Omo Valley Tours
Overview
This 6-day Omo Valley tour from Jinka is a unique tour led by Minalu Adem, a local tour guide from Omo Valley who speaks most of the languages. He is the author of "A Guide to the Tribes, Omo Valley, Southern Ethiopia, " with over 15 years of experience. Our Tours follow all the principles of Sustainable & Responsible Travel.
Most of all, you will be warmly welcomed by our families and friends while visiting tribal villages as you are with a local operator and guide among them. Let's immerse you in our culture in an authentic way.
Most of all, you will be warmly welcomed by our families and friends while visiting tribal villages as you are with a local operator and guide among them. Let's immerse you in our culture in an authentic way.
Inclusions
- All Fees and Taxes
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- 5x Breakfast
- 5x Dinner
- 6x Lunch
- Accommodation included: 5 nights
- Entry/Admission - South Omo Research Centre Museum
- Entry/Admission - Chamo Lake
- Entry/Admission - Mursi Village
- Entry/Admission - Dorze Village
- Entry/Admission - Omo National Park and River
What to expect
Itinerary
Day 1: Jinka - Turmi
Stop At: Jinka, Jinka, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region
Minalu will meet you at Jinka airport and continue driving 130km to Turmi town. On the way, you will visit a tribal market such as Keyafer market (on Thursday), Alduba Market (on Tuesday), Dimeka market (on Saturday), or Turmi market (on Monday). If it's not a market day, you will visit a village of the Banna tribe on the way.
Duration: 6 hours
Stop At: Key Afer, Key Afer, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region
You may visit a Banna tribal market in Key Afer on Thursdays.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Alduba, Ethiopia
Visit Alduba market on Tuesday. It is a market where the Banna tribe buy and sell livestock and agricultural products.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Dimeka Town, Ethiopia
You may visit Hamar tribe market in Dimeka on Saturday.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Turmi, Turmi, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region
You will also visit Hamer village on this day or the next day. It depends on the availability of interesting ceremonial events. You will stay the next 2 days in Turmi and explore Omo Valley Ethiopia.
Duration: 16 hours
Meals included:
• Lunch: Food with soft drink and hot beverage. You will have a choice of different national and international menus available.
• Dinner: Food with soft drink and hot beverage. You will have a choice of different national and international menus available.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Buska Lodge or Similar.
Day 2: Turmi - Kara - Turmi
Stop At: Omo National Park and River, Jinka 2222 Ethiopia
Drive 65km west of Turmi and meet the Kara (Karo) tribe who are the masters of body and facial paintings. They live in a beautiful village by the shore of Omo River. You will meet the kara people and visit a family who will prepare a traditional coffee ceremony in their house. You will have the chance to discuss with the family and get a genuine connection with the people.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Turmi, Turmi, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region
Visit Turmi market of the Hamar tribe on Monday and Thursday.
Duration: 18 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Food with soft drink and hot beverage. You will have a choice of different national and international menus available.
• Lunch: Food with soft drink and hot beverage. You will have a choice of different national and international menus available.
• Dinner: Food with soft drink and hot beverage. You will have a choice of different national and international menus available.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Buska Lodge or Similar
Day 3: Turmi - Omo Rate - Jinka
Stop At: Omorate, Ethiopia
Drive from Turmi to Omorate for 1 hour and visit the Dassanech tribe on the other side of the river by crossing the Omo River with a dugout canoe and return to Turmi for lunch. In the afternoon, you will visit a Tribal Market (or ceremonial event if available / not included in the cost).
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Turmi, Turmi, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region
Visit the Hamar Bull Jumping Ceremony (optional) if available.
Duration: 16 hours
Stop At: Jinka, Jinka, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region
Visit Jinka Ethnography museum.
Duration: 12 hours
Stop At: South Omo Research Centre Museum, on top of hill in Jinka, Jinka Ethiopia
Visit jinka museum.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Food with soft drink and hot beverage. You will have a choice of different national and international menus available.
• Lunch: Food with soft drink and hot beverage. You will have a choice of different national and international menus available.
• Dinner: Food with soft drink and hot beverage. You will have a choice of different national and international menus available.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Buska Lodge or Similar
Day 4: Jinka - Mursi - Konso
Stop At: Mursi Village, Konso Ethiopia
Drive some 50km through the Mago National Park to meet face to face with the most famous Mursi tribe. The Mursi are popular for women to wear lip plates. They also do extensive body scarification. You will return to Jinka for lunch and continue the 140km drive on an asphalt road to Konso.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Mago National Park, 1000 Ethiopia
You will drive to the Mursi tribe village through the Mago National Park.
Duration: 1 minute
Stop At: Konso, Konso, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region
Drive 160 km from Jinka to Konso to visit the Konso people and their village, which is UNESCO'S world heritage site. You will also go to the Konso museum and chief's compound with the ancestral graveyard marked with Waka.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Konso Cultural Centre, On the road with Stawberry Fields Eco-Lodge, Konso Ethiopia
Visit the Konso museum.
Duration: 30 minutes
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Food with soft drink and hot beverage. You will have a choice of different national and international menus available.
• Lunch: Food with soft drink and hot beverage. You will have a choice of different national and international menus available.
• Dinner: Food with soft drink and hot beverage. You will have a choice of different national and international menus available.
Accommodation included: Kanta Lodge
Day 5: Konso - Arba Minch
Stop At: Arba Minch, Arba Minch, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region
Drive from Konso to Arbaminch 2 hours. After lunch in Arba Minch, you will continue to Dorze village 1-hour drive to see the incredible Dorze community.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Dorze Village, Dorze, Arba Minch 4300 Ethiopia
Visit the Dorze community by going to the village. You will visit incredible elephant-shaped houses, weaving, and the traditional Kocho preparation from the false banana plant called Ensset.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Food with soft drink and hot beverage. You will have a choice of different national and international menus available.
• Lunch: Food with soft drink and hot beverage. You will have a choice of different national and international menus available.
• Dinner: Food with soft drink and hot beverage. You will have a choice of different national and international menus available.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Hayley Resort.
Day 6: Arba Minch - Lake Chamo - Fly to Addis Ababa
Stop At: Chamo Lake, Arba Minch Ethiopia
After breakfast, drive to Lake Chamo for a short boat trip to see the Crocodiles and Hippos on the lake and return to Arbaminch. After an early lunch, you will be taken to the Airport for your flight back to Addis. This tour will end at Arba Minch Airport.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Chamo Lake, Arba Minch Ethiopia
Boat trip on Lake Chamo.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Food with soft drink and hot beverage. You will have a choice of different national and international menus available.
• Lunch: Food with soft drink and hot beverage. You will have a choice of different national and international menus available.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 1: Jinka - Turmi
Stop At: Jinka, Jinka, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region
Minalu will meet you at Jinka airport and continue driving 130km to Turmi town. On the way, you will visit a tribal market such as Keyafer market (on Thursday), Alduba Market (on Tuesday), Dimeka market (on Saturday), or Turmi market (on Monday). If it's not a market day, you will visit a village of the Banna tribe on the way.
Duration: 6 hours
Stop At: Key Afer, Key Afer, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region
You may visit a Banna tribal market in Key Afer on Thursdays.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Alduba, Ethiopia
Visit Alduba market on Tuesday. It is a market where the Banna tribe buy and sell livestock and agricultural products.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Dimeka Town, Ethiopia
You may visit Hamar tribe market in Dimeka on Saturday.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Turmi, Turmi, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region
You will also visit Hamer village on this day or the next day. It depends on the availability of interesting ceremonial events. You will stay the next 2 days in Turmi and explore Omo Valley Ethiopia.
Duration: 16 hours
Meals included:
• Lunch: Food with soft drink and hot beverage. You will have a choice of different national and international menus available.
• Dinner: Food with soft drink and hot beverage. You will have a choice of different national and international menus available.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Buska Lodge or Similar.
Day 2: Turmi - Kara - Turmi
Stop At: Omo National Park and River, Jinka 2222 Ethiopia
Drive 65km west of Turmi and meet the Kara (Karo) tribe who are the masters of body and facial paintings. They live in a beautiful village by the shore of Omo River. You will meet the kara people and visit a family who will prepare a traditional coffee ceremony in their house. You will have the chance to discuss with the family and get a genuine connection with the people.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Turmi, Turmi, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region
Visit Turmi market of the Hamar tribe on Monday and Thursday.
Duration: 18 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Food with soft drink and hot beverage. You will have a choice of different national and international menus available.
• Lunch: Food with soft drink and hot beverage. You will have a choice of different national and international menus available.
• Dinner: Food with soft drink and hot beverage. You will have a choice of different national and international menus available.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Buska Lodge or Similar
Day 3: Turmi - Omo Rate - Jinka
Stop At: Omorate, Ethiopia
Drive from Turmi to Omorate for 1 hour and visit the Dassanech tribe on the other side of the river by crossing the Omo River with a dugout canoe and return to Turmi for lunch. In the afternoon, you will visit a Tribal Market (or ceremonial event if available / not included in the cost).
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Turmi, Turmi, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region
Visit the Hamar Bull Jumping Ceremony (optional) if available.
Duration: 16 hours
Stop At: Jinka, Jinka, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region
Visit Jinka Ethnography museum.
Duration: 12 hours
Stop At: South Omo Research Centre Museum, on top of hill in Jinka, Jinka Ethiopia
Visit jinka museum.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Food with soft drink and hot beverage. You will have a choice of different national and international menus available.
• Lunch: Food with soft drink and hot beverage. You will have a choice of different national and international menus available.
• Dinner: Food with soft drink and hot beverage. You will have a choice of different national and international menus available.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Buska Lodge or Similar
Day 4: Jinka - Mursi - Konso
Stop At: Mursi Village, Konso Ethiopia
Drive some 50km through the Mago National Park to meet face to face with the most famous Mursi tribe. The Mursi are popular for women to wear lip plates. They also do extensive body scarification. You will return to Jinka for lunch and continue the 140km drive on an asphalt road to Konso.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Mago National Park, 1000 Ethiopia
You will drive to the Mursi tribe village through the Mago National Park.
Duration: 1 minute
Stop At: Konso, Konso, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region
Drive 160 km from Jinka to Konso to visit the Konso people and their village, which is UNESCO'S world heritage site. You will also go to the Konso museum and chief's compound with the ancestral graveyard marked with Waka.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Konso Cultural Centre, On the road with Stawberry Fields Eco-Lodge, Konso Ethiopia
Visit the Konso museum.
Duration: 30 minutes
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Food with soft drink and hot beverage. You will have a choice of different national and international menus available.
• Lunch: Food with soft drink and hot beverage. You will have a choice of different national and international menus available.
• Dinner: Food with soft drink and hot beverage. You will have a choice of different national and international menus available.
Accommodation included: Kanta Lodge
Day 5: Konso - Arba Minch
Stop At: Arba Minch, Arba Minch, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region
Drive from Konso to Arbaminch 2 hours. After lunch in Arba Minch, you will continue to Dorze village 1-hour drive to see the incredible Dorze community.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Dorze Village, Dorze, Arba Minch 4300 Ethiopia
Visit the Dorze community by going to the village. You will visit incredible elephant-shaped houses, weaving, and the traditional Kocho preparation from the false banana plant called Ensset.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Food with soft drink and hot beverage. You will have a choice of different national and international menus available.
• Lunch: Food with soft drink and hot beverage. You will have a choice of different national and international menus available.
• Dinner: Food with soft drink and hot beverage. You will have a choice of different national and international menus available.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Hayley Resort.
Day 6: Arba Minch - Lake Chamo - Fly to Addis Ababa
Stop At: Chamo Lake, Arba Minch Ethiopia
After breakfast, drive to Lake Chamo for a short boat trip to see the Crocodiles and Hippos on the lake and return to Arbaminch. After an early lunch, you will be taken to the Airport for your flight back to Addis. This tour will end at Arba Minch Airport.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Chamo Lake, Arba Minch Ethiopia
Boat trip on Lake Chamo.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Food with soft drink and hot beverage. You will have a choice of different national and international menus available.
• Lunch: Food with soft drink and hot beverage. You will have a choice of different national and international menus available.
No accommodation included on this day.
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- Face masks required for travelers in public areas
- Face masks required for guides in public areas
- Face masks provided for travelers
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Social distancing enforced throughout experience
- Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
- Gear/equipment sanitized between use
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- Regular temperature checks for staff
- Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival
- Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
- Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
- Bring your COVID-19 test certificate from your country as it is required on your arrival in Ethiopia.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
DONQUA
January 2023
Appena tornati da un tour in Etiopia di 7 giorni nella valle dell’Omo e 1 giorno ad Addis Abeba, ci sentiamo di trasmettere alcune note che hanno contraddistinto l’organizzazione e poi la realizzazione del nostro viaggio con Omo Valley Travel & Tours di Minalu Adem. Ci siamo imbattuti in questo t...
Appena tornati da un tour in Etiopia di 7 giorni nella valle dell’Omo e 1 giorno ad Addis Abeba, ci sentiamo di trasmettere alcune note che hanno contraddistinto l’organizzazione e poi la realizzazione del nostro viaggio con Omo Valley Travel & Tours di Minalu Adem. Ci siamo imbattuti in questo tour operator locale per puro caso, navigando sul web alla ricerca di un supporto locale dopo aver autonomamente acquistato i biglietti aerei. A poco meno di un mese dalla partenza, nella fase organizzativa più convulsa, siamo stati colpiti dalla rapidità e precisione nelle risposte alle nostre mail, con cui Minalu ha pazientemente chiarito ogni dubbio e ci ha fornito preziosi consigli per adattare il tour alle nostre esigenze. Anche quando abbiamo avuto necessità di modificare la città e l’orario di arrivo, a causa di un cambio di volo della compagnia aerea, Minalu è stato disponibile ed efficiente riorganizzando il percorso e tutte le prenotazioni. Ci eravamo preparati a un tour almeno parzialmente “turistico” e avevamo immaginato di visitare villaggi e conoscere le popolazioni locali affiancati da altri turisti e con scarse opportunità di entrare davvero nelle realtà locali. Tutte le nostre basse aspettative sono state abbondantemente superate in quello che inaspettatamente si è rivelato un viaggio davvero individuale alla scoperta di realtà incredibili e forse in via di estinzione. In otto giorni abbiamo percorso un anello che ci ha portato da Arba Minch a Jinka, attrave,rsando la valle dell’Omo, dove abbiamo scoperto villaggi di etnie diverse (Dorze, Konso, Banna, Aari, Mursi, Karo, Hamar, Dassanech) e in ognuno abbiamo avuto contatti diretti con le popolazioni locali. Sempre accompagnati da Minalu, in ogni tappa abbiamo avuto anche una guida locale che ci ha consentito di comprendere meglio il modo di vita, i costumi, le tradizioni, le cerimonie e ha sostenuto, con la traduzione dall’idioma locale all’amarico all’inglese, la conversazione con le famiglie che ci hanno accolto nelle loro capanne. Negli otto giorni di tour siamo rimasti piacevolmente stupiti di quanto poco ci fosse di turistico nelle realtà quotidiane che abbiamo visitato, in particolare negli affollati e coloratissimi mercati di merci e bestiame lungo il percorso, e nelle cerimonie cui abbiamo avuto l’occasione di assistere, come quella del Bull jumping di iniziazione all’età adulta, in uno scenario naturale e per niente artefatto dalla nostra presenza. I tempi di percorrenza lungo le strade asfaltate e sterrate che si diramano dai centri principali attraversando scenari naturalistici incontaminati e parchi nazionali, non sono mai stati faticosi e sempre piacevolmente scanditi da pause per fotografie, spuntini e pause per il pranzo nelle strutture locali dove abbiamo assaggiato la cucina locale. Merita una menzione particolare la guida del driver Shimel, sempre tranquilla e prudente, connotata dalla precisione chirurgica nell’evitare animali, persone e ogni sorta di veicolo per il trasporto di merci di ogni genere, arricchita dal sorriso bianco dei suoi denti perfetti e dai suoi gesti calmi e pacifici. Le strutture in cui abbiamo alloggiato, sempre di standard elevato per l’Etiopia, sono state di buon livello, garantendo sempre pulizia e confort, anche nelle zone più remote, e con rare necessità di adattamento. Durante tutto il viaggio la presenza di Minalu è stata contraddistinta da una simpatia schietta, una cortesia sincera e dalla profonda conoscenza di tutte le realtà della valle dell’Omo, naturalistiche, etnografiche e antropologiche. Se il nostro viaggio nella valle dell’Omo è stato “pazzesco” e indimenticabile lo dobbiamo a Minalu e alla sua Omo Valley Travel & Tours. Grazie da Donato e Silvia.94kyeshaw
August 2023
Minalu is the best tour guide there is! Highly recommend. I first had to start with that statement because I have never felt so safe and well taken cared of before as a female solo traveler. Minalu is well respected in the Jinka community and his knowledge and hospitality naturally extends to oth...
Minalu is the best tour guide there is! Highly recommend. I first had to start with that statement because I have never felt so safe and well taken cared of before as a female solo traveler. Minalu is well respected in the Jinka community and his knowledge and hospitality naturally extends to others. Each tribe welcomed me with open arms and without a doubt, I know it was because of Minalu’s presence. The relationships and bonds that he has with the people of the tribe is remarkable. One of my favorite parts of the tour was eating at his local family owned restaurant. My first time tasting injero possibly changed my life for the better. It was so delicious! With this tour, I was able to immerse myself in the culture and learn about the traditions and way of life from the tribes located in the omo valley. Thanks to Minalu and his company, this will be an experience that I will never forget. I can go on and on about the hospitality and care that Minalu shows for his customers. If you are thinking about a tour to the omo valley, please please please book this tour guide. I don’t think it gets any better than this! Thank you Minalu for an experience of a lifetime.Hanna G
May 2023
Amazing cultural experience with the best guide! Minalu took my husband and me on a 9 day road trip through South Omo and we had the best time. He put together an trip itinerary that introduced us to the cultural diversity that the region has to offer. In each village and community we visited, he...
Amazing cultural experience with the best guide! Minalu took my husband and me on a 9 day road trip through South Omo and we had the best time. He put together an trip itinerary that introduced us to the cultural diversity that the region has to offer. In each village and community we visited, he made us feel comfortable and welcome and helped us understand each communities' unique way of living. We enjoyed the stories he shared with us of growing up in Jinka and traveling around the region with his own father and how he grew up. I can see how he became one of the best guides in the region. I can't wait to return to South Omo to learn more about the many communities and will definitely look to Minalu to organize my next trip there. For those planning a trip in South Omo, look no further. Minalu is a consummate professional and will tailor the trip to meet all of your needs. I highly recommend him to anyone interested in having a fascinating experience traveling in southern Ethiopia.hanag744
May 2023
Had an amazing experience with Omo Valley Travel and Tours! As a female solo traveler, it’s important to feel comfortable and trust any guides that you’re with. Minalu and Tewachew are such amazing people and I genuinely enjoyed spending time with them. Minalu has many years of experience and an ...
Had an amazing experience with Omo Valley Travel and Tours! As a female solo traveler, it’s important to feel comfortable and trust any guides that you’re with. Minalu and Tewachew are such amazing people and I genuinely enjoyed spending time with them. Minalu has many years of experience and an extreme wealth of knowledge. I learned so much from him and he was able to answer any question that I had. He has really close relationships with the people of the tribes and was able to get me access that felt very intimate and special. People really love him. All of the local guides that they brought in were also amazing. I had a strict schedule I had to stick by and they were able to put together a customized, unforgettable experience for me. I am extremely grateful and would recommend them to anyone!Denisaavram
May 2023
One of the most amazing tours of my life! Minalu has more than 20 years experience in tourism in the region, being one of the first tour guides in Jinka, so definitely can give a trip down memory lane as he has amazing stories, like how in the past the planes were landing right in the center of...
One of the most amazing tours of my life! Minalu has more than 20 years experience in tourism in the region, being one of the first tour guides in Jinka, so definitely can give a trip down memory lane as he has amazing stories, like how in the past the planes were landing right in the center of Jinka and everyone would come to see the plane bringing farengis and would gather around it 😂. His tours are very well organized so you don’t have to worry about anything and most importantly he knows everything about the tribes and the region. Not only he is very knowledgeable but also a very fun person. We had a lot of fun over the 4 day tour he planned for me, driving around, telling local jokes, listening to reggae music and exploring Omo Valley ❤️ Thank you so much Minalu for this amazing experiences! I will be back to see you one day 🥳emyliana
April 2023
I can’t speak highly enough about Minalu and his knowledge of the tribes. He truly cares about making sure his clients have a trip of a lifetime, and he most certainly achieved that with me! I went as a solo female traveler, and I left with a best friend in Ethiopia. I cried saying goodbye becaus...
I can’t speak highly enough about Minalu and his knowledge of the tribes. He truly cares about making sure his clients have a trip of a lifetime, and he most certainly achieved that with me! I went as a solo female traveler, and I left with a best friend in Ethiopia. I cried saying goodbye because I was just so grateful for Minalu and everything I learned. Out of 41 countries, this 8 day tour was hands down my favorite thanks to Minalu!