7-Day Ethiopian Omo Valley Tribal Culture
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Overview
Ethiopia is home to a number of diverse and interesting ethnic groups who follow their own distinct lifestyles, customs, traditions, beliefs and rituals. The lower Omo region is relatively small and is the homeland of many different groups. Both men and women give special importance to their personal beauty adorned by metal bracelets on their arms and legs.
The jumping the bull ceremony is the most spectacular rite of passage in Hamer tribes. This ceremony marks the invitation of young men into adulthood. The Omo Valley is one of the most culturally diverse areas in the whole of Africa where many elements of ancient nomadic lifestyles are still practised.
Seeing these colourful people on this Omo Valley tour is a rare experience for people from urban cultures.
The jumping the bull ceremony is the most spectacular rite of passage in Hamer tribes. This ceremony marks the invitation of young men into adulthood. The Omo Valley is one of the most culturally diverse areas in the whole of Africa where many elements of ancient nomadic lifestyles are still practised.
Seeing these colourful people on this Omo Valley tour is a rare experience for people from urban cultures.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival at Addis Ababa and Full-Day City Tour
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Be welcomed at Bole International Airport then transferred to your hotel. Addis is a colourful and vibrant city regarded by many as 'the African diplomatic capital'. After check-in, you will begin the city tour that includes the national and the ethnographic museums, Merkato, the largest open-air market, St George and Trinity cathedrals. Enjoy delicious Ethiopian cuisine and the great coffee that the country is known for.
Accommodation
Capital Hotel and Spa★5 star
Activities
Lion of Judah Statue
Ethnological Museum
National Museum of Ethiopia
Holy Trinity Cathedral
St. George Cathedral
Merkato Africa's Largest Outdoor Market
African Union Commission
Restaurants
Lucy Gazebo and Restaurant
Transportations
Private Driver from Addis Ababa Airport to Capital Hotel and Spa
Minivan from Capital Hotel and Spa to Mekude Bentylrgu Street
Meals
Lunch and dinner
Destinations
Addis Ababa
Day 2
Visit Tiya World Heritage Site and Dorze Village
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Drive to Arbaminch, a town located 550 km south of Addis. Arbaminch is an Amharic word meaning ‘forty springs’ which surround the town. En route you will visit the 13-century Tiya Stele, Melka Kunture the prehistoric site both world heritage sites then onto Dorze village, and see the people who live in the beehive woven houses.
Accommodation
Paradise Lodge★3 star
Activities
Tiya Archeological Site
Melka Kunture Prehistoric Site
Chencha Village
Restaurants
Paradise Lodge
Transportations
Private Driver from Addis Ababa to Arba Minch
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Addis Ababa
Tiya
Oromia
Chencha
Arba Minch
Day 3
Boat Trip on Lake Chamo and Drive to Konso Village
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Take a boat trip on Lake Chamo and drive to an ancient village, people here are known for their intricate terracing techniques and wooden totems erected in honour of dead warriors. You will be impressed by the landscape, terraces, and the very unusual natural phenomenon of the sand pinnacles. The Konso traditionally live in closely packed settlements, usually situated on the top of a hill and surrounded by stone walls measuring up to four metres high.
Accommodation
Kanta Lodge★3 star
Activities
Lake Chamo Boat Ride to Azo Gebeya
Konso Village
Chukqala Market
Transportations
Private Driver from Arba Minch to Konso, Karat
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Arba Minch
Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region
Konso
Day 4
Drive to Turmi via Key Afer Market
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Continue your Omo Valley tour to visit the Hamer Village. The Hamer people are known for their fine pottery and remarkable hairstyling. They wear their hair in dense ringlets smeared with mud and clay and headdresses decorated with aluminium jewellery. You'll arrive in your lodge for the night in the early evening and have time to relax before dinner.
Accommodation
Buska Lodge★2 star
Activities
Key Afer Market
Hamer Village
Transportations
Private Driver from Konso to Turmi
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Konso
Key Afer
Turmi
Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region
Day 5
Visit Karo Village
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Today, you'll visit the village of the Karo people. The Karo are experts at body painting, using clays to trace fantastic patterns on one another's body. They ornament themselves with notches, short skin garments and paint their bodies with artful designs adorned with jewellery made of bone and all sorts of metals. After meeting the locals there, you'll visit the Demeka Market, a bustling area filled with local produce, cattle and colourful crafts.
Accommodation
Buska Lodge★2 star
Activities
Karo Culture
Demeka Market
Transportations
Private Driver from Turmi to Karo
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region
Day 6
Drive to Jinka and Visit The Ari Village
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Jinka is the place where you meet Mursi people coming for a weekly market. It’s the place where can go for a walk to the Ari village and observe the everyday life of the people living there. The South Omo Museum and Research Centre on a hill outside the town. It is a huge drawcard for ethnographers and something not to be missed. The visuals in the museum describe some of the issues such as lashing during the bull jumping ceremony.
Accommodation
Jinka Resort★1.5 star
Activities
Jinka Market
South Omo Research Centre
Transportations
Private Driver from Turmi to Jinka
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region
Jinka
Day 7
Mago National Park and Mursi Village and Fly Back to Addis
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The Mursi, a small tribe numbering 5000-8000 people on the Omo River, have an unusual tradition of inserting lip plates. A young woman’s lower lip and ears are pierced and enlarged by inserting clay discs that are replaced with larger ones over time. They wonder the lands carrying only a few possessions – spear, knives, stool and driving their livestock forward to fresh pastures. After your Mursi village tour, fly back to Addis.
Activities
Mursi Village
Restaurants
Habesha 2000 Restaurant
Transportations
Private Driver from Jinka to Jinka international airport
Plane from Jinka to Addis Ababa
Private Driver from Airport to Addis Ababa
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Jinka
Addis Ababa
Included in Price
- 6 nights accommodation
- 20 activities
- 6 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners
- Airport transfer
- Domestic flights
- Entrance fees
- Ground transportation
- Licensed English speaking guides
Not Included in Price
- Alcohol beverages
- Entry visas / airport departure tax
- Gratuities
- International flights
- Laundry
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Trekking permits
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Low season price starting fromAU$5,283
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