14-Day Omo Valley Cultural Expedition

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

Arrival in Addis Ababa

Depart from Frankfurt and board your overnight flight to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Enjoy the in-flight service as you travel toward East Africa. You will arrive in the capital the following morning to begin your incredible cultural expedition through the Omo Valley and Southern Ethiopia.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

Standard Hotel in Addis Ababa

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

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Arrival & Tiya Stelae to Lake Langano

Arrive in Addis Ababa where you will be met by your tour guide and driver crew. Depart south in 4x4 vehicles through savanna lands to Tiya (UNESCO World Heritage Site) to see 11th-13th century stelae adorned with swords and human figures. Continue to Lake Langano, a scenic Rift Valley crater lake ideal for swimming. Overnight at Hara Langano Eco Lodge. (Driving time: 4-5 hours, 240 km).

Main Destination:

Lake Langano

Activities:

Game drives (Normal 4x4 vehicle)

Accommodation:

Hara Langano Eco Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located at Lake Langano

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Awassa, Yirga Alem & the Sidama

Travel from Lake Langano to the Sidama region. Pass through Shashemene, the center of Ethiopian Rastafari, and Awassa, the region's capital. Enjoy a walk along Lake Awassa and visit Yirga Alem for a village and family visit to learn about Ensete farming and Sidama culture. Overnight at Aregash Lodge. (Driving time: 3-4 hours, 130 km).

Main Destination:

Yirga Alem (Town)

Activities:

Game drives (Normal 4x4 vehicle) & Nature hikes/walks

Accommodation:

Aregash Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located in Yirga Alem (Town)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Coffee Plantations & the Land of Borana

Drive along the Trans-African Highway through lush agricultural lands. Learn about coffee cultivation in Yirga Cheffe, seeing how coffee beans are washed, fermented, and dried. In the afternoon, cross the dry savanna lands of the Guji and Borana people to reach Konso, where a lodge with fantastic views awaits. Overnight at Kanta Lodge. (Driving time: 6-7 hours, 320 km).

Main Destination:

Konso (Cultural Village)

Activities:

Game drives (Normal 4x4 vehicle)

Accommodation:

Kanta Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located in Konso (Cultural Village)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

The Kingdom of Konso

Explore the Kingdom of Konso, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rituals, architecture, and terraced farming. Walk to one of the villages, admire the massive stone walls of the Kanta districts, and visit the central meeting place. Learn about the generation system, Waka burial cult, and traditional weaving. Overnight at Kanta Lodge.

Main Destination:

Konso (Cultural Village)

Activities:

Game drives (Normal 4x4 vehicle)

Accommodation:

Kanta Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located in Konso (Cultural Village)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Konso to Jinka via Key Afer Market

Leave the green hills of Konso and travel through the dry Weyto plain of the Tsamay to Key Afer. Visit the colorful weekly market where Ari and Benna people trade cattle, goats, grain, wild honey, and more. Experience the ethnic diversity of the South Omo region and visit the South Omo Research Center in Jinka. Overnight at Jinka Resort. (Driving time: 3-4 hours, 160 km).

Main Destination:

Jinka (Lower Omo Valley)

Activities:

Game drives (Normal 4x4 vehicle)

Accommodation:

Jinka Resort

• Budget hotel located in Jinka (Lower Omo Valley)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Mursi & Ari Tribes to Turmi

If authorities permit, visit the Mursi pastoralists near the Mago River in the morning. Known for their lip plates, the Mursi rely on their cattle for milk and blood. Return to Jinka to visit an Ari village, known for farming, blacksmithing, pottery, and distilling. Continue to Turmi. Overnight at Emerald Lodge Turmi. (Driving time: 4-5 hours, 220 km).

Main Destination:

Mago National Park

Best Time To Go June to February (Little rainfall)

High Season October to January (It might be busier)

Best Weather

Activities:

Game drives (Normal 4x4 vehicle) & Nature hikes/walks

Accommodation:

Emerald Lodge Turmi

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

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Dessanech Tribe & Dimeka Market

Drive to Omorate on the Omo River to visit the Dessanech people, skilled crocodile hunters. Explore their settlement before heading to Dimeka for the weekly Hamer market. See traders selling snuff, coffee bowls, and the ochre powder used by Hamer women. Overnight at Emerald Lodge Turmi. (Driving time: 3-4 hours, 200 km). With luck, witness a bull-jumping ceremony.

Main Destination:

Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

Activities:

Game drives (Normal 4x4 vehicle) & Nature hikes/walks

Accommodation:

Emerald Lodge Turmi

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

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

The Karo Tribe

Travel back to the Omo River to visit the Karo people, known for their creative body art. Walk through a village to learn about their daily lives, based on cattle herding, beekeeping, and fishing. See the men's body painting and clay headdresses, and the women's lip plugs and ochre hairstyles. Overnight at Emerald Lodge Turmi. (Driving time: 3-4 hours, 130 km).

Main Destination:

Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

Activities:

Game drives (Normal 4x4 vehicle) & Nature hikes/walks

Accommodation:

Turmi Lodge

• Budget lodge located in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Arbore Tribe to Arba Minch

Leave Turmi and travel along the Buska Mountains back to the Weyto Valley, catching a glimpse of Lake Stefanie. Visit the Arbore people, known for their cattle herding and intricate beadwork, and see their dome-shaped huts. Continue to the fertile Rift Valley region to Arba Minch, the "City of 40 Springs". Overnight at Paradise Lodge. (Driving time: 5-6 hours, 280 km).

Main Destination:

Arba Minch (City)

Activities:

Game drives (Normal 4x4 vehicle) & Nature hikes/walks

Accommodation:

Paradise Lodge

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

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Lake Chamo & The Dorze People

Drive to the Chencha Mountains to visit the Dorze people, famous for their beehive-shaped bamboo houses and weaving skills. Taste fresh Ensete bread with wild honey or chili. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat safari on Lake Chamo to spot Nile crocodiles, hippos, fish eagles, and Goliath herons. Overnight at Paradise Lodge. (Driving time: 2-3 hours, 100 km).

Main Destination:

Arba Minch (City)

Activities:

Game drives (Normal 4x4 vehicle), Nature hikes/walks & Boat trip

Accommodation:

Paradise Lodge

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

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Garden City of Awassa

Drive north through the lands of the Wolayta and Alaba people, passing a chain of lakes. Arrive in Awassa, a green garden city on the shores of Lake Awassa. Spend the afternoon relaxing, walking along the lakeside promenade towards Tabor Mountain, and enjoying the sunset. Overnight at South Star International Hotel Hawassa. (Driving time: 5 hours, 280 km).

Main Destination:

Awasa (City)

Activities:

Game drives (Normal 4x4 vehicle)

Accommodation:

South Star International Hotel Hawassa

• Mid-range hotel

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Abijatta-Shalla National Park & Departure

On your final day, drive back to the capital, visiting Abijatta-Shalla National Park, famous for its hot springs and large flocks of flamingos. Arrive in Addis Ababa for last-minute souvenir shopping and coffee. In the evening, transfer to the airport for your departure. Day room at a hotel. (Driving time: 5 hours, 280 km).

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Activities:

Game drives (Normal 4x4 vehicle)

Accommodation:

Day Room at a Hotel

• Mid-range hotel

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Arrival Home

Arrive back home in the morning. Your unforgettable 14-day cultural expedition through the Omo Valley and Southern Ethiopia comes to an end. We hope you depart with incredible memories and a deeper understanding of Ethiopia's diverse tribal cultures and stunning landscapes. Thank you for traveling with Simien Mountain Tours.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

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