Tour to Southern Ethiopia and Tribes of Omo Valley

ARAMINCH, JINKA TURMI, KONSO AND AWASSA

The Omo Valley in Southern Ethiopia, which is a little visited area of Ethiopia containing some of the most colourful tribes and ethnic groups, the fascinating costumes, colourful ceremonies and celebrations, arts, crafts, music and dance of the Banna, Hamer, Mursi and Dasenech are very special.

In the Omo Valley region many of the tribal groups have changed little over hundreds of years and they offer the visitor extraordinary insight into a variety of traditional cultures.

On this trip, you get truly off the beaten track, exploring little visited villages and vibrant tribal markets of the Southern Ethiopia!

Tour Code: YTE 121
Duration: 10 nights (11 days)
Transportation: Land (4WD)
Tour starts: Addis Ababa
Tour ends: Addis Ababa

Day 1 – Arrival + Addis

Jupiter International or other similar 4* Hotel

Be welcomed by your guide on arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Air Port, and transfer-in to hotel.

 

Day 2 – Addis – Tiya – Adadi Mariam – Langano

220km | 196km asphalted and 24km gravel | 6-7 hours with visit, lunch and photo stops | Sabana Beach Resort

Drive south to the Rift Valley Lake of Langano visiting the rock-hewn church of Adadi Mariam that is believed to be the southern most church founded by King Lalibela, the pre-historic archeological site of Melka Kunture, and the stelea field of Tiya (UNESCO World Heritage Site). At Lake Langano enjoy swimming and bird watching around.

 

Day 3 – Langano – Arba Minch

307km | 95km asphalted, 52km gravel and 185km currently under construction | 9 hours with visits, lunch and photo stops | Paradise Lodge

Drive from Langano to Arba Minch through the fertile land of Wolayta and Alaba regions, The Alaba people are very famous for their beautiful home painting style. And on the way visit Sinkile Wild life Sanctuary, here you will see the endemic Swain’s heart best and other mammals.

   

Day 4 – Arba Minch

Paradise Lodge

After breakfast drive to Chencha, to visit the Dorze village, the Dorze people are well known for the weaving tradition and their attractive elephant shaped traditional hut made from bamboo and false banana tree leafs , here you will also see the daily activity of the Doreze people, drive back to Arba Minch for lunch and in the afternoon you will have a boat trip on lake Chamo one of the rift valley lakes, on this lake you will visit the Crocodile Market where you can see large number of crocodiles, different aquatic birds and hippos.

 

Day 5 – Arba Minch – Jinka

275km | 215km asphalted, 60km gravel under construction | 8-9 hours with visits, photo stop and lunch | Jinka Resort Hotel

Drive 275 km south to Jinka visiting the villages of the Konso people who are renowned for their colorful hand-woven cotton clothes and beautiful rock terraces.

 

Day 6 – Jinka

140km round trip | gravel, twisty, and up and down road | 5-6 hours with visits, photo stop and lunch | Jinka Resort Hotel

Today, you will have an excursion to the Mago National Park and visit the people of Mursi who are typically known for the clay lip plates of the women. Then, drive back to Jinka and visit the Cultural Museum of the People of the Lower Omo Valley.

 

Day 7 – Jinka – Turmi

132km | gravel road (under construction) | 7-8 hours with visits, photo stop and lunch | Buska Lodge

Drive to Turmi – the village of the Hamer people whose women are noted for their typical hairdressing, and leather skirts. (If today is Saturday or Tuesday, you will have a stop at the colorful weekly market of the Hamer and the Benna people at Dimeka.)

 

Day 8 - Turmi

144km round trip | gravel road | 7-8 hours round trip with visits, photo stops and lunch | Buska Lodge

In the morning, you will have an excursion to Omo Rate to visit the Dasenech people who are the southernmost people of the country and are known for their scarifications. Then, with a picnic lunch stop at Murulle, head to Korcho – the village of the Karo people. (OR if the day is Saturday or Tuesday, have an excursion in the afternoon to visit the colorful weekly market of the Hamer at Dimeka, or if Monday at Turmi.)

 

Day 9 – Turmi – Yabello

290km | 75km asphalted, 215km gravel road | 7-8 hours with visits, photo stop and lunch | Yabello Motel

Drive to Yabello with a stop at the villages of the nomadic people of Erbore.

 

Day 10 – Yabello – Awassa

410km | full asphalt | 6-7hrs with visits, lunch and photo stops | Tadesse Enjori or other similar Hotel

Head to the north visiting the nomadic people of Borena, and the other people of Sidama who are renowned for their cultivation of Enset or False Banana.

Day 11 – Drive Back to Addis Ababa



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