Overview

Capture rich memories in the Omo Valley, one of Africa’s most culturally diverse regions. Ethiopia is renowned for its fascinating tribal peoples who continue to follow ancient traditions, each with their own unique customs, beliefs, body decoration and social structures. This journey explores southern Ethiopia’s Omo Valley, home to remarkable ethnic groups such as the Mursi famous for their terracotta lip plates the Hamer, known for their dramatic bull-jumping ceremonies  and the Konso, celebrated for their terraced landscapes and intricate funerary traditions.

Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa

Upon arrival at Bole International Airport, you will be warmly greeted and transferred to your hotel in the heart of Addis Ababa. Ethiopia’s capital is the country’s political, cultural, and geographic center and one of the few African capitals never colonized. If time permits, enjoy an optional city tour including the National Museum of Ethiopia, home to the 3.2-million-year-old hominid fossil “Lucy,” and the Ethnographic Museum, set within the former palace of Emperor Haile Selassie. In the evening, gather for a welcome dinner with fellow travelers. Overnight: Daamat Hotel or similar

Day 2: Flight to Arba Minch – Dorze Village

After breakfast, transfer to Addis Ababa Airport for your flight to Arba Minch. Continue by private vehicle to the Guge Mountains to visit the Dorze people, renowned for their exceptional weaving skills and distinctive beehive-shaped bamboo houses. Learn how these movable houses can be relocated when affected by termites. Overnight: Tourist Hotel, Arba Minch

Day 3: Lake Chamo Boat Safari – Drive to Jinka

Enjoy a morning boat trip on Lake Chamo, famous for hosting some of the largest crocodiles in the world, as well as hippos and abundant birdlife. Drive toward Jinka, visiting ethnic groups such as the Gamo and Derashe along the way. Stop at the colorful Key Afer weekly market (if traveling on Thursday), where tribes including the Benna and Ari gather to trade goods. Overnight: Nasa Hotel, Jinka

Day 4: Jinka – Mago National Park – Mursi Tribe

Early morning drive into Mago National Park, established in 1960 and home to nearly 100 mammal species and over 300 bird species across savannah and acacia woodland. Visit a Mursi village, where women are known for wearing clay plates in their lower lips one of Ethiopia’s most iconic cultural symbols. Return to Jinka to explore the local ethnographic museum dedicated to South Omotic-speaking tribes. Overnight: Nasa Hotel, Jinka

Day 5: Jinka – Turmi

Drive to Turmi, visiting the Benna and Ari people en route. In Turmi, meet the Hamer people, famous for their elaborate hairstyles, body scarification, and the traditional bull-jumping ceremony, a rite of passage for young men before marriage. Overnight: Emerald Lodge or similar

Day 6: Omorate Excursion – Karo & Dassenech Tribes

Morning excursion to Murrulle village to meet the Karo people, one of the smallest ethnic groups in Ethiopia, well known for their expressive body painting worn during ceremonies. Continue to Omorate to visit the Dassenech (Geleb) people, pastoralists whose social life centers around elaborate marriage celebrations involving dance, music, and communal feasting. Return to Turmi in the afternoon. Overnight: Emerald Lodge or similar

Day 7: Turmi – Konso (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Drive to Konso, a UNESCO-listed cultural landscape famous for its ancient terraced hillsides and intricately carved wooden grave markers known as waka. The Konso people represent a living cultural tradition that has endured for over 400 years. Overnight: Korebta Lodge or similar

Day 8: Konso – Hawassa

Travel north to Hawassa, a scenic lakeside town in the Great Rift Valley. Enjoy leisure time to relax at one of Hawassa’s fine resorts. Overnight: Haile Hotel, Hawassa, or similar

Day 9: Hawassa – Addis Ababa – Departure

Visit the lively Hawassa fish market in the morning before driving back to Addis Ababa, stopping at scenic Rift Valley lakes along the way. In the evening, enjoy a farewell cultural dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant featuring live music and dances from various ethnic groups. Transfer to the airport for your international departure.

Inclusions

• Airport transfers on arrival and departure
• Domestic flights: Addis Ababa – Arba Minch
• All ground transportation in a private, air-conditioned vehicle
• Professional English-speaking guide
• Accommodation as specified (or similar)
• Daily breakfast and selected meals as per itinerary
• Boat trip on Lake Chamo
• Cultural village visits and local guides
• Entrance fees to national parks, museums, and cultural sites
• Farewell cultural dinner with traditional music and dance

Exclusions

• International flights
• Ethiopian visa fees
• Lunches and dinners not mentioned in the itinerary
• Camera and video fees (where applicable)
• Personal expenses (laundry, drinks, tips, souvenirs)
• Optional activities not stated in the itinerary
• Travel insurance