Simien Mountains Trekking and Tours
Omo Valley Tribes – 6 Days tour
tour itinerary
Omo Valley Tribes – 6 Days Tour
The Omo Valley is one of the most culturally diverse and fascinating destinations on the planet. This premium itinerary takes you deep into the Omo Valley, exploring the length and breadth of the region with overnights at camps offering exclusive access into some of the world’s most untouched regions.
Day 1
Arba Minch After breakfast, catch a flight to Arba Minch via Addis Ababa
Arba Minch (Forty Springs), is the largest town in Southern Ethiopia and the gateway to the Omo Valley. The town lies at an elevation of around 1300m in the foothills of the Rift Valley wall above a cliff overlooking the mountains separating the lakes of Chamo and Abaya. With mountains rising to almost 4,000m to the west, it is difficult to think of a more perfectly situated town anywhere in east Africa – wherever you walk and at whatever time of day, there are stunning views in all direction.
Spend the night at Paradise Lodge, a great lodge offering beautiful views from the restaurant and terrace.
Overnight: Paradise Lodge
Day 2
Omo Valley
After breakfast at Paradise Lodge, start driving south towards the Omo Valley. The Omo is often portrayed as a cultural Garden of Eden and is undoubtedly one of the most unique places on Earth, known for its indigenous tribes, the region has been a cultural crossroads for millennia.
Press on to Jinka through Konso, Weito and Key Afer. If your visit falls on a Thursday you can stop at Key Afer to attend the Thursday market. Key Afer market is the best known market of the lower Omo Valley. It is attended by many tribes including the Bena, Ari and Hamer.
After taking a rest at Jinka, you’ll visit the recently-opened south Omo research centre and museum, which is perched on a hill overlooking the town centre and offers an attractive view. The anthropological museum provides a useful overview of the various cultures of south Omo.
As evening draws in, head to Eco Omo Lodge, a basic but sufficient lodge in Jinka.
Overnight: Eco Omo Lodge
Day 3
Omo Valley
After breakfast at the lodge, drive to Mursi villages. The Mursi people have become a cultural symbol of the Lower Omo Valley. They are the most renowned of the Omotic speakers, famed for their practice of inserting large clay plates behind the lower lips of their women, as well as for their colourful dresses.
Drive to Turmi via Dimeka and Key Afer. Turmi is the home of the Hammer people, well known for their body decoration, moonlight dances (Evangedi Dance) and bull-jumping. Bull jumping marks the rite of passage from childhood to adulthood. It’s impossible to guarantee you’ll see the bull jumping ceremony, but it happens often enough for their to be a good chance.
Overnight: Buska Lodge
Day 4
Omo Valley
Today you’ll drive to the village of Kolcho and visit the Karo tribes. They are considered to be masters of body painting, their choice of decoration when preparing for a dance, feast or celebration.
In the afternoon, drive back to Turmi to visit one of the smaller villages that lie outside the Hamer towns of Turmi. Incredibly neat and constructed entirely from mud, wood and thatch, one of the most striking aspects of these small villages – which typically consist of a few extended families across perhaps 10-15 huts – is the total absence of non-organic or western artefacts.
Return to Buska Lodge for overnight.
Overnight: Buska Lodge
Day 5
Arba Minch
Today marks your final full day in the Omo Valley before heading into the Great Rift Valley and the Bale Mountains.
In the morning, drive to Arba Minch, stopping to visit the Konso village en route. The Konso Cultural Landscape is a 55 square kilometre arid property of stone walled terraces and fortified settlements in the Konso highlands. A registered UNESCO World Heritage Site, it constitutes a spectacular example of a living cultural tradition stretching back 21 generations (more than 400 years) that’s adapted to its dry hostile environment.
Konso people are known for their intricately terraced hill sides, fine woven materials and the carved totems in which they decorate their graves. At Konso, visit the village of Machekie and the home of the King.
In the late afternoon, head out on a boat trip over Lake Chamo where you’ll find hippos and crocodiles at a close range. Visit Azo-Gebeya, meaning Crocodile Market, where you’ll find one of Africa’s most impressive displays of big crocs.
As the sun drops behind the horizon, head to Paradise Lodge for overnight.
Overnight: Paradise Lodge
Day 6
Addis Ababa
Transfer to the airstrip for the charter flight from Omerate back to Addis Ababa. This takes about two hours. You’ll be met at the airport by a driver for the transfer to your hotel. On your last evening in Ethiopia, head out to a restaurant for a farewell dinner, before being transferred to the airport for your international flight out.
tour
Pricing
Price will depend on your final itinerary, group size, accommodation choices, and time of year.