Ethiopia’s Omo Valley Excursion (4 Nights)

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 - City Tour of Addis Ababa

Arrive in to Addis Ababa Bole airport where you will be met by Remarkable Ethiopia. Today you will explore some of the capital’s highlights, stopping off at the National Museum to view the 3.6 million year old remains of “Lucy”, whose skeleton was discovered in 1974 and the Merkato - the largest market in East Africa. Also visit the church of the Holy Trinity. Will end the day with a drive to the top of Mount Entoto, which rises to an altitude of 10,500 feet and offers a panoramic view of the metropolis. And in the evening try your first taste of Ethiopia’s national dish – injera.

Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 2 - Addis Ababa: Jinka – Turmi

Today after breakfast fly to Jinka. Heading south to the town of Turmi via Dimeka and Key Afer the settlement of the Hamer people. Tuesdays and Saturdays are market days in Dimeka, which is one of the most colorful markets in the area and visited by many tribes, including Hamer, Benna and Karo. Afterwards, continue to Turmi this afternoon, spend some time visiting a Hamer village. Thought to be descended from the ancient Egyptians, the Hamer are pastoralists by custom. The women wear thick copper bracelets and create welts on their bodies by cutting themselves and treating the wounds with ash and charcoal. They have become known for their extraordinary Bull Jumping Ceremony where a naked man jumps from the back of one bull on to another as part of an initiation rite.

Overnight Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 3 - Turmi – Karo Village – Omorate

Turmi is our new base as we explore the region and meet the different tribes who share this valley but live a life uniquely their own. The Karo are traditionally pastoralists, and are famous for their flamboyant hairstyles and body painting. The men have tight hair buns, paint their bodies with chalk and wear colourful facemasks, while the women dye their hair with ochre. Then drive to the quirky town of Omorate, and we cross the Omo River by local boat to visit the Dassanech people, where Bruce Parry of ‘Tribe’ spent some time. Then we will witnessed the extraordinary Bull Jumping Ceremony where a naked man jumps from the back of one bull on to another as part of an initiation rite.

Overnight Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 4 - Turmi – Jinka

Leaving Turmi head north-west towards Dimeka and Key Afar. Tuesdays and Thursdays are market days in Dimeka. From here we drive to Jinka. In the afternoon visit the Omo Valley Cultural Museum which is found in Jinka, which will give you a good introduction to the different tribes in this area and alternatively, take a hike in the surrounding hills to visit a local Ari village.

Overnight Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 5 - Jinka – Mago National Park

Today you drive through the Mago National Park to visit the isolated Mursi tribes settled in Mago National Park, home to a number of Mursi communities. The Mursi are among the most famous of Ethiopia's ethnic tribes due to the distinctive lip plates worn by their women. There will be an opportunity to visit their villages and learn more about their fascinating way of life.

After lunch fly back to Addis Ababa.

*Optional shopping in the evening you will attend a folkloric dinner where you will have a chance to taste several national dishes and watch dances of the various ethnic groups of Ethiopia. The traditional coffee ceremony will also be served. Then according to your departure schedule, you will be transferred to the airport.

(B, L, D)