Travel to Omo valley (13) Days
Duration
Tour Type
Overview
Best time to visit Omo valley
The ideal time to explore the Omo Valley in Ethiopia is in the dry season, which lasts from October through March. In these months, the climate is more pleasant, featuring reduced rainfall, which improves road conditions and facilitates easier movement between tribal villages. The dry season also offers enhanced chances for photography, wildlife observation, and cultural activities, including ceremonies and markets.
Tour Plan
meet and greet at bole international airport at 7:30 in the morning then drive from Addis Ababa via Butajira. On the way you will visit the archaeological sites of Tiya Stelae, the World Heritage site.
This site is the most important and impressive of several stelae clusters that dot around the surrounding countryside. The site contains around 36 ancient stelae, 32 of which are engraved with enigmatic symbols, notably swords.
Almost nothing is known about the monolith carvers or their purposes other than they mark mass graves of individuals aged between 18 and 30.
Afterwards, you will drive to a town called Butajira for breakfast. You will then travel through Gurage & Hosanna regions, wandering the beautiful farming land & admiring the nature by the roadside.  Next, we will stop for lunch in a town called Sodo, followed by a visit to see one of the greatest rift valley lakes, Lake Abaya. You will also get to see the beautiful evergreen lands filled with tropical fruit such as mangoes, papayas, and bananas. The overnight stay will be in Arba Minch at paradise lodge
After breakfast, we shall drive north west of Arba Minch to see the Gamo tribe in the Dorze village. This village is a wonderful place with an altitude of 2500m above sea level. The Gamo communities are well known for their amazing weaving techniques and colourful crafts, which can be seen all over the country. We shall see the preparation of the false banana plant, the miracle plant of Ethiopia known as ‘Enset’. Enset is the most important plant in the Southern regions of the country, with both the root and stem having multiple purposes We will be able to experience the meals made from it.
Afterwards, we will drive back to the nearby Arba Minch for lunch at Ezana hotel , followed by a drive to Lake Chamo. It is here that massive groups of Nile giant crocodiles, hippos, anaquatic birds can be seen. We will stay in ArbaMinch this night.
In the morning we shall drive to a town called Konso and have breakfast in edget hotel, followed by a visit to the Konso tribe village. The landscape is famous for its unique terraces developed and made by the Konso tribe themselves. We shall visit their village and see their unique lifestyle, as well as witness the eroded land left behind that resembles the view of New York City.
After seeing the demographical landscape in the Konso tribe territory, registered by the World Heritage site UNESCO, we’ll drive through Weytto and Key Afer, stopping at any markets that may be on. We will then stay overnight in jinka at orit hotel.
After breakfast, we’ll drive through the Mago National Park. After a few hours driving, we will be able to experience one of the unique tribes, the Mursi. This is usually considered by most as the highlight of their trip. We will see how the people live and you will be amazed by the remarkable lip plates the women wear and the amount of scarification’s both the men and women have. They are also well known for their body painting and for their scars, renowned as pastoralists moving from one place to another.
We shall see their places for cattle and where they retrieve and store water. After walking through their village and having the opportunity to take photos, we will then drive back to Jinka for lunch at goh hotel.
After a little relaxation, we will continue to visit the surrounding Jinka Ari tribe, who are semi-nomadic.You shall see their famous painting house, pottery and blacksmith, as well as see children dancing and walking through the village then we will return to our hotel to jinka to have some rest and you will be allowed to use your own time.
After breakfast, we shall drive to Turmi via Dimeka. En route we’ll see the Benna tribe village where we’ll stop to see the colorful market in the Omo valley (if it is market day.) Our drive then continues on to Turmi. Events may occur this day such as the bull leaping or the whipping ceremony of the Hammer tribe, both special rituals that prepare both men and women for marriage Events may occur this day such as the bull leaping or the whipping ceremony of the Hammer tribe, both special rituals that prepare both men and women for marriage.
It will also be a once in a lifetime experience for you. We’ll visit the Hammer village and see their night dance called Evangadi; this is where the young Hammer girls and boys gather together to dance and sing on their way to choose their future spouse. There will be an overnight stay in Turmi at buska lodge.
In the morning after breakfast, we’ll drive to the Nyangatom tribe to see the Kangati Village. The tribe is living in the southwest of the semi desert area by shore of the Omo River. These people are famous for their story telling and singing, and also known to be the most decorated warriors and +
agropastoralists.  As we cross the Omo River by local boat, we’ll visit their village, see their lifestyle and take photos.
After the visit, we’ll return across the river and proceed to the Karo village of Korcho, a stunning location overlooking the Omo River. The Karo tribe are well known for their body decoration and fishing. We shall see more of their village, before camping over night there.
In the morning, we’ll drive back to Turmi for breakfast at tourist hotel, and then continue on driving to Omorate to see the Dassanech tribe. Omorate is the last town in Ethiopia before the border. As this is a sensitive border area, we are required to register our passports at the immigration and natural affairs office. This is a quick and easy process and should take no longer than 2 minutes. After this brief stop, we will then walk through town to the side of the Omo River.
Once we are safely across the Omo River, we will visit the tribes of beautifully decorated Once again we will be able to photograph these amazing people whilst we tour around their village, learning about their culture and their way of life. Once we have soaked in enough of their culture and sights, it will be back into the boat and back to Turmi for the night.
From here we will either cross the murky brown waters by a traditional dugout canoe or by the village’s only motorboat.
In the morning we’ll drive to Arbore from Turmi. The Arbore tribe women cover their heads with black coloured cloth and adorn themselves with colorful jewellery. Their young children wear a shell type garment that protects their heads from sun. The tribe is also well known for their body painting and for their houses, which are made from papyrus. If it is a market day we will visit, then drive to Weyto to see the Tsemaye tribe. This tribe is well known for wearing yellow beads, having face tattoos and for their style.
In the morning after breakfast, we’ll drive to the southeast of Konso to Yabelo. After having lunch in yabello motel , the drive continues on until we visit the Yabelo Wild Life Sanctuary, full of birds and wild animals such as zebras and antelopes. If it is a market day in Yabelo we will see the beautiful camel and cattle’s market. We will then stay overnight in Yabelo at borena lodge.
In the morning we’ll drive to see Chew Bet, the Ethiopian Great Rift Valley Lake that was created by a volcanic eruption that occurred 1.3 million years ago. It is here that the Borena tribe takes black and crystal salt from the lake. On the way back, we will stop in a town called Mega, where we shall visit the market if it is market day. We will see the Borena tribesmen, who are well known for their singing and for fetching water for their cattle from underground. We will then drive back to Yabelo where we still stay overnight.
We’ll drive to Yirgalem from Yabelo for an overnight stay in the Aregash lodge. Here you can enjoy an evening coffee ceremony, see the coffee plantation as well as the beautiful bird life. You’ll also be able to watch the hyenas in the surrounding forest.
After breakfast we’ll go to see the beautiful town of Hawasa, where we will go to the fish market.
We’ll continue driving until we reach a town called Wondo Genet where you’ll get the chance to take a refreshing bath in the Natural hot springs.
We will then drive to Addis Ababa through Shashamane, relaxing at Lake Langano afterwards we will have dinner at langano and have farewell program then we will have fun that night with campfire.
Included/Exclude
- 4-night stay in a double or twin room at hotels or lodges as per the itinerary
- Toyota Land Cruiser 4×4 Jeep with driver-guide and fuel
- Entrance fees, local guide, park fees, boat trip, and related costs
- All meals, including water, soft drinks, and hot beverages
- Photography fees (applicable for non-commercial photography)
- Alcoholic drinks
- Domestic flights
- Baggage insurance and travel insurance.
- Tips
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Max Guests
50
Min Age
1+