7 days Omo Valley, Dorze and Arba Minch

5.0 (3 reviews) 7 days Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

3 reviews

5.0

7 days Omo Valley, Dorze and Arba Minch — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

7 days Omo Valley, Dorze and Arba Minch, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Omo Valley is undoubtedly one of the most unique places on earth and the discovery of human remains dating back nearly 2.5 million years prompted UNESCO to dub the Lower Valley a World Heritage site in 1980.

The villages are home to some of Africa’s most fascinating ethnic groups and a trip here represents a unique chance for travellers to encounter a culture markedly different from their own. Whether it’s wandering through traditional Dassanech villages, watching Hamer people performing a Jumping of the Bull ceremony or seeing the Mursi’s mind-blowing lip plates, your visit here will stay with you for a lifetime.

The landscape is diverse, ranging from dry, open savannah plains to forests in the high hills and along the Omo and Mago Rivers. The former meanders for nearly 800km, from southwest of Addis Ababa all the way to Lake Turkana on the Kenyan border.

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At a glance

Duration: 7 days
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–12
Guide: English
Operated by: Gamo Travel

Ages: Infants (1–3 years) · Children (4–12 years) · Youth (13–17 years) · Adults (18–64 years) · Seniors (65–80 years)

What is included

Included

Included: 4WD vehicle including professional driver and all fuel
Included: 5 nights accommodation in named hotels & 1 night camping
Included: Lunch
Included: Village and National Park entrance fees and River/Lake boat rides
Included: Dinner
Included: Breakfast
Included: Collection from Arba Minch airport/hotel and return to Jinka airport
Included: Professional English speaking guide

Not included

Not included: Drinks
Not included: Any local fees for taking individual photographs
Not included: Gratuities
Not included: Return flight to Addis Ababa

Itinerary

Day 1 · Arba Minch - Dorze

Dorze Village

18 hours Admission included

You will be met at Arba Minch airport or hotel and will take a beautiful drive up the mountains to Dorze village - home of Ethiopia's weavers. You will enjoy a walking tour – visit the traditional bamboo houses, learn how to make the local bread from false banana tree, enjoy the market, watch women spinners and see the famous Dorze weavers. Stay overnight at Dorze Lodge, renowned for the spectacular views of the two Rift Valley lakes. After dinner, sit by the camp fire and enjoy the local singing and dancing

Overnight at Dorze Lodge with spectacular views of the rift valley lakes and Arba Minch

Day 2 · Dorze - Lake Chamo and Nechisar National Park (Arba Minch)

Chamo Lake

8 hours Admission included

After seeing sunrise, drive to Arba Minch and take a motor boat across Lake Chamo to visit Nechisar National Park. Take a gentle hike across the savannah and see zebras, gazelles and different types of animals. On the return boat ride, you will see giant crocodiles, hippos, local fishermen, pelicans and different types of birds. Spend the evening in Arba Minch. Stay overnight at Haile Resort

Overnight at Haile Resort, ranked at 1st place to stay in Arba Minch

Day 3 · Arba Minch - Konso - Turmi

Konso

7 hours

Drive to Konso, a UNESCO world heritage site. Your village walking tour will include Konso's renowned stone walled terraces and fortified settlements, wooden statues (Waga), and stone steles (a complex system of marking the passing of leaders). Drive to Turmi, a market town and home to the Hamer tribe. Stay overnight at Paradise lodge

Overnight at Paradise Lodge, next to a small hamer village and stay in traditional huts or safari tents

Day 4 · Karo tribe - Hamer market - Turmi

Turmi

one day

Spend the morning visiting the Karo tribe, famed for their body painting and elaborate headdresses - decorating with nature. Drive back to Turmi in time for the colourful afternoon Hamer market. Stay overnight in Turmi

Stay overnight at Paradise Lodge, Turmi

Day 5 · Turmi - Omorate - Dassanech tribe - Hamer Village

Stop 1

one day

Drive to Omorate, on the Omo River, which is as deep as one can get into the Omo valley, without entering Kenya. Cross the river to visit Ethiopia's most southern tribe, Dassanech. Afterwards, drive to Jinka which is set in the hills above Mago National Park and capital of the Omo Valley. You will visit the South-Omo Museum & Research Centre which hosts interesting exhibitions. Stay overnight in an Eco lodge.

Spend the night in our high quality tents in a Hamer village. We provide mattresses, sleeping bags, pillows, etc

Day 6 · Nyangatom tribes - Bana Market - Jinka

Jinka

one day

Visit the Nyangatom Tribe who live on the border with South Sudan and are considered one of the richest and most prosperous tribes. Vast lands allow the tribe to graze a large number of cattle but different to other tribes, the men hunt crocodiles using harpoons and a local canoe. They have gained the reputation of being the feared and fierce warriors. Drive to Key Afar to enjoy the colourful Bana Market and then stay overnight in Jinka

Overnight at Eco-Omo Lodge in Jinka

Day 7 · Mago National Park - Mursi Tribe - Jinka

Mago National Park

12 hours Admission included

Drive through Mago National Park to visit the Mursi tribe, famed for their unique lip plates. After lunch, we will take you to Jinka airport for your flight to Addis Ababa

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

We will collect you from Arba Minch airport or from your Arba Minch hotel

End point

The tour ends at Jinka airport so that tourists can fly straight back to Addis Ababa. If customers prefer, we can provide the option to travel by car to Arba Minch.