10 DAYS TOUR SOUTH OMO VALLEY

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BEYOND WORDS: Explore the cultural diversity

A wonderful itinerary that offers visitors the extraordinary chance to travel through Ethiopia’s untouched Southern region, where you will have the opportunity to meet the more isolated, colorful, and enigmatic ethnic groups of this incredibly diverse region of Ethiopia. It will allow you to learn about the rites and cultural practices of these renowned tribes, where a diversified population of indigenous peoples, most of whom reside in the lush surroundings, in the heart of the Omo Valley. You will also have the opportunity to meet the Borena people who live close to the Kenyan border the Sidama region which is famous for its Coffee plantations.

Tour Itinerary

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Trip To South

Day-01    Addis Ababa

Arrive at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. Upon arrival, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your reserved hotel. After time to refresh, take a guided city tour of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital and the third highest capital in the world. You will start the tour with a visit to the National Museum, home to one of the world’s most important paleontological exhibits in the world; ‘Lucy’. Next, you will visit Entoto Mountain, which overlooks the whole of Addis Ababa. Marvel at the panoramic views of the capital amidst the fresh breeze of the eucalyptus forests. Then visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral Church. As the final resting place of much-loved Emperor Haile Selassie, Holy Trinity Cathedral is one of the country’s most sacred places of worship. The city tour will end with an exploration of the colorful Merkato, Africa’s largest open-air market.

Day-02    Addis Ababa to Arba Minch

After early morning breakfast, start a full day drive to scenic Arbaminch, a town spectacularly perched on the western escarpment of the Great Rift Valley, overlooking the twin lakes of Abaya and Chamo. Arbaminch town is the portal to the South Omo Valley, a region hosting the densest concentration of distinct tribes in Ethiopia. Along the way, first, you’ll visit Tiya, a UNESCO World Heritage site that contains 36 monuments, including 32 carved stelae covered with enigmatic symbols. In the afternoon, before reaching Arbaminch, you’ll go on a cultural safari as you drive to explore an authentic Dorze village, set in the mountains overlooking Arbaminch, and learn about the Dorze people. The Dorze are best known for the design of their homes (tall beehive-like houses) and their weaving abilities. Late in the afternoon you will arrive at Arbaminch and transfer to your reserved accommodation.

Day-03    Arba Minch to Jinka

In the morning, you will have a boat safari out onto Lake Chamo to see the Nile Crocodiles, Hippos, and Birds that call the region home. This boat ride takes you to the “crocodile market”, an area of the lake nicknamed as such due to the impressive crocodile population usually found there, and the local hippos. Then leave Arbaminch and start to drive towards Jinka Town. Continue your journey through the Omo Valley, and head to Jinka, located in the hills north of the Tama Plains and famed for its indigenous communities. Arrive at Jinka and first, you will visit the Ari Tribe. Live on the hills around Jinka, the Ari people are the largest tribe in the Omo Valley and are well-known for their pottery and distinctive scarring. You will take walk through the village, learning about different aspects of their lives, including blacksmithing and distillation of the local liquor, known as Areki. Then visit the South Omo Tribes Museum (South Omo Research Center).

Day-04    Jinka to Turmi

Start early in the morning and drive through the Mago National Park to a local village of the Mursi tribe. Famous around the world for their instantly recognizable ‘lip plates’, the Mursi is one of Ethiopia’s most famous tribal people. They are pastoralists who keep herds of cattle and goats and are most famed for the lip-piercing custom of their women who, at the coming of age, insert clay disks into incisions made in their lower lips. In addition, they are the warrior tribe of the Omo Valley. Return back to Jinka and transfer to Turmi town, home of the famous Hamar tribe and center to explore the Omo Valley Tribes. Late in the afternoon, you will visit the Hamer Tribe. The Hamar people are best known for their Bull-Jumping ceremony and to be the friendliest tribe of the Omo Valley. The Hamer women are renowned for their magnificent ochre-colored hair braids, skirts of cowrie-decorated goatskin, and tight copper bracelets. They rank amongst the most beautiful of all South Omo ethnic groups. Finally, transfer to your Accommodation in Turmi.

Day-05    Turmi

Full-day excursion from Turmi to meet the Karo and Nyangatom (Bumi) Tribes. Your morning is dedicated to visiting the village of the Karo people, who are best known for their skin scarification and ornamental painted body and face decorations. They use white chalk, black charcoal, and red and ochre earth and are considered the masters of body painting. In the afternoon, cross the Omo River to learn about and spend time with the Nyangatom or Bumi tribe. The Nyangatom tribe lives near the town of Kangate on the west side of the Omo River and further towards Kibish. The Nyangatom are specialized crocodile hunters, using harpoons from a dugout canoe. Like the Hamer Tribe, they are the friendliest and most welcoming tribal groups in Southern Ethiopia. In Nyangatom’s culture body ornaments and scarification are symbols of status and strength. In the Omo Valley, the Nyangatom have a reputation as feared warriors. Late in the day return to Turmi.

Day-06    Turmi to Konso

Early in the morning, depart to Omorate town to visit a village of the Dassenech tribe who settled adjacent to the Omo River. The Dassenech live in the fertile Omo river delta, close to Kenya and Lake Turkana where they hunt crocodiles. You will cross the Omo River by a local boat to reach and visit their village. Because they are semi-nomadic they live in small, lightweight huts, designed for easy movement if the village changes location. Return to Turmi and proceed to Konso town. Afternoon, visit of a local village of Konso Tribe. The Konso people are famous for their intricately terraced hillsides, fine woven materials, and the carved totems with which they decorate their graves. A site of immense cultural importance, these old villages stand as a testament to the enduring adaptability of the people who have called these lands or hills home for generations. Konso is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After the visit transfer to your Accommodation in Konso.

Day-07    Konso to Yabello

Leave Konso and travel to Yabello. After check-in to your Accommodation at Yabello, continue to drive towards El Sod Crater Lake. For centuries, the Borena people have harvested high-quality salt from this lake. The crater’s Amharic name is Chew Bet, meaning “salt house”. El Sod is a fascinating geological attraction situated in a stunning setting, offering beautiful views for those who are up for a strenuous hike. Hiking from the rim down to the lake takes 3 hours round trip. In the afternoon, visit the Singing Wells of Borena People (if your travel date is during the season of this activity). To survive during the dry season the Borana must dig deep wells, up to 30 meters, and perform the work of bringing the water up manually with the aid of buckets. When they fetch the water they form a human chain on the lowered ladders and pass up buckets between them, all the while singing to keep the rhythm. They sing in praise of their prized herds and in praise of precious water.

Day-08    Yabello to Yirgalem

Morning, visit the Yabello Wildlife Sanctuary. It was created to protect a small population of the endemic Swayne’s hartebeest and it is mostly covered by acacia savanna. Other species inhabiting the sanctuary are Burchell’s Zebra, Greater and Lesser Kudu, Gerenuk, Grant’s Gazelle, and Guenther’s Dik-Dik. The sanctuary is of particular interest to bird watchers. Then depart towards Sidama region which is famous for its Coffee plantations. On the way, you will visit the local house of the Borana people. You will also visit the Stelae of Tutu Fella, the prehistoric carved stone monuments. These stelae range in height from under one meter to about 2.5 meters. Most of the stones are still standing, although a few have fallen over. Many have carvings on them that have withstood centuries of weathering. Others seem almost worn smooth. Arrive at Yirgalem late in the afternoon and transfer to your accommodation.

Day-09 Yirgalem to Langano

After Breakfast, you will walk through the beautiful cultural villages of the Sidama People. The villages are filled with Enset (False Banana) and Coffee plantations. You will be welcomed to their traditional huts with a coffee ceremony. Then drive towards Lake Langano. On the way, stop at Awassa to visit the scenic Lake Awassa and the famous Fish Market. Arrive at Lake Langano and transfer to your Lodge which is located close to the lake. The rest of the day will be free to relax and enjoy at the lakeside. A huge number of birds and other creatures come to the lake to swim and drink. You can enjoy a swim in the lake or just relax and read your favorite book

Day-10 Langano to Addis Ababa & Departure

Begin the day with a visit to Abijatta-Shalla Lakes Park. Besides the two lakes, the primary attractions of this national park are a number of hot springs on the northeast corner of Lake Abijatta, large numbers of flamingoes on the lake, and plenty of birds. There are also some mammals living in this park. Then start driving back to Addis Ababa via the Ethiopian rift valley. Along the way, stop at Lake Ziway which is famous for its Birdlife and Islands. After lunch break, you will have time for shopping. Then you will be transferred to your hotel to prepare your luggage and get ready for your return flight back home. In the evening, before your international flight, farewell dinner at Ethiopian Cultural Restaurant. Finally, your driver will take you to Bole International Airport and take your flight back home. Your Ethiopian Adventure ends here.

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Package Features List

Include Features

All meals included
International Air, unless expressly paid for
Personal expenses
Services not specifically stated in the itinerary

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Oho, Bingooo!!!
December 10, 2025

Our packages typically include stays in 3 to 4-star hotels, offering comfortable rooms with essential amenities. Higher or boutique categories may be available upon request or in premium packages.
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