8 Days Omo Valley

8 Days Omo Valley

Ethiopia’s Omo Valley region is one of the most remote parts of this incredible country. Omo Valley is Located in the Southern part of Ethiopia, this distant region feels like a world away from Northern Ethiopia – with a rural and tropical feel, it was more reminiscent of sub-Saharan Africa than anywhere else in the country. In this Unique place of the country multiple and strong indigenous cultures co-exist. On this cultural tour you have the opportunities to visit various busy local markets, different ethnic groups with different customs, rites, rituals, architecture and dress, a raw and fresh natural world and the special "Bull-Jumping" ceremony, in which a Hummer's boy will be transferred in to Adulthood.

Itinerary

Day 1: Addis Ababa - Hawassa

Stop At: Tiya World Heritage Site, Tiya Ethiopia
Our first stop will be the Tiya stelae field, which is one of Ethiopian's world heritage site.
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Adadi Maryam, Addis Ababa Ethiopia
Here we will have the chance to spot one of the many rock hewn churches in Ethiopia, Adadi Maryam Rock Hewn Church.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Melka Kunture, Addis Ababa Ethiopia
The final visible site on the way to Hawassa will be the Melka Kunture pre historic tool making site.
Duration: 45 minutes

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight reserved Hotel

Day 2: Awassa - Dorze

Stop At: Fish Market at Awassa Lake, Awassa Lake, Awasa Ethiopia
After breakfast, visit the fish market on the shores of Lake Awassa and proceed driving to Dorze, set in the highlands above Arba Minch.
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Dorze Village, Arba Minch Ethiopia
The Dorze are known for their tall beehive-like houses and fine cotton weaving. You will visit the village and learn about the daily lives of these industrious people.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: overnight hotel

Day 3: Arba Minch

Stop At: Chamo Lake, Arba Minch Ethiopia
Depart to Arba Minch for a boat trip on Lake Chamo to visit the “crocodile market”, and the local hippos.
Duration: 2 hours

Pass By: Weyt'o, Ethiopia
Afterwards, depart from Arba Minch to Turmi. You will pass through the village of Weyto, which is home to the Tsemai tribe. Continue through the Weyto Valley to Erbore, you will have a brief visit to a local Erbore village.

Stop At: Turmi, Turmi, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region
Finally, proceed to Turmi, home of the Hamer tribe. At night, you can see “Evangadi” traditional night dancing of the Hamer tribe.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight reserved lodge

Day 4: Turmi

Stop At: Dasenech Village, Omorate Dasenech, Turmi 1000 Ethiopia
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 for a visit of the Hamer village. If lucky attend “Bull- jumping” traditional Hamer coming-ofage ceremony.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight Lodge

Day 5: Turmi - Jinka

Stop At: Dimeka Market, Ethiopia
Drive to Jinka, via Dimeka and Key Afer. 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.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight Resort

Day 6: Jinka

Pass By: Mago National Park, 782km south of Addis on East bank of the Omo River, 1046 Ethiopia
Drive through the Mago National Park to a local village of the Mursi tribe.

Stop At: South Omo Research Centre Museum, on top of hill in Jinka, Jinka Ethiopia
The Mursi are known for their lower lip and earlobe plates. In the afternoon returning to Jinka, you can visit the South Omo Museum & Research Center to learn more about the local tribes.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Jinka, Jinka, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region
Alternatively, take a hike in the surrounding hills to visit a local Ari village.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight Resort

Day 7: Jinka - Arba Minch

Stop At: Key Afer, Key Afer, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region
Depart from Jinka to Arba Minch via Key Afer and Konso. Thursday is market day in Key Afar, where you will see the Benna and Tsemai tribes trading goods.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Konso, Konso, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region
After the visit, proceed to Konso, are known for their wooden statues, known as wakas, which are erected in honor of dead heroes, as well as their innovative agricultural terracing. You will visit a local village and the cultural museum displaying many waka statues. After the visit, proceed driving to Arba Minch.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight Lodge

Day 8: Arba Minch - Addis Ababa

Stop At: Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa
Drive to Addis Ababa from Arba Minch. In the evening you will have farewell party in one of Ethiopian traditional restaurant where you can see cultural music and dance. Then Transfer to the airport for flight back home.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Departure