Ethiopia's Omo Valley; 8 Days / 7 Nights

Tour Itinerary OV07

Arrival Bole International Airport

If you are arriving the day before your tour, Awaze Tours will meet you at the airport regardless of arrival time. We can book this hotel night for you upon request. If you arrive in the morning on the first day of the tour, you may begin after checking into your hotel.

The order of sites visited in the Omo can change depending upon lodge availability and weekly market days.

View of Lake Chamo from Dorze Village

Day 01 Addis Ababa - Arba Minch
Drive to Arba Minch, one of the main towns in Southern Ethiopia. On the way, visit a Dorze Village in the Guge Mountains. The Dorze are known for their tall, beehive-shaped bamboo houses. If the base becomes infested with termites, the entire house can be lifted and moved to another location.

Overnight Lodge (B, L, D)

At the Alduba Market

Day 02 Arba Minch - Jinka
Take a boat trip on Lake Chamo and view some of the largest crocodiles in the world sunning on the banks of the lake. Hippopotami and birdlife are also abundant. Drive to Jinka through areas inhabited by various peoples such as the Konso, Tseme, Benna and Ari. Once in Jinka, visit a nearby village of the Ari people.

Overnight Lodge (B, L, D)

Man of the Karo tribe

Day 03 Mago National Park
Early morning drive to the Mago National Park to visit the Mursi people. The Mursi women are known for the clay plates they insert into their lower lips. Time permitting, visit the Omo Valley Museum in Jinka.

Overnight Lodge (B, L, D)

Children of the Dassanech tribe

Day 04 Jinka - Turmi
Drive to Turmi in the heartland of the Hamer people. The Hamer are known for their body decorations and the clay and ochre that is used to create their unique hairstyles. Turmi is a very small town and nearby we explore a Hamer village and meet some of the locals.

Overnight Lodge (B, L, D)

Woman of the Dasanech tribe

Day 05 Omorate Excursion
Excursion from Turmi to Omorate. Crossing of the Omo River via a traditional canoe (a recently built bridge now also allows for optional crossing via tour vehicle.). Visit a village of another Omo tribe, the Dasanech, a semi nomadic people who are one of the more numerous (about 30,000 people) tribes in the Omo. Return to Turmi in the afternoon.

Overnight Lodge (B, L, D)

Man of the Hamer tribe

Day 06 Turmi - Konso
Drive to Konso, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. A highland people, the Konso are known for the ancient and intricate terraces that encircle their well-planned villages. Each Konso village begins on a hill top. As the population grows a new “ring” of homes are built around the hilltop. When the final “ring” reaches near the bottom of the hill, a new village on a different hill must be built. Look for the “generation pole” located in each village. Every 18 years and new pole is added to the others making it easy to calculate the age of the village.

Overnight Lodge (B, L, D)

Konso village

Day 07 Konso - Hawassa
Drive to Hawassa via the Shenkele game reserve. This Park is the the last pocket of the original Ethiopian Savannah. You will have a chance to spot the endemic Antelope called Swayne`s hartebeast, one the rarest and most elegant animals in all of Africa. Continue to Hawassa and relax at a lakeside resort.

Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 08 Hawassa - Addis Ababa
Drive to Addis Ababa stopping at Rift Valley Lakes that are renowned for their endemic birdlife. Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, optional souvenir shopping if time permits. Enjoy a Farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant featuring dancers and musicians representing some of the country's many ethnic groups. Transfer to airport for late night departure or additional hotel night booked upon request.

(B, L, D)

End of Tour
(Awaze Tours will arrange additional hotel nights in Addis Ababa upon request.)