The lower Omo Valley of southern Ethiopia is home to some of the world’s last unchanged cultural groups. The area is a melting pot of cultures and communities and represents some of the greatest genetic variance on the continent. Many describe the Omo as being the birthplace of mankind. It’s not hard to see why.
The journey down the west bank of the Omo River is a private road and boat expedition which starts in the capital Addis Ababa. You then drive south via Jimma and through the coffee plantations before descending into the Omo valley. A 3 day trek into the Surma Highlands is a most unusual journey and explores some of the areas remotest corners and villages. The Surma are close relatives of the Mursi, whose women wear clay lip plates in their lower lip. Additionally, The Dorze tribe is a small community primarily residing in a village located in close proximity to the city of Arbaminch, Ethiopia. Situated in a mountainous region.
Activity location
hawssa
Hawassa, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples, Ethiopia
Meeting/Redemption Point
Bole Addis Ababa International Airport
Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Check availability
8 Days Omo Valley Tour from Addis Ababa
Activity duration is 8 days8d
8d
English
Pickup included
Price details
AU$2,221.76 x 1 AdultAU$2,221.76
Total
Price is AU$2,221.76AU$2,221.76
includes taxes & fees
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What's included, what's not
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Entry admissions fee of all tribes village
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Entry admissions of Arbaminch
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Accommodation BB basis. Double or twice rooms
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4×4 Land crusher car
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All entrance Lake chamo boat trip
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Entrance fee konso cultural centre
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Profesional speaking Guide
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Entry admissions of jinka
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Snake
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Entrance fee Adadi Maryam, Tiya steal and Melka Kunture
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Entry admissions of Mago national park
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All Fees and Taxes
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Local Guide for all attractions
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Video & camera fee
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Personal fee
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Domestic flight
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Tips
Know before you book
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transport options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Specialised infant seats are available
Transport options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for pregnant travellers
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Activity itinerary
Day 1: Depart south from Addis Ababa via Butajira.
1 stop
Meals: breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight Hawassa Hotel.
hawssa
8h
Admission ticket included
after your arrival at Bole international Airport we welcome you warmly greetings to you and transferred to your hotel. Then. Our activities will start.
Day 1
Depart south from Addis Ababa via Butajira. On the way you will visit the archaeological sites of Tiya (ancient stelae field and UNESCO World Heritage Site), Adadi Maryam (a rock-hewn church similar to those in Lalibela) and Melka Kunture (pre-historic tool-making site). Final destination for the day is Awassa. Overnight in Awassa hotel.
Day 2: Drive Lake Awassa to Dorze Villages
1 stop
Meals: breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight Ezana Hotel.
Dorze Village
7h
Admission ticket included
Day 2
In the morning after breakfast, visit the fish market on the shores of Lake Awassa and then proceed driving to Dorze, set in the highlands above Arba Minch. The Dorze people are known for their tall beehive-like houses and their fine cotton weaving. You will visit the village and learn about the daily lives of these industrious people. If today is market day (in Dorze village on Monday and Thursday and in nearby Chencha on Tuesday and Saturday), that will be visited. Overnight in Dorze in traditional Dorze hut (shared toilet facilities) or continue to Arba Minch for overnight Ezana Hotel.
Day 3: Depart Arbaminch to Turmi
1 stop
Meals: breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Turmi Lodge.
Turmi
7h
Day 3
In the morning, depart to Arba Minch for a boat trip on Lake Chamo to visit the “crocodile market”, and the local hippos. Afterwards, depart from Arba Minch to Turmi. On the way you will pass through the village of Weyto (market daySaturday), which is home to the Tsemai tribe. Continue through the Weyto Valley to Erbore, where you will have a brief visit to a local Erbore village (market day is Saturday). Finally, proceed to Turmi, home of the Hamer tribe. At night, you can see the traditional night dancing of the Hamer tribe, known as evangadi. Overnight in Turmi Lodge.
Day 4: take a day trip to Omorate to visit the Dassenech trib
1 stop
Meals: breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Turmi Lodge
Dassenech Village
8h
Admission ticket included
Day 4
In the morning, take a day trip to Omorate to visit the Dassenech tribe. Here you will cross the Omo River by local boat and enter a Dassenech village. Afterwards, return to Turmi (Monday is market day) for a visit to a local Hamer village. If there is jumping of the Bulls traditional Hamer coming-of-age ceremony that will be visited. Overnight in Turmi Lodge.
Day 5: Depart for Jinka, via Dimeka
1 stop
Meals: breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight Jinka Resort
Jinka
6h
Day 5
Depart for Jinka, via Dimeka and Key Afar. Tuesdays and Saturdays are marketdays in Dimeka, which is one of the most colourful markets in the area and is visited by many tribes, including Hamer, Benna and Karo. Afterwards, continue to Jinka. Overnight in Jinka Resort.
Day 6: drive through the Mago National Park to a local village of the Mursi tribe
1 stop
Meals: breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight Jinka Resort
Mago National Park
8h
Admission ticket included
the morning, drive through the Mago National Park to a local village of the Mursi tribe. The Mursi are known for their lower lip and earlobe plates. In the afternoon, after returning to Jinka, you can visit the South Omo Museum & Research Centre to learn more about the local tribes. Alternatively, take a hike in the surrounding hills to visit a local Ari village. Overnight in Jinka Resort.
Day 7: depart from Jinka to Arba Minch via Key Afar and Konso.
1 stop
Meals: breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Arba Minch Ezana Hotel.
Arba Minch
9h
Day 7
After breakfast, depart from Jinka to Arba Minch via Key Afar and Konso. Thursday is market day in Key Afar, where you will see the Benna and Tsemai tribes trading goods. This is another very popular market in the region. After the visit, proceed to Konso (market days are Mondays and Thursdays). The Konso people are known for their wooden statues, known as wakas, which are erected in honour of dead heroes as well as their innovative agricultural terracing. Today you will have a brief opportunity to visit a local village and the cultural museum displaying many waka statues. After the visit, proceed driving to Arba Minch. Overnight in Arba Minch Ezana Hotel.
Day 8: depart from Arba Minch for a full day’s drive to Addis Ababa.
1 stop
Meals: breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight Sunspot hotel
Addis Ababa
10h
Early in the morning, depart from Arba Minch for a full day’s drive to Addis Ababa. On the way you may have time to visit one of the following archaeological sites of interest
• Tiya – ancient stellae field and UNESCO World Heritage site
• Adadi Maryam – rock-hewn church similar to those in Lalibela
• Melka Kunture – pre-historic tool-making site
Location
Activity location
LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
hawssa
Hawassa, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples, Ethiopia
Meeting/Redemption Point
PEOPLEPEOPLE
Bole Addis Ababa International Airport
Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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