Omo Valley Tours – 8 Days
Description
Discover the Omo Valley, Home of the last isolated tribes. Experience their fascinating culture, beautification, traditions and ritual activities.
Day 1: Arrival – Addis Ababa City Tour
Our team will meet you at Bole International Airport, upon your arrival. Transfer to your hotel. Get some rest. Today we will take you on a guided city tour of Addis Ababa. It gives an introduction to Ethiopia and Addis Ababa by Visiting different Attractions and learn about the culture. The tour has a visit to the National Museum. Where you will see Lucy, the famous human ancestral fossil estimated to be 3.2 million years old. the you will go up on the top of Mount Entoto, where you will have a panoramic view of the city. The Holy Trinity Cathedral houses the tomb of Emperor Haile Silase, the last emperor of Ethiopia. We will walk through the Merkato market, the largest open air market in Africa.
Overnight Addis Ababa in Hotel
Day 2: Addis Ababa – Arbaminch
In the morning We leave Addis Ababa and descend towards Ethiopia’s Rift Valley. We pass through Butajira, Werabe, Alaba, Welaita Sodo, and other small towns and villages along the 450 km road. The journey continues along a scenic area and the homes of many tribes. Along the way, visit the Dorze village. The Dorze people are renowned for their weaving skills, music, dance, and beautiful elephant-shaped houses. They live in one of the most densely populated areas of the country. But they have maintained a lifestyle to coexist with the environment by practicing mixed farming, handicrafts and weaving. Drive to Arbaminch.
Overnight in Arbamich Hotel
Day 3: ArbaMinch – Konso – Jinka
Early in the morning you will take a boat trip on Lake Chamo in Nech Sar National Park to visit the crocodile market. It is not a real market but a lake-shore where giant crocodiles are enjoying sun-bathe. Drive to Konso, the Konso tribes famous are famous for their impressive soil conservation by terracing of their farmland. The Konso villages are found on hilltops protected by several rounds of stone Walls . In side the village it has a narrow alley and few entrances. The Konso people are an extremely hardworking people in Ethiopia. UNESCO recoded Konso Village as a world Heritage site. After a lunch in Konso, We cross the Weito River and pass through the territories of the Steamy, Bena and Ari tribes land to reach Jinka.
Overnight Jinka Hotel/Loadge
Day 4: Jinka – Mursi Tribes Village – Turmi
Early in the morning we start driving to the Mursi village. As We cross the Mago National Park, We may spot Some animals. Mursi people are a fear warriors and Theire lifestyle has never been changed. They don’t have much possession. Their life is attached mostly to their cattle. They also practicing flood retreat agriculture along the banks of the OMO River. Often referred to as nomads, the Mursi have a sedentary lifestyle. The Mursi are famous for their women having a large clay plate insert in to their Lip. The larger the clay lip disk a Mursi girl has inserted on her lip, considered the more beautiful she is. The Mursi men wear very little except an occasional scarf and paint their bodies on special occasions. After lunch we drive to Turmi, passing through the Keyafer and Dimeka lands of the Bena Tibes. There is a colorful market on Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Overnight in Turmi – Lodge
Day 5: Turmi – Omorate – Turmi
In the Morning drive to Omorate home of The Dasenech tribes.The Dasenech have settled north of Lake Turkana on the border with Kenya and along both banks of Omo River. They are mainley pastoralists, fishermen, and practice flood retreat farming along the banks of the river. To reach the Dasench village, We will take a traditional local boat to cross the river on the opposite side of Omorate. Dasenech women have elaborate Beadles on their bodies. The mens usualley beutify theire hair with Clay paintings and feather. After watching the Dasench dancing and playing. we return to Turmi .Turmi is the home of the Hamer tribe. Known for their beautiful appearance of their women with a block of red hair. the Hamer people are the most welcoming and friendly tribes in the Omo Valley. We Visit a Hamer Village where we learn the family structure and and Daily life.nThe Hamer people depend on raising animals and practice small rain-fed agriculture. Hamer boys must perform a rite of passage to transform into a man. It has a long ritual and ceremonies, The main Event of the ceremony is Jumping a row of bulls. We look for an opportunity to witness the bull jumping ceremony.
Overnight Turmi in Paradise Lodge
Day 6: Karo – Kara Tribes
After breakfast, we will travel to the village of Korcho. It is one of the few Villages of Kara or Karo tribe. Korcho village is located on a hill with a breathtaking view of the OMO River. The Karo tribes are small in number and are famous for being the most colorful body painters using different colors of clay. The Karo tibes were very rich and command large herds of cattle’s. A devastating outbreak of Pandemic whipped their entire animals. Since then theybecome dependent on fishing and farming. Drive back to Turmi where we look for a Bull Jumping ceremoney in the Afternoon. look on Hamer Villages and local Market. Monday is a market day, where the Hamer tribes come to trade Animals, agricultural goods, coffee, Tobacco, honey, clothes… etc.
Overnight Turmi in Lodge
Day 7: Drive back to Arbaminch
We keep taking photos along our drive back to Arbaminch. We may stop at Keyafer for the colorful Market. The market days are Mondays and Thursdays. After the visit, proceed to Konso and Arbaminch.
Overnight Arbaminch in Hotel
Day 8: Arbaminch – Addis Ababa
Drive back to Addis Ababa. At night you will be our guest on a farewell dinner at a traditional Restaurant. Enjoy the night with Ethiopian food, drink, music, and Amazing Dance Show. Transfer to the airport to take your flight back home.
