12-DAYS TRIBES OF THE OMO VALLEY

Duration: Nights/ Days

Tour Code: EAET806

Day 1: Addis Ababa –Hawassa

Depart south from Addis Ababa via Butajira. On the way you will visit the archeological 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 stay on reserved hotel

Day 2: Awassa – Arba Minch

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, continue to Arba Minch. Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 3: Arba Minch

In the morning, visit the local market in Dorze (Monday and Thursday) or Chencha (Tuesday and Saturday). Afterwards, continue driving to Arba Minch. In the afternoon, take a boat trip on Lake Chamo to visit the “crocodile market”, and the local hippos. Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 4 : Arba Minch- Turmi

After breakfast, depart from Arba Minch to Turmi. On the way you will pass through the village of Weyto (market day Saturday), 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 stay on reserved hotel

Day 5: Turmi-Omorate-Turmi

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 stay on reserved hotel

Day 6: Turmi –karo –Turmi

Early morning depart from Turmi to the village of Kangatan. Here you will cross the Omo River and take a short walk through the local fields to visit a village of the Nyangatom tribe. After the visit, return across the river and proceed to the Karo village of Korcho, with a stunning location looking over the Omo River. The Karo people, while the smallest tribes of the Omo Valley in number are also known to be the most decorated, return to Turmi. Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 7: Turmi-Jinka

Depart for Jinka, via Dimeka and Key Afar. Tuesdays and Saturdays are market days in Dimeka, which is one of the most colorful markets in the area and is visited by many tribes, including Hamer, Benna and Karo. Afterwards, continue to Jinka. Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 8: Jinka-Mursi-Jinka

In 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 Center to learn more about the local tribes. Alternatively, take a hike in the surrounding hills to visit a local Ari village. Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 9: Jinka-Konso

Depart from Jinka to Konso, via Key Afar. 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). Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 10: Konso –Yabello

The Konso people are known for their wooden statues, known as wakas, which are erected in honor of dead heroes as well as their innovative agricultural terracing. Today you will have the opportunity to visit a local village and the cultural museum displaying many waka statues. Time permitting; you can also visit the “natural New York Village”, named after the tall sand formations resembling skyscrapers. After the visit, continue to Yabello. If there is time, visit the Yabello Wildlife Sanctuary for a chance to see zebras. Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 11: Yirgalem

Early in the morning, take an excursion south to visit El Sod, a village that is home to a crater lake with a large salt deposit called the House of Salt (chow bet). This is the land of the Borena people, a large nomadic ethnic group that extends deep into Kenya. After the visit, proceed driving to Yirgalem. Here you can enjoy an evening coffee ceremony while watching the hyenas in the surrounding forest. Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 12: drive back to Addis Ababa and departure

Depart north to Addis Ababa. On the way, you may visit the Abiatta-Shala National Park. Lake Shala, with its deep blue waters is the deepest lake in Ethiopia at 236m. Lake Abiatta is a soda lake at which thousands of flamingos can be seen at various times of the year. Evening we will have fare well dinner in one of the Ethiopian restaurant for cultural dances from the different ethnic groups. Then transfer to the airport for flight back home.

• Note: The above program can be adjusted according to your time, Budget and interest.