Tour Details
Day 1 : Addis Ababa – Mizan Teferi by Flight
Your Omo Valley adventure begins with an afternoon domestic flight from Addis Ababa to Mizan Teferi. After arriving in Mizan Teferi, you will meet your local team and transfer to your hotel. The afternoon is free to relax after the flight and prepare for the journey into the remote Suri region. Mizan Teferi is surrounded by beautiful green highlands and coffee-growing areas, and it provides an important transition from the capital into the more remote southwestern part of Ethiopia.
Accommodation: Hotel Salayish, Mizan Teferi
Day 2 : Mizan Teferi – Suri Tribe
After breakfast, begin the journey toward Suri territory. Today is one of the most adventurous driving days of the trip as you leave the more developed areas behind and travel through increasingly remote landscapes. The road takes you toward the villages and pastoral areas inhabited by the Suri people. The Suri are known for their distinctive cultural traditions, traditional body decoration, colorful clothing and strong pastoral lifestyle. Upon arrival, you will have your first opportunity to meet local people and explore the surroundings with your local guide. In the evening, settle into your traditional camping experience near the Suri village.
Accommodation: Camping in Suri village
Day 3 : Full Day with the Suri Tribe
Today is dedicated entirely to experiencing Suri village life. With plenty of time and without rushing, walk through the community and observe everyday activities. You may see livestock herding, agricultural activities, children playing, traditional houses and social gatherings. The day provides excellent opportunities to capture portraits, traditional clothing, village life, landscapes and authentic everyday moments always with respect and permission. As the sun begins to set, return to your campsite and enjoy another night surrounded by the Suri community.
Accommodation: Camping in Suri village
Day 4 : Suri – Hamer
After breakfast, say goodbye to the Suri community and begin the journey toward Hamer territory. The drive takes you through spectacular and changing landscapes as you move deeper into the Omo Valley. Upon reaching the Hamer area, you will meet local families and have your first opportunity to explore a traditional Hamer tribe. The Hamer are traditionally pastoral people, and their culture is strongly connected to cattle, family and community life.
Accommodation: Paradise Lodge
Day 5 : Full Day with the Hamer
Today is a full day to discover Hamer culture and village life. Spend time walking through the village, meeting families and learning about their traditional way of life. You may observe cattle herding, food preparation, domestic activities, traditional crafts and other aspects of everyday life. The Hamer are also known for their distinctive hairstyles, beadwork, leather clothing and colorful personal decorations. If a traditional ceremony or cultural event happens to take place during your visit. Ceremonies are seasonal and cannot be guaranteed but if there is one up on the time it's must see. The slower pace of today allows plenty of time for photography and genuine interaction with the community.
Accommodation: Camping in Hamer village / Paradise Lodge
Day 6 : Full day photo in KARA
After early breakfast, start our day visiting the kara people with the mooring light. Dus is the second of three village settlements of the Kara tribe. Sited on the banks of the Omo River, the Kara known for their creative and decorative body chalk painting. Many of the Kara women have pierced lips and insert nails, flowers and pins. In addition to various photographic opportunities in the village and on the banks of the Omo River, we may be able to photograph the ceremonial, communal dance performed by the people of Dus. This is dusty and very atmospheric photo opportunities abound. The Kara of Dus pride themselves as the best dancers in the Omo. Afterward, in the evening we will drive to Turmi.
Accommodation: Paradise Lodge
Day 7 : Turmi – Omorate – Turmi
We drive to Omorate to visit a remote Dassanech village, close to the Kenyan border. Here, we visit their villages and photograph daily life. This is an arid area with very fine silt soils deposited by the Omo river in the past. After our visit to the Dassanech we go to Dimeka market and in the late afternoon we proceed back to Turmi, perhaps stopping at a Hamar village to get the best of the light in the golden hour.
Accommodation: Paradise Lodge
Day 8 : Dassanech – Arbore
After breakfast, leave the Dassanech area and continue toward the Arbore people. The journey takes you through the dry landscapes of southern Ethiopia, with opportunities to stop along the way for photographs and local interactions. Upon arrival in Arbore territory, visit a traditional village and begin learning about the community's distinctive culture, traditions and pastoral lifestyle. The Arbore are known for their traditional clothing, jewelry and cultural practices, making the village a fascinating place to explore and photograph.
Accommodation: Camping in Arbore
Day 9 : Arbore – Jinka
After breakfast, say goodbye to the Arbore community and begin the final drive toward Jinka. The journey brings you back toward the main town of the Omo Valley, giving you one final opportunity to enjoy the changing landscapes of southern Ethiopia. Along the way you will be visiting the famous stilt walking boys of Banna.
Accommodation: Jinka Resort
Day 10 : Jinka – Addis Ababa
After breakfast take the flight to Addis Ababa. Relaxing in the capital and shopping in the city centre. Fair wall Dinner at one of the traditional restaurant afterwards droop you back to Addis Ababa international airport for your way back home.
End of Tour.