Overview

The 12-Day Tribes of the Omo Valley tour is an extraordinary journey into one of the most culturally rich and diverse regions of Ethiopia. This tour offers a rare opportunity to connect with the vibrant traditions of tribes such as the Hamer, Mursi, Karo, Dassanech, and Konso.

Every day brings a new experience—whether it’s witnessing the iconic bull-jumping ceremony of the Hamer, marveling at the intricate body art and lip plates of the Mursi, or exploring the unique terraced landscapes of the Konso, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The knowledgeable guides provide deep insights into the history, customs, and daily lives of the communities, ensuring a respectful and enriching experience.

The tour is well-paced, with comfortable accommodations and seamless logistics, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the culture and stunning landscapes of the Omo Valley. If you’re looking for a culturally immersive adventure, this tour is an absolute must.

Ages 5-60, max of 12 per group

Duration: 12 days

Start time: Check availability

Mobile ticket

Live guide: English

Departure and Return

Start: Multiple pickup locations offered.

Pickup details

Ghana St, Debub Global Bank Building on the 3rd floor

Hotel pickup offered

During checkout, you will be able to select from the list of included hotels.

Airport pickup offered

During checkout, you will be able to select from the list of included airports.

Bole Airport, Addis Ababa Ethiopia

End: This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Day 1: Drive to Awassa

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 (a pre-historic tool-making site). Final destination for the day is Awassa. Overnight in Awassa (hotel)

Day 2: Drive from Awassa to Dorze

I 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.

Day 3: Drive to 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.

Day 4: Drive from Arba Minch to 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.

Day 5: Drive to Dassenech tribe

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. Afterward, return to Turmi (Monday is market day) for a visit to a local Hamer village. If there is a Jumping of the Bulls traditional Hamer coming-of-age ceremony, that will be visited.

Day 6: Drive to the Omo River

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 lookin over the Omo River. The Karo people, while the smallest tribe of the Omo Valley in number, are also known to be the most decorated. After the visit, return to Turmi for another opportunity to see Jumping of the Bulls. Overnight in Turmi (camping, basic hotel or lodge).

Day 6: Travel to Jinka

epart 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.

Day 7: Drive through the Mago National Park to Mursi and Ari village

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.

Day 8: Drive to Konso

After breakfast, 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).

Day 9: 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.

Day 10: Drive to Borena

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.

Day 11: Drive back to Addis Ababa

Day 12: Drive back to Addis Ababa

After breakfast, 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.