5 Days Omo valley Tribal Tour

Day 1: Addis Ababa – Arba Minch

Fly from Addis Ababa to Arba Minch where your driver will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. After a brief rest, journey up to Dorze village in the Guge Highlands. The Dorze people are renowned for their towering beehive-shaped houses and vibrant textile weaving traditions. Visit their homes and observe daily life, and if it’s market day, explore the colorful local bazaar.

Dorze homes—woven wonders where ingenuity and architecture merge.

Overnight: Traditional Dorze hut or hotel in Arba Minch

Day 2: Arba Minch – Konso – Turmi

In the morning, enjoy a boat excursion on Lake Chamo to witness Nile crocodiles basking at the famous “crocodile market” alongside hippos and birdlife. Then drive to Konso for lunch and a village visit. Explore one of the region’s UNESCO-registered settlements and learn about the Konso’s generation poles—wooden markers symbolizing the age of each community in 18-year increments. Continue onward to Turmi, gateway to the Hamer homeland.

Overnight: Lodge, Turmi

Day 3: Turmi – Karo Village – Hamer Ceremony

Drive to Karo village on the east bank of the Omo River. With a population of just 3,000, the Karo are famed for their elaborate body and facial painting practices. Visit their scenic riverside homes and photograph their artistic expressions. Return to Turmi for lunch and later visit the Hamer tribe. If timed right, witness the dramatic bull-jumping ceremony—a rite of passage where a young man leaps over cattle lined in a row. This event may also include spirited whipping and celebratory dancing known as Evan Gady.

Hamer bull-jumping—where courage meets tradition in a vibrant rite of passage.

Overnight: Lodge, Turmi

Day 4: Turmi – Omorate – Dassanech

Cross the Omo River by local boat to visit the Dassanech clan, known for their resilient desert life near the river delta. Their traditions include intricate beadwork and innovative use of repurposed materials for adornment. Return to Turmi for lunch and, if possible, explore the regional market, where Hamer, Karo, and other groups mingle to trade goods and stories.

Overnight: Lodge, Turmi

Day 5: Turmi – Mago National Park – Jinka – Addis Ababa

Depart Turmi and journey through Mago National Park, keeping watch for baboons, antelope, and warthogs en route to the remote Mursi village. The Mursi are iconic for their practice of wearing lip and earlobe plates—symbols of beauty, identity, and pride. After your visit, continue to Jinka and fly back to Addis Ababa.

End of Tour