Overview

Capture rich memories in the Omo Valley. Ethiopia is renowned for its fascinating tribal peoples who continue to follow ancient and traditional lifestyles, each with their own rich culture, customs, religious beliefs and body decoration. This tour visits the Omo Valley in southern Ethiopia which is home to fascinating tribes like the Mursi, whose women wear terracotta plates in their lower lips, the Hamer, famous for their “bull jumping” ceremonies, and the Konso, with their intricate funerary traditions.

Day 1: Arrival to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Clients will be greeted upon arrival to Bole International Airport, regardless of arrival time and transferred to your hotel Located in the center of the country.  Addis Ababa is Ethiopia’s geographic, political and cultural hub. Addis is distinct from many other African capitals because it was not developed under colonial rule. One of its best-known sites is the National Museum of Ethiopia, which houses the remains of “Lucy,” a bipedal hominid who lived 3.2 million years ago and was discovered in 1974. If you arrive early perhaps take a tour of this bustling city, Established by the Emperor Menelik II in 1887. The optional city tour will include the National Museum, where you’ll find the famous remains of ‘Lucy’, and the Ethnographic Museum set within the beautiful gardens of Haile Selassie’s former palace. We gather for a welcome dinner with our fellow travellers this evening. Overnight Daamat Hotel.

Day 2: Flight to Arbaminch
After a leisurely breakfast, transfer to Addis Ababa airport for a flight to Arba Minch. Then it’s onto Dorze in a private vehicle, visit some of the Dorze people in the Guge Mountains. Dorze is an ethnic group known particularly for their expert weaving and beehive-shaped bamboo houses. If the base becomes infested with termites, the entire house can be lifted and moved to another location.
Overnight Tourist Hotel

Day 3: Drive to Jinka

After breakfast, we will take a boat trip on Lake Chamo and view some of the largest crocodiles in the world sunning on the banks of the lake. Hippopotami and birdlife are also abundant.
En route to Jinka we will be visiting various ethnic groups, such as the Gamo and Derashe. Stop at Key Afar’s weekly market (if on a Thursday) and wander among the various tribes such as the Benna and Ari that have gathered to barter their goods.
Overnight Nasa Hotel

Day 4: Jinka – Mago National Park
An early drive into the vast wilderness of Mago National Park. Founded in 1960, this national park houses nearly 100 mammal species and 300 bird species within its dense acacia forests and open savannah lands. Next set out to visit a Mursi village. The women are known for the clay plates they insert into their lower lips. Return to Jinka to visit an ethnographic museum dedicated to the tribes speaking South Omotic languages. Jinka is a lively trading hub and known as a capital of sorts for the range of ethnic groups that call this region home.

Overnight Nasa Hotel

Day 5: Drive to Turmi
Drive to Turmi to visit the Hamer people who are well known for the scarring of their bodies, using clay to shape their hairstyles, and the unique practice of “bull-jumping” which every young man must accomplish prior to marriage. En route to Turmi, visit the Benna and Ari people.
Overnight at the cheerful, well-designed Emerald Lodge or similar.

Day 6: Omorate Excursion
In the morning, you will have an excursion trip to Murrulle the village of Karo people who are the least in number and known for their body painting they indulge before important ceremonies then after we headed to Omorate enjoy interactions with the Geleb (Dassenech), pastoralists who celebrate a woman’s upcoming marriage with a long, drawn out ceremony where the entire tribe is invited to dress up in their finest clothing,dance and feast on slaughtered cattle. Return for Overnight at the cheerful, well-designed Emerald Lodge or similar.

Day 7: Turmi to Konso
Drive to Konso, a recently designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. A highland people, for its terraced hillsides and intricately carved totems, which locals use to decorate graves. This destination is a spectacular example of living cultural tradition that stretches back over 400 years. Overnight Korebta Lodge. or similar

Day 8: Konso – Hawassa
Drive to the lakeside town of Hawassa. Rest and relaxation at one of Hawassa’s fine resorts.
Overnight Haile Hotel or similar.

Day 9: Hawassa to Addis Abeba
Visit the Hawassa fish market in the morning. Drive to Addis Ababa making stops at the Rift Valley Lakes. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant featuring dancers and musicians representing some of the country’s many ethnic groups. Transfer to airport for your international flight.