The unique wilderness
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What's included
- A guided tour of important places
- Accommodation in single twin share room
- Entrance tickets to monuments and museums
- Observation and participation in allowed activities
- Professionally guided tour
- Unlimited bottled water
- Increases in airfares or Government imposed taxes
- Meals, unless expressly states
- Personal expenses
- Services not specifically stated in the itinerary
- Tips to guide and driver
- Visa arrangements
Isolated for millennia from the rest of the world, the beautiful Omo Valley is home to an exciting mix of many small and distinctive tribal groups. Amongst others, we find the Karo, the Mursi and the Hamer — all of whom have retained their own unique customs and traditions. Lifestyles are as varied as the tribes themselves. Lacking any material culture and artifacts common to other cultures, these tribes find unique ways in which to express their artistic impulses. Both the Surma and the Karo, for example, are experts at body painting, using clays and locally available vegetable pigments to trace fantastic patterns on each other’s faces, chests, arms, and legs. These designs are created purely for fun and aesthetic effect, each artist vying to outdo the others. You will witness age-old customs and rituals, learning of the symbolism that remains an integral part of everyday life.
You can book this tour on any date as an individual journey.
- Day 1
- Day 2
- Day 3
- Day 4
- Day 5
- Day 6
- Day 7
Arrive Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa, founded in 1886 by Menelik II, is situated at 2,500 meters (8000 ft.) above sea level. It is the 5th highest capital city in the world. The city enjoys an excellent climate year-round, with an average temperature of 25C (77F). Addis Ababa is a pleasant city with wide avenues of jacarandas, interesting museums, and one of the largest open-air markets in Africa, known as the "Mercato".
You have a half-day tour and visit the National Museum (to see "Lucy"), one of the churches in Addis Ababa, the Mercato, and enjoy the view from Entoto Mountain.
Overnight: Hotel Jupiter Bole
Addis Ababa, Arbaminch, Tia Stele (B, D)
After lunch, we will continue driving to Arba Minch on the way visiting the different small villages of Welyita at Sodo and Alaba at Tembaro.
Overnight: Paradise Lodge
Arbaminch, Jinka (B, Picnic Lunch, D)
After an early breakfast, we will drive to Jinka visiting different cultural peoples, including the Konso, and their villages en route.
The Konso are famous for their old and unique terracing and unusual engraved wooden statues of Konso grave markers. Between Konso and Jinka, will also have brief stops to visit several different cultural peoples and their villages.
Overnight: Omo Eco, Jinka
Jinka, Mago, Mursi, Turmi (B, Picnic Lunch, D)
After having an early breakfast, we will drive from Jinka to Mursi Village. The Mursi, undoubtedly the most celebrated residents of South Omo, are a distinctive group of pastoralists. The Mursi are best known for their unique item of decoration — lip plates. Women of Mursi wear circular clay plates on their lower lip and the bigger a woman can wear, the greater her value when she gets married.
After we visit the Mursi Village, we will have our picnic lunch in the Mago National Park and drive to Turmi.
Overnight: Buska Lodge
Turmi, Omorate (B, Picnic Lunch, D)
In the cool morning, we will drive to Omorate to visit the Desanech (Geleb) tribal village after crossing the Omo River by boat. The Desanech are nomadic pastoralists found across the western bank of the Omo River south of Lake Turkana very close to the Kenyan border.
In the afternoon, we will drive to Hamer Village. The Hamer displays an elaborate and diverse selection of body decorations. They are also identifiable for their high cheekbones and elaborate custom of beads, cowries, leather, and thick copper necklaces. In the same village, we might enjoy the seasonal cultural activities including the famous Evangadi (Hamer Dancing).
Overnight: Buska Lodge
Turmi, Arba Minch (B, D)
In the afternoon, we will have a boat cruise on Lake Chamo to see some of the biggest African crocodiles. Hippopotamuses and many beautiful aquatic birds including the lovely Kingfisher and African Fish Eagle are also easily seen.
Overnight: Paradise Lodge Hotel, Arba Minch
Arba Minch, Addis Ababa, Departure (B, D)
In the morning, we drive back to Addis Ababa en route visiting different small towns like Shashemene, where Rastafarian culture lives; Ziway and one of the Great Rift Valley Lakes.
In the evening, there will be a farewell dinner party with a traditional special buffet and local drinks. There will also be a cultural dance show of the different ethnic groups living in the country — the perfect way to end the trip!
At the end of the farewell dinner, transfer to Addis Ababa airport for the flight back home. End of tour.
Your tour guide will keep the tour flexible in order to include different colorful markets, depending on the dates.
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
More about ETHIOPIA
More about this tour
Trip Highlights
Accommodation
On this trip, you will be staying in a 4-star hotel in Addis Ababa and the best available lodges in Turmi. In Dus, we will have a comfortable mobile camp with canvas tents, which will be set up and awaiting us when we arrive. We also have cooks for this part of the trip. There will be electric power to charge batteries as well as mobile showers and toilets in the mobile-tented camp.
Tour Guide
This tour will be lead by our experienced A-rated, friendly cultural tour guides who have lead many tours to the Historic Route of Ethiopia and who know the history, culture, nature, and wildlife well. Your guide also will check if there is a colorful market in the area to see.
Our Drivers
Our drivers are well trained and well travelled in the area. They know all the terrain and the valleys you will be traveling to. They always make sure you are comfortable and safe. They have been rated excellent by many travelers who have been on the road with them for long periods of time.
Transportation
On this Photographic Expedition to the Omo Valley, we will be using comfortable 4x4s for the most part. There will be one domestic flight from Addis Ababa to Arba Minch (not included).
Note: On this trip, there will be a domestic flight from Axum to Lalibela and then to Addis Ababa. The domestic flight has to be arranged separately.
Tour Duration
The tour duration shown above begins and ends in Addis Ababa. With flights into and out of Addis Ababa, the tour duration may be longer.
please call: +251-911-428006 or e-mail:
Additional Info
- Tour Type: Cultural Tour
- Group Size: TBA
- Duration:7 Days
- Price: on request
