Trip Info
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minivan, boat & normal 4x4 vehicle
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2-20
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to be provided for during the trip
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boat trip
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Addis Ababa
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English, French, Chinese, Spanish, Arabic
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to be provided for during the trip
Overview
Ethiopia’s Great Rift Valley is celebrated for its intricate terracing, traditional weaving, and distinctive body decorations. Among these, female adornments enhance beauty and signify social status. The Mursi tribe, renowned for their unique cultural practices, are particularly known for wearing large terracotta discs in their stretched lower lips and earlobes.
Trip Highlights
- Mid-range tour: This mid-range tour uses lodges and resorts.
- Shared tour: On this shared tour, you will join a group of other travelers. Max 3 people per vehicle.
- Can start any day: If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
- Cannot be customized: The accommodations and destinations of this tour cannot be changed.
- Suitable for single travelers: Single travelers can join this group tour.
- Minimum age of 4 years: The minimum age for this tour is 4 years.
Itinerary
You will arrive at Bole International Airport. After a warm reception by the LET guide and driver, you will be transferred to your hotel.
You will enjoy a city tour of Addis Ababa including the panoramic viewpoint of Entoto Mountain, Merkato, said to be Africa’s largest market of its kind, and the National Museum (home of Lucy, hominid skeleton dating back 3.2 million years) and the ethnographic museums.
Main Destination:
Addis Ababa (City)
Accommodation:
Cassiopeia Hotel
Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City)
Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
Drinks not included
You will depart south from Addis via the Great Rift Valley, stopping on the way at Lake Ziway to visit the bountiful birdlife at the shores of the lake including one of the biggest birds: The marabou stork. After the visit, you will drive to Lake Langano for an overnight stay.
Main Destination:
Lake Langano
Accommodation:
Sabana Beach Resort
Mid-range resort located at Lake Langano
Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
In the morning, you will continue driving to Arba Minch. On the way, you will ascend into the Gughe Mountains to visit the Dorze people, who are known for their tall beehive-like houses and their fine cotton weaving. Market days in Dorze village are Mondays and Thursdays while Chencha Markets gather on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Dorze village is located in Ethiopia and is famous for its unique architecture, including iconic elephant-shaped thatched huts. The villagers are known for their skill in weaving and creating intricate textiles, as well as their sustainable agricultural practices. Dorze village offers visitors a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the Ethiopian people.
Main Destination:
Arba Minch (City)
Accommodation:
Haile Resort Arba Minch
Mid-range hotel located in Arba Minch (City)
Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
In the morning, you will take a boat cruise over Lake Chamo to visit the crocodile market and hippo pods. Afterwards, you will drive to Turmi. On the way, you will stop at Konso.
Konso village is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Ethiopia known for its unique terraced farmland, traditional walled compounds, and rich cultural heritage of the Konso people. The village is a popular tourist destination for its well-preserved architecture, intricate stone carvings, and community-based social system that has been passed down through generations. It offers visitors a glimpse into the traditional way of life of the Konso people and a chance to learn about their history and customs.
Main Destination:
Lake Chamo
Accommodation:
Emerald Lodge Turmi
Mid-range lodge located in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)
Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
In the morning, you will drive to Omorate and cross the Omo River by local boat to visit the Dasennech community (also known as the Galeb community ). Afterward, you will return to Turmi. If there is a Jumping of the Bulls traditional Hamer wedding ceremony, it will be visited. Monday is market day in Turmi.
Main Destination:
Lower Omo Valley (Cultural Village)
Accommodation:
Emerald Lodge Turmi
Mid-range lodge located in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)
Meals & Drinks:
Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
In the morning, you will have a trip to Kara Village. The Kara tribe is an indigenous group living in the Omo Valley region of Ethiopia, known for their unique body painting traditions, intricate scarification practices, and craftsmanship of ceramic pottery. The community relies on agriculture and fishing for their livelihood and has preserved their cultural heritage through their traditional way of life. You can immerse yourself in the rich cultural experiences of the Kara community, witnessing their rituals, ceremonies, and vibrant artistic expressions.
In the afternoon, you will drive to Jinka. Late afternoon, you will visit Ari village.
Main Destination:
Lower Omo Valley (Cultural Village)
Accommodation:
Nasa Hotel
Budget hotel located in Lower Omo Valley (Cultural Village)
Meals & Drinks:
Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
In the morning, you will drive to Mago National Park to visit the Mursi village. The Mursi village is a pastoral and semi-nomadic community located in the Omo Valley of Ethiopia, known for its distinct lip plates worn by women as a symbol of beauty and cultural identity. The Mursi are also recognized for their intricate body paintings, unique hairstyles, and skilled craftsmanship in pottery and jewelry making. The Mursi people have a strong connection to their ancestral lands and traditions, leading a lifestyle that is closely tied to nature and community values. Visitors to the region can engage with the Mursi, learn about their way of life, and appreciate their rich cultural heritage.
After the visit, you will drive to Arbaminch on the way to visit Konso village.
Main Destination:
Mago National Park
Accommodation:
Haile Resort Arba Minch
Mid-range hotel located in Arba Minch (City)
Meals & Drinks:
Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
You'll depart Arba Minch and drive back to Addis Ababa via Butajira. On the way, you will visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tiya. In the evening, you will enjoy a farewell party featuring a cultural dinner, a traditional special buffet, and local drinks to immerse yourself in Ethiopia's unique cuisine and beverages. Following the farewell party, we will transfer you to Bole International Airport for your international departure, ensuring a memorable experience in Ethiopia.
End of the tour.
Main Destination:
Addis Ababa (City)
Accommodation:
No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- Park fees (For non-residents)
- All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Cost Excludes
- International flights (From/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
- Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
FAQs
The 8-Day Omo Valley Cultural Tour typically includes transportation in a 4WD vehicle, a professional English-speaking guide, accommodation (lodges or camps), daily meals as specified, cultural village visits, local guides in tribal areas, and park/community entrance fees.
The 8-Day Omo Valley Cultural Tour commonly includes visits to tribes such as the Mursi, Hamar, Karo, Dassanech, and Arbore, depending on the itinerary and market days.
The best time for the 8-Day Omo Valley Cultural Tour is during the dry seasons (October–March and June–September), when road conditions are better and travel between remote villages is more accessible.
The 8-Day Omo Valley Cultural Tour offers opportunities to witness traditional ceremonies, body painting, scarification practices, lip-plate traditions, cattle culture, and vibrant local markets unique to southern Ethiopia.
The 8-Day Omo Valley Cultural Tour is not physically strenuous but involves long drives on rough roads and walking within villages and markets. A moderate level of mobility is sufficient.
Most permits and entrance fees required for the 8-Day Omo Valley Cultural Tour are arranged by the tour operator and included in the tour price, including regional and community access fees.
