TRIBES OF THE OMO VALLEY - 8 Days PHOTOGRAPHY EXPEDITION

Overview

Day by day itinerary

1. 1Addis Ababa⌄

   Arrive at Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Welcome to Ethiopia! Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by your local tour leader and transfered to Golden Tulip Hotel. Addis Ababa, founded in 1886 by Menelik II, is situated at 2,500 meters (8000 ft.) above sea level. It is the 5th highest capital city in the world. The city enjoys an excellent climate year-round, with an average temperature of 25C (77F). Addis Ababa is a pleasant city with wide avenues of jacarandas, interesting museums, and one of the largest open-air markets in Africa, known as the "Mercato". The rest of the day, relax in your comfortable hotel and get ready for the unique adventure awaiting you.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: over night stay at Golden tulip hotel Addis Ababa

2. 2Addis Ababa, Arba Minch⌄

   We will have a nice breakfast in the morning then a pre-tour briefing when we will share all the necessary information for the photo trip to the Omo Valley, one of the most remote places on the planet. After the pre-tour briefing, we will meet our driver for the transfer to Addis Ababa airport for our 40-minute flight to Arba Minch. Upon arrival at Arba Minch airport, you will meet with your drivers and drive north to the mountain village of Chencha, located on the southwestern escarpment of the Great Rift Valley, which runs north to south all the way to Mozambique. This is the home of the Dorze people. The Dorze people, once famous warriors in the region, are now renowned cotton weavers whose tall beehive-shaped and bamboo-woven dwellings are among the most distinctive structures to be seen anywhere in Africa. Our visit to this village and the unique cultural experience is an ideal way to ease into the authentic tribal experience awaiting us deep in the Omo Valley. As the sun goes down, we will drive back to Arba Minch enjoying the beautiful view of the sunset as we pass through hundreds of cattle herds as they return from a day of grazing in the fields.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: Over Night stay at Paradise Lodge

3. 3Drive to Jinka via Key afar⌄

   In the morning, you will have breakfast and drive to Jinka (270 Km from Arba Minch). And upon arrival at Konso (90 Km from Arba Minch), you will visit to the Konso Village (famous for their colorfully costumed dresses, impressive terracing of land - recently registered as World heritage by UNESCO, and engraved wooden statues grave markers). You will have lunch at Konso. Then you will be driven to Jinka and check into a resort. You will have dinner and spend the night in Jinka . NASA Hotel

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: Overnight stay at NASA Hotel

4. 4Excursion to Mursi village through Mago National Park⌄

   In the morning after breakfast, you will be driven to Mursi (55 Km from Jinka) and visit to the of Mursi tribe village (popularly known for their attractive culture, women wearing large clay plates into their lower lips). Then you will drive back to Jinka for lunch. After lunch, you will visit to the nearby Ari village and museum in Jinka. Dinner will be at the resort and you will spend the night at NASA Hotel .

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: Overnight stay at NASA Hotel

5. 5Drive to Turmi, Hammer tribe town⌄

   After breakfast you will be driven to Turmi (142 Km from Jinka), visiting an interesting village on the way. Upon arrival in Turmi check into a lodge. You will have lunch in Turmi. After a brief break you will then walk to the non-touristic Hammer Village to explore the Hammer tribes (best known for elaborate hairstyles, body painting using clays and vegetable pigments to make fantastic patterns on their faces, chests, arms and legs),

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: Overnight stay in Emerald lodge.

6. 6Excursion to Omorate to visit Dassench/Geleb tribe⌄

   An early morning drive will take you to Omorate to visit the Dassench/Geleb tribe (75 Km from Turmi). From there, you will take a boat trip on the Omo River and visit the Dassench/Geleb village. Then you will get back to Turmi for lunch. This afternoon you are free, follow your own program or explore another Hammer village.In the evening, you will be driven back to the lodge for dinner and spend the night at the lodge.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: Overnight stay In Emerald lodge.

7. 7Drive to Araba Minch⌄

   After breakfast, you will be driven to Araba Minch (290 Km from Turmi). You will stop for lunch at Konso and will proceed driving to Araba Minch, where upon arrival you will check into a lodge. Dinner will be at the lodge and you will spend the night there.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: Overnight stay at Haile Resort

8. 8Drive back to Addis Ababa⌄

   In the morning, you will have breakfast and drive back to Addis Ababa. Optional excursion; on your way back visit the Tiya and/or Melka-Kuntare archaeological sites. You will arrive in Addis Ababa late afternoon where you will take short break in your home. Finally you will be taken to a farewell dinner to Ethiopian (Habesha 2000 or YOD Abyssinia) traditional restaurant where you will taste Ethiopian food & drinks and a live music & dance then Drop you Off to Airport to your flight back to home.

   Meals: Breakfast