive Back to Addis Ababa and Departure

After an early breakfast, begin your scenic journey back to Addis Ababa, traveling through the Great Rift Valley with its beautiful lakes and farmland. Arrive in the capital in the early afternoon and enjoy some time for last-minute shopping at local craft markets or boutiques. In the evening, experience a farewell cultural dinner at one of Addis Ababa’s renowned traditional restaurants, where you’ll savor authentic Ethiopian dishes accompanied by live music and traditional dances. After dinner, you’ll be transferred to Bole International Airport for your international departure, marking the end of your unforgettable adventure through the Omo Valley.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Non-alcoholic drinks

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.