12 DAYS CULTURAL TOUR TO SOUTH-OMO VALLEY TRIBES

Overview

Experience Ethiopia’s living heritage on a 12-day cultural journey to the South Omo Valley. Visit authentic tribal communities including the Hamer, Karo, Mursi, Dassanech, Arbore and Konso, explore vibrant local markets, and enjoy meaningful cultural exchanges guided by local experts. This immersive tour offers responsible travel, rich traditions and unforgettable encounters in one of Africa’s most culturally diverse regions.

Day 01: Arrival at Bole International Airport.

Arrival at Bole International Airport Reception by your guide and Transfer to hotel for check-in. after
short breaks you will have City tour of Addis Ababa overnight in Addis Ababa.

Day 02: Depart south from Addis via the Great Rift Valley

Depart south from Addis via the Great Rift Valley, stopping on the way at Lake Ziway to visit the
beautiful birdlife on the shores of the lake. Continue driving to Hawassa for overnight stay

Day 03: visit the fish market on Lake Hawassa

In the morning visit the fish market on Lake Hawassa, and then continue to Arba Minch via Dorze
village the Dorze people live in the Guge mountains near Arba minch in a cold and misty climate.
They are very famous for their skills in cotton-weaving. Many of the traditional clothes of the
Ethiopians came from chencha the biggest town in the area. Overnight stay Arbaminich.

Day 04: a boat trip on Lake Chamo

in the morning take a boat trip on Lake Chamo to visit the crocodile market and hippo pods also you
will visit Nech Sar National Park to visit zebras and other wilds animal after the boat trip, continue
driving to Jinka via Weyto (market day Sunday) and Key Afar (market day Thursday). Overnight in
Jinka

Day 05 Drive from jinka to mursi

Drive from jinka to mursi proceeds to the Mursi people and village for beauty where the mursi
women use clay plates into their lips. Afterward drive back to jinka and visit the south omo museum.
overnight stay jinka

Day 06: Drive Jinka to Turmi Drive Jinka to Turmi

Drive Jinka to Turmi Drive Jinka to Turmi home of the Hamer people. On the way stop in Dimeka if
the day you arrive Monday or Saturday admire the very colorful markets of the Hamer and
Dassanech tribs are famous for their hairstyles, ornaments, scarification, culture and more… At night
see the traditional night dancing of the Hamer people, known as Evangadi. Overnight stay Turmi

Day 07: drive to Omorate and cross the Omo River by local boat

In the morning drive to Omorate and cross the Omo River by local boat to visit the Dasennech tribe
Afterwards return to Turmi and if there is Jumping of the Bulls traditional Hamer wedding ceremony,
it will be visited Monday is market day in Turmi. Overnight stay in Turmi

Day 08 visit the people of the Karo tribe.

Today will be a day trip to visit the people of the Karo tribe. Depart from Turmi on the shores of the
Omo River The Karo people are the smallest in number of all of the tribes of the Omo Valley and
they are known for their elaborate decorations particularly during local ceremonies. Overnight in
Turmi

Day 09: Depart from Turmi to Konso via Erbore in the Weyto valley

Depart from Turmi to Konso via Erbore in the Weyto valley Friday is market day in Erbore so if
passing on this day the market will be visited. Market days in Konso are Mondays and Thursdays.
the konso people are famous for their terraced agriculture and for their practice of sculpting wooden
totem called ”WAKA” to the mark their gravies. The konso have a special kind of social organization
interesting handicrafts and a special architecture which can be seen and experienced best by
trekking through the region. Overnight in Konso.

Day 10: visit a local Konso village and the “natural New York village”

In the morning, visit a local Konso village and the “natural New York village” which gets its name
from the tall sand formations that resemble skyscrapers. After the visit proceed driving to Yabello for
overnight.

Day 11: continue south from Yabello to the local Borena village

After breakfast continue south from Yabello to the local Borena village of Dublock to visit the singing
wells where the locals form chanting chains of people to remove buckets of water from the long
channeled openings of the wells. Afterwards continue to El Sod, a crater lake where salt is mined
from the lake for sale and use throughout Ethiopia. After the visit proceed driving to Lake Langano
for overnight at Savana lodge.

Day 12: visit the nearby Abiatta-Shala National Park. Lake Shala

In the morning after a refreshing swim in the lake depart from Langano to visit the nearby Abiatta-
Shala National Park. Lake Shala is a very deep crater lake (over 260 meters deep!) and Lake
Abiatta is a soda lake that attracts thousands of flamingos. After the visit, continue back to Addis.
Evening Have a farewell dinner at one of the best traditional restaurants of Addis where you can
taste the variety of Ethiopian meals, and see the folkloric dances of the Ethiopians.
Then, be transferred to the airport for your departure .End of Tour.