The Undiscovered Omo Valley

Day 1: Addis Ababa City tour

Welcome to Ethiopia! Arrive at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. Here you will be greeted by your tour guide or driver from Eco Travel Ethiopia Tours. Then you will be transferred to a hotel. If your arrival is early morning, after a leisurely morning rest and relaxation you will spend the afternoon sightseeing in Addis Ababa. Established by Emperor Menelik II 1887 Addis Abeba or ‘New flower’ in Amharic, is a relatively young city full of contrasts. This city tour includes, The National Museum which houses the country’s historic treasures & the famous ‘Lucy”, The Holy Trinity Orthodox Church Ethiopian main cathedral and home to the remains of the last emperor: Drive up to Mount Entoto to have a panoramic view of the city and end the tour with Merkato, one of the largest open air markets in Africa.

Overnight: Swiss Inn Nexus Hotel.

Day 2: Drive to Arba Minch

After breakfast, we will have a full day drive south to Arbaminch. Southern region is noted for its enormous variety of peoples & culture. Today your first stop will be at Adadi Mariam rock church which is believed to be built by king Lalibela around the 11th century. Then visit Tiya stelae field which is registered by UNESCO for its 600-800 years old large stone pillars. There are around 36 standing stones 32 of which are engraved and decorated with enigmatic symbols marking a large prehistoric royal burial place. Continue further south through the territory of the Gurage and Alaba people and arrive at Arba Minch late in the afternoon. Then, you will be transferred to the luxury Haile Resort and spend the rest of your day.

Overnight: Haile Resort Arba Minch.

Day 3: Boat trip on Lake Chamo and visit Dorze village

In the morning embark on a boat trip on Lake Chamo, a lake that supports a large population of crocodiles, hippos and fish. First you will cross the lake and head to the east bank and climb the plateau to the NechSar national park to see Wild Zebras and Gazelles. Return to the boat trip & visit the famous Crocodile Market which is not a market but a place to see a large concentration of giant Nile Crocodiles and many hippos. The lake is about 32 kms long and provides a lush wetland habitat for many flora and fauna. In the afternoon visit the Dorzetribe who live on the Guge Mountain. The Dorze are renowned for their cotton-weaving techniques and beehive shaped houses constructed entirely from organic materials. Here in their village you can see the unique beehive huts, observe their exceptional cotton weaving skills and learn about their life and traditions.

Overnight: Haile Resort Arba Minch.

Day 4: Drive to Turmi via Konso

Following breakfast this morning, travel to Turmi, a small town and center to visit the Omo valley tribes. On the way stop at Konso and visit their village. The Konso tribe is famous for their agricultural terracing method and for their wooden totems that honor the dead. The Konso villages are a world heritage listed site for its cultural significance. The villages are surrounded by high stone walls and encompass separate compounds. After lunch continue further south through the acacia forest to Turmi. If today is a market day you will get the chance to visit one of the following colorful markets, Alduba (every Tuesday), Keyafer (every Thursday)or Dimeka (every Saturday). Finally, you will be transferred to Turmi Lodge and enjoy the rest of your time.

Overnight: Buska Lodge.

Day 5: Hammer and Karo tribes

This morning began an excursion to the Karo tribe. The Karo excel in face and body painting that is practiced especially during their dances and ceremonies. They pulverize locally found white chalk, yellow mineral rock, red iron ore and black charcoal to decorate their bodies often mimicking the spotted plumage of a Guinea Fowl. The men create highly decorated clay hair buns which can take several days to complete. Return to Turmi and after lunch and short break late in the afternoon at the sun set visit the village of the famous Hamer tribe village located close to Turmi. The Hamer tribe is known for the fine pottery they produce as well as their remarkable hair style. The women are striking wearing beautiful colorful beaded goat skins, ornate necklaces and metal bangles around their wrist and ankles. These decorations indicate the wealth and prestige of a woman’s husband.

Overnight: Buska Lodge.

Day 6: Excursion to Omorate and continue to Jinka

Cross Omo River to visit the Dassanech tribe. Omorate lies on the bank of the OmoRiver close to the border of Kenya. You will cross the OmoRiver with a local boat and walk to one of the villages of the Dassenech. The Dassenech are a semi-nomadic tribe living on the shores of Omo River. Their clans stretch across Sudan, Kenya and southern Ethiopia. They are known for their very unique and ornate hair buns. They grow crops and fish. Then return back to Turmi and continue further south to the town of Jinka. Then, you will drive to the beautiful Eco Omo Lodge, beside the Neri River and the Mago National Park, surrounded by Forests and Nature. You will spend the rest of the day enjoying the lodge and nature surrounding it.

Overnight: Eco Omo Lodge.

Day 7: Mursi Tribe and Ari Villages 

This morning you will drive through the Mago national park to visit one of the villages of the Mursi Tribe. The Mursi,possibly the most well-known tribe in the area, is famous both for their women who practice extending their lower lips with clay discs and their men who engage in stick fighting rituals called Donga. The Mursi are probably the last tribes in Africa amongst whom it is still the norm for women to wear those large pottery or wooden discs or plates. Afterwards, return to Jinka and after lunch break, a short drive to the village of Ari tribe. The people of Ari live in the lush surroundings of the Jinka and grow coffee and fruits for trading and self-consumption. Their villages are green and surrounded by banana, mango and avocado. The most beautiful in the country.

Overnight: Eco Omo Lodge.

Day 8: Fly back to Addis and Departure

In the morning visit the Jinka museum which contains the southern Omo research centers permanent cultural collections and contains research of the various ethnic groups and provide an in-depth overview into the people and traditions of the Omo valley. Then transfer to Jinka airport for your flight back to Addis Ababa. We will arrive in Addis in the afternoon. In the evening enjoy a final farewell dinner at a well-known local Ethiopian restaurant with cultural dances. Later this evening you will be transferred to Bole Airport for a return flight back home.

                                                                     ***End of the itinerary***