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10 Days Cultural and Natural Tour of Lower Omo Valley in Southern Ethiopia

from

USD

3,747

/ person
  • 1
  • 10 Days
PRICE

Muluken Girma Tamirat

Merit Ethiopian Tours

We specialize in custom small group/individual food, cultural, and personal interest tours.

  • Local time:12:14

10 Days Cultural and Natural Tour of Lower Omo Valley in Southern Ethiopia

from

USD

3,747

 / person
  • 10 Days
PRICE CONTACT THE SUPPLIER
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10 Days Cultural and Natural Tour of Lower Omo Valley in Southern Ethiopia

This is ten days cultural and nature tour of the Lower Omo Valley in Southern Ethiopia. During the trip visitors will experience the unique interesting culture of the tribal people of the Omo Valley at their villages and colorful cultural weekly markets. With a boat trip on one of the rift valley lakes - Lake Chamo visitors will see big African Crocodiles, families of hippos, and various low land water birds. Enjoying scenery is part of this tour.

ITINERARY

Drive South to Arba Minch

Drive 460 km south of Addis Ababa in the Ethiopian part of the Great East African Rift Valley to Arba Minch. Along the way, visit the Steles or Obelisks of Tiya (14th Century AD and a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and the villages of the Silte People. Late in the afternoon, enjoy the great view of the twin lakes of Abaya and Chamo, and the connecting land which is locally known as the “Bride of Heaven”. O/N – Paradise Lodge Read more

Arba Minch for 2 nights

Day around Arba Minch

Today, we head 350 km farther south to Arba Minch visiting the villages of the Alaba people who are noted for their beautifully painted huge grass huts. At Arba Minch, enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the twin rift valley lakes of Abaya and Chamo from the comfort of your balcony at Paradise Lodge. The land connecting these lakes is known as "The Bridge of Heaven" for its heavenly scenery. O/N - Paradise Lodge Read more

Arba Minch

Head farther south to Jinka

Today, you will drive 275 km farther south to Jinka crossing the beautiful Konso Mountains and the Weito Valley. Along the way, stop at the small town of Key Afer to visit one of the most colorful multi-cultural weekly markets of the Omo Valley which is attended by the tribal groups of Ari, Benna and Tsemai. And, around Jinka, visit the villages of the Ari people to learn how Enjera (Ethiopia’s national bread) is prepared, how they make their house hold utensils from clay, and how they make their strong alcoholic drink by distillation. O/N – Jinka Resort Hotel Read more

Jinka for two nights

Excursion from Jinka

In the morning, make an excursion crossing the Mago National Park where you will see Dik-Diks, Kudus, and if lucky families of wild dogs. Then, visit the villages of the Mursi people who are typically famous for the women's clay plates which is inserted in their lower lips. According to the anthropologists, they started this practice to look ugly to the eyes of the slave traders that they would not be taken, and with time it becomes one of the measures of beauty so that the girl who carries a wide lip plate receives more cattle in form of dowry during her wedding. After visiting the Mursi, we drive back to Jinka to visit the Cultural Museum of the people of the Lower Omo Valley where we get good information about the culture of the people around. O/N - Jinka Resort Hotel Read more

Jinka for two nights

Head to Turmi via Dimeka

Today, you will visit one of the most colorful cultural weekly market of the tribal people of Hamer and Benna at Dimeka. The Hamer ladies are typically known for their hair dressing using clay (chalk) and butter, and the "Bull Jumping" Ceremony of the boys in which they jump (in fact running) over the backs of bulls so that they show in public their transfer from childhood to adulthood. If lucky, we attend one today. O/N - Buska Lodge or Turmi Lodge Read more

Turmi for 3 nights

Day tour from Turmi

Make an excursion to Murulle to see the Karo people who are famous for their body paintings and they are the fewest in number among the Omo Valley tribal people as their women are married with the neighboring tribes of Benna and Hamer. Then, continue to Kangate crossing the Omo River with traditional boats make of tree trunks. At Kangate visit the Nyangatom people whose are noted for their body skin scarification. O/N - Buska Lodge or Turmi Lodge Read more

Turmi Lodge

Visit around Turmi

In the morning, make an excursion by driving 72 km to Omo Rate to visit the Dasenech people who are the southernmost tribal people of Ethiopia and who also live in Kenya. The Dasenech depend on fishing, seasonal farming on the retreats of the river, and cattle keeping. The women are noted for their handmade leather skirts. Then, drive back to Turmi and attend the other weekly market where the Hamer tribes only participate. O/N - Buska Lodge or Turmi Lodge Read more

Turmi Lodge

Head north to Yabello

After breakfast, head north east to Yabello via Konso. At Konso, stop at one of the interesting villages of the Konso people where you will visit their hill top huge stone walled villages. The hardworking Konso people are also famous for building beautiful stone terraces to protect soil erosion by rain water, and for their colorful hand woven cotton clothes. These aspects of the Konso people are recently registered by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Around, Yabello visit the villages of the cattle keepers Borena Oromo. O/N – Yabello Motel Read more

Yabello for 1 night

Drive to Awassa

Head north to Awassa visiting the villages of the Sidama people who are noted for their unique round huts covered with False Banana Tree leaves. At Awassa, enjoy one of the best sun sets during the trip as it sets over Lake Awassa (locals call it ‘Love Lake’), and spot various birds along the shore. O/N – Lewi Resort Read more

Awassa for one night
More Pictures
Drive to Awassa

Drive back to Addis

Head back to Addis to catch your flight back home.

End of tour

ACCOMMODATIONS

Day in trip
Location
Hotel
Day 1
Location Arba Minch
Hotel Paradise Lodge
Day 3
Location Jinka
Hotel Jinka Resort
Day 5
Location Turmi
Hotel Turmi Lodge
Day 8
Location Yabello
Hotel Yabello Motel
Day 9
Location Awassa
Hotel Lewi Resort
Day in trip
Location
Hotel
Day 1
Location Arba Minch
Hotel Paradise Lodge
Day 3
Location Jinka
Hotel Jinka Resort
Day 5
Location Turmi
Hotel Turmi Lodge
Day 8
Location Yabello
Hotel Yabello Motel
Day 9
Location Awassa
Hotel Lewi Resort

TRIP PACKAGE

Package includes

  • Transfer from/to the airport
  • Comfortable Private Toyota Land Cruiser (for 1 - 3 pax) and Two Comfortable Private Toyota Land Cruisers (for 4 - 7 pax) with fuel (gasoline) and drivers' allowance
  • Accommodation on a Twin/Double Bed Room Sharing basis
  • Boat Rent at Lake Chamo and to cross the Omo River to visit villages
  • Professional experienced English speaking tour guide for the entire route
  • All Local on-site guides and translators
  • Information services
  • All Entrance fees to visit villages, towns, museums, parks, etc
  • Bottled water in the vehicle
  • All related government taxes

Package excludes

  • Airfare
  • Personal expenses such as souvenirs, laundry, etc
  • Any meals and drinks
  • Fees to take pictures and videos
  • Visa,
  • Tips
  • Additional journeys and transfers
  • And, any expense which is not mentioned in the "Included" list above

More information

  • The fee to take picture of the local people is about 5 Ethiopian Birr per person (1 US Dollar is about 22.5 Ethiopian Birr)

REVIEWS

2 Reviews

Brian Watson, United States

I just finished a great 7-day trip with Muluken Girma through northern Ethiopia, in mid October 2017. Muluken provided great opportunities to talk with and interact with locals throughout the trip, stopping on the roadside to visit with families, farmers or walking through busy local markets, etc

Diana, United States

Thanks for the service well done...very professional. Our guide Gashaw was very informative and accomodated us in every way and was on time. I'd recommend them for anyone who wants to have a tour of Addis. We will use you again!

Your Ethiopian travel specialists & local insiders

Merit Ethiopian Tours
2 Reviews
CONTACT THE SUPPLIER

THE TEAM

Solomon Habtom

Your Ethiopian Driver

Wendye Kassaw

French Speaking Guide

Tereza Solomon

The Office Master

We specialize in custom small group/individual food, cultural, and personal interest tours.

If you have any questions or you want to customize your trip we are here for you at any time.

  • Languages:English
  • Local time:12:14

TRIP GALLERY

10 Days Cultural and Natural Tour of Lower Omo Valley in Southern Ethiopia
10 Days Cultural and Natural Tour of Lower Omo Valley in Southern Ethiopia
10 Days Cultural and Natural Tour of Lower Omo Valley in Southern Ethiopia
10 Days Cultural and Natural Tour of Lower Omo Valley in Southern Ethiopia
10 Days Cultural and Natural Tour of Lower Omo Valley in Southern Ethiopia
10 Days Cultural and Natural Tour of Lower Omo Valley in Southern Ethiopia
See all 11 photos 10 Days Cultural and Natural Tour of Lower Omo Valley in Southern Ethiopia
10 Days Cultural and Natural Tour of Lower Omo Valley in Southern Ethiopia 10 Days Cultural and Natural Tour of Lower Omo Valley in Southern Ethiopia 10 Days Cultural and Natural Tour of Lower Omo Valley in Southern Ethiopia 10 Days Cultural and Natural Tour of Lower Omo Valley in Southern Ethiopia

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