Omo Valley Discovery, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Sight-Seeing Tours

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Introduction The Omo Valley in Southern Ethiopia is a little visited area of Ethiopia containing some of the most colourful tribes and ethnic groups. The fascinating costumes, colourful ceremonies and celebrations, arts, crafts, music and dance of t

The Omo Valley in Southern Ethiopia is a little visited area of Ethiopia containing some of the most colourful tribes and ethnic groups. The fascinating costumes, colourful ceremonies and celebrations, arts, crafts, music and dance of the Benna, Hamer, Mursi, Karo, Geleb, Arbore and Borena people are very special. In the Omo Valley region many of the tribal groups have changed little over hundreds of years and they offer the visitor extraordinary insight into a variety of traditional cultures. On this trip, you get truly off the beaten track, exploring little visited villages and vibrant tribal markets of the Southern Ethiopia.

Tour Highlights
Gorgeous gorges, National Parks, crocodiles, hippos and bird life, Crater lakes, Villages, traditions and customs, Boat safari, Museum and Village visit, local market visit, archaeological site visit...

Day-to-day program

Day 1: Addis Ababa Arbaminch
Drive to the southwest out of Addis-Arbaminch. ArbaMinch meaning 'Forty Springs' in Amharic takes its name from the bubbling forty streams that cover the groundwater forest occupying the flats of the town. En route we will visit the villages of the Gurage tribe with their neat thatched-roof circular houses, surrounded by “enset”-false banana trees. We will take time at their back yard farm to witness and learn their culture. Our next stop along the way is the archaeological site the stele of Tiya. These are several stele clusters that dot the countryside all the way down to Dila.
Overnight stay Paradise Hotel

Day 2: Arbaminch- Visit to Dorze Village and Boat trip on Lake Chamo
After breakfast, visit the Dorze tribe and their village, famed for their bee hive shaped houses and their weaving skills. Weaving is a primary profession for many Dorze. They are also farmers, who prevent soil erosion by ingenious terracing of the mountainsides. Around their huts they have their own little garden with vegetables, spices, tobacco and enset (false-banana or musa ensete). Afternoon boat trip on Lake Chamo, boat trip on Lake Chamo is along the best anywhere in Ethiopia. One can spot many Hippos and the world's most spectacular concentrations of Giant Crocodiles. The water birds are great and the scenery is truly unforgettable.
Overnight stay Paradise Hotel

Day 3: Arbaminch - Jinka
After an early breakfast we will continue driving to Jinka. En-route we will visit the Konso tribal village, who managed to develop a highly specialized agriculture economy and, in the process, one of Africa’s most fascinating culture. The day is an excellent day to meet the people, take photograph with them and learn their culture that is untouched by outside influence. On the road you will visit Ari, Benna and Tsemai tribes and also you will be able to visit the colourful Key Afer market, which is attended by all the three tribes.
Overnight at the Jinka resort
Day 4: Jinka- Mago(Mursi) Jinka
Jinka is the nearest town set in the hills above Mago National Parks. The excursion will escort you to see widespread custom of half naked Mursi women, the
insertion of wooden and terra-cotta discs into the ear lobes, the split and stretching of their lower lips to make room for similar discs. Though these 'lip plates' may appear bizarre to outsiders, the Mursi regard them as signs of beauty. Generally speaking, the larger the lip plate the more desirable the wearer. Evening drive will take us back to Jinka.
Over night at Jinka Resort

Day 5: Jinka- Demeka Turmi
After breakfast we will drive to Turmi, a settlement for the hammer people very much known for their colourful hair style and bull jumping tradition at times of wedding. The ladies normally adorned by leather made skirts decorated by sounding pearls and by gleaming aluminum which is normally fixed to their neck. En-route visit to the colourful Dimeka market which is mainly attended by the elegant skin wearing hammer and Benna women, and decorated men. Since it borders on Benna territory, its Tuesday and Saturday market attract locals from both tribes. After taking time in the market we will drive to Turmi for the overnight stay.
Overnight stay Buska Lodge-Camping

Day 6: Turmi Kolcho Turmi
On this day we will drive to Kolcho, a settlement for the Karo ethnic groups, perhaps the most beautiful, with its lofty views over the Omo River and traditional karo dwelling. They are experts in body painting, using clay and locally available vegetable pigments to trace fantastic pattern on each Faces, Chests, Arms and Legs. Even Karo men also sculpt and shave their hair into extravagant shapes with special ochre Cap of hair usually containing several Ostrich feathers. In the afternoon after drive back to Turmi.
Overnight stay Buska Lodge

Day 7: Turmi - Omarate Turmi
An early drive to the Omo valley to cross the river and enjoy the home of Lower Omo people and their remarkable mix of small, contrasting ethnic groups. Omorate is nestled along the baking eastern bank of Omo River, 72 km southwest of Turmi. Their Lifestyles are as varied as the tribes themselves. Gelebe (Dsaneech) one of the tribes we will visit settling onthe bank of Omo River is the real attraction across the river. After seeing the small villages we will return back to Turmi. Late afternoon enjoy the ceremony of Evangadi dance. If there is a wedding held on same time we are there, we might also see a bull jumping ceremony, which signifies a young man’s passage from childhood to adulthood.
Overnight stay Buska Lodge
Day 8: Turmi - Arbaminch
On this day we will have a full day drive to Arbaminch. Along the way visit the tribes of Erbore which rest 72 km from Turmi. The Erbore people are mixed bunch, with ancestry linking back to the Omo valley and konso highlands. With their beads and aluminum jewellery, they resemble the Borena people. The drive continues to Arbaminch passing through weyto, little village that lies at the junction to Arbaminch.
Overnight stay paradise Hotel

Day 9: Arbaminch - Wondo Genet
Wondo Genet is a resort town in Ethiopia. Located southeast of SHASHEMENE in the SIDAMA zone of the Southern Nations. Wondo Genet, surrounded by dense forest, birdsong, a variety of larger wildlife and in season fruit and honey is truly a breath of fresh air.
Enjoy yourself for well deserved relaxing swim in the natural hot springs known for their therapeutic powers. The forest walks, the beautiful Colobus monkeys and the surrounding Sidama village with false Banana culture and coffee plantation are promises to rejuvenate your soul.
Overnight Wabe Shebelle Hotel

Day 10: Wondo Genet - Addis Ababa city tour
You have the choice to do as you wish this morning, from more swimming and adventure walks in the forest to having a relaxing breakfast in your room. We will then set on a drive back to Addis aiming to reach the capital at noon. After lunch we will embark on the city tour of Addis Ababa. Addis Ababa, founded more than a century ago, means 'New Flower' in Amharic. At an Elevation of 2400m, the third highest capital in the world, the climate is pleasantly cool. The city mixes past and present. Statues from the imperial times coexist with placards from the former Marxist Regime all over the city. We will visit historical sites in Addis Ababa including the National Archaeological Museum, where we will view the 3.6 million years old remains of “Lucy”, whose skeletal remains were discovered in 1974. We will also visit the Ethnological Museum at Addis Ababa University, Holy Trinity Cathedrals and time permitting Mount Entoto which rises up to an altitude of 3200 meters and offers the panoramic view of the metropolis.

Complimentary farewell dinner party from VIVA ETHIOPIA will follow in one of the most renowned Cultural restaurant in Addis to test the cultural food and drinks, enjoying dances from the different ethnic groups with traditional coffee ceremony.

The tour ends at the end of the farewell dinner party on day 10. You may choose to fly out that same evening or you have the choice of spending one more night in Addis. The preceding morning can be used for souvenir shopping, taking walks on the main streets of Addis, and discovering Addis bustling outdoor markets, exotic dishes, espresso bars and patisseries which are reminiscent of Rome and the Mediterranean
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This tour assumes four star accommodations in Addis and the best available outside of Addis Ababa. This tour also assumes twin bed room arrangement.

Remarks:
Start/End: Tour starts and ends in Addis Ababa.
Upon arriving in Addis ABABA You will be introduced with your guide and driver and then you will be transferred to your hotel for overnight stay. A detailed itinerary and map would be provided for every member.
Flexibility: This itinerary is subjected to certain degree of flexibility and change as per the group interest and ground conditions that may prevail.
Fixed departures: the fixed departures are designed in a way to meet with the colorful market days.
Accompanies: Experienced group leader, Expert 4x4 drivers, local guides, Boat men, scout, Village leaders.
Communication: mobile telephone will be provided to communicate with our base in Addis Ababa.
Group Size: Max. 15, Min. 5, Avg. 9, please contact for individual or other group size rate
Transport: Fully insured 2010/11 Nissan patrol and/or Toyota land cruiser and 2010 Double AC Toyota HIACE minibuses for city tour. Three group members in one 4x4 basis.
Accommodation: This tour assumes four star accommodations in Addis and the best available outside of Addis Ababa. This tour also assumes twin bed room arrangement.
My Own Room: please do advice while booking if you are seeking a single room arrangement throughout the trip.
Personal activities: please write to us your personal interests and more activities you want to add in this tour and we would be very happy to incorporate it.
Local Currency: Ethiopian Birr.