11-Day Omo Valley Tribal & 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

Arrive in Addis Ababa and transfer to your hotel. Explore the city’s highlights, including the National Museum, Holy Trinity Cathedral, and the Ethnographic Museum. Wander through Mercato, one of Africa’s largest open-air markets. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Ethiopian dinner accompanied by live music and cultural dance performances. This first day introduces you to Ethiopia’s vibrant culture and history, setting the stage for the tribal and cultural adventure ahead.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

Triple-E Hotel and Spa

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

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+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Addis Ababa – Arba Minch

Drive south through the scenic Rift Valley, passing picturesque lakes and rolling landscapes. Stop at the Tiya UNESCO World Heritage site to see ancient carved stelae. Continue to Lake Ziway to enjoy its tranquil scenery. Arrive in Arba Minch for overnight stay, nestled between the Rift Valley lakes and the Nechisar National Park. This journey offers a blend of cultural landmarks and natural beauty, providing the perfect introduction to southern Ethiopia’s diverse landscapes.

Main Destination:

Arba Minch (City)

Accommodation:

Haile Resort Arba Minch

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

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Dorze Village (Chencha)

Visit the Dorze people, renowned for their tall bamboo huts and intricate weaving skills. Experience local life, including traditional food and coffee preparation. Observe and participate in cultural practices that have been preserved for generations. The Dorze village is also set amid stunning highland scenery, offering excellent photographic opportunities. Overnight in Arba Minch, reflecting on the vibrant culture and craftsmanship witnessed during the day.

Main Destination:

Arba Minch (City)

Accommodation:

Haile Resort Arba Minch

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

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Arba Minch – Konso

Drive to Konso, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its terraced landscapes and fortified villages. Explore local communities, visiting the Konso Chief’s compound to learn about tribal governance and cultural customs. Walk among terraced fields carefully sculpted over centuries, reflecting the community’s agricultural ingenuity. Engage with villagers and gain insights into Konso’s unique traditions before overnighting in this historic and culturally rich area.

Main Destination:

Konso (Cultural Village)

Accommodation:

Konso Korebta Lodge

• Budget lodge located in Konso (Cultural Village)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Konso – Jinka (via Key Afer Market)

Stop at Key Afer market, a vibrant hub for the Benna, Ari, and Tsemay tribes, where colorful traditional attire, crafts, and livestock are on display. Continue to Jinka, the gateway to the Mursi people and the Omo Valley. Along the way, enjoy scenic landscapes dotted with villages and small farms. Arrive in Jinka for overnight stay, ready to begin deeper exploration of the region’s indigenous tribes and their unique cultural practices.

Main Destination:

Jinka (Lower Omo Valley)

Accommodation:

Eco Omo Lodge

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

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Mursi Tribe (Mago National Park)

Journey into Mago National Park to visit the Mursi people, known for their distinctive lip plates and scarification traditions. Engage with community members to learn about their customs, daily life, and traditional ceremonies. In the afternoon, visit nearby Ari villages to experience a contrasting cultural perspective. Overnight in Jinka, reflecting on the remarkable diversity and resilience of the Omo Valley tribes.

Main Destination:

Jinka (Lower Omo Valley)

Accommodation:

Eco Omo Lodge

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

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Jinka – Turmi (Hamar Tribe)

Drive to Turmi, home of the Hamar tribe. Witness traditional Hamar ceremonies, including the famous bull-jumping ritual if it coincides with your visit. In the evening, enjoy a cultural dance performance with the Hamar community, gaining insight into their vibrant social life and traditions. Overnight in Turmi, immersing yourself in the dynamic cultural landscape of southern Ethiopia’s Omo Valley.

Main Destination:

Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

Accommodation:

Paradise Lodge Turmi

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

+4 Photos

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Dassanech Tribe (Omorate)

Travel to Omorate and cross the Omo River by canoe to visit the Dassanech tribe, known as the “people of the delta.” Observe their unique fishing, herding, and agricultural practices in a riverine environment. Learn about Dassanech social customs and daily routines, capturing vivid insights into life along the lower Omo River. Return to Turmi for overnight, enriched by a deeper understanding of the valley’s cultural diversity.

Main Destination:

Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

Accommodation:

Paradise Lodge Turmi

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

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Turmi – Karo Tribe – Konso

Visit the Karo people along the Omo River, renowned for their elaborate body painting and decorative scarification. Participate in cultural exchanges and observe their unique way of life along the riverbanks. Afterward, embark on a scenic drive back to Konso, traversing the diverse landscapes of southern Ethiopia. Overnight in Konso, reflecting on the striking contrasts between the tribes encountered and their rich cultural heritage.

Main Destination:

Konso (Cultural Village)

Accommodation:

Konso Korebta Lodge

• Budget lodge located in Konso (Cultural Village)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Konso – Yirgalem (Sidama Coffee Region)

Drive north through fertile highlands to the Sidama coffee region, known for producing some of Ethiopia’s finest coffee. Explore coffee farms and meet local farmers, learning about traditional cultivation and processing techniques. Immerse yourself in the lush landscapes, with coffee plantations, verdant forests, and rolling hills creating a serene backdrop. Overnight in a coffee lodge in Yirgalem, surrounded by the region’s aromatic and vibrant culture.

Main Destination:

Yirga Alem (Town)

Accommodation:

Aregash Lodge

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

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Yirgalem – Addis Ababa

Visit a local coffee farm in the morning to participate in harvesting or roasting demonstrations. Afterward, drive back to Addis Ababa, enjoying scenic landscapes along the way. In the evening, celebrate your journey with a farewell dinner and cultural show, reflecting on the diverse tribes, landscapes, and traditions experienced over the past eleven days. Transfer to the airport for departure, concluding an unforgettable expedition through southern Ethiopia.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

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