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8-Day Southern Omo Valley Tribes

Customisable Itinerary
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Trip Overview

The tribes that live in the Lower Omo Valley are believed to be among the most fascinating on the continent of Africa and around the world, living in what was once one of the most isolated parts of Ethiopia

The Omo Valley tribes have traditions and values that have been maintained for hundreds of years. With many of them oblivious to the existence of the outside world until relatively recently, there is still much to learn about these tribes and the lands that they keep.

You will have a chance to experience many different cultural tribes on this journey as you hop between the villages of the Omo Valley and get a real feel for traditional Ethiopian cultures.
Culture & Arts
Outdoors & Nature
Sightseeing

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Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Addis Ababa

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Arrival in Addis Ababa

You will be transferred from the airport to your hotel. If you arrive early, you may wish to visit Addis' most impressive National Museum where you can see exhibits of Ethiopian art, traditional crafts and prehistoric fossils, including replicas of the famous early hominid, "Lucy."

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Jupiter International Hotel4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Addis AbabaOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Addis Ababa Airport to Jupiter International Hotel, Cazanchise

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    Destinations

    Addis Ababa

Day 2

Fly to Arba Minch

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Fly to Arba Minch

This morning fly to Arba Minch, the largest town in southern Ethiopia, set amongst lush green hills near Lakes Abaya and Chamo. Arba Minch is named for the numerous local springs that produce a groundwater forest. The town is divided into two distinct areas, the uptown admin centre and, 4 km away, the downtown commercial-residential areas of Sikela, connected by a paved road. You can buy fruits here, including mangoes, bananas, guava and pineapple; it's also known for its fish farms.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Paradise Lodge3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Chencha Village

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Jupiter International Hotel, Cazanchise to Addis Ababa Airport

    Plane from Addis Ababa Airport to Arba MinchRequest to Book

    Private Driver from Arba Minch Airport to Arba Minch

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    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Addis Ababa

    Chencha

    Arba Minch

Day 3

Boat Ride on Lake Chamo, Konso Village & Drive to Jinka

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Boat Ride on Lake Chamo, Konso Village & Drive to Jinka

In the morning, take a one-hour boat ride on the lake to Azo Gebeya, the so-called “crocodile market”, a gathering place for crocodiles and pelicans. Visit Konso village famously known for their Waga sculptures and carvings celebrating deceased men. Their elaborately stone-walled terraced hillside grows some of the country's best coffee. They have living cultural traditions that stretch back 21 generations–more than 400 years.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Eco Omo Lodge3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Lake Chamo Boat Ride to Azo Gebeya

    Konso Village

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Paradise Lodge to Arba Minch

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Arba Minch

    Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region

    Konso

    Jinka

Day 4

Drive Jinka to Buska, Stop in Mursi Village

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Drive Jinka to Buska, Stop in Mursi Village

The Mursi are one of the original ethnic Omo valley tribes. They live in one of the most isolated areas of Ethiopia and the women like to wear terra cotta plates on their stretched lower lips and earlobes. Stay at Buska Lodge, an unpretentious eco-lodge, overlooking the plains of Buska Mountain. The lodge offers also a rare opportunity to learn about and experience the culture and traditions of the local Hammer community.

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    Accommodation

    Buska Lodge2 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Mursi Village

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Jinka ResortOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Eco Omo Lodge to Buska Lodge

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Jinka

    Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region

Day 5

Daassenach & Murulle Villages

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Daassenach & Murulle Villages

This day you will take an excursion to Omoratte where you will meet the Dassenech people, the inhabitants of the Lower Omo River Valley. Later, you will venture to Murulle to visit the Karo people, who also reside along the banks of the Lower Omo River. The Karo incorporate rich cultural symbolism into their rituals and use ornate body art, intricate headdress, and body scarification to emphasise their beauty and status within the community.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Buska Lodge2 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Daasanach Village

    Karo Culture

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Turmi to Omorate

    Private Driver from Omorate to Turmi

    Private Driver from Turmi to Buska Lodge

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region

    Omorate

Day 6

Visit A Hammer Village & Drive to Arba Minch

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Visit A Hammer Village & Drive to Arba Minch

You will visit Hammer peoples and experience a bit of their culture before making your way back to Arba Minch. The Hammer people are known for their unique custom of "bull jumping," which initiates a boy into manhood, as well as their decorative jewellery items that elaborately cover their bodies. After visiting the village, you'll continue back to Arba Minch.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Paradise Lodge3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Hamer Village

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Buska Lodge to Hammer Trribes Local Guide

    Private Driver from Turmi to Arba Minch

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region

    Turmi

    Arba Minch

Day 7

Drive to Addis & Tiya World Heritage Site

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Drive to Addis & Tiya World Heritage Site

You will drive back to Addis. En route you will visit Tiya one of Ethiopia's great archaeological sites and one of eight UNESCO sites in the country. It highlights the widespread presence of mysterious engraved stelae stretching across this region of southern Ethiopia. This is a long day of driving, once you are in Addis, you can relax for the remainder of the day.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Jupiter International Hotel4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Tiya Archeological Site

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Paradise Lodge

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Arba Minch to Addis Ababa

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    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Arba Minch

    North Omo

    Tiya

    Addis Ababa

Day 8

Addis Ababa Sightseeing

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Addis Ababa Sightseeing

Begin your city tour of Addis with a drive to Mount Entoto, the highest peak around the city. Visit the National Museum, housing the most precious archaeological finds, the fossilized remains of "Lucy," visit the Trinity Cathedral Church, the Ethnological Museum in Haile Selassie’s former palace, one of the finest museums in Africa. and Mercato, and finish the day at Addis Mercato, the largest open-air market in Africa.

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    Activities

    Mount Entoto

    National Museum of Ethiopia

    Holy Trinity Cathedral

    Ethnological Museum

    Addis Mercato

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Lucy Gazebo and RestaurantOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Addis Mercato to Addis Ababa Airport

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Addis Ababa

    Oromia

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What’s included?

  • 7 nights accommodation
  • 13 activities
  • 7 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 1 dinner
  • Airport transfer
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

What’s not included?

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
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