6 Days Omo Valley Cultural Tour

After arrival - we shall drive North West of Arba Minch for boat trip on lake chamo and visit crocodile market and hippos and after lake chamo we drive to see the Gamo tribe in the Dorze village. From Arba minch where we will make a right turn right before the city of Arba minch and head to the Dorze tribe of Chencha and visit the village life of these people; famous for traditional cloth making by weaving cotton using locally made instrument.: We will visit their late afternoon village life. This village is a wonderful place with an altitude of 2500m above sea level. The Gamo communities are well known for their amazing weaving techniques and colorful crafts, which can be seen all over the country. We shall see the preparation of the false banana plant, the miracle plant of Ethiopia known as ‘Enset’. Enset is the most important plant in the Southern regions of the country, with both the root and stem having multiple purposes. We will be able to experience the meals made from it and the homemade liquor called (arique) as well as the daily life activities of the jungle family. Then we will drive back for overnight in Arba minch. ( paradise Lodge)

Boat trip on lake chamo crocodiles market

In the morning after breakfast we drive directly to Jinka where we will make a stop in Konso and visit the village life of these hard working communities ,well known for their terracing culture that dates back to some 500 years, to cultivate crops especially Maize and Sorghum in a challenging topography. Then Journey To Jinka en route Konso and Weyito . we can stop by konso for a coffee break or needed for supper at Kanta lodge in Konso .We then leave Konso and we will notice the scenery begins to change, as does the temperature. Farming areas begin to disappear, replaced by African bush veld. The peoples faces seem to change as does their dress sense and the first of our “traditional” tribal people begin to appear. during the drive different views may take your interest for a road visit stop ,and it is all yours either to stop by for or continue the drive before Heading Towards Jinka where we will visit the village life of the Ari tribe who live on the plateau lands surrounding Jinka town( The administrative town of the 16 different Tribal communities of the Omo valley area). Overnight in jinka (Orit hotel)

In the morning we head to the unique tribe of Mursi ( The women are famous for putting clay made circular lip and ear plates which symbolizes beauty in honor) crossing through Mago National Park in order to reach their village OMO –MURSSI ,the Bush Men. On our arrival at the village ,we will greet and meet Family of the wilderness ,the Uniqueness Identity of Lower OMO Valley , the vision of the African real Living culture. all the camping Gear and Dinner will be set ,at the Murssi Tribal Village for the night ;we will go meet Young women ,men elders of the tribe and start to share ,the joyful moments with amazing family of the OMO Land . We will visit the uninterrupted authentic daily life activities the entire afternoon where this will give an excellent time of interaction which makes it a once in a lifetime time experience. We shall see their places for cattle and where they retrieve and store water. After walking through their village and having the opportunity to take photos, we will then drive back to Jinka for lunch. After a little relaxation, we will continue driving to a Turmi, a small town of the Hammer tribes famous for the famous ritual of the BULL JUMPING. An Adulthood rite of passage in which every young member of the tribe must jump over the Bulls naked, a mark of the next age level of honor and respect known by the status of readiness to take responsibility of an adult man. On our way we will be able to visit the village life of the Banna tribes we come across with no interruptions as to best witness their highly environmentally bonded way of lifestyle. The we make a stop to Dimeka or alduba (as today is a market day in this town) to visit one of a colorful market in the omo valley area. We will be able to see in the Market a collection many tribes including Bena, Tsemay, Hammer and Ari. After seeing the market we will then drive to turmi for overnight (camping)with Hamer tribes in one of the remotest village in turmi.

This village is one of only three villages that the Kara people live in. Their population only numbers around 1500. This village is the most beautiful and scenic of all villages in the Omo valley as it is perched on a high bend overlooking the Omo River and its flood plains. Beautiful pictures are always captured here, as the Kara people love to decorate themselves in intricate face and body paintings – many of which represent the plumage of the Guinea fowl. After we have experienced their way of life and unique culture we will proceed towards a relatively unvisited tribe called the Nygnangatom. The Nygnangatom are also referred to as the Bume Mursi. Unlike Mursi people that we will visit next , their way of life, culture and appearance is totally different. Once arriving at the Nygangatom village we will make preparations to ready ourselves for the best afternoon time with this Unique Family of OMO. we will spend the afternoon with the Nyagnantom people. We will be welcomed to assist with any daily chores. This also affords us the chance to take some stunning photographs in the golden Afternoon sun light before we have to bid them a final farewell. From here it is straight on to Turmi for Dinner and Night accommodation . Overnight Turmi emerald lodge

Omorate is the last town in Ethiopia before the border. As this is a sensitive border area, we are required to register our passports at the immigration and natural affairs office. This is a quick and easy process and should take no longer than 2minutes. After this brief stop, we will then walk through town to the side of the Omo River. From here we will either cross the murky brown waters by a traditional dugout or canoe. Once we are safely across the Omo River, we will visit the tribes of beautifully decorated Dassanech people. Once again we will be able to photograph these amazing people whilst we tour around their village, learning about their culture and their way of life. Once we have soaked in enough of their culture and sights, it will be back into the boat and back to Turmi for lunch and after some relaxation we continue to visit to keyafer for the Thursday market and we will spend sometime with bana and hamer tribes at the colorful market and we will drive to Jinka for overnight in ( emerald hotel).

boat trip and dassench village visit Overnight jinka Nasa hotel

In the morning after breakfast we drive to we continue to visit the surrounding Jinka Ari tribe, who are semi-nomadic people and You shall see their famous painting house, pottery and blacksmith, as well as see children dancing and walking through the village and after that we go back to visit the Museyem ( south omo research center) elaborated information articles about the 16 tribes of the omo and their traditional material exhibitions. Later, I will drop you to Jinka Airport right on your checking time so that you will take your flight back to Addis Ababa and that's the end of our wonderful experiencing Tour in omo Valley!!!