6 days7 days Omo Valley, Dorze and Arba Minch
Length
7 days
Itinerary
7 days planned
Group
Private
Guides
English
Overview
Omo Valley is undoubtedly one of the most unique places on earth and the discovery of human remains dating back nearly 2.5 million years prompted UNESCO to dub the Lower Valley a World Heritage site in 1980.
The villages are home to some of Africa’s most fascinating ethnic groups and a trip here represents a unique chance for travellers to encounter a culture markedly different from their own. Whether it’s wandering through traditional Dassanech villages, watching Hamer people performing a Jumping of the Bull ceremony or seeing the Mursi’s mind-blowing lip plates, your visit here will stay with you for a lifetime.
The landscape is diverse, ranging from dry, open savannah plains to forests in the high hills and along the Omo and Mago Rivers. The former meanders for nearly 800km, from southwest of Addis Ababa all the way to Lake Turkana on the Kenyan border.
Day by day itinerary
1Arba Minch - Dorze⌄
You will be met at Arba Minch airport or hotel and will take a beautiful drive up the mountains to Dorze village - home of Ethiopia's weavers. You will enjoy a walking tour – visit the traditional bamboo houses, learn how to make the local bread from false banana tree, enjoy the market, watch women spinners and see the famous Dorze weavers. Stay overnight at Dorze Lodge, renowned for the spectacular views of the two Rift Valley lakes. After dinner, sit by the camp fire and enjoy the local singing and dancing
Meals: Lunch · Dinner · Breakfast
Overnight: Overnight at Dorze Lodge with spectacular views of the rift valley lakes and Arba Minch
2Dorze - Lake Chamo and Nechisar National Park (Arba Minch)⌄
After seeing sunrise, drive to Arba Minch and take a motor boat across Lake Chamo to visit Nechisar National Park. Take a gentle hike across the savannah and see zebras, gazelles and different types of animals. On the return boat ride, you will see giant crocodiles, hippos, local fishermen, pelicans and different types of birds. Spend the evening in Arba Minch. Stay overnight at Haile Resort
Meals: Lunch · Breakfast · Dinner
Overnight: Overnight at Haile Resort, ranked at 1st place to stay in Arba Minch
3Arba Minch - Konso - Turmi⌄
Drive to Konso, a UNESCO world heritage site. Your village walking tour will include Konso's renowned stone walled terraces and fortified settlements, wooden statues (Waga), and stone steles (a complex system of marking the passing of leaders). Drive to Turmi, a market town and home to the Hamer tribe. Stay overnight at Paradise lodge
Meals: Lunch · Dinner · Breakfast
Overnight: Overnight at Paradise Lodge, next to a small hamer village and stay in traditional huts or safari tents
4Karo tribe - Hamer market - Turmi⌄
Spend the morning visiting the Karo tribe, famed for their body painting and elaborate headdresses - decorating with nature. Drive back to Turmi in time for the colourful afternoon Hamer market. Stay overnight in Turmi
Meals: Lunch · Dinner · Breakfast
Overnight: Stay overnight at Paradise Lodge, Turmi
5Turmi - Omorate - Dassanech tribe - Hamer Village⌄
Drive to Omorate, on the Omo River, which is as deep as one can get into the Omo valley, without entering Kenya. Cross the river to visit Ethiopia's most southern tribe, Dassanech. Afterwards, drive to Jinka which is set in the hills above Mago National Park and capital of the Omo Valley. You will visit the South-Omo Museum & Research Centre which hosts interesting exhibitions. Stay overnight in an Eco lodge.
Meals: Lunch · Dinner · Breakfast
Overnight: Spend the night in our high quality tents in a Hamer village. We provide mattresses, sleeping bags, pillows, etc
6Nyangatom tribes - Bana Market - Jinka⌄
Visit the Nyangatom Tribe who live on the border with South Sudan and are considered one of the richest and most prosperous tribes. Vast lands allow the tribe to graze a large number of cattle but different to other tribes, the men hunt crocodiles using harpoons and a local canoe. They have gained the reputation of being the feared and fierce warriors. Drive to Key Afar to enjoy the colourful Bana Market and then stay overnight in Jinka
Meals: Lunch · Dinner · Breakfast
Overnight: Overnight at Eco-Omo Lodge in Jinka
7Mago National Park - Mursi Tribe - Jinka⌄
Drive through Mago National Park to visit the Mursi tribe, famed for their unique lip plates. After lunch, we will take you to Jinka airport for your flight to Addis Ababa
Meals: Lunch · Breakfast
What's included
- ✓4WD vehicle including professional driver and all fuel
- ✓5 nights accommodation in named hotels & 1 night camping
- ✓Lunch
- ✓Village and National Park entrance fees and River/Lake boat rides
- ✓Dinner
- ✓Breakfast
- ✓Collection from Arba Minch airport/hotel and return to Jinka airport
- ✓Professional English speaking guide
Not included
- ✕Drinks
- ✕Any local fees for taking individual photographs
- ✕Gratuities
- ✕Return flight to Addis Ababa
Good to know
Starts: We will collect you from Arba Minch airport or from your Arba Minch hotel
Ends: The tour ends at Jinka airport so that tourists can fly straight back to Addis Ababa. If customers prefer, we can provide the option to travel by car to Arba Minch.
Cancellation: For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Tour can be adapted to start/end in Addis Ababa or Jinka
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