Omo Tribes 12-Day Deep Omo Valley Tour
Tour Overview
Experience the vibrant culture and way of life of the Konso, Hamer, Bena, Dassenech, Karo, Mursi, and other tribes, which are at risk of disappearing due to urbanization and the encroachment of Christianity and other religions.
Itinerary
Depart south from Addis Ababa via Butajira. Visit the archaeological sites of Tiya (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Adadi Maryam (a rock-hewn church), and Melka Kunture (a prehistoric tool-making site) before reaching Awassa. Overnight in Awassa (hotel).
Visit the fish market on Lake Awassa and then drive to Dorze, known for its beehive-like houses and cotton weaving. Engage with the local community, and if it’s market day (Monday and Thursday in Dorze, Tuesday and Saturday in Chencha), experience the vibrant local trading. Overnight in a traditional Dorze hut or continue to Arba Minch for overnight accommodation (camping, hotel, or lodge).
Visit the local market in Dorze or Chencha, then continue to Arba Minch. Take a boat trip on Lake Chamo to see the "crocodile market" and local hippos. Overnight in Arba Minch (camping, hotel, or lodge).
Travel from Arba Minch to Turmi, passing through the village of Weyto (market day Saturday) and Erbore, with a brief visit to a local village. Experience the traditional night dancing of the Hamer tribe, known as evangadi. Overnight in Turmi (camping, hotel, or lodge).
Take a day trip to Omorate to visit the Dassenech tribe, crossing the Omo River by local boat. Return to Turmi for a visit to a local Hamer village and, if timing permits, witness the Jumping of the Bulls ceremony. Overnight in Turmi (camping, basic hotel, or lodge).
Depart early for Kangatan to visit the Nyangatom tribe, crossing the Omo River for a short walk through local fields. Explore the Karo village of Korcho, known for its stunning views and decorated people. Return to Turmi for another chance to see the Jumping of the Bulls. Overnight in Turmi (camping, basic hotel, or lodge).
Travel to Jinka via Dimeka and Key Afar, where you can visit the colorful market frequented by multiple tribes (Tuesdays and Saturdays). Continue to Jinka for overnight accommodation (camping, hotel, or lodge).
Drive through Mago National Park to a Mursi village, known for its distinctive lip and earlobe plates. Return to Jinka to visit the South Omo Museum & Research Center or hike to a local Ari village. Overnight in Jinka (camping, hotel, or lodge).
Depart for Konso, stopping at Key Afar for the Thursday market. Explore the local culture and the market before proceeding to Konso. Overnight in Konso (camping, hotel, or lodge).
Visit a local village to learn about the Konso people and their wooden statues, known as wakas. If time permits, explore the “natural New York Village” and visit the Yabello Wildlife Sanctuary to see zebras. Overnight in Yabello (hotel).
Visit El Sod, a village with a crater lake and large salt deposits, then continue to Yirgalem. Enjoy an evening coffee ceremony while observing hyenas in the surrounding forest. Overnight in Yirgalem (lodge).
Depart for Addis Ababa, with a possible stop at Abiatta-Shala National Park to see Lake Shala and Lake Abiatta, known for its flamingo populations.
The program can be customized upon request.
Things to Do
- Adadi Maryam: A rock-hewn church similar to those in Lalibela.
- Tiya: Ancient stelae field and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Fish Market: Visit the bustling market on the shores of Lake Awassa.
- Lake Chamo: Explore the “crocodile market” and see local hippos.
- Local Market in Dorze: Experience vibrant trading and local culture.
- Evangadi: Enjoy the traditional night dancing of the Hamer tribe.
- Omo River Crossing: Cross by local boat to visit nearby villages.
- Jumping of the Bulls: Witness this traditional Hamer coming-of-age ceremony.
- Colorful Markets: Explore some of the most colorful markets in the region.
- Mursi Tribe: Learn about their distinctive lower lip and earlobe plates.
Explore Tours
Experience the vibrant culture and way of life of the Konso, Hamer, Bena, Dassenech, Karo, Mursi, and other tribes, which are at risk of disappearing due to urbanization and the encroachment of Christianity and other religions.
Included/Exclude
Tour Plan
Depart south from Addis Ababa via Butajira. Visit the archaeological sites of Tiya (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Adadi Maryam (a rock-hewn church), and Melka Kunture (a prehistoric tool-making site) before reaching Awassa. Overnight in Awassa (hotel).
Visit the fish market on Lake Awassa and then drive to Dorze, known for its beehive-like houses and cotton weaving. Engage with the local community, and if it’s market day (Monday and Thursday in Dorze, Tuesday and Saturday in Chencha), experience the vibrant local trading. Overnight in a traditional Dorze hut or continue to Arba Minch for overnight accommodation (camping, hotel, or lodge).
Visit the local market in Dorze or Chencha, then continue to Arba Minch. Take a boat trip on Lake Chamo to see the "crocodile market" and local hippos. Overnight in Arba Minch (camping, hotel, or lodge).
Travel from Arba Minch to Turmi, passing through the village of Weyto (market day Saturday) and Erbore, with a brief visit to a local village. Experience the traditional night dancing of the Hamer tribe, known as evangadi. Overnight in Turmi (camping, hotel, or lodge).
Take a day trip to Omorate to visit the Dassenech tribe, crossing the Omo River by local boat. Return to Turmi for a visit to a local Hamer village and, if timing permits, witness the Jumping of the Bulls ceremony. Overnight in Turmi (camping, basic hotel, or lodge).
Depart early for Kangatan to visit the Nyangatom tribe, crossing the Omo River for a short walk through local fields. Explore the Karo village of Korcho, known for its stunning views and decorated people. Return to Turmi for another chance to see the Jumping of the Bulls. Overnight in Turmi (camping, basic hotel, or lodge).
Travel to Jinka via Dimeka and Key Afar, where you can visit the colorful market frequented by multiple tribes (Tuesdays and Saturdays). Continue to Jinka for overnight accommodation (camping, hotel, or lodge).
Drive through Mago National Park to a Mursi village, known for its distinctive lip and earlobe plates. Return to Jinka to visit the South Omo Museum & Research Center or hike to a local Ari village. Overnight in Jinka (camping, hotel, or lodge).
Depart for Konso, stopping at Key Afar for the Thursday market. Explore the local culture and the market before proceeding to Konso. Overnight in Konso (camping, hotel, or lodge).
Visit a local village to learn about the Konso people and their wooden statues, known as wakas. If time permits, explore the “natural New York Village” and visit the Yabello Wildlife Sanctuary to see zebras. Overnight in Yabello (hotel).
Visit El Sod, a village with a crater lake and large salt deposits, then continue to Yirgalem. Enjoy an evening coffee ceremony while observing hyenas in the surrounding forest. Overnight in Yirgalem (lodge).
Depart for Addis Ababa, with a possible stop at Abiatta-Shala National Park to see Lake Shala and Lake Abiatta, known for its flamingo populations.
The program can be customized upon request.
Things to Do
- Adadi Maryam: A rock-hewn church similar to those in Lalibela.
- Tiya: Ancient stelae field and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Fish Market: Visit the bustling market on the shores of Lake Awassa.
- Lake Chamo: Explore the “crocodile market” and see local hippos.
- Local Market in Dorze: Experience vibrant trading and local culture.
- Evangadi: Enjoy the traditional night dancing of the Hamer tribe.
- Omo River Crossing: Cross by local boat to visit nearby villages.
- Jumping of the Bulls: Witness this traditional Hamer coming-of-age ceremony.
- Colorful Markets: Explore some of the most colorful markets in the region.
- Mursi Tribe: Learn about their distinctive lower lip and earlobe plates.
