10 Days Omo Valley Tours

This 10-day tour of Ethiopia’s Omo Valley offers an immersive experience into the region’s rich cultural and natural heritage. Beginning in Addis Ababa, explore landmarks, museums, and vibrant markets before heading south to the Rift Valley lakes for scenic views and activities. Discover the unique traditions of the Omo Valley tribes, including the Mursi, Hamer, Karo, Nyangatom, and Dassanech, renowned for their cultural practices, body decorations, and craftsmanship. Visit UNESCO-listed Konso terraces, picturesque coffee plantations, and local villages, while enjoying opportunities for wildlife and birdwatching. The journey concludes in Addis Ababa with a folkloric dinner and coffee ceremony celebrating Ethiopia’s diverse cultural tapestry.

Day 01: Arrival – Sightseeing Addis (The new Flower)

On this 9-day Omo Valley tour, your journey begins with a warm welcome upon arrival and a transfer to your hotel. After refreshing, embark on a sightseeing tour of Addis Ababa, starting with a drive up Mount Entoto for a stunning panoramic view of the city. Descend to visit the National Museum, home to the famous “Lucy” fossil, one of the oldest hominid discoveries. Continue to the Holy Trinity Cathedral, built during World War II, and then explore the Ethnographic Museum, formerly Emperor Haile Selassie’s palace. Conclude the day with a visit to Merkato, the largest open-air market in East Africa. Overnight stay in Addis Ababa.

Day 02: Drive Addis – Langano

After having your breakfast you will drive down southwards to Langano. En route visit Lake Ziway the largest of the upper Rift Valley lakes with an area of 400 sq. km. Its shores are creased with water lilies, breeding place for different Ethiopian. Proceed towards the Lake Langano. The lake is a place to enjoy water activities. Overnight in Langano.

Day 03: Drive Langano – Chencha – Arba Minch

Morning, drive to the town of Arba Minch visiting en route the Doreze village who are expert in weaving called Shammas. The shape of their house looks Elephant, in order to remember the existence of these animals around the area many years ago. Enset “fake banana” is the stable food for these peoples. Overnight in Arba Minch.

Day 04:  Drive Arba Minch – Konso – Jinka

After breakfast, enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Chamo, Ethiopia’s third-largest lake, where you may see Nile crocodiles, hippos, and various birds. Travel south to Jinka, passing through Konso village, a UNESCO site known for its terracing and quality coffee. Visit the Bana village, home to semi-nomadic pastoralists with distinct clay cap hairstyles. Finally, meet the Ari people, the largest group in the Lower Omo Valley, known for their pottery and skirts made from the Enset tree. Overnight in Jinka.

Day 05: Drive Jinka – Mago – Jinka – Turmi

Embark on a day excursion to Mago National Park to visit the Mursi village, home to one of the most distinctive tribal groups in the Omo Valley. The Mursi people are renowned for their unique cultural traditions, with women adorning their stretched lower lips and ear lobes with terra cotta plates. Their homes are simple, low huts made of straw leaves. After the visit, return to Jinka for lunch before continuing to Turmi, the heartland of the Hamer people, known for their vibrant culture and traditions. Overnight stay in Turmi.

Day 06: Excursion to Murulle and Nyangatom

This day you will drive to Murulle where you can find the Karo people.  Karo People is very famous for their splendid body decoration, which they paint their bodies and faces with white chalk to prepare for a ceremony. The women scar their chest believing it makes them beautiful. The men’s scars represent an enemy or dangerous animal killed. Visit and proceed to Nyangatom people, 17 kms away from the Murulle area. To adore their long and lean bodies, the Nyangatom women wear numerous necklaces and long skirts from goatskins that are richly decorated. Overnight in Turmi.

Day 07: Excursion to Omorate (75kms 2hrs drive)

A fter having your breakfast, you will have an excursion to Omorate to visit the Dassanech people ‘people of the Delta’, who lives on the northern shore of Lake Turkana. Visit and drive back to Turmi. Overnight in Turmi.

Day 08: Drive Turmi – Yabello

This day you will drive Yabello passing through the Arebore and Tsemay village. The Tsemaye, who the women are well know by having a tattoos on their face. They braid their hair in a number of different eye-catching styles and wear beautiful beads around the neck. Visit and proceed to Borena people. Overnight in Yabello.

Day 09: Drive Yabello – Yirgalem

This day you will drive to Yirgalem passing through the coffee plantation. Overnight in Yirgalem.

Day 10: Drive Yirgalem – Addis – Departure

After breakfast, drive to the town of Awassa. En route visit the fish market around Lake Awassa. Around the lake you could encounter different birds. Visit and drive back to Addis sightseeing en route.

In the evening attend a folkloric dinner where you will have a chance to taste several national dishes and watch dances of the various ethnic groups of Ethiopia. The traditional coffee ceremony will also be served.  Later you will be transferred to the airport for your departure.