Omo Valley Tribes South Ethiopia – 9 days

Ethiopia encounters more than 80 ethnic tribe groups. The Omo Valley is a melting pot of cultures that have tried to keep untouched their traditions for generations up to our days. In addition, it is home to abundant wildlife as part of the Great Rift Valley scenery. Starting in Arba Minch with a boat trip on the Lake Chamo surrounded by hippopotamus and crocodiles, Inside Ethiopia Omo Valley tour will take you to meet different cultures such as the Dorze tribe, famous for their cotton-weaving skills and their bee-hives looking houses, the Mursi tribe and their women with large plates in their lower lips or the Hamer tribe, known for their goatskin outfits and the “bull-jumping” old tradition that young men try to accomplish if they want to get married. You will not be indifferent to the Omo Valley mosaic of unique cultures and ancient traditions.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ROUTE

• Great Rift Valley landscapes
• Boat trip in Lake Chamo
• The unique huts of the Dorze tribe
• Colourful markets
• The Mursi, Hamer, Dassenech and Karo tribes
• Konso’s settlements

Day 1
Drive to Arba Minch along the Great Rift Valley Lakes. Overnight in Arba Minch (hotel or lodge).
Day 2
Visit the Nechisar National Park on a boat trip on Lake Chamo to see crocodiles, hippopotamus and abundant bird species. In the afteroon, drive up to the village of the Dorze tribe, famous for their cotton-weaving skills and their bee-hives looking houses. Overnight in Arba Minch (hotel or lodge).
Day 3
Continue towards Konso and visit the stonewalled terraces and fortified settlements declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In the afternoon, excursion in the area of Gheseryo, a geological rarity thanks to the effect of erosion. Overnight in Konso (Bungalows).
Day 4
We descend to the Omo Valley, stopping at the first tribe of the valley, the Erboré tribe, settled on the shores of Lake Chew Bahir. We continue to Turmi to meet the Hamer tribe and enjoy the simplicity of local life. Overnight in Turmi (hotel, lodge or camping).
Day 5
Cross the Omo river on local barges to visit the Dassenech tribe whose livelihood depends on the waters of the river. Drive to Murule and visit the Karo tribe, famous for their meticulous body-painting tradition. Overnight in Turmi (hotel, lodge or camping).
Day 6
Today we change scenery to Jinka and its high tropical hills. There we will meet the Ari tribe to discover their local crafts. Visit the Ethnographic Museum, a South Omo research center where we will learn about the history of the tribes. Overnight in Jinka (hotel).
Day 7
Drive to Mago National Park and meet the Mursi tribe, known for the clay plates used by the women on their lower lip. Overnight in Jinka (hotel).
Day 8
Airport drop off for short flight to Addis Ababa. In the evening, Inside Ethiopia Tours offers you a farewell traditional dinner with local dancers and musicians representing some of the country’s ethnic groups. End of the tour.