8-Day Omo Valley Cultural Expedition
Day 1: Addis Ababa City Tour
Begin with a visit to the National Museum, home to the famous hominid fossil “Lucy,” and drive up to Mount Entoto for a panoramic view of the city. We will also explore the Holy Trinity Cathedral, a beautiful Baroque-style landmark, and the vibrant Merkato, one of the largest open-air markets in Africa.
- Overnight: Hotel, Addis Ababa
Day 2: Addis Ababa to Hawassa
Drive through the Rift Valley to Hawassa, a tourist resort where locals come to enjoy the beautiful lake and the pleasant atmosphere. Walk to the lake shores viewing pelicans, marabou storks, and other water birds. In the morning, visit the Fish Market where locals bring freshly caught fish to cook and eat at the lake shore. Next is the public park where we have a chance to see and feed Colobus monkeys.
- Overnight: Hotel, Hawassa
Day 3: Hawassa to Arba Minch
Drive to the village of Dorze, home to those considered the best weavers in Ethiopia. We will see how they make handmade cotton cloth, a tradition passed down through generations. Walk in the green farmlands to see the Elephant-looking houses of the Dorze people. See how they make food out of “false banana” trees and enjoy their traditional music and dance.
- Overnight: Lodge or Hotel, Arba Minch
Day 4: Lake Chamo and Arba Minch
Take a boat trip on Lake Chamo to see hippos and crocodiles. Visit the Forty Springs natural site, which gives the city its name. The area is surrounded by lush greenery and offers a scenic view of the surrounding landscape. Return to Arba Minch for your overnight stay.
- Overnight: Lodge or Hotel, Arba Minch
Day 5: Arba Minch to Konso and Turmi
Drive to Turmi via Konso. We meet the Konso people in their hilltop villages, fortified by several rounds of stone walls. The Konso tribes are famous for their impressive soil conservation by terracing their farmland; UNESCO recorded Konso Village as a World Heritage site. Afterward, continue the drive to Turmi, the capital of the Hamer people.
- Overnight: Lodge, Turmi
Day 6: Karo and Hamer Tribes
Drive to Korcho, a village of the Karo tribe set on a cliff overlooking a scenic view of the Omo River. The most striking feature of the Karo is their practice of Body Painting using colorful clay soils. In the afternoon, take a walk in a Hamer village and visit a family hut for traditional coffee. The Hamers are famous for their spectacular women’s hairstyles and traditional lifestyle.
- Overnight: Lodge, Turmi
Day 7: Dassanech Tribe and Bull Jumping Ceremony
Drive to Omorate to visit the Dassanech tribe who settle around the Omo River. To reach the village, we will cross the banks of the river with a traditional boat. The Dassanech are pastoralists whose cattle and goats are a sign of status and used as a dowry. In the afternoon, return to Turmi to witness the Bull Jumping ceremony, an impressive rite of passage and an important event in the life of the Hamer family.
- Overnight: Lodge, Turmi
Day 8: Mursi Village and Return to Addis Ababa
Drive through Mago National Park to meet the Mursi people, considered fearless warriors. They are recognized for the women’s iconic lip plates; the bigger the plate, the more beautiful a woman is considered. See how they cook and take photos with the tribal members. Afterward, travel to Jinka for your flight back to Addis Ababa.
End of Tour